2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Limited equestrian camping options exist near Elsinboro, New Jersey, with none of the available campgrounds featuring dedicated horse corrals according to current data. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in nearby Elkton, Maryland offers the closest horse-friendly camping environment, though it does not provide permanent horse corrals. The facility maintains trails accessible to equestrians and accommodates both tent and RV camping with electric hookups and water access. Sites are sufficiently large to accommodate horse trailers, with drinking water available throughout the grounds.
Trail access connects riders to the surrounding Natural Resources Management Area, providing varied terrain for horse riding. Tuckahoe State Park Campground, located in Queen Anne, Maryland, offers another option with sites large enough for horse trailers, though specialized equestrian facilities are limited. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during peak seasons from spring through fall. Horse owners should bring their own portable corrals or highline equipment since permanent equine accommodations are not standard features at these locations. Campgrounds with drinking water access provide essential resources for horses after trail rides.
"There are some equestrian and tent sites as well. Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking."
"I took her older cousins to the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore."
Available this weekend
from $17 - $32 / night
"The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."
"I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."
from $25 / night
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
"Activities See the photo that shows 35 miles of hiking trails. It's an excellent brochure! "
Available this weekend
from $20 - $90 / night
"Those can be found at the campground entrance. Each loop has a wood shed and clean, well-appointed bathhouse. There are water pumps along the road for refills."
"We backed up to a hiking trail which was nice. There's lots to do here. There's a disc golf course and the camp store has discs available to use."
from $21 - $70 / night
"Park is that the Electric loop (B) has all of the sites on the outside of the drive loop so you are not looking across the road at other campers."
"Just off highway, nice wooded area, access to a good boat ramp."
from $18 - $77 / night
"This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."
"Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites."
from $15 - $50 / night
ScoutFirst time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
LegendWe spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
LegendThis is a great little state park tucked away in the woods. Campsites are pretty spacious and have nice shade. The campground has two loops, each with a bathhouse located in the middle. Our site (Butterfly Loop #3) was long enough for our motorhome and tow car. The roads are paved, as was our camping pad. The only utility at our site was 30-amp electric. There are water spigots located throughout each loop and we were close enough to fill our water tank. For the most part, the park is big-rig friendly but we did brush against some trees on our way around the loop. Campsites do vary in length so make sure you include your length when booking. We reserved online and were instructed to just go to our site which was nice and convenient. They sell firewood onsite and have a self-pay station which we loved. There is a nice boat launch and the kayak launch has a platform to assist you getting in and out and there are plenty of places to fish from the bank. There is a nature center (which was not open during our stay), playground, picnic pavilions, amphitheater, The bathrooms could use some more attention. The shower curtains were pink meaning they have not been properly cleaned in a while. Needless to say, we did not shower there. The dump station was closed while we were there but we were told we could use the dump station at Tuckahoe State Park (about 10 miles away). We really enjoyed the short hiking trails and paved trail which allowed us to log about 3 miles without having to leave the park. The campground is a really relaxing place to be. We did drive (about 40 minutes south) to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, both of which we recommend. It is also worth a drive to St. Michaels to see the quaint seaside town and visit the maritime museum (plan on spending half a day at the museum). The only downside is that the park is not gated and open for day use so a lot of people just drive through the campground looking around.
LegendOverall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
ScoutBathrooms are clean and staff is nice
TravelerThe camp site was amazing. Everything is neat and clean and really beautiful place so quiet.
GuideThis campground has everything. Conveniently located, short drive to Dover, Wilmington, Annapolis and Baltimore. The sites were very large and spacious. Sites can accommodate any type of trailer or vehicle. Plenty of site hookups, areas for tents. There is a camp store, several washer and dryers. The best private, individual shower booths and even a pond to go fishing in.
ScoutThis is our 3rd time at this park, it is one of our favorites. Well maintained, very quiet. We stay in Loop A (full hookup) pet friendly. Sites are spacious, generally large but they are all back-in sites.
