The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Equestrian Camping near Marcellus, NY

2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates

    Backbone Horse Campground offers first-come, first-served primitive camping in the Finger Lakes National Forest near Marcellus. The campground accommodates both equestrians and non-equestrians, though the primary purpose is serving riders and their horses. A $10 camping fee applies on the honor system with flexible check-in and check-out times. Sites are spacious enough for horses, trailers, and camping equipment. The campground remains quiet and peaceful, often not reaching full capacity, which provides ample space for horse owners to spread out and access the surrounding trail system.

    Located within the Finger Lakes National Forest, Backbone Horse Campground connects directly to the forest's trail network, allowing riders immediate access to bridle paths. Vault toilets are available, but the campground lacks drinking water, electricity, showers, and other amenities. The campground stays open year-round, though trail conditions vary seasonally—riders should contact the Finger Lakes National Forest office to confirm trail accessibility during spring thaw or after heavy rains. Large fire pits and picnic tables are provided at each site. Perfect weather conditions create spectacular opportunities for stargazing after trail rides. Many visitors report having the entire campground to themselves during weekday stays, though holiday weekends see increased usage.

    Shenandoah National Park Camping Guide - The Complete Guide

    Get the guide now

    View Guide

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Marcellus (2)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      4.9(10)38mi from MarcellusRVs

      "For activities, there are some great hikes around the campground, as well as excellent playgrounds, fishing, an awesome pool, and of course, free shuttle rides to the Turning Stone Casino right up the"

      "Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained."

      from $65 - $75 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Backbone Horse Campground

      5.0(4)42mi from Marcellus1 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
    View all 2 campgrounds

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Marcellus Contest

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time

    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Marcellus, NY

    19 Reviews of 2 Marcellus 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.

    • Madeleine W.
      Sep. 24, 2018

      Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED

      Beautiful spot for relaxing

      I stayed at Charles’ farm with a friend of mine. We had a great time! Charles was there to greet us, he was a little quiet in the beginning but we had a great chat. We bought some kabob meat from him and cooked it up on the fire pit with some corn for dinner. There isn’t a heap to do once you’re on the actual farm, but if you want a place to walk through pastures, relax, watch the sunset, see the stars, and be outside, this is the place for you. There are fish in the pond, but we didn’t do any fishing this time so I’m not sure if you have to bring your own gear or not. Make sure you bring long pants if you want to walk through the back pasture to avoid burrs in your legs! We pitched our tent near the pond next to the cabin. It was a great spot with a fire pit right there, plenty of wood provided, a lovely bench to watch the sunset from. The outhouse is small but functional. After we left the farm we went and picked apples at nearby Deer Run Farm. Overall we had a wonderful time. Thank you Charles for having us!

    • Lena L.
      Aug. 28, 2018

      Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED

      A backpacking experience without having to backpack!

      This is a gorgeous environment! I’ll start by saying that when we go back, we’ll throw all of our stuff into our packs so that we can walk in all in. Kind of like the shortest backpacking trip! I actually think this would be the perfect environment for someone who wants to test their skills staying ‘alone’ in the ‘backcountry’ without really being either. It’s a nice in between for those who are looking for more solitude than the average campground provides but without having to hike into a back country site.

      When you arrive at CBG farm, Charlie (and if you’re lucky, his friendly dog Drift) will meet you at the meat store and then show you the way (a 2 minute drive around the corner) to the Shady Pines camp. You’ll park in the grass across from cornfields, and then ride with Charlie around a path through the woods and fields to check out the sites. We chose to stay near the “lake”, a pond that Charlie put in, and stocks wth fish.

      It’s a gorgeous spot. We set up a hammock, put our tent out in the field, used the wooden table to cook our dinner, and made a fire. The cows were nearby and we could occasionally hear them mooing, but a friend asked if it smelled like cows, and it really doesn’t! It actually smells like apples. You can still hear a few cars drive by but they’re mostly drowned out by the crickets.

      Theres a cabin and an outhouse a short walk away, and an incredible outdoor kitchen that we didn’t need to use but would love to grill some burgers next time we go.

      We truly loved this spot and can’t wait to bring some friends next time! Anyone in the Central NY area needing a night away should check out Shady Pines!

    • M
      Aug. 23, 2018

      The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      Very nice high-end camp resort for RV's and full timers or weekend warriors

      This is a nice campground. I mean really nice. Very well thought out. All sites are full hookups (i think) and paved. Definitely geared towards the RV or trailer crowd.

      Very well kept up, bathrooms are very modern and well stocked. Staff are attentive and useful, and they operate a great store with lots of options.

      For activities, there are some great hikes around the campground, as well as excellent playgrounds, fishing, an awesome pool, and of course, free shuttle rides to the Turning Stone Casino right up the street.

      The only real negatives would be the proximity to some railroad tracks, which can be somewhat active and very audible in some spots (you'll want to stay towards the south / front of the park if this kind of thing bothers you). That and some sites aren't that close to a bath house, so if you're not planning on duecing in your box, you might be looking at a longer walk than others based on where your site is.

