Allegany State Park's Red House Area offers cabin camping with access to horseback riding trails throughout the 65,000-acre park. The campground features both tent and RV sites along with cabin accommodations that can be reserved year-round. While the park doesn't have dedicated horse corrals at campsites, it does provide trail access for day riders. The park maintains several miles of bridle paths that wind through forested terrain. Bathrooms with showers, picnic tables, and fire pits are available at most campsites. The cabins range from rustic to more modern accommodations, with some offering electricity and basic furnishings. The park's extensive trail system makes it popular for families bringing horses for day rides.
Darien Lakes State Park Campground, located approximately 30 miles from Ellicottville, connects to several equestrian-friendly trails that accommodate riders of various skill levels. The campground offers electric hookups for horse trailers and RVs, with spacious sites that can accommodate larger rigs and horse trailers. Water access points are distributed throughout the camping areas for horse watering. The park features a mix of wooded and open terrain ideal for trail riding, with some trails offering lake views. Riders should bring their own portable corrals or tie-outs as permanent horse facilities are limited. The campground is typically open from May through mid-October, with weekends being significantly busier than weekdays. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when the nearby theme park attracts additional visitors to the area.
"Cabins are pretty large and have some great surounding areas, like creeks right next to the cabins. Great place for family camping with tons of different activites offered around the park."
"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."
from $35 - $45 / night
"The lake is awesome, and great for all water activities. I really enjoyed stand up paddle boarding as well as fishing with my parents!"
"I live local to the area and still find a time to setup the tent and enjoy some peace and quiet away from the noise of daily life. There are miles of hiking trails, nice "lakes" to fish and swim in."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $29 / night
RangerLarge well maintained campground with many different types of sites. The staff is amazing and will help you find something - in person or by phone. Our site was tucked into the woods and felt very private. Lake for swimming, fishing, paddle boarding and kayaking. The bathrooms were dated but clean, with warm showers.
GuideThe campground is quiet and spacious. The facilities are in need of updates but are definitely in working order
TravelerEnjoyed grassy areas and mature trees and small lake. Sites well spaced. Clean and well maintained. We were there on a weekday, told weekends are busy. Not buggy.
GuideCheck-in was quick and easy. Our site was spacious, clean, and pretty darn level. Bathrooms were dated, but pretty clean for the amount of traffic. Water was hot and had great pressure. We were there for @KingdomBound2024. The campground was 6 minutes from Darien lake Amusement Park. We will definitely be back next year.
TravelerLike the other review, this site has a lot of litter. Clearly people are camping here at times but there are posted signs that say Day Use Only. It was quiet and dark.
TravelerThe site was fine, fire pit, primitive spot so no services. We arrived late at night so couldn’t see so well but stopped in a clearing on the road toward the coordinates.
Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter, but it served its purpose as a free place to sleep along a longer trip.
GuideWe had a great time on the Cain hallow loop site 18. The satellite pictures do not give away how hilly the terrain is on the loop. We were at the top of the hill with a great view.
We did not expect to have zero cell phone reception, t-mobile, but turned out to be great as we just enjoyed the views and the time at the fire .
Our site had a huge space for the kids to run and play.
The bathrooms were clean and cleaned frequently while we were there. We saw the ranger or park staff drive through once or twice a day and they always waved and were friendly.
Lots of things to do in the park and explore. Definitely planning to go back again!
Guide9/25-9/29/22- The park was nearly empty, perhaps 6 or 8 other campers widely spread out. It was immaculate and the sites well spaced apart. All site have a picnic table and fire pit. Ours had both 30A and 50A power, was pretty level left/right but about 6” high in front before we leveled our 34’ fifth wheel. The park has drinking water faucets at a variety of places throughout, but site#15 has a faucet directly next to it, so we had water available too. Both AT&T 4G and Verizon 5G had 3 bars reception. The dump station was clean and convenient. It looked like a great place for kids that included at least one (probably more) playground.