TravelerThis is the most quietest campground. Perfect when you need to go somewhere to think. The people here are very nice. The wildlife is amazing
Horse campgrounds near Elsinboro, New Jersey range in size from intimate state forest settings to larger facilities with mixed-use trails. Situated in the upper Chesapeake Bay watershed region, this area features rolling landscapes with elevations rarely exceeding 300 feet. Most campgrounds remain open from March through November, though several offer year-round accessibility with seasonal facility limitations.
Paddling and fishing activities: At Lums Pond State Park Campground, equestrians can alternate between trail riding and water recreation. "Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking. There's an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp," notes Ellen B., highlighting the diverse activities available alongside horse trails.
Trail exploration: Hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians share trails at many parks in the region. At Martinak State Park Campground, riders appreciate the river access. "Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports. No real hiking trails. Overall small quiet campground," reports Laura M., pointing to water-based activities that complement horseback riding.
Historical sites: The region contains significant historical landmarks accessible from horse-friendly campgrounds. "There is the Reading and Berks County Visitors Bureau and Chester County Visitors Bureau, State Game Lands 43, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and Daniel Boone Homestead," according to a camper at French Creek State Park, providing options for educational day trips between trail rides.
Spacious sites: Horse owners require extra space, and Tuckahoe State Park Campground delivers. "Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well," shares Ellen B., highlighting the accommodations that work for campers with trailers.
Clean facilities: Maintaining horse equipment requires access to washing facilities. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," notes one camper at French Creek, appreciating infrastructure that supports extended stays.
Natural environment: Riders value natural surroundings for trail experiences. "Very few trees, not much shade at all! The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides," reports Amanda H. about Lums Pond, reminding horse owners to check for adequate trailer positioning options.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian-friendly sites book quickly during peak seasons. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park Campground, where horse-friendly facilities are limited.
Limited dedicated facilities: True horse corrals remain scarce in the region. "Only 8 sites in the campground, very spaced apart. Each site has lots of room," notes Sarah M. about Blackbird State Forest, describing primitive accommodations where portable corrals would be necessary.
Water access limitations: Horses require substantial water access. "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank," warns Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park, highlighting a consideration crucial for horse owners.
Playground options: Children need activities while adults tend to horses. At French Creek State Park Campground, "There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line," shares one camper, describing amenities that keep children entertained.
Swimming alternatives: After dusty trail rides, cooling options matter. "There is a pool and another playground near the park office. Not to mention the many trails for walking, hiking or biking as well!" notes a French Creek visitor, listing recreation alternatives for families with varying interests.
Educational opportunities: Junior ranger programs provide learning experiences between rides. "If you're looking to learn and explore with your kids, there is an extensive junior ranger program," mentions a reviewer at Martinak State Park Campground, highlighting structured activities for children.
Site selection strategy: Choosing the right site affects horse trailer maneuverability. "The campground is wooded and only has electric hookups available. The sites are well spaced. Good dump station and potable water fill. Spigots throughout the campground," shares Adam and Suzanne B. about Hibernia County Park, noting infrastructure considerations important for rigs with horse trailers.
Loop considerations: Different campground sections offer varying amenities for equestrians. "There are two loops: a tent/cabin site, and an electric site for RVs. The sites are well maintained," explains Bill G. about Tuckahoe, helping horse owners select appropriate camping areas.
Access roads: Horse trailers require adequate approach routes. "I was able to fit 5 diapers, a large bottle of suntan lotion, a pack of wipes, snack container, travel changing pad, Matador large NanoDry towel, Matador droplet wet bag and a bottle of milk on the side in the drink pocket. There was still plenty of room to spare," details a reviewer about their backpack capacity at French Creek, demonstrating the storage capabilities needed for extended horse camping trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Elsinboro, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Elsinboro, NJ is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Elsinboro, NJ?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Elsinboro, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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