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Equestrian Camping near Endicott, NY

3 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Backbone Horse Campground provides a primitive equestrian camping experience in the Finger Lakes National Forest near Burdett, New York, approximately 60 miles southwest of Endicott. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with sites specifically designed for horse owners. While the campground lacks electric hookups and drinking water, it offers vault toilets and trash collection for campers. Sites are first-come, first-served, with no reservation system, and camping is available year-round. The campground operates on a self-registration system with an honor-based payment method. Campsites are generously sized to accommodate horse trailers alongside camping equipment.

    The trail system connecting to Backbone Horse Campground gives riders direct access to the Finger Lakes National Forest trail network. Large campsites provide ample room for horse trailers and associated equipment, making it practical for overnight equestrian stays. The campground serves as a central access point to explore the surrounding forest on horseback. While primarily designed for equestrian use, non-horse campers can use the facilities when space permits, though horse owners receive priority. Sites include fire rings and picnic tables. The campground's layout features sites spaced far enough apart to accommodate multiple horses and all necessary camping equipment. Campers report peaceful, quiet conditions ideal for star-gazing and enjoying nature, with minimal crowding except on holiday weekends.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Endicott (3)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Keen Lake Resort Campground

      4.4(29)50mi from EndicottRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "I stayed on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights in August 2020.  It was SO BEAUTIFUL.  We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. "

      "We didn’t have a view of the lake, instead we were in someone’s back yard lol. It wasn’t a big deal. The site was well maintained and flat which were the most important."

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      2. Lackawanna State Park Campground

      4.5(17)41mi from Endicott109 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding trails."

      "The sites were a little close to each other and where we were in the park was a mixed use area. So we had an RV next to us with the Genny running all day."

      from $20 - $79 / night

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      3. Backbone Horse Campground

      5.0(4)46mi from Endicott1 siteRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "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."

      from $15 / night

      Check Availability
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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Endicott, NY

    50 Reviews of 3 Endicott Campgrounds

    • Brenley R.
      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
      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.

    • Heather D.
      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.

    • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 19, 2024

      Lackawanna State Park Campground

      Something for everyone!

      This is an amazing state park that has something for everyone. There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding trails. There are several campgrounds, with tremendous variety for every camping style. There are standard car camping tent sites, RV sites, and yurts and camper cabins. For those who like more rustic options, there are hike-in sites that are beautiful and not far from the parking area. The campsites are nestled in a deep shady mature forest, and peaceful and quiet due to the wooded aspect and spacing of sites (at least for me, in September in a hike-in site not far from the regular campground). It is nice to have such a fine camping and outdoor recreation opportunity within an easy drive of the city of Clarks Summit, so probably a great weekend getaway for local folks, but a wonderful stopover for anyone on a road trip through northern PA as it is not far off Interstate 81. I was there only one day, but would like to be back to explore the trails!

    • Shannon C.
      Oct. 27, 2020

      Keen Lake Resort Campground

      The Lake, Though....

      I stayed on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights in August 2020.  It was SO BEAUTIFUL.  We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch.  Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake.  It was awesome.  The sites seemed a little narrow when we first pulled in, but it was plenty.  The kids had fun riding bikes on the road, which was off the main road.  The bugs were better than I would have anticipated next to the lake, although some days the flies were a bit annoying.  The kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch.  All in all, we had a great time and plan to go back next year.

    • Alexandra T.
      Jul. 21, 2021

      Keen Lake Resort Campground

      Do not recommend

      I would not recommend this campground. Please be aware that 148 -149 sites are located near a small pond and not an actual lake as shown on pictures. The area 148-153 sites is located right next to the Roosevelt highway and it makes it impossible to enjoy nature and silence due to the trucks and cars driving by it. It is a 10 min walk to the showers and restrooms. Camp sites are tiny, there are no dividers/trees/bushes between you and other camp sites. The reason why I am writing this review is the staff. When we came to the front desk asking if its possible to switch the sites, two women there were really rude and mean. With smirks on their faces they said that they are fully booked. However, site 152 ,for example , remained vacant the whole weekend. They also laughed at us when we mentioned how far the restrooms are- " you are camping"- they said. These women also didn't understand why we needed firewood at 9PM when we arrived and asked us to come back to get it the next day. After asking them 3 times, we got firewood. No delivery to the camp site was suggested. We ended up buying firewood closer to our "pond site" where firewood costs only 5$. There is a huge sign at keen lake campground office " do not buy firewood beyond this point". However, our "pond" was right after this sign and it was closer and cheaper to buy it there.

      Also we were charged 25$ for " reserving " our site in advance. 2 women at the front desk were insisting we reserved it, however, we proved them that we didn't and 25$ were refunded. Be careful.

      There is no security at the campground, anyone can drive in at any time. Beach was full during the day. Pool was overcrowded.

      I would not leave this review if we didn't have to pay $ 269 for this camping experience ( min stay at "lake view" site was 3 nights, although we stayed 2 nights + they charge 10$ per tent per every night which is ridiculous) and if the staff was polite.

    • Guy M.
      Jul. 7, 2021

      Lackawanna State Park Campground

      Very Nice, Neat & Well Done

      We were Motorcycle camping and came in on a Holiday weekend without a reservation. But we were given a terrific tent site. The park was very neat and well manicured. Bathrooms were fairly nice, but no TP mid day. The sites were a little close to each other and where we were in the park was a mixed use area. So we had an RV next to us with the Genny running all day. The people were nice and fed us so I didn’t complain. The Lake looked nice though we didn’t use it. The roads all around were great for motorcycles and Scranton was very close for all your needs. This place gets thumbs up but only 4 stars because I’m hard to please.

