Nancy B.
Ranger
RangerShawnee State Park Campground
Well maintained
The sites and roads are well maintained. Some sites are on hilly roads but are acceptable for tenters. The bathhouse is older but the showers are hot. August 2026
Equestrian Camping near Alexandria, PA
9 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides dedicated facilities for horse owners and their mounts. The campground accommodates both riders and their horses with spacious sites that include picnic tables, fire rings, and electric hookups with 30 and 50-amp service. Campground reeks of horse manure 24/7, which is typical for active equestrian camping areas. The sites are designed to accommodate horse trailers with ample parking space. Located near Penfield, Pennsylvania, this equestrian-focused campground serves as a base for exploring the extensive trail system throughout Moshannon State Forest. Reservations are required for the equestrian camping area, ensuring riders have guaranteed space for their horses and camping equipment.
Trail access directly from the campground connects riders to miles of forest paths suitable for various skill levels. Riders can explore the surrounding Moshannon State Forest's extensive trail network, with routes that wind through diverse Pennsylvania woodland terrain. The campground's strategic location provides convenient access to multiple trailheads, allowing for different riding experiences each day. Water sources for horses are available, though riders should confirm seasonal availability before arrival. The campground's proximity to Black Moshannon State Park offers additional recreational opportunities, including fishing and hiking when not riding. Horse owners should bring their own feed and be prepared for proper manure management according to campground regulations. The quiet atmosphere during weekdays provides a more private camping experience for those seeking solitude with their horses.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Alexandria (12)
1. Black Moshannon State Park Campground
"Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season."
"Great hiking and a beautiful lake for kayaking. Site 22 is a full hookup. Utilities worked nicely. However, our picnic table had seen better days. "
40 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $87 / night
2. Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
3. Shawnee State Park Campground
"Campground reeks of horse manure 24/7. Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private."
"The morning drive started early, had several stops and starts, and I was once again glad that my big dog was along for the ride."
100 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $110 / night
4. Little Buffalo State Park Campground
"A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground."
"The driving path is gravel with a steep hill at the end so if you can help it I would avoid sites 32,34,36 as they are VERY difficult to back into with larger rigs."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $92 / night
5. Colonel Denning State Park Campground
"Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."
"We stayed in site 28 which was a walk-in site, this was perfect for us since we wanted to be further away from people and the light from the bathroom/shower facility."
26 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $24 - $38 / night
6. North Run Equine Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
7. North Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
8. Snow Shoe Sites — Sproul State Forest
"A standard Ford Explorer handled the drive without trouble, though bringing a trailer would likely only be practical if it is set up for overlanding conditions."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
9. South Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
10. New Lancaster Valley Roadside Campsites — Bald Eagle State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Drive Time
- 24 min from Altoona, PA
- 35 min from State College, PA
- 1 hr 5 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr 25 min from Chambersburg, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Alexandria, PA
83 Reviews of 12 Alexandria Campgrounds
MsTrailBlazerRangerColonel Denning State Park Campground
Snakes! 🐍 🥰
Great park, alittle close together than I like. I wish I had picked 1-12 sites by the creek, but I don’t think I had much choice when I booked anyway. Bathrooms were clean. My site was more of an rv and I felt like I was at the neighbors for supper.
- MsTrailBlazerRanger
Little Buffalo State Park Campground
Campground away from park 👍🏻
Beautiful park, pool and lake. Great for boating and fishing, running or hiking and swimming. In may, it wasn’t busy, but I can imagine it gets packed. I will be back for summer.
michael R.
GuideSnow Shoe Sites — Sproul State Forest
SS007
Site SS007 sits roughly two miles off pavement along a fairly rough access road. A standard Ford Explorer handled the drive without trouble, though bringing a trailer would likely only be practical if it is set up for overlanding conditions.
The location offers excellent views of the Susquehanna River and exceptionally clear night skies with strong stargazing opportunities. There was no existing fire ring on site, so we built one using nearby stones. The site does not include a picnic table or other amenities, making it a primative experience.
Cell service was limited but usable, averaging about one bar with AT&T and two bars with T-Mobile.
Overall, it is a quiet, scenic roadside site best suited for campers comfortable with minimal facilities and no other people around.
Etzer D.GuideColonel Denning State Park Campground
Great creekside spot
The weather wasn’t too great, but the campaign joy could not be hampered. We had a great spot along the creek, which was also a short walk from the lake. The bathroom facilities are fantastic nice and clean couldn’t be happier.
Graham S.
TravelerBlack Moshannon State Park Campground
Great campground at a beautiful park
Ive camped at Black Moshannon State Park many times both in a tent and our camper. The Park has tent only, electric and full hookup sites. It is well cared for and clean. The bathhouses are nice and well maintained. The Park itself offers a lot to do with fishing. Hiking, the beach, kayak rentals, etc. I've never had a bad time at Black Moshannon and will keep coming back.
- SScott I.Traveler
Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
Nice spot to camp in the mountains
First I'll just say that the Rothrock campsites should probably each be listed separately, rather than as a group; they are very spread out throughout the State Forest and each is a different experience. This review will be for site 002 Colerain Road.
This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. It's easy enough during the summer, though the road is narrow and you've got some sharp bends depending on which way you come from. This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion.