    • r
      Aug. 12, 2018

      Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED

      Rustic and beautiful

      After meeting up with the owner we went down to the parking area. A dirt trail and park on the side in the grass. You have to walk in about 2 minutes on a trail. The owner has a golf cart with a small wagon and transported our stuff to the campsite and back when we left…he was really nice and very helpful.the trail opened to open grassy areas with surrounding trees where we pitched our tent…a small table and fire ring w grate provided. Also firewood.you get water back up at the barn but the owner was nice and brought us a 5 gal. Jug. Pond stocked with fish…catch and release. We caught some nice bass and bullhead…kids had a blast. Past the pond is the cabin with sitting spots and an open cement fire stove and oven also a fire pit. Theres an outhouse behind the cabin w a seat over a bucket w chemicals…papertowels tp hand sanitizer and disenfectant wipes nicely provided. We did have cellphone signals. Overall a really nice spot to relax and commune w nature.

    • April L.
      Apr. 4, 2019

      The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      Beautiful

      Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained. Offers a pool, playground, hiking trail, fishing pond, paddleboat rentals, camp store, very clean bath houses throughout, maintained sites, fire rings at each site and organized in loops to offer wooded and full sun sites depending on what you are looking for. Visited at least once a year since 2016 with our most recent visit being June 2018. Hoping to visit again this season.

    • Carl G.
      May. 27, 2023

      The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      Great weekend

      Turning Stone is well maintained with nice sites. Memorial day weekend the weather is beautiful spring weather. All full hook up sites from full sun to full shade. Been coming here for 25 + years. There is the casino, dining, golf course and more near by.

    Guide to Marcellus

    Backbone Horse Campground sits within the Finger Lakes National Forest at an elevation of approximately 1,900 feet. The area features gently rolling terrain with open meadows and forest sections providing natural shade for equestrian camping near Marcellus, New York. The region's climate includes warm summers with cool nights and moderate humidity, creating comfortable camping conditions from May through October.

    What to do

    Trail riding access: Backbone Horse Campground offers direct connectivity to the Finger Lakes National Forest trail system. "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," notes Harry H. about this horse-friendly camping area near Marcellus.

    Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution in this rural area creates excellent nighttime viewing conditions. According to Ian A., Backbone Horse Campground provides a "Perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife. We had perfect weather and it was a spectacular night!"

    Casino entertainment: For those seeking entertainment beyond the campgrounds, The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone provides shuttles to nearby attractions. "We scheduled a pull through for 1 night last minute due to an unexpected change in plans... We did head over to the casino briefly and enjoyed that," shares Jen O.

    What campers like

    Spacious sites: The horse campground offers generous room for equestrian equipment and camping setups. Heather D. mentions, "This is a great little campground with fairly large sites... The fire pits and picnic tables are very nice. Sites are first come first serve."

    Peaceful atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the tranquil environment at Backbone Horse Campground. "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," reports Heather D., highlighting the low traffic volume even during regular weekends.

    Weather conditions: The regional climate supports pleasant camping experiences throughout the season. Jessica D. notes about Turning Stone, "One of my favorite campgrounds in NY. Its so peaceful at night. My favorite time to come is August during the meteor showers."

    What you should know

    Flexible scheduling: The campground operates on a self-service basis with minimal restrictions. "Payment of the low fee is on the honor system and check in/out is very flexible," explains Heather D. about the Backbone Horse Campground logistics.

    Campground designation clarification: While primarily designed for equestrians, non-horse campers can use the facilities. Brenley R. cautions, "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... We made the moral decision to leave if the campground filled with horse rider, but it hasn't even reach half."

    Limited facilities: The primitive nature of horseback riding campsites near Marcellus means fewer amenities than full-service campgrounds. Basic vault toilets and trash collection are available, but campers must bring their own water and supplies.

    Tips for camping with families

    Alternative campgrounds: If Backbone is full or you prefer more amenities for family camping, The Villages at Turning Stone RV Park offers additional facilities. "We are a full-time traveling family (2 kids - 8 & 13) and 2 English Bulldogs... The campground was beautiful and easy to get in and out of. The sites were level and great size with nice spacing in between," reports Jen O.

    Kid-friendly amenities: Some nearby campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond the primitive equestrian camping experience. April L. describes Turning Stone: "Offers a pool, playground, hiking trail, fishing pond, paddleboat rentals, camp store, very clean bath houses throughout, maintained sites, fire rings at each site."

    Safety considerations: When camping with children at equestrian sites, maintain awareness of horse traffic and activities. The campground receives occasional patrol checks, as Heather D. noted a sheriff's vehicle driving through during her stay.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: For RV camping in the Finger Lakes region, level sites with adequate space are available. "Spacious FHU sites. Pull thru and back ins," notes Boomer B. about accommodation options at The Villages at Turning Stone.

    Noise considerations: When selecting RV sites at developed campgrounds, consider potential noise sources. Michael O. advises, "The only real negatives would be the proximity to some railroad tracks, which can be somewhat active and very audible in some spots (you'll want to stay towards the south/front of the park if this kind of thing bothers you)."

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Marcellus, NY is The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone with a 4.9-star rating from 10 reviews.

    Keep Exploring