Equestrian Camping near Deansboro, NY

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    Charles E. Baker State Forest offers primitive camping access for equestrians through well-maintained dirt roads and wilderness trails. The forest area has designated camping areas with fire pits and picnic tables, plus ample space for dispersed camping where riders can set up near their horses. Water access is available at a nearby pond where horses can drink, though campers should note there are no dedicated horse corrals or formal equestrian facilities. The forest maintains miles of trails suitable for riding throughout its wooded terrain. Campsites are free to use, with no reservations required.

    Located approximately 15 miles from Deansboro, the forest provides a true backcountry riding experience with minimal amenities. Riders must bring all necessary equipment for securing horses overnight, as no tie posts or corrals exist on site. The trails wind through diverse terrain with good footing for horses in most weather conditions. Campers report excellent privacy even during peak season, with sufficient space between sites for horses and trailers. The absence of facilities like toilets, running water, or electrical hookups creates a genuine wilderness camping experience. Horse owners should pack in feed and water containers, and practice leave-no-trace principles including proper manure management during their stay.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Deansboro (2)

      1. The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      4.9(10)12mi from DeansboroRVs

      "For activities, there are some great hikes around the campground, as well as excellent playgrounds, fishing, an awesome pool, and of course, free shuttle rides to the Turning Stone Casino right up the"

      "Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained."

      from $65 - $75 / night

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      2. Charles E. Baker State Forest

      4.5(2)16mi from DeansboroTents

      "Only found one designated campsite, which was available, but there’s a lot of good space for dispersed camping right nearby. Access at the end of a long, but well maintained, dirt road."

      "Beautiful forest with miles of trails. I found this spot passing through on my bike and had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods."

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Deansboro, NY

    17 Reviews of 2 Deansboro Campgrounds


    • Madeleine W.
      Sep. 24, 2018

      Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED

      Beautiful spot for relaxing

      I stayed at Charles’ farm with a friend of mine. We had a great time! Charles was there to greet us, he was a little quiet in the beginning but we had a great chat. We bought some kabob meat from him and cooked it up on the fire pit with some corn for dinner. There isn’t a heap to do once you’re on the actual farm, but if you want a place to walk through pastures, relax, watch the sunset, see the stars, and be outside, this is the place for you. There are fish in the pond, but we didn’t do any fishing this time so I’m not sure if you have to bring your own gear or not. Make sure you bring long pants if you want to walk through the back pasture to avoid burrs in your legs! We pitched our tent near the pond next to the cabin. It was a great spot with a fire pit right there, plenty of wood provided, a lovely bench to watch the sunset from. The outhouse is small but functional. After we left the farm we went and picked apples at nearby Deer Run Farm. Overall we had a wonderful time. Thank you Charles for having us!

    • M
      Aug. 23, 2018

      The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      Very nice high-end camp resort for RV's and full timers or weekend warriors

      This is a nice campground. I mean really nice. Very well thought out. All sites are full hookups (i think) and paved. Definitely geared towards the RV or trailer crowd.

      Very well kept up, bathrooms are very modern and well stocked. Staff are attentive and useful, and they operate a great store with lots of options.

      For activities, there are some great hikes around the campground, as well as excellent playgrounds, fishing, an awesome pool, and of course, free shuttle rides to the Turning Stone Casino right up the street.

      The only real negatives would be the proximity to some railroad tracks, which can be somewhat active and very audible in some spots (you'll want to stay towards the south / front of the park if this kind of thing bothers you). That and some sites aren't that close to a bath house, so if you're not planning on duecing in your box, you might be looking at a longer walk than others based on where your site is.

    • Lena L.
      Aug. 28, 2018

      Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED

      A backpacking experience without having to backpack!

      This is a gorgeous environment! I’ll start by saying that when we go back, we’ll throw all of our stuff into our packs so that we can walk in all in. Kind of like the shortest backpacking trip! I actually think this would be the perfect environment for someone who wants to test their skills staying ‘alone’ in the ‘backcountry’ without really being either. It’s a nice in between for those who are looking for more solitude than the average campground provides but without having to hike into a back country site.

