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Best Equestrian Camping near Skaneateles, NY

20 Reviews

Backbone Horse Campground in the Finger Lakes National Forest serves as the primary equestrian camping destination near Skaneateles, New York. The campground features multiple sites specifically designed for campers with horses, providing toilet facilities and trash collection while maintaining a primitive camping experience. Direct trail access connects riders to the extensive trail network throughout the 16,000-acre national forest. First-come, first-served sites accommodate both tents and RVs, though the campground particularly caters to equestrian users. Sites remain spacious enough for horse trailers and camping equipment, with ample room for horses and all associated gear.

The campground operates year-round, though trail conditions vary seasonally with spring melt sometimes limiting access. A camping permit is required but sites are free to use. The Finger Lakes National Forest trail system offers extensive riding opportunities directly from the campground, allowing equestrians to explore diverse terrain throughout the forest. Sites feature fire rings and picnic tables, with campgrounds rarely reaching capacity except during holiday weekends. The atmosphere remains quiet and peaceful, ideal for stargazing and wildlife observation. Non-equestrian campers may occasionally use the facilities, though the primary design accommodates those camping with horses. Large camping areas provide sufficient space for horse containment while maintaining separation between different camping parties.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Skaneateles, New York (2)

    1. The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

    11 Reviews
    Oneida, NY
    43 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
    37 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 Skaneateles, NY

20 Reviews of 2 Skaneateles 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 Skaneateles

Backbone Horse Campground serves as the primary equestrian camping facility within the 16,000-acre Finger Lakes National Forest. Located near Burdett, NY, this campground sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation in gently rolling terrain that was historically farmland. The campground operates with a self-registration system using the payment box at the entrance. Sites accommodate both tents and recreational vehicles with ample space for horse trailers and associated equipment.

What to do

Trail riding: Access extensive trail networks directly from Backbone Horse Campground where riders can explore the National 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," advises camper Harry H.

Stargazing: The dark skies above the campground provide exceptional night viewing opportunities when weather permits. According to Ian A., Backbone Horse Campground offers 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 developed recreation, The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone provides convenient access to gaming. "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," notes Jen O., highlighting the central location for regional attractions.

What campers like

Spacious sites: The expansive campsites at Backbone Horse Campground allow for comfortable setup without feeling crowded. Heather D. shares, "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."

Privacy and solitude: Many campers appreciate the low occupancy rates at horse campgrounds near Skaneateles, even during peak seasons. "We seen maybe three people pass through the three days/two nights we were there," reports Heather D. about her experience at Backbone Horse Campground.

Well-maintained facilities: Clean, organized campgrounds rank highly with visitors to the region. Referring to Turning Stone, Frank M. notes they 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."

What you should know

Permit requirements: While camping is free at some locations, proper documentation is still needed. At Backbone Horse Campground, "You need a permit to camp here but the permit and site are free," explains Harry H., though this differs from other regional campgrounds that charge fees.

Seasonal considerations: Weather significantly impacts trail conditions in the Finger Lakes National Forest. Spring melt can close trails or limit access to camping areas, particularly for horse-focused campgrounds. Always check current conditions before traveling.

Facility variations: Campgrounds in the region range from primitive to full-service. The Villages RV Park offers significantly more amenities than forest service campgrounds. Carl G. notes it has "All full hook up sites from full sun to full shade. Been coming here for 25+ years."

Tips for camping with families

Activity options: The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone provides numerous recreational options for children. April L. explains the campground "Offers a pool, playground, hiking trail, fishing pond, paddleboat rentals, camp store, very clean bath houses throughout, maintained sites, fire rings at each site."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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