Best Equestrian Camping near West Monroe, NY

Charles E. Baker State Forest offers primitive camping options for equestrians in the West Monroe region. The forest features free dispersed camping with several designated sites accessible by trail. The area provides plenty of secluded spots suitable for setting up camp with horses, though specific horse facilities like corrals or stalls are not present. Visitors must practice leave-no-trace principles when managing horse waste. The forest terrain consists of wooded areas with adequate space for primitive camping, though proper horse containment methods should be brought by campers. Users report finding good camping spots with water access at a nearby pond, allowing horses to drink and cool down after trail rides.

The forest contains miles of trails suitable for horseback riding through varied terrain. Riders can explore extensive wooded paths that connect throughout the property, though specific bridle trail designations are limited. Horse owners should bring their own containment systems such as portable corrals or highlines as no permanent equine infrastructure exists on site. Access is available via a long but well-maintained dirt road that can accommodate modest-sized horse trailers. The secluded nature of this state forest makes it ideal for equestrians seeking a more primitive backcountry camping experience. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with late summer and early fall offering the most pleasant riding weather and fewer insects. Water access for horses is available but limited to natural sources.

Best Equestrian Sites Near West Monroe, New York (2)

    1. The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

    11 Reviews
    Oneida, NY
    26 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. Charles E. Baker State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Hubbardsville, NY
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 674-4017

    "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 West Monroe, NY

18 Reviews of 2 West Monroe Campgrounds


  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Russel M.
    Jun. 18, 2024

    The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

    Turning Stone has lovely

    Turning Stone has lovely locations and is kept up nicely. Over Memorial Day weekend, the weather is gorgeous for spring. Every fully equipped site, with complete shade or full sun. been visiting for more than 25 years. Nearby are a golf course, food options, a casino, and @geometry dash online .

  • 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.


Guide to West Monroe

Charles E. Baker State Forest provides equestrian camping opportunities in upstate New York, within a wooded landscape of rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. The area experiences cold winters with significant snowfall and mild summers with average temperatures around 80°F. Equestrian campers can access multiple unmarked trails throughout the 9,000-acre forest, though riders should bring detailed maps as trail markers are limited.

What to do

Trail riding excursions: Charles E. Baker State Forest offers extensive riding trails through varied terrain. According to visitor Matt A., the forest has "miles of trails" with good options for both beginners and experienced riders who enjoy primitive trail systems.

Water activities: The nearby pond provides opportunities for fishing and cooling off. As Cameron notes, there's "water access at a lovely nearby pond" where horses can drink and riders can enjoy the scenery after a long day of riding.

Wildlife observation: The forest's diverse ecosystem supports numerous bird species and woodland animals. The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone, located within driving distance, features "some great hikes around the campground" with opportunities for wildlife viewing, according to Michael O.

What campers like

Secluded camping spots: The dispersed camping setup allows equestrians to find private areas away from others. Matt A. appreciated the privacy, noting he "had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods" during his stay.

Free primitive camping: The no-cost camping is frequently mentioned as a major benefit. Cameron highlighted this feature, calling it a "Free Primitive Campsite" and mentioned that "there's a lot of good space for dispersed camping right nearby" for those traveling with horses and gear.

Seasonal riding conditions: Late summer through early fall provides optimal riding conditions with fewer insects. Cameron's September visit found that "bugs aren't an issue" during that time of year, making it more comfortable for both horses and riders.

What you should know

Limited facilities: The forest offers true primitive camping with minimal infrastructure. Cameron noted that "only giving 4 stars because the best free sites have water pumps and vault toilets," confirming the lack of amenities that equestrian campers should prepare for.

Access considerations: The entry point requires navigating dirt roads that may challenge larger horse trailers. According to Cameron, access is "at the end of a long, but well maintained, dirt road" which can accommodate modest-sized trailers but requires careful driving.

Water planning: While natural water sources exist, they're limited and seasonal. Riders should carry water for themselves and plan for horse hydration. Matt A. mentioned there are "official camp spots with water access which are also free to use" but these may be occupied during busy periods.

Tips for camping with families

Bring entertainment: With no structured facilities, families should pack games and activities. At The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone, Jessica D. notes it's "so peaceful at night" and recommends August visits during meteor showers for natural entertainment options not far from West Monroe.

Safety preparations: Families should bring first aid supplies for both humans and equines. Frank M. appreciated that campgrounds in the region have "knowledgeable and friendly staff" who can provide emergency information, though Baker State Forest itself has no on-site staff.

Site selection: Choose camping spots with natural boundaries to contain children and horses. Jen O., who camps with children, recommends looking for "sites with nice spacing in between" when selecting your camping location.

Tips from RVers

Trailer maneuvering: Equestrian RVers should scout sites before attempting to park larger rigs. Boomer B. notes that when looking for camping near West Monroe, look for "spacious FHU sites. Pull thru and back ins" if you need more amenities than Baker State Forest provides.

Weather preparedness: The region experiences variable weather, especially in transition seasons. Carl G. mentions that "Memorial day weekend the weather is beautiful spring weather" which can be ideal for early season trail riding near West Monroe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near West Monroe, NY?

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