Best Equestrian Camping near Dryden, NY

Recent Equestrian Reviews in Dryden

11 Reviews of 2 Dryden Campgrounds

• 

  Ian A.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 29, 2021

  Backbone Horse Campground

  Quiet and peaceful

  Perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife. We had perfect weather and it was a spectacular night!

• 

  Cameron

  Guide

  

  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

• 

  Matt A.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 27, 2020

  Charles E. Baker State Forest

  Free primitive camping

  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. There are official camp spots with water access which are also free to use. Highly recommend!

• 

  Heather D.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 5, 2019

  Backbone Horse Campground

  We had the whole place to ourselves

  This is a great little campground with fairly large sites. We were initially going to stay at Blueberry Patch however our tent was too large for the sites available. We see a posting that there were sites at Backbone that were for people with or without horses. More than half of the camp is designated for horses but only one horse trailer came into the camp the entire time we were there. The fire pits and picnic tables are very nice. Sites are first come first serve. Payment of the low fee is on the honor system and check in / out is very flexible. We seen maybe three people pass through the three days /two nights we were there. A Sheriff's truck did drive through Saturday morning just to patrol.

• 

  Madeleine W.

  Traveler

  

  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!

• 

  Lena L.

  Guide

  

  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!

• 

  Christina G.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 22, 2018

  Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED

  Beautiful farmland!

  Charles has beautiful property! Acres and acres to explore and admire! The most accessible is a patch of pines with several tent sites, a small cabin, stone outdoor stove and a cool clear pond that is stocked with fish! Follow the corn on foot or an 4 wheel drive vehicle to the back pasture a more open area with apple trees and another small pond, further out is more land and wooded area Charles is happy to offer to you! I stayed 3 nights with my daughter and dog and had a wonderful time! This is a perfect for a quick quiet getaway, or to camp and explore apple orchards in the area! Charles sells fresh meat on site and it is amazing!!! I highly recommended this property, Charles is a wonderful host willing to help with anything, very family friendly and dog friendly to boot!!!

• G

  Gavin B.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 20, 2018

  Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED

  A quick weekend trip

  Charlie's farm was an awesome way to escape from city life without going very far. Very happy being able to roam the property and design the campsite how we saw fit. Nice pasture and farmland views. Charlie was very nice and is willing to help make the stay enjoyable however you need. The sirloin steak we bought from him was definitely a highlight of the trip.

• r

  renee M.

  Guide

  

  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.

• 

  Brenley R.

  Scout

  

  May. 29, 2018

  Backbone Horse Campground

  Central Primitive Spot

  We originally came down to the National Forest to stay at the Blueberry Patch Campground but it was full by noon on the Friday before Memorial Day. This was also the first day it was open. We ended up having to come to this location. It was actually perfect for our small popup, but the horse riders that camp here were not pleased with us. This campground is apparently ONLY for horse owners with their horses. After another camper made a passive aggressive comment about us being here without horse, we attempted to find another location. Of course that was not a success the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, so we stayed. No other comment has been made and we aren’t the only ones that don’t have horses. We made the moral decision to leave if the campground filled with horse rider, but it hasn’t even reach half. We were told by locals that the horse riders are upset about the new $10 camping fee and that has deterred them from coming like they usually would. Anyways, both locations are great with a small fee. You’re centrally located to do and see everything from waterfalls, trails, vineyards and so on. It’s primitive, but more than half the price of a state par

• H

  Harry H.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 1, 2017

  Backbone Horse Campground

  All year Finger Lakes camping with your horses

  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. You need a permit to camp here but the permit and site are free. You can camp without having horses but get ready to smell them.