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Equestrian Camping near Trumansburg, NY

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    Backbone Horse Campground in the Finger Lakes National Forest provides equestrian camping with large sites designed to accommodate horses and related equipment. The campground features fire pits and picnic tables at each site, with areas specifically designated for horses. Camping fees are paid through an honor system with flexible check-in and check-out times. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservations required. Both horse owners and non-horse campers are welcome, though the primary purpose of the facility is to serve as a base for trail riders. The campground remains open year-round, though trail access may be limited during spring melt or adverse weather conditions.

    The extensive trail network surrounding Backbone Horse Campground connects riders to various parts of the Finger Lakes National Forest. Riders should contact the Finger Lakes National Forest office before arrival to confirm trail conditions and accessibility. The campground offers a quiet, peaceful environment with minimal traffic, making it ideal for stargazing and wildlife observation. Sites are spacious enough to accommodate horse trailers, tents, and small RVs. While primarily serving equestrians, the campground sees relatively light use, with visitors reporting they often have large sections to themselves, particularly during weekdays. The natural setting provides opportunities for riders to explore pastures and wooded areas throughout the national forest.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Trumansburg (2)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Backbone Horse Campground

      5.0(4)8mi from Trumansburg1 siteRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $15 / night

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      2. Tompkins

      4.3(4)47mi from Trumansburg122 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $24 - $46 / night

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Trumansburg, NY

    13 Reviews of 2 Trumansburg 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.

    • 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!

    • 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.

    • Christina G.
      Aug. 22, 2018

      Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED

      Beautiful farmland!

      Charles has beautiful property! Acres and acres to explore and admire! The most accessible is a patch of pines with several tent sites, a small cabin, stone outdoor stove and a cool clear pond that is stocked with fish! Follow the corn on foot or an 4 wheel drive vehicle to the back pasture a more open area with apple trees and another small pond, further out is more land and wooded area Charles is happy to offer to you! I stayed 3 nights with my daughter and dog and had a wonderful time! This is a perfect for a quick quiet getaway, or to camp and explore apple orchards in the area! Charles sells fresh meat on site and it is amazing!!! I highly recommended this property, Charles is a wonderful host willing to help with anything, very family friendly and dog friendly to boot!!!

    • 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.

    Guide to Trumansburg

    Backbone Horse Campground offers equestrian-focused camping in the Finger Lakes National Forest at approximately 1,900 feet elevation. Located in a hardwood forest ecosystem 8 miles southwest of Trumansburg, New York, the area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures frequently below freezing. The campground's open meadow sites provide ample space for horse trailers and camping equipment on relatively flat terrain.

    What to do

    Trail riding through diverse terrain: The Finger Lakes National Forest trail system includes over 15 miles of interconnected pathways for equestrians. Backbone Horse Campground serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring these routes. "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... It was actually perfect for our small popup," notes Brenley R. about Backbone Horse Campground.

    Stargazing in minimal light pollution: The Finger Lakes region offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities due to its distance from major urban centers. "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.

    Boating and water activities: Several nearby lakes provide water recreation opportunities within 30 minutes of the horse campgrounds. "There is a beach for swimming, marina for boating and the sites are huge and grassy," writes Stacey C. about Tompkins Campground, which is accessible from the Trumansburg area.

    What campers like

    Spacious campsites: The generous site dimensions accommodate both camping equipment and horse trailers. "Large camp sites have room for all your horses and horse paraphernalia," confirms Harry H. about Backbone Horse Campground.

    Privacy and solitude: The horse campgrounds near Trumansburg typically see moderate usage, especially on weekdays. "We had the whole place to ourselves... We seen maybe three people pass through the three days/two nights we were there," reports Heather D. about Backbone Horse Campground.

    Natural surroundings: The campgrounds provide access to diverse ecosystems within the national forest. "This area is pretty with rolling hills all around so we enjoyed a couple of scenic drives," writes Bran P. about Tompkins Campground, highlighting the regional landscape accessible from the equestrian camping areas.

    What you should know

    Permit and payment system: Backbone Horse Campground operates on a self-service fee collection system. "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," explains Harry H.

    Trail condition variability: Weather significantly impacts trail accessibility in the Finger Lakes National Forest. "Call Finger Lakes National Forest to make sure trails aren't closed due to weather, spring melt, etc.," advises Harry H. from Backbone Horse Campground.

    Campground purpose considerations: Some campgrounds are designed primarily for specific users. "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," notes Brenley R. about the campground culture at Backbone.

    Tips for camping with families

    Off-peak timing benefits: Weekdays offer quieter camping experiences at horse campgrounds near Trumansburg. "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," explains Brenley R. about Backbone Horse Campground, indicating less crowded conditions.

    Playground access: Some nearby campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. "Our second week, we stayed on site 44 (FHU 50A) right across from the seldom used playground," mentions Bran P. about Tompkins Campground.

    Wildlife observation opportunities: The natural setting provides wildlife viewing possibilities. "Perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife," notes Ian A., highlighting an educational opportunity for children visiting the area.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup availability: RV facilities vary significantly between campgrounds in the region. "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 Tompkins Campground.

    Connectivity limitations: Cell service and internet can be unreliable in the Finger Lakes National Forest. "No Verizon phone service and very slow internet with a booster," reports Bran P. about connectivity at Tompkins Campground.

    Site selection for larger rigs: Horse campgrounds typically accommodate larger vehicles due to their equestrian focus. "This was also perfect for our small popup," confirms Brenley R. about Backbone Horse Campground, though larger RVs should check site specifications before arrival.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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