Horse camping opportunities near Amsterdam, New York offer riders access to varied terrain across the Adirondack foothills and Mohawk Valley. The region features a mix of state forests and private equestrian facilities where trail riding ranges from gentle creek-side paths to more challenging wooded routes. Spring and fall provide optimal riding conditions with temperatures between 50-70°F, while summer months can reach humid highs in the mid-80s.
What to do
Trail riding at Luzerne Campground: Located about 45 minutes north of Amsterdam, this campground provides dedicated facilities for horse riders. "The only campground in all of New York that acquires to house back riders. There are campsites that also come with stalls for your horse!" notes Brittnay B.
Water activities after riding: Many equestrian campers appreciate having water access after dusty trail rides. At Murphy Lake Leanto, Tony F. reports, "Once at the large Leanto, you will find a fire pit and ample room for many tents if needed, plus a lake full of water, and a forest full of wood—if it hasn't rained."
Explore surrounding wilderness: The region offers extensive backcountry riding options. "The Murphy Bennett Trails is a technical challenge to hike, or bike in on. And be prepared to go over downfalls. The area is maintained, but wind happens in the old growth forest," explains one visitor who explored the wilderness trails.
What campers like
Stream-side camping: Riders appreciate sites near water for both themselves and their horses. At Betty Brook Camp, Robert B. shares, "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream."
Privacy between sites: Many equestrian campers value separation from other campers for both peace and to reduce stress for their horses. At Moreau Lake State Park Campground, campers appreciate that "Campsites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed."
Proximity to supplies: While enjoying remote camping, having access to emergency supplies matters for horse owners. Peter from Betty Brook Camp notes, "It's a small town, with just a gas station store. I would not recommend this for large trailers."
What you should know
Seasonal variations affect trail conditions: Wet seasons can make trails challenging for horses. One experienced rider mentions, "The trail ride out to Pumpkin Hollow doesn't take long, maybe an hour and a half, and the decent back to route 30 and reality takes 4 minutes 34 seconds."
Limited specialized equestrian services: Most general campgrounds lack specific horse amenities. At Country Campsites, riders typically need to bring all their own equipment as the facility focuses more on general camping than equestrian-specific needs.
Variable trailer accessibility: Site access varies significantly between locations. Peter warns about Betty Brook Camp, "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done."
Tips for camping with families
Look for multi-activity campgrounds: Families with both riders and non-riders need diverse options. At Artisan Hill Farm & Studio, families can split activities between riding and creative pursuits.
Consider swimming options after riding: Children especially enjoy cooling off after trail rides. Antoinette W. describes their family routine at Luzerne: "We get our site close to the lake so we can walk down and swim and my husband fishes."
Plan for evening entertainment: After day rides, having evening activities matters. "My daughter loves it here. We get our site close to the lake so we can walk down and swim and my husband fishes. The showers are so nice and private and clean," reports Antoinette W.
Tips from RVers
Check access road conditions: Horse trailer access varies dramatically by location. Emily B. notes about Luzerne Campground: "We loved our weekend stay! My husband and I spent the weekend and loved it! We loved being deep in the woods!"
Consider turnaround space: Horse trailers require additional maneuvering room. Nancy W. from Moreau Lake warns, "Our campsite was spacious but required some maneuvering to avoid scraping trees with our RV. Campsites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed."
Research generator policies: Power needs for horse camping may require generators. "Generators are allowed but not too many people were using them. The few other campers around that used them were mindful of quiet hours," reports Nancy W. about Moreau Lake State Park.
