Backbone Horse Campground provides dedicated equestrian camping facilities near Lisle, New York, within the Finger Lakes National Forest. The campground features spacious sites designed to accommodate both riders and their horses, with room for trailers and equipment. The terrain consists primarily of rolling hills covered in hardwood forests, offering varied trail difficulty levels across the national forest's 16,000 acres.
What to do
Trail riding year-round: Equestrian camping near Lisle, New York offers access to miles of interconnected trails through the Finger Lakes National Forest. At Backbone Horse Campground, visitors can ride directly from their campsites to forest trails. "Large camp sites have room for all your horses and horse paraphernalia," notes Harry H., highlighting the practicality for equestrians.
Wildlife observation: The forest areas provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife," reports Ian A. about his experience at Backbone Horse Campground. Early mornings and evenings offer the best chances to observe deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species.
Hiking: For those without horses, the Charles E. Baker State Forest provides "miles of trails" according to Matt A., making it suitable for day hikes or backpacking trips. The forest terrain varies from flat sections to moderate hills, accommodating different hiking abilities.
What campers like
Spacious sites: The ample camping areas allow for comfortable setups. "We were initially going to stay at Blueberry Patch however our tent was too large for the sites available," reports Heather D. about finding more room at Backbone Horse Campground. "The fire pits and picnic tables are very nice."
Solitude: Many visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere. "We had the whole place to ourselves," mentions Heather D. about Backbone Horse Campground. This sentiment is echoed by Ian A., who describes it as a "quiet and peaceful" location for stargazing.
Free or low-cost options: Budget-friendly camping opportunities exist throughout the area. Cameron notes that Charles E. Baker State Forest offers a "free primitive campsite" with basic amenities like a fire pit and picnic table, though without toilets or other facilities.
What you should know
Flexible check-in/check-out: At Backbone Horse Campground, Heather D. mentions that "check in/out is very flexible" with payment collected through an honor system. This allows campers to arrive and depart according to their schedule without formal registration processes.
Limited facilities: Most camping options near Lisle provide basic amenities. At Charles E. Baker State Forest, Cameron reports, "No toilets. Bugs aren't an issue. Water access at a lovely nearby pond," indicating campers should prepare for primitive conditions.
Site selection priority: Non-equestrians should understand the intended purpose of some campgrounds. Brenley R. encountered this at Backbone Horse Campground: "The horse riders that camp here were not pleased with us. This campground is apparently ONLY for horse owners with their horses." Though the campground officially accommodates both types of campers, tensions can exist during busy periods.
Tips for camping with families
Central location benefits: The Lisle area provides access to regional attractions. "You're centrally located to do and see everything from waterfalls, trails, vineyards and so on," notes Brenley R. about staying at Backbone Horse Campground, making it convenient for families planning day trips.
Water access options: Families can enjoy water recreation at select locations. Cameron mentions that Charles E. Baker State Forest provides "water access at a lovely nearby pond," offering opportunities for fishing or swimming depending on seasonal conditions.
Consider timing: Holiday weekends affect campground availability differently. Brenley R. found that "Blueberry Patch Campground was full by noon on the Friday before Memorial Day," while Backbone Horse Campground "hasn't even reach half" capacity, suggesting families might find space at alternative sites during peak periods.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Small to medium-sized RVs can access most campgrounds, but space varies by location. Heather D. mentions that Backbone Horse Campground has "fairly large sites" that accommodated their needs after finding another campground's sites too small for their setup.
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive sites may present challenges. Cameron describes Charles E. Baker State Forest as being at "the end of a long, but well maintained, dirt road," indicating that RVers should consider ground clearance and weather conditions before attempting access.
Traveler