    • E
      Jun. 15, 2021

      Keen Lake Resort Campground

      Nice little camping community in the Poconos

      We had a great time despite cold wet weather. Our site was probably one of the worst in the place but we were able to scope out others that we would prefer for our next visit. We didn’t have a view of the lake, instead we were in someone’s back yard lol. It wasn’t a big deal. The site was well maintained and flat which were the most important. Most of the sites seem to be on the smaller size when compared to other campgrounds we’ve been too. That said we had plenty of space, it was just very close to the next site. We were on the far side of the lake which is not really within walking distance of the beach, pool and store. We knew this going in and were totally OK with it. I seemed less busy where we were as far as cars and people which is what we were looking for. We hopped in the car and drove the 2 mins to get to the beach. There was always parking. If you stay closer to those things it would be easy to walk & ride bikes to the different activities. The bathrooms were the cleanest we’ve ever experienced at a campground. *The showers are coin operated. The staff were so accommodating and everyone was super nice. There is a lot for younger kids to do and the grounds are pet friendly which was a huge plus for us. My kids really loved having a pool to swim in,in addition to the lake.

      My take always:

      • Get a site on the lake.

      • You won’t have a ton of privacy but you’ll have space for your stuff.

      • If you don’t want to drive during your stay, camp on the side w/ the beach and pool.

      • The store has a huge selection of necessities, so no need to worry about forgetting things.

      • This is a great place to bring an RV.

      • Great for families. It would be a great place to camp with extended family.

      • Pet friendly. They have a beach for swimming with your dogs

    • Gregory L.
      Jul. 4, 2022

      Keen Lake Resort Campground

      Awesome campground on Keen Lake

      Keen Lake Campground, as it’s name implies, is an amazing campground situated along the shores of a lake. They have several sites with a water view. The sites are average in size. The site we had was a little tight to get into, but we had enough room to enjoy our site. The campground itself is a little hilly, but the sites were pretty level. We had full hookups.

      The campground has a nice pool, a well stocked store with ice cream, toys, camping supplies, and basic groceries. Everyone in the store was extremely nice and helpful. You can also rent paddle boats and disc boats to paddle around the lake for a very reasonable cost.

    Guide to Endicott

    Backbone Horse Campground provides primitive equestrian camping near Endicott, New York in the Finger Lakes National Forest. Located about 60 miles southwest of Endicott at an elevation of approximately 1,900 feet, the area features rolling terrain with mixed hardwood forests and open meadows. The campground experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers reaching into the 80s and cold winters that can drop below freezing, making it accessible year-round but with varying conditions.

    What to do

    Trail riding: Access miles of interconnected trails directly from your campsite through the Finger Lakes National Forest. "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," notes Harry H. about Backbone Horse Campground.

    Stargazing: Take advantage of minimal light pollution at the campground for exceptional night sky viewing. "Perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife. We had perfect weather and it was a spectacular night!" reports Ian A. who camped at Backbone Horse Campground.

    Water recreation: Visit nearby Lackawanna State Park for lake activities just over an hour from Endicott. "There is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," shares Janet R. about Lackawanna State Park Campground.

    What campers like

    Spacious sites: The generous campsite dimensions accommodate horse trailers and camping equipment. "Large camp sites have room for all your horses and horse paraphernalia," explains Harry H. about Backbone Horse Campground.

    Privacy: Many campers appreciate the uncrowded atmosphere, especially on weekdays. "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," shares Heather D. about Backbone Horse Campground.

    Natural setting: The surrounding Finger Lakes National Forest offers a peaceful environment. "We had the whole place to ourselves... The fire pits and picnic tables are very nice. Sites are first come first serve," Heather D. adds about her camping experience.

    What you should know

    Reservation system: The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration. "Payment of the low fee is on the honor system and check in/out is very flexible," explains Heather D. about the process at Backbone Horse Campground.

    Limited facilities: Expect primitive camping conditions with vault toilets but no running water or showers. "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... It was actually perfect for our small popup," notes Brenley R. about finding space at Backbone Horse Campground.

    Non-horse campers: While primarily for equestrians, non-horse campers can use the facilities when space permits. "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," explains Brenley R.

    Tips for camping with families

    Alternative campgrounds: Consider Lackawanna State Park for more amenities. "There is an environmental education center with programs... There are several campgrounds, with tremendous variety for every camping style," recommends Janet R. about Lackawanna State Park Campground.

    Recreational options: Look for campgrounds with diverse activities. "They have an overabundance amount of activities scheduled for campers. You are able to camp in tents in the activity field or lakeside," shares Samantha S. about Keen Lake Resort Campground.

    Weather considerations: Be prepared for variable conditions. "We stayed one night when it happened to rain all evening. So, we stayed inside our camper," recalls Amy V. about her experience at Lackawanna State Park.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: Research campsite specifications before arrival. "Our site and the others we saw were nicely shaded. Look forward to visiting again in the sun for a longer period," notes Amy V. about Lackawanna State Park Campground.

    Hookup availability: Check utility connections before planning your stay. "We stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers," reports cheryl M. about Lackawanna State Park Campground.

    Access considerations: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. "Camped here for a weekend... 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," cautions David about his experience at Lackawanna.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Endicott, NY is Keen Lake Resort Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Endicott, NY?

    TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Endicott, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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