Backbone Horse Campground in New York's Finger Lakes National Forest stands out among equestrian camping destinations in the region. The large campsites accommodate riders with their horses and equipment at $10 per night using an honor system payment method. Situated in a central location within the national forest, the campground connects directly to an extensive trail network. Pit toilets are available on-site, though amenities are otherwise minimal.
What to do
Trail riding access: The campground provides immediate access to forest paths throughout the Finger Lakes National Forest. According to one visitor at Backbone Horse Campground, "Large camp sites have room for all your horses and horse paraphernalia. Call Finger Lakes National Forest to make sure trails aren't closed due to weather, spring melt, etc."
Stargazing opportunities: The remote setting creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. One camper notes, "Perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife. We had perfect weather and it was a spectacular night!"
Nearby recreation: At Lackawanna State Park Campground, about 60 miles from Apalachin, visitors can enjoy additional activities. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," reports one camper. The park also features "water craft rentals, nice lake. Plenty of picnic areas for day trips."
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Many visitors appreciate the uncrowded nature of equestrian campgrounds near Apalachin, New York. One reviewer shared their experience: "We had the whole place to ourselves. This is a great little campground with fairly large sites... We seen maybe three people pass through the three days/two nights we were there."
Flexible scheduling: Unlike many established campgrounds, the horse camping areas offer considerable flexibility. "Payment of the low fee is on the honor system and check in / out is very flexible," notes a camper who stayed at Backbone Horse Campground.
Multi-use accommodations: Though designed for equestrians, these sites can work well for non-horse campers too. At World's End Equestrian Campground in nearby Pennsylvania, the spacious sites work well for various camping setups when not at capacity with horse trailers.
What you should know
Seasonal trail conditions: Trail access can change throughout the year. One visitor recommends: "Call Finger Lakes National Forest to make sure trails aren't closed due to weather, spring melt, etc. You need a permit to camp here but the permit and site are free."
Security patrols: Despite the remote location, security measures are in place. A visitor noted, "A Sheriff's truck did drive through Saturday morning just to patrol."
Site allocation priorities: At Lackawanna State Park Campground, "We were Motorcycle camping and came in on a Holiday weekend without a reservation. But we were given a terrific tent site." The park offers various accommodation options including "standard car camping tent sites, RV sites, and yurts and camper cabins."
Primitive facilities: Most horse campgrounds feature basic amenities only. Expect pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables but minimal additional facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Diverse accommodation options: Families should consider the range of available options. One camper notes about regional camping: "Campground has cabins and yurts, pull in sites for RV's and strictly walk in tent sites. There is a beautiful lake and a very large pool. We went in early spring midweek, it was very quiet."
Recreation opportunities: At parks like Lackawanna State Park, families can find numerous activities: "The state park is a great way to get away and enjoy the forests. There is plenty of space to bring lunch and have a picnic. One suggestion would be to bring a fishing rod and enjoy casting while the kids run around and play."
Trail difficulty assessment: When camping with children, consider trail difficulty levels. "Nice hiking trails!" notes one brief but enthusiastic review about regional options, though parents should verify trail lengths and difficulty ratings before setting out with younger family members.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV campers should research site specifications. One reviewer notes, "We stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers." Understanding the electrical capacity is important as some older campgrounds may have limitations.
Accessibility information: Some campgrounds have limited access for larger rigs. As one RV camper noted about a nearby site, "Camped here for a weekend, and probably one of my least favorite sites so far... there is no privacy at the campsites; they're all very small and packed tight. Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
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