Equestrian camping near Clarksville, Maryland offers access to woodland trails through rolling Piedmont terrain at elevations ranging from 200-400 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching 90°F and mild winters where trails remain accessible except during occasional snow events. Most horseback riding areas maintain trail accessibility year-round, though spring brings muddy conditions requiring proper footwear and equipment.
What to do
Trail exploration at Cedarville State Forest: Open April through October, this forest features 19.5 miles of multi-use trails through pine and hardwood forests. "The brown trail was a nice walk" with "decent trails to hike" according to visitors at Cedarville State Forest.
Battlefield tours on horseback: Located 90 minutes from Clarksville, Gettysburg offers guided equestrian battlefield tours. "You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback" at Artillery Ridge Campground, which sits "right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts."
Fishing between rides: Several campgrounds offer fishing ponds for when you're not on horseback. "My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site" at Artillery Ridge, while Gettysburg Campground features a "nice creek with ducks."
What campers like
Well-maintained shower facilities: Clean bathroom facilities rank high with equestrian campers who need to clean up after trail riding. "Bathrooms don't look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure" at Cedarville State Forest.
Proximity to historical sites: Many riders appreciate combining equestrian activities with historical exploration. "The campground is approximately a 3 minute drive from everything in the town of Gettysburg. The battlefields are very close as well" at Gettysburg Campground.
Spacious campsites: Riders need room for equipment and gear. "The sites were very clean, no trash, and pretty level" according to visitors at Artillery Ridge Campground, while Bull Run offers "spacious sites and awesome views of the forest."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for various wildlife interactions while riding. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates" at Cedarville State Forest, indicating diverse wildlife throughout the area.
Tick precautions essential: The region has significant tick populations affecting both humans and horses. "I've never left this park without at least one tick" warns a Cedarville camper, while another notes "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers."
Water access points: Bull Run Regional Park provides reliable water sources for horses with "drinking water" available throughout the campground, though some sites report drainage issues: "Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities between rides: "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish" at Bull Run Regional Park.
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious" according to one family at Pohick Bay Campground.
Educational opportunities: Combine riding with learning experiences. "We did Park Ranger tours to learn about the 1st shot and how the war started to stand in the footsteps of General Buford at Senitary Ridge in the cupola overseeing the battlefield" at Artillery Ridge Campground.
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs. Site 5 or 7 wouldn't have that problem" advises an RVer at Cedarville State Forest.
Utility hookups: "30 amp electric. No issues there" reports a camper at Cedarville State Forest, while Camp Meade RV Park offers full hookups including "electric-hookups, fifty-amp-hookups, sewer-hookups, and water-hookups."
Military base considerations: When staying at Camp Meade RV Park near Fort Meade, be aware of morning protocols. One camper noted: "Was great not to have to really worry about anything because you are securely on post. I forgot all about revielle. They reminded me."
