Equestrian camping near Marathon, New York offers access to extensive trail systems through the forested terrain of the Finger Lakes region. The area features a mix of state forests and national forest lands where riders can explore meadows, woodland areas, and rolling hills. Winter camping remains available at most sites, though trail access becomes limited during spring thaw when ground conditions deteriorate.
What to do
Trail riding access: Backbone Horse Campground connects directly to the trail system within Finger Lakes National Forest's 16,000 acres. "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," notes camper Harry H., highlighting the campground's primary purpose for equestrians.
Wildlife observation: The quieter forest areas provide excellent stargazing and animal watching opportunities. Camper Ian A. describes Backbone Horse Campground as a "Perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife. We had perfect weather and it was a spectacular night!"
Water recreation: Forest ponds provide water access for both horses and campers. At Charles E. Baker State Forest, visitors appreciate the "water access at a lovely nearby pond," according to Cameron's review.
What campers like
Spacious sites: The camping areas accommodate large equipment needs for horse owners. At Backbone Horse Campground, Heather D. notes, "This is a great little campground with fairly large sites," which explains why the campground works well for trailers and multiple tents.
Affordability: Many camping options in the region remain free or low-cost. Camper Matt A. recommends Charles E. Baker State Forest for its "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."
Privacy and solitude: The campgrounds rarely reach capacity, especially during weekdays or shoulder seasons. Heather D. reports, "We had the whole place to ourselves... We seen maybe three people pass through the three days/two nights we were there."
What you should know
Campground designation conflicts: Some sites prioritize horse campers but accommodate others when space allows. Brenley R. experienced 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... We made the moral decision to leave if the campground filled with horse rider, but it hasn't even reach half."
Primitive facilities: Expect minimal amenities at most horse camping locations. Cameron describes Charles E. Baker State Forest as having "a fire pit and picnic table. Some litter, not too bad. No toilets... Only giving 4 stars because the best free sites have water pumps and vault toilets."
Weather-dependent access: Trail conditions fluctuate seasonally, particularly during spring thaw. One camper advises to "Call Finger Lakes National Forest to make sure trails aren't closed due to weather, spring melt, etc." before planning your trip.
Tips for camping with families
Central location benefits: The National Forest provides a strategic base for exploring regional attractions. According to Brenley R., "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 park."
Self-registration systems: Most campgrounds operate without staff present, requiring campers to handle payment and registration independently. Heather D. explains that "Payment of the low fee is on the honor system and check in/out is very flexible" at Backbone Horse Campground.
Occasional security patrols: While largely unsupervised, forest officials do monitor camping areas periodically. One camper noted, "A Sheriff's truck did drive through Saturday morning just to patrol" at Backbone Horse Campground.
Tips from RVers
Campsite sizing limitations: Not all forest campgrounds accommodate larger RVs or trailers. Heather D. recalls, "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."
Access road conditions: Forest roads leading to camping areas vary in quality but remain navigable for most vehicles. Cameron mentions that Charles E. Baker State Forest offers "Access at the end of a long, but well maintained, dirt road."
Dispersed options: Areas beyond designated sites often permit dispersed camping. At Charles E. Baker State Forest, Cameron found "only one designated campsite, which was available, but there's a lot of good space for dispersed camping right nearby."
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