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Best Equestrian Camping near Cato, NY

20 Reviews

Backbone Horse Campground in Finger Lakes National Forest offers primitive equestrian camping sites with enough space for horses, trailers, and camping equipment. The campground features toilets and trash collection, operating year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with a $10 camping fee paid through an honor system. The sites are spacious with fire pits and picnic tables, providing a quiet environment for campers. Reviews indicate the campground is often uncrowded, with visitors sometimes having the entire area to themselves. Sites can accommodate both tent and RV camping.

Located between Burdett and Hector, Backbone Horse Campground connects to multiple riding trails throughout the Finger Lakes National Forest. The trail system provides varied terrain through woods and open pastures, making it suitable for day rides from the campground. Horse owners must bring all necessary equipment as the campground does not provide corrals, though there is ample space for portable pens or highlines. The peaceful setting offers excellent stargazing opportunities and wildlife viewing. While primarily designed for equestrians, non-horse campers occasionally use the facilities when space allows. Campers should verify trail conditions before arrival as weather can affect accessibility, especially during spring thaw periods.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Cato, New York (2)

    1. The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

    11 Reviews
    Oneida, NY
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 361-7275

    $65 - $75 / night

    "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."

    2. Backbone Horse Campground

    4 Reviews
    Hector, NY
    49 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "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."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Cato, NY

20 Reviews of 2 Cato 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 Cato

Backbone Horse Campground serves as a key destination for equestrian camping in the Finger Lakes National Forest. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,900 feet, the area features rolling hillsides with mixed hardwood forests. The campground sits on the eastern edge of the Seneca Lake valley, contributing to its variable weather patterns including frequent morning fog during summer months.

What to do

Trail riding excursions: Backbone Horse Campground connects to several equestrian trails throughout the forest. "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. at Backbone Horse Campground.

Stargazing opportunities: The remote location provides excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife. We had perfect weather and it was a spectacular night!" reports Ian A. about his experience at Backbone Horse Campground.

Casino entertainment: For those seeking entertainment beyond natural attractions, casino facilities are available nearby. "We did head over to the casino briefly and enjoyed that. We also took a drive to the University of Syracuse to tour the campus," shares Jen O. from The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.

What campers like

Spacious campsites: The sites provide ample room for camping equipment and vehicles. "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," explains Carl G. about his experience at The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.

Tranquil atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful environment at horse campgrounds near Cato, New York. "We had the whole place to ourselves... 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," reports Heather D. about her stay at Backbone Horse Campground.

Meteor shower viewing: The dark skies in this region create ideal conditions for astronomical events. "One of my favorite campgrounds in NY. Its so peaceful at night. My favorite time to come is August during the meteor showers," shares Jessica D.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Weather conditions affect trail access particularly during spring thaw. "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," notes Brenley R. from her experience at Backbone Horse Campground.

Usage policies: Some campsites may have specific user designations, though enforcement varies. "This campground is apparently ONLY for horse owners with their horses... We made the moral decision to leave if the campground filled with horse riders, but it hasn't even reached half," continues Brenley R.

Neighboring activities: The region offers various attractions beyond camping. "The location was nice too! We did head over to the casino briefly and enjoyed that. We also took a drive to the University of Syracuse to tour the campus," mentions Jen O.

Tips for camping with families

Activity options: Family-friendly facilities exist at several campgrounds in the region. "Offers a pool, playground, hiking trail, fishing pond, paddleboat rentals, camp store, very clean bath houses throughout, maintained sites, fire rings at each site," describes April L. about The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.

Pet considerations: Some campgrounds accommodate family pets with special amenities. "We were very pleased with the knowledgeable and friendly staff, we had no problem getting a nice paved spot for our 34' class A, and they even provided a small treat for our Schnauzer," shares Frank M.

Kid-friendly atmosphere: Families with children find suitable accommodations. "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," notes Jen O.

Tips from RVers

RV site specifications: The region offers various options for recreational vehicle camping. "Spacious FHU sites. Pull thru and back ins," notes Boomer B. about The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.

Hookup availability: Utility connections vary by location with some offering full amenities. "All full hook up sites from full sun to full shade. Been coming here for 25 + years," shares Carl G.

Site layout considerations: Some campgrounds provide well-designed spaces for larger vehicles. "We had no problem getting a nice paved spot for our 34' class A," mentions Frank M. regarding his experience at The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cato, NY is The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone with a 4.9-star rating from 11 reviews.

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