The parking is just right off the road, and there's a picnic table and large stone fire ring near the parking. There's a small path further up the hill into the woods where there is a tent pad, another fire ring and another picnic table. There are also a lot of flat spots nearby for additional tents to be set up.
Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below. The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road. Traffic may have been busier than usual the weekend we went because there was the Mid Atlantic Overland festival nearby at the same time. At one point a family parked in the campsite's parking to start a walk... (there's a better trailhead up closer to Indian Lookout they should have used).
No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here. Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon).
These sites used to be totally free but they're now $10 a night. You still need to book a while out if you want to be here on a weekend, especially during the fall when Penn State is playing.
Brittany V.
LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Double check site booked
We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. We have a 35’ TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked. Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating! We moved over one site and it made all the difference. The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit. It’s not directly on the lake but there is a ton of parking and easy access points.
Lee D.LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Huge state park
General: 300+ site campground with a mix of FHU, 30 and 50-amp electric, and non-electric tent sites, yurts, and cabins. Select loops allow pets but not all do.
Site Quality: Varies by type and location within the park. I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. A Monday in mid-October had many open sites. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level, and we did not have a problem finding one. Some sites have gravel pads that were level and vary in length from 20’ to 115’ Most of the non-electric sites had no definable pads at all and as mentioned, were not level. Some roads in the campground were paved but a few were not.
Bath/Shower House: was clean. Did not use the shower.
Activities: A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground. We did see a boat launch and what appeared to be kayak rentals, but we were there out of season.
As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise. This was just an overnight stay for us. We’ve been to many stellar Pennsylvania state park campgrounds, but this one was not as good as many others.
Guide to Alexandria
North Run Equine Camping Area provides specialized facilities for horseback riders in the forested highlands of central Pennsylvania. Located near Penfield at 1,600 feet elevation, the camping area sits within Moshannon State Forest's extensive trail network. The region experiences moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season, with cool evenings dropping to 55-65°F.
What to Do
Trail riding access: North Run connects directly to miles of equestrian-friendly paths through Moshannon State Forest's diverse terrain. Trails range from beginner-friendly flat sections to more challenging routes with varied elevations.
Fishing opportunities: Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers unique fishing conditions in its dark-water lake. "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding," notes Matthew U., highlighting the distinctive water conditions that support different fish species than typical clear-water lakes.
Wildlife viewing: The forested surroundings provide excellent wildlife spotting opportunities, particularly for birds. "We had a wonderful weekend despite the cold wet weather," shares James B. about his experience at Black Moshannon State Park, where wildlife remains active even in challenging conditions.
Swimming options: Several nearby parks offer swimming facilities when not riding. "Super place for the family and everyone. The lake has lots to offer. Swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife watching and a big sky view for star gazing," writes Denise D. about Black Moshannon State Park.
What Campers Like
Quiet environment: Shawnee State Park Campground provides a peaceful retreat for those seeking solitude with their horses. "We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage," reports Brittany V.
Clean facilities: Colonel Denning State Park Campground maintains exceptionally well-kept facilities. "Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites," notes Casey L., highlighting the park's commitment to maintenance.
Spacious sites: Many equestrian-friendly campgrounds in the region feature larger-than-average sites to accommodate trailers and equipment. "Trail head close to site and was a very difficult hike with amazing views!! Wide open area to swim that was very clean and well kept," adds Casey about Colonel Denning State Park.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian camping areas require advance booking, especially during peak seasons from May through October. Sites with electric hookups fill quickly during summer months.
Manure management: Horse owners must follow proper waste handling protocols. Each campground has specific rules about manure disposal and site cleanliness.
Water availability: Little Buffalo State Park Campground and other parks have seasonal water sources that may not be active year-round. "Little buffalo has a lot to offer! The campsites are spacious. There are standard tent sites available and there are water/electric site available. There is a dump station available for the end," explains Amanda H.
Trail conditions: Trail difficulty varies significantly throughout the region. Some routes may be temporarily closed after heavy rainfall or during forestry operations.
Tips for Camping with Families
Safety precautions: When bringing children around horses, establish clear rules about approaching animals and maintain designated safe zones for play away from horse areas.
Alternative activities: Rothrock Roadside Campsites provide access to family-friendly adventures beyond horseback riding. "This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below," describes Scott I., highlighting scenic opportunities even non-riders can enjoy.
Educational programs: Many state parks offer ranger-led activities that teach children about local wildlife and ecosystems. "The park rangers had an owl program on Friday night and ended up calling in several screech owls. Very cool to hear their eerie cries in the woods," shares Nate & Erika L. about their experience at Colonel Denning State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When bringing an RV to equestrian camping areas, carefully research site dimensions and access. Many horse-friendly sites are designed for trailers but may have challenging approaches for larger motorhomes.
Hookup considerations: North Block — Tuscarora State Forest and similar campgrounds offer limited electric hookups that may not support all RV systems simultaneously. Plan power usage accordingly when using air conditioning alongside other appliances.
Leveling challenges: Many equestrian camping areas have uneven terrain designed primarily for horse trailers rather than recreational vehicles. Bring extra leveling blocks and stabilizers to ensure comfort during extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Alexandria, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Alexandria, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Alexandria, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Alexandria, PA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Alexandria, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Alexandria, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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