Allegany State Park's Red House Area offers 318 campsites across 65,000 acres of forested terrain in New York's southwestern region. Located 20 miles south of Belfast at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,300 feet, this camping destination provides accommodations for horse owners without dedicated equestrian facilities. Most trails stay open year-round though winter access requires appropriate vehicles and cold-weather gear.
What to do
Trail riding access points: Horse owners can access multiple trail systems through Allegany's non-dedicated trailheads. As one camper notes at Red House Area, "This is an awesome place to camp. New improvements to the park have been made the last few years! They run daily activities you can go to and learn about different things in nature."
Boulder exploration: Visit the massive rock formations for hiking or photography opportunities. "Check out Thunder rocks and climb boulders the size of a house. The cabins are nice and seem to be well kept and quiet everytime I've stayed in them," mentions a visitor at Red House Area.
Seasonal activities: Winter camping options exist throughout the region, though facilities may be limited. At Lyman Run State Park, one camper shares: "This park we learned is actually open all year round, so if you come at the right season, it can be magically scenic."
What campers like
Cabin accommodations: For equestrians preferring solid shelter after trail riding, cabins provide comfortable alternatives to tent sites. A Red House Area visitor explains, "Cabins are pretty large and have some great surrounding areas, like creeks right next to the cabins. Great place for family camping with tons of different activities offered around the park."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple water features throughout the region support fishing. According to a camper at Lyman Run State Park, "Pretty easy to catch some trout and blue gill. There are also 6 miles of hiking trails to clear your head if you need that."
Night sky viewing: The area's limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "The night sky is amazing. There is a lake to do many activities, and a beach there. ATV trails, hiking, beautiful overlooks. No cell service, so you really get to get away from everything," shares a visitor about the region.
What you should know
Site proximity considerations: Some campgrounds feature closely spaced sites that may limit privacy for equestrian camping setups. A camper at Darien Lakes State Park notes: "If you like a park that is near an amusement park and not that quiet this is for you. You are still out in nature and have those aspects but you don't get that lost into nature here to me."
Water access limitations: Seasonal maintenance may affect water recreation. "At the time I went (May, 2018) the lake was reduced to about a third of its water due to maintenance, so the kayaks we brought didn't leave the roof of the car, and there was no swimming allowed," reports one Red House visitor.
Cell service gaps: Most parks in the region have limited connectivity. A camper explains: "No cell service, so you really get to get away from everything." This affects communication for those needing to coordinate horse transport or trail riding groups.
Tips for camping with families
Educational programming: Scheduled nature activities provide learning opportunities. "They run daily activities you can go to and learn about different things in nature," shares a Red House Area visitor, making this accessible for families with children interested in horsemanship.
Water recreation options: Multiple lakes offer swimming and boating opportunities. "We've been coming to this campground since I was a kid, and love the fact that you can have the amenities of home away from home. There is so much to do there including catching crayfish, fishing, going to the amphitheater, hiking, and so much more," explains a longtime visitor.
Thanksgiving tradition possibilities: Off-season camping during holidays creates memorable experiences. A camper shares, "We have made it an immediate family tradition to stay here for Thanksgiving. This place is great for family camping. It has a nice variety of cabins along several loops."
Tips from RVers
Power considerations: Electrical hookups vary by location with some offering enhanced options for larger rigs. At Lyman Run State Park, facilities include "electric hookups, fifty-amp hookups, thirty-amp hookups," making it suitable for horse trailers with living quarters.
Loop selection importance: Different campground areas offer varying experiences. "We love the lower loop! We were there on a Monday night and there were 4 sites occupied on our loop. Great stars. Clean bathrooms!" advises one RVer about strategic site selection.
Bathroom facilities: Quality of restrooms affects longer stays with horses and equipment. A visitor reports, "Bathrooms are newer with a nice, new system for 'composting' I guess. No odor at all. And nice and clean," highlighting the importance of functional facilities when handling both human and equine needs.
