Backbone Horse Campground serves as a key equestrian camping destination in the Finger Lakes National Forest. Located 30 miles northwest of Pine City, New York, at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet, the area experiences distinct seasonal variations with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping months. The campground sits within a 16,000-acre forest featuring a mix of hardwood forests, grasslands, and ravines typical of the glacially-formed Finger Lakes region.
What to do
Trail riding exploration: Connect directly to the extensive Finger Lakes National Forest trail system from Backbone Horse Campground. "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," advises Harry H.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear nights offer exceptional astronomical viewing. "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.
Pennsylvania Grand Canyon exploration: Visit this natural attraction while staying at nearby campgrounds. "We visited the PA grand canyon while we were there as well as the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, pa," notes Jean T. from her stay at Stony Fork Creek Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: The campground offers ample room for equestrian equipment. "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," shares Heather D.
Quiet atmosphere: The remote setting provides peaceful camping. "We had the whole place to ourselves... We seen maybe three people pass through the three days/two nights we were there," describes Heather D. about Backbone Horse Campground.
Centrally located: The area serves as an ideal base for regional activities. "You're centrally located to do and see everything from waterfalls, trails, vineyards and so on," explains Brenley R. about the convenience of staying at horse campgrounds near Pine City, New York.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Free permits are required for camping. "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 Harry H. about Backbone Horse Campground procedures.
Equestrian priority: Non-horse campers may encounter resistance. "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," shares Brenley R. about camping without horses.
Limited amenities: Facilities are basic and primitive. "It's primitive, but more than half the price of a state park," explains Brenley R. about the Tompkins Campground area, which offers more developed alternatives to horse campgrounds near Pine City.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some nearby campgrounds offer swimming facilities. "The pool was nice and the rec center had a lot of activities for kids. The pond offered fishing and pedal boat rentals," shares MJ B. about their experience at Stony Fork Creek Campground, which provides family-friendly alternatives to equestrian camping.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds maintain better quiet hours than others. "My only complaint is that other campers did not respect quiet hours and it took the campground staff too long to ask them to quiet down," warns Gina M. about Stony Fork Creek.
Privacy variations: Site locations impact family camping experience. "Area is open, not offering a lot of privacy, but we had shade and woods behind us, and the ground was grassy and level," describes MJ B., highlighting the importance of site selection at campgrounds near Pine City.
Tips from RVers
Paved access: Some campgrounds offer better RV infrastructure. "All roads and parking pads are paved. The sites are closer together than most other COE parks where we've stayed," notes Bran P. about their stay at Tompkins Campground.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies significantly in the region. "No cell service and WiFi isn't reliable if that's what you need or are looking for," cautions Brandon W. about staying at Stony Fork Creek Campground.
Site spacing awareness: RV sites can feel crowded at certain campgrounds. "Can get a bit crowded in some spots where the campers seem to be on top of one another. Luckily we didn't have one of those sites," shares Brandon W. about his experience finding suitable RV sites near Pine City.
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