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Equestrian Camping near Syracuse, NY

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    Charles E. Baker State Forest offers primitive horse camping near Syracuse with access to miles of trails through open forest terrain. The park features free dispersed camping sites where equestrians can set up near their horses. While the state forest does not have designated horse corrals or formal equestrian facilities, its open layout accommodates riders who bring portable containment systems. The forest's miles of trails provide ample riding opportunities throughout the wooded landscape. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near Syracuse, New York.

    The forest's main camping area provides access to a small pond suitable for watering horses. Riders appreciate the well-maintained dirt access road that accommodates horse trailers. The forest's trail system connects through varying terrain suitable for different riding experience levels. For overnight stays, campers must bring all necessary horse containment equipment as no permanent tie-ups exist on site. The primitive nature of this camping area means riders should plan to pack in water and feed storage options for their horses. Daily trail rides connect campers to scenic woodland views and natural water features. Equestrians report the secluded forest setting offers a peaceful camping experience with enough space to set up temporary paddocks away from other visitors.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Syracuse (2)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      4.9(10)27mi from SyracuseRVs

      "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. Clean and wonderful park."

      "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"

      from $65 - $75 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Charles E. Baker State Forest

      4.5(2)42mi from SyracuseTents

      "Only found one designated campsite, which was available, but there’s a lot of good space for dispersed camping right nearby. Access at the end of a long, but well maintained, dirt road."

      "Beautiful forest with miles of trails. I found this spot passing through on my bike and had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods."

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Syracuse, NY

    17 Reviews of 2 Syracuse Campgrounds

    • Jen O.
      Jun. 23, 2021

      The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      Great One Night Stop - Would Have Stayed Longer!

      We scheduled a pull through for 1 night last minute due to an unexpected change in plans. We are a full-time traveling family (2 kids - 8 & 13) and 2 English Bulldogs. We have a Class A motorhome and flat tow a Jeep. The campground was beautiful and easy to get in and out of. The sites were level and great size with nice spacing in between. 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. Clean and wonderful park. Would definitely recommend.

    • 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.

    • Sarah A.
      Aug. 18, 2023

      The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

      Weird vibe but great property

      The property is beautiful and quiet. Cute market at check in. Plenty to do. Neighbors keep to themselves and kind of stare le us down when we pulled in and during dog walks…maybe just an outlier experience? Staff very kind. We just stayed one night so we were an easy in and out. Super buggy.

    • Cameron
      Oct. 2, 2020

      Charles E. Baker State Forest

      Free Primitive Campsite

      Camped here on a Thursday night in late September. Only found one designated campsite, which was available, but there’s a lot of good space for dispersed camping right nearby. Access at the end of a long, but well maintained, dirt road. Campsite consists of a fire pit and picnic table. Some litter, not too bad. No toilets. Bugs aren’t an issue. Water access at a lovely nearby pond. Highly recommended. Only giving 4 stars because the best free sites have water pumps and vault toilets, but this is a great camping experience

    Guide to Syracuse

    Charles E. Baker State Forest provides dispersed camping opportunities near Syracuse for equestrians and tent campers. Located in the central New York region where elevations range between 1,000-1,500 feet, the forest features several primitive campsites accessible via dirt roads. The state forest connects to a network of multi-use trails suitable for horseback riding throughout spring, summer, and fall seasons.

    What to do

    Trail riding opportunities: Charles E. Baker State Forest offers miles of wooded trails for horseback riding enthusiasts. "Beautiful forest with miles of trails. I found this spot passing through on my bike and had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods," notes Matt A. about the Charles E. Baker State Forest.

    Casino entertainment: For campers seeking evening entertainment, The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone provides shuttle service to nearby gaming. "Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained," writes April L. about The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.

    Fishing and paddleboating: Many equestrian campgrounds near Syracuse offer additional recreational activities beyond trail riding. "Offers a pool, playground, hiking trail, fishing pond, paddleboat rentals, camp store, very clean bath houses throughout," reports April L. about the amenities available at Turning Stone.

    What campers like

    Spacious sites: Horse campers appreciate campgrounds with room to set up temporary containment systems. "Spacious FHU sites. Pull thru and back ins," notes Boomer B. about the site configurations at The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.

    Water access points: Finding suitable water sources for horses remains essential for equestrians camping near Syracuse. "Water access at a lovely nearby pond. Highly recommended," shares Cameron about their experience at Charles E. Baker State Forest.

    Night sky viewing: The rural setting of many horse campgrounds provides excellent stargazing opportunities. "One of my favorite campgrounds in NY. Its so peaceful at night. My favorite time to come is August during the meteor showers," explains Jessica D.

    What you should know

    Primitive facilities: Most dispersed horse camping areas lack developed amenities. "Only giving 4 stars because the best free sites have water pumps and vault toilets, but this is a great camping experience," explains Cameron about Charles E. Baker State Forest.

    Road conditions: Access roads to horse camping areas vary in quality. While some state forests have challenging entry points, others maintain serviceable routes. "We had no problem getting a nice paved spot for our 34' class A," mentions Frank M. regarding the road conditions at The Villages.

    Seasonal considerations: Spring camping near Syracuse may involve encountering muddy trail conditions, while summer brings higher insect activity. "Memorial day weekend the weather is beautiful spring weather," notes Carl G. about early season conditions.

    Tips for camping with families

    Kid-friendly activities: Several horse campgrounds near Syracuse offer additional recreation options for children. "Lots to do for kids, facilities are new and clean," writes Keri about The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.

    Educational opportunities: Combining horse camping with educational visits creates well-rounded family experiences. "We also took a drive to the University of Syracuse to tour the campus," shares Jen O. about activities her family enjoyed during their stay.

    Plan for variable weather: Central New York weather can change quickly, requiring proper preparation when horse camping with children. "Memorial day weekend, the weather is gorgeous for spring," mentions Carl G., highlighting the pleasant but potentially variable conditions.

    Tips from RVers

    Full hookup availability: RVers with horse trailers appreciate campgrounds offering complete services. "All sites are full hookups (i think) and paved. Definitely geared towards the RV or trailer crowd," explains Michael O. about The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.

    Layout considerations: Site arrangement affects the camping experience, especially with horses. "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. about her family's stay with their Class A motorhome.

    Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience periodic noise disruptions. "The only real negatives would be the proximity to some railroad tracks, which can be somewhat active and very audible in some spots," warns Michael O., suggesting campers "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 Syracuse, NY?

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

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