RangerWe visited in the fall as the leaves were changing color. Very pretty.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Lake Swimming area
Large field to fly kites
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Darien Lakes Theme Park
Allegany State Park spans 65,000 acres of western New York's forested terrain approximately 20 miles south of Ellicottville. Winter temperatures average between 15-30°F with annual snowfall exceeding 80 inches, while summer temperatures range from 60-80°F. The park's campgrounds remain accessible year-round with varying seasonal amenities.
Hiking at Thunder Rocks: Visitors at Allegany State Park's Red House Area can explore unique geological formations. "This park is a fun place to hike and explore. Check out Thunder rocks and climb boulders the size of a house," notes Jeremy H.
Fishing opportunities: Both lakes and streams throughout the region offer diverse fishing. "Great fishing and hiking and lots of other stuff to do," says Amy M. about the Red House Area.
Winter camping: The park offers unique off-season opportunities with heated cabin options. "We have made it an immediate family tradition to stay here for Thanksgiving. Cabins range from rustic to downright homey," shares Mark S.
Frisbee golf course: Darien Lakes State Park features recreational amenities beyond hiking trails. "There is a fairly new Frisbee golf course as well," mentions Jeremy H., highlighting activities beyond standard camping recreation.
Natural water activities: The stream access near cabins provides simple entertainment. "Love camping at allegheny. Cabins are pretty large and have some great surounding areas, like creeks right next to the cabins," explains Tina S.
Horse-friendly trails: The North Harmony State Forest offers access points for equestrian camping near Ellicottville. "It was quiet and dark," reports Denise D. at Warner Road Dispersed Camping, making it suitable for those seeking primitive horse camping options.
Proximity to attractions: The location provides convenience for area attractions. "This campground would be a good alternative to paying the high prices to stay at the theme park down the road," suggests Jeremy H. regarding Darien Lakes State Park.
Wildlife observation: The varied terrain supports diverse ecosystems. "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 amplitheater, hiking, and so much more," shares Ashley V.
Weekend crowding: Popularity impacts weekends significantly. "Usually pretty crowded but still such a fun place to camp," mentions Ashley B. about Darien Lakes.
Seasonal lake maintenance: Water activities may be impacted by maintenance schedules. "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," cautions Sara C.
Primitive site conditions: Dispersed camping areas require self-sufficiency and may have cleanliness issues. "Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter, but it served its purpose as a free place to sleep along a longer trip," notes Rose S.
Day-use restrictions: Some forest areas have limited overnight access. "Clearly people are camping here at times but there are posted signs that say Day Use Only," warns Denise D. about Warner Road dispersed camping.
Educational programming: Cherry Creek Campground offers structured activities throughout the season. "The campground is quiet and spacious. The facilities are in need of updates but are definitely in working order," reports Bret J.
Simple recreation options: Natural features provide entertainment without additional cost. "Good swimming I only used Tent Camping wonderful hiking trails last time I went hiking Great place to take a family," shares Robert D.
Amphitheater programs: Evening activities provide structured entertainment. "There is so much to do there including catching crayfish, fishing, going to the amplitheater, hiking, and so much more," notes Ashley V.
Site selection for privacy: Location within campgrounds affects experience quality. "The tent and RV sites are nice, clean. The trees offer great shade and privacy between most sites," advises Nick O.
Campsite spacing: Allegany State Park campsites vary in privacy levels. "The campsites were pretty close together and did not offer much privacy unless you had a camper," notes Sara C.
Winter accommodations: Electric hookups and heated facilities make off-season camping viable. "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," explains Mark S.
Proximity to services: Nearby amenities provide convenience for extended stays. "You are not far from shopping or groceries if needed," mentions Adam R. about camping in the region.
Noise considerations: Proximity to attractions affects sound levels. "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 dont get that lost into nature here to me," advises Adam R.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ellicottville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ellicottville, NY is Red House Area — Allegany State Park State Park with a 4.9-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ellicottville, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Ellicottville, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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