      When you arrive at CBG farm, Charlie (and if you’re lucky, his friendly dog Drift) will meet you at the meat store and then show you the way (a 2 minute drive around the corner) to the Shady Pines camp. You’ll park in the grass across from cornfields, and then ride with Charlie around a path through the woods and fields to check out the sites. We chose to stay near the “lake”, a pond that Charlie put in, and stocks wth fish.

      It’s a gorgeous spot. We set up a hammock, put our tent out in the field, used the wooden table to cook our dinner, and made a fire. The cows were nearby and we could occasionally hear them mooing, but a friend asked if it smelled like cows, and it really doesn’t! It actually smells like apples. You can still hear a few cars drive by but they’re mostly drowned out by the crickets.

      Theres a cabin and an outhouse a short walk away, and an incredible outdoor kitchen that we didn’t need to use but would love to grill some burgers next time we go.

      We truly loved this spot and can’t wait to bring some friends next time! Anyone in the Central NY area needing a night away should check out Shady Pines!

    • r
      Aug. 12, 2018

      Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED

      Rustic and beautiful

      After meeting up with the owner we went down to the parking area. A dirt trail and park on the side in the grass. You have to walk in about 2 minutes on a trail. The owner has a golf cart with a small wagon and transported our stuff to the campsite and back when we left…he was really nice and very helpful.the trail opened to open grassy areas with surrounding trees where we pitched our tent…a small table and fire ring w grate provided. Also firewood.you get water back up at the barn but the owner was nice and brought us a 5 gal. Jug. Pond stocked with fish…catch and release. We caught some nice bass and bullhead…kids had a blast. Past the pond is the cabin with sitting spots and an open cement fire stove and oven also a fire pit. Theres an outhouse behind the cabin w a seat over a bucket w chemicals…papertowels tp hand sanitizer and disenfectant wipes nicely provided. We did have cellphone signals. Overall a really nice spot to relax and commune w nature.

    • April L.
      Apr. 4, 2019

      The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      Beautiful

      Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained. Offers a pool, playground, hiking trail, fishing pond, paddleboat rentals, camp store, very clean bath houses throughout, maintained sites, fire rings at each site and organized in loops to offer wooded and full sun sites depending on what you are looking for. Visited at least once a year since 2016 with our most recent visit being June 2018. Hoping to visit again this season.

    • Carl G.
      May. 27, 2023

      The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      Great weekend

      Turning Stone is well maintained with nice sites. Memorial day weekend the weather is beautiful spring weather. All full hook up sites from full sun to full shade. Been coming here for 25 + years. There is the casino, dining, golf course and more near by.

    • Sarah A.
      Aug. 18, 2023

      The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      Weird vibe but great property

      The property is beautiful and quiet. Cute market at check in. Plenty to do. Neighbors keep to themselves and kind of stare le us down when we pulled in and during dog walks…maybe just an outlier experience? Staff very kind. We just stayed one night so we were an easy in and out. Super buggy.

    • Jen O.
      Jun. 23, 2021

      The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      Great One Night Stop - Would Have Stayed Longer!

      We scheduled a pull through for 1 night last minute due to an unexpected change in plans. We are a full-time traveling family (2 kids - 8 & 13) and 2 English Bulldogs. We have a Class A motorhome and flat tow a Jeep. The campground was beautiful and easy to get in and out of. The sites were level and great size with nice spacing in between. The location was nice too! We did head over to the casino briefly and enjoyed that. We also took a drive to the University of Syracuse to tour the campus. Clean and wonderful park. Would definitely recommend.

