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

Best Equestrian Camping near Montour Falls, NY

8 Reviews

Backbone Horse Campground in Finger Lakes National Forest offers spacious campsites designed for equestrians and their horses. The campground features simple but functional horse facilities with ample room for horse trailers and equipment. Campsites accommodate both tent and RV camping with fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Montour Falls, New York. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a $10 fee collected via an honor system. While primarily intended for horse owners, non-equestrian campers are also welcome when space permits. The campground rarely reaches capacity, allowing for quiet, peaceful camping experiences with minimal crowds even on holiday weekends.

Located within the Finger Lakes National Forest trail system, Backbone Horse Campground provides direct access to numerous riding trails throughout the forest. The primitive camping experience appeals to riders seeking solitude and natural surroundings rather than modern amenities. Trail access is subject to seasonal closures due to weather and spring melt conditions, so contacting the Finger Lakes National Forest office beforehand is recommended. Perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife. Approximately 40 miles north, Tompkins Campground in Tioga, PA offers a more developed alternative with paved parking pads, full hookups including 50-amp electric service, and water hookups. This Army Corps of Engineers campground accepts pets and provides access to both hiking trails and water recreation, though it lacks dedicated horse corrals. Tompkins operates seasonally from mid-May through late September.

Map showing campgrounds near Montour Falls, New YorkExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Sites Near Montour Falls, New York (2)

    1. Backbone Horse Campground

    4 Reviews
    Hector, NY
    10 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."

    2. Tompkins

    4 Reviews
    Lawrenceville, PA
    31 miles
    Website

    $24 - $46 / night

    "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."

Show More
Showing results 1-2 of 2 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Montour Falls Contest

Enter to Win

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Montour Falls, NY

8 Reviews of 2 Montour Falls 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 Montour Falls

Horse camping in New York offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian enjoyment, perfect for those looking to explore the scenic landscapes with their horses.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • At Backbone Horse Campground, large campsites accommodate both horses and their gear, making it a great choice for equestrian enthusiasts.

Tips for equestrian camping near Montour Falls, New York

  • When visiting Tompkins, be sure to check local trail conditions, as some may be closed due to weather, ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride.

Equestrian campgrounds include spacious sites

  • Backbone Horse Campground features first-come, first-served sites that provide ample space for both horses and campers, allowing for a peaceful retreat in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Montour Falls, NY?

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

Keep Exploring