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Equestrian Camping near Keuka Park, NY

2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Backbone Horse Campground provides camping options for equestrians within the Finger Lakes National Forest near Keuka Park. The campground features both horse-designated sites and regular camping areas with room for horse trailers and equipment. Campsites include fire pits and picnic tables, though reviews indicate facilities are primitive. Large campsites accommodate horses and associated equipment comfortably. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with an honor system payment method of $10 per night. Toilet facilities and trash collection are available, but the campground lacks drinking water, showers, and electric hookups. The campground remains relatively quiet with moderate usage, particularly on holiday weekends when non-equestrians may also use the facilities.

    Trail access from Backbone connects directly to the Finger Lakes National Forest trail system. Riders should contact the Finger Lakes National Forest in advance to verify trail conditions and any weather-related closures, especially during spring melt periods. The campground's central location provides convenient access to regional attractions including waterfalls, hiking trails, and vineyards. While specifically designed for equestrians, non-horse campers occasionally use the campground, particularly when nearby Blueberry Patch Campground reaches capacity. The campground's year-round operation makes it suitable for all-season riding, though summer and fall typically offer the most favorable trail conditions. Tompkins Campground in nearby Tioga, Pennsylvania provides an alternative with more developed amenities including water hookups, electric service, and sewer connections for those seeking less primitive accommodations.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Keuka Park (2)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Backbone Horse Campground

      5.0(4)17mi from Keuka Park1 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

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      2. Tompkins

      4.3(4)44mi from Keuka Park122 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Just off US 15 at the New York border. All roads and parking pads are paved. The sites are closer together than most other COE parks where we’ve stayed."

      "It is run by Army Corp of Engineers because it is on a lake with a dam. Spots are level and paved. It is always clean."

      from $24 - $46 / night

      Check Availability
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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Keuka Park, NY

    8 Reviews of 2 Keuka Park Campgrounds

    • Bran P.
      Sep. 29, 2016

      Tompkins

      Very Nice CG!

      Just off US 15 at the New York border. All roads and parking pads are paved. The sites are closer together than most other COE parks where we’ve stayed. We stayed in the Bench Loop which is very busy since it is waterfront. Our first week, we were on site 54 (W/E 50A) and waterfront. Our second week, we stayed on site 44 (FHU 50A) right across from the seldom used playground. Quite wooded here but we managed to get satellite TV. No Verizon phone service and very slow internet with a booster. This area is pretty with rolling hills all around so we enjoyed a couple of scenic drives. About an hour away is the Pine Creek Rail Trail in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

    • 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.

    • Stacey C.
      Jul. 9, 2018

      Tompkins

      Always a favorite

      We love this campground. We come every year. It is run by Army Corp of Engineers because it is on a lake with a dam. Spots are level and paved. It is always clean. There is a beach for swimming, marina for boating and the sites are huge and grassy.

    • Ian A.
      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!

    • Aaron W.
      Mar. 12, 2021

      Tompkins

      Beautiful

      Amazing View And Hiking

    • Kayla N.
      Jun. 16, 2018

      Tompkins

      quite campground

      I have been camping at this campground for years,but I would say it not as kept up as it us to be. it still a nice campground but it’s nothing like it’s sister campground Ives run.

    Guide to Keuka Park

    Backbone Horse Campground offers equestrian camping in the Finger Lakes National Forest, situated at approximately 1,900 feet elevation. The campground experiences typical northeast seasonal variations with warm summers and cold winters that can affect accessibility. The area features rolling hills covered with hardwood forests, creating natural shade for many campsites during summer months.

    What to do

    Trail riding exploration: Backbone Horse Campground provides direct access to miles of forest trails for horseback riding. According to Ian A., the area offers a "perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife" after a day of riding the trails.

    Visit nearby attractions: The Finger Lakes region surrounding Backbone Horse Campground contains numerous points of interest. As Brenley R. notes, "You're centrally located to do and see everything from waterfalls, trails, vineyards and so on."

    Wildlife observation: The natural setting creates opportunities for animal sightings and birdwatching. The campground's quiet atmosphere makes it ideal for nature observation, with one camper mentioning they had "the whole place to ourselves" during their stay.

    What campers like

    Spacious campsites: Visitors appreciate the generous campsite dimensions at Backbone. Harry H. confirms that "Large camp sites have room for all your horses and horse paraphernalia," making setup comfortable for equestrians.

    Peace and solitude: Tompkins Campground in nearby Tioga, Pennsylvania receives similar praise for its tranquility. Kayla N. describes it as a "quite campground" where visitors can enjoy a peaceful outdoor experience.

    Flexible policies: The relaxed management approach appeals to many campers. Heather D. mentions that "Payment of the low fee is on the honor system and check in/out is very flexible," allowing campers to arrive and depart according to their schedule.

    What you should know

    Horse-focused environment: While non-equestrians can use the facility, understand that Backbone primarily serves riders. Brenley R. explains, "The horse riders that camp here were not pleased with us. This campground is apparently ONLY for horse owners with their horses."

    Basic amenities only: Facilities remain primitive with minimal services. Unlike some alternatives, the campground does not provide drinking water, showers, or electric connections. The $10 camping fee reflects these basic conditions.

    Seasonal considerations: Trail conditions vary significantly throughout the year. As Harry H. advises, "Call Finger Lakes National Forest to make sure trails aren't closed due to weather, spring melt, etc." This precaution prevents arriving to find impassable trails.

    Tips for camping with families

    Alternative options during holidays: During busy periods, consider backup locations. Brenley R. shares their experience: "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."

    Weather preparation: The open nature of many sites at horse campgrounds near Keuka Park, New York means weather exposure. Plan for temperature variations and bring appropriate shelter and clothing layers.

    Campsite selection: When camping with children at equestrian facilities, choose sites distant from horse areas if possible. According to one visitor, "You can camp without having horses but get ready to smell them," which may bother some younger campers.

    Tips from RVers

    Limited hookups: RV campers seeking amenities should consider alternatives to Backbone. Stacey C. recommends Tompkins Campground, explaining, "Spots are level and paved. It is always clean."

    Size considerations: While Backbone accommodates horse trailers, dedicated RV parks offer better facilities. Bran P. describes Tompkins: "All roads and parking pads are paved. The sites are closer together than most other COE parks where we've stayed," noting they managed satellite TV despite the wooded setting.

    Seasonal availability: RV facilities have specific operating seasons unlike equestrian campgrounds. For example, Tompkins operates from "mid May-late Sep," requiring off-season alternatives for year-round campers.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Keuka Park, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Keuka Park, NY is Backbone Horse Campground with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

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