    • Cameron
      Oct. 2, 2020

      Charles E. Baker State Forest

      Free Primitive Campsite

      Camped here on a Thursday night in late September. Only found one designated campsite, which was available, but there’s a lot of good space for dispersed camping right nearby. Access at the end of a long, but well maintained, dirt road. Campsite consists of a fire pit and picnic table. Some litter, not too bad. No toilets. Bugs aren’t an issue. Water access at a lovely nearby pond. Highly recommended. Only giving 4 stars because the best free sites have water pumps and vault toilets, but this is a great camping experience


    Guide to Deansboro

    Charles E. Baker State Forest provides primitive camping opportunities in a secluded woodland setting 15 miles from Deansboro, New York. The forest features dirt access roads leading to designated camping areas and dispersed sites throughout the property. Campers can enjoy both established sites with basic amenities and numerous backcountry locations suitable for tent camping.

    What to do

    Explore hiking trails: The forest network includes miles of marked and unmarked paths suitable for day hikes. "Beautiful forest with miles of trails. I found this spot passing through on my bike and had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods," notes a visitor to Charles E. Baker State Forest.

    Fish at the pond: A small pond within the forest boundaries offers fishing opportunities for visitors. "Water access at a lovely nearby pond," reports one camper who stayed in the forest during late September.

    Visit nearby attractions: The region around Deansboro offers additional recreation opportunities within driving distance. "Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained. Offers a pool, playground, hiking trail, fishing pond, paddleboat rentals," explains a visitor to The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.

    What campers like

    Peace and quiet: The remote nature of forest camping near Deansboro creates a tranquil experience. "One of my favorite campgrounds in NY. Its so peaceful at night. My favorite time to come is August during the meteor showers," shares one regular visitor to the area.

    Free camping options: Dispersed camping areas in the state forest provide no-cost alternatives to developed campgrounds. "Free primitive camping" and "official camp spots with water access which are also free to use" are highlighted by visitors as significant benefits of the forest.

    Seasonal variety: The area offers different experiences throughout the camping season. "Memorial day weekend the weather is beautiful spring weather. All full hook up sites from full sun to full shade. Been coming here for 25+ years," notes a long-time visitor to camping facilities near Deansboro.

    What you should know

    Limited facilities: Most forest camping options lack modern amenities. A recent camper notes that Baker State Forest offers a "Free Primitive Campsite" with "no toilets" and consists of "a fire pit and picnic table."

    Access considerations: Forest roads may present challenges depending on vehicle type and weather conditions. While the main forest access is described as "a long, but well maintained, dirt road," interior routes may be more rugged.

    Dispersed camping regulations: While official sites exist, much of the forest permits dispersed camping. "There's a lot of good space for dispersed camping right nearby," explains a visitor to Baker Forest.

    Tips for camping with families

    Consider amenities vs. experience: When bringing children to horse campgrounds near Deansboro, New York, evaluate the tradeoff between wilderness and facilities. One family with an RV reported a positive experience at a nearby campground: "We are a full-time traveling family (2 kids - 8 & 13) and 2 English Bulldogs... The campground was beautiful and easy to get in and out of."

    Check seasonal conditions: Weather varies significantly throughout the camping season. Late summer visits offer special night sky viewing opportunities, with one camper noting August is ideal for meteor shower observation.

    Pack appropriately: Without on-site services at primitive sites, families need to bring all essentials. This includes sufficient water, food, and waste disposal systems for the duration of your stay.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection matters: RV campers should research site specifications before arrival. "Very well thought out. All sites are full hookups (i think) and paved. Definitely geared towards the RV or trailer crowd," explains one visitor to a developed campground near Deansboro.

    Accessibility considerations: Horse campgrounds near Deansboro typically offer varying levels of RV access. "Spacious FHU sites. Pull thru and back ins" are available at some locations, while the state forest requires more self-sufficient camping approaches.

    Extended stay options: The area supports longer camping visits. "We scheduled a pull through for 1 night last minute due to an unexpected change in plans... The sites were level and great size with nice spacing in between," notes one RV family passing through the region.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Deansboro, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Deansboro, NY is The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone with a 4.9-star rating from 10 reviews.