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Shawnee State Park Campground accommodates horses at 300+ campsites near Artemas, Pennsylvania, making it one of the top-rated horse camping destinations in the region. The campground features a mix of full hookup, 30-amp and 50-amp electric sites, as well as non-electric tent sites, yurts, and cabins across multiple loops. Pets are allowed in select areas, though the park does not have dedicated horse corrals. Most campground roads are paved, allowing access for horse trailers, with some sites featuring gravel pads that vary in length from 20 to 115 feet. The park's camping areas provide adequate space for equestrians needing room for horses and equipment. Sites typically include a picnic table and fire ring, though some rings are positioned at angles that make cooking challenging.
The 13-mile trail network around the lake offers scenic riding opportunities with connections to surrounding forests. Located approximately 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh and easily accessible from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the park provides horse owners convenient access to regional trail systems. Riders appreciate the spacious sites with tree coverage, though site selection is crucial as many non-electric sites are notably unlevel. The lake area features kayak rentals and fishing opportunities for campers during seasonal operations. Horse camping is available year-round, though water facilities may be limited in winter months. Road noise from the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike is noticeable at night, particularly for tent campers, which may affect horses sensitive to traffic sounds. Weekday visits typically offer a quieter experience with fewer occupied sites.
"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."
from $24 - $122 / night
Check Availability"Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes."
"The road is gravel and could use some work, I’d recommend 4x4 drive. We really enjoyed it and will go back. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, water situation and the roads could use some work."
from $100 - $150 / night
Check Availability"The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "
from $10 - $55 / night
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TravelerCampground 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. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood. Hiking loop around lake is beautiful. Jean bonnet tavern nearby recommended for a great meal in a historic setting.
TravelerPros: Very friendly and accommodating staff. We camped in October and we had pretty much the entire place to ourselves. Beautiful lake and overall picturesque setting. Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun. Cons: WiFi signal weak and intermittent, even close to router. We camped in sites with hookups near office and entrance and the toilets are really far. The showers are even farther-like a 15-20 minute walk with bad signage directing to. The view from the showers were breathtaking, but the showers themselves left much to be desired. We had told they had just been cleaned, but they were so old and rust stained that it still felt kinda gross. Cobwebs along ceiling, dim lighting and worn paint added to the overall dinginess. There are no hooks to hang a towel and no shower curtain, wall or door so the bench with my clothes and towel got wet as did the floor, so you step out of shower into a puddle.
TravelerI had made plans to stay at SSP-PA as my first stopover spot, post leaving my beach friends on the East Coast. 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. Shawnee is a lovely state park and I was really pleased with my brief stay. 'Though we were only sleeping the one night, I found the staff to be pleasant and the site spacious. It might have helped that the doggo and I were about the only ones in our campground loop, aside from the campground hosts but the area felt well-maintained and well-proportioned. We had a good night's rest, after enjoying a post-dinner campfire and getting to breathe in the fresh, woodsy air. While sitting fireside, I got to enjoy the local wildlife, from birds to young deer, around the edges of my campsite. The campground restroom was clean and a fair size. I would definitely recommend it and I will certainly look into another reservation, the next time I roadtrip through Pennsylvania.
GuideShawnee State Park is about 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, and it has pretty much everything: swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and fairly decent hiking. It's close to some really great hiking--just outside the park--and that's how I ended up there. I was trekking on the very wild Mid-State Trail, nearby, when I opted for a night at the conventional campground in Shawnee. No regrets. I usually avoid car-camping because I don't want to listen to other people's classic rock in the woods. But this place was great. I came midweek, so I had the campground mostly to myself. The showers are hot and clean. The lake is beautiful with a nice swimming beach. The area around the park has all the scenic and historic attractions of central PA: covered bridges, big stone farmhouses, quaint towns. My only complaint is that the PA Turnpike screams a little too close by. Also, the sites are pretty close together, so be sure to look at a campground map beforehand to reserve one of the more isolated ones.
LegendGeneral: 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.
RangerWe stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet, but may have been noisy if the yurt and 2 cabins had been rented out. There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site. The fire ring is at an angle so cooking on it proved to be a challenge (we bring a grill grate with us just in case, and had to use it). Bathroom and showers were clean, bright, and there is a dish washing sink outside. Showers were push button but pressure was great and the water was hot (make sure you push the button once before you get in so its warm if no one else is showering at that time). Bring shower shoes. We were able to hear a small bit of traffic from the highway, but nothing that disturbed us. There are several stores within a 20 minute drive (Walmart, etc) and a mall an hour away. Camp wood at the entrance is $5 and is tiny; our biggest piece was a foot long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick! It was okay to start a fire, but we went into the woods and picked up dead wood that we cut into manageable logs. There weren't any roadside stacks of seasoned wood, so be prepared if it rains. The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs. We would stay again.
ScoutThis is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds. The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks. Clean and well maintained. The camp store nearby offers a good selection of basics along with boat rentals
LegendWe 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.
ScoutSpent a weekend here in mid May. Bugs weren't a problem at all. Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes.
Equestrian camping near Artemas, Pennsylvania offers direct access to western Maryland's Appalachian forests with elevations ranging from 1,100 to 2,800 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Primitive sites throughout the region accommodate horse trailers from 20 to 115 feet with varying degrees of terrain leveling.
Trail riding around lakes: The 13-mile trail network at Big Run State Park Campground connects to broader wilderness areas with moderate elevation changes. "The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks. Clean and well maintained. The camp store nearby offers a good selection of basics along with boat rentals," notes Katie H.
Off-road trails: The Cove Campground provides extensive trail systems for both horses and ATVs just under an hour from Artemas. "Beautiful place, lots of options and activities. Not a quiet retreat with the ATVs and shooting range, but lots of fun," mentions Daniel G. The campground features miles of trails through varied terrain suitable for different experience levels.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple water access points offer fishing without leaving your campsite. "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish. So quiet and very little traffic. Tons of space between sites," reports Nathan S. about Big Run State Park. Fishing licenses required for Pennsylvania and Maryland waters.
Spacious sites: Horse owners appreciate the generous spacing between campsites to accommodate equipment. "We stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet," notes Danielle S. The fire rings at some sites are positioned at angles that may require adjustments for cooking.
Water features: Many campgrounds provide both fishing and swimming options. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean," writes Casey S. Most lakes permit non-motorized boats with some offering rentals during peak season.
Natural setting: Vagabond Isle and similar primitive sites provide isolation for equestrians seeking minimal disturbance for their horses. The primitive sites along streams offer natural white noise that helps mask sounds that might startle horses. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" shares Zoe H.
Site leveling challenges: Many non-electric sites require significant leveling for trailers. "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level," reports Lee D.
Highway noise considerations: The proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike creates ambient noise that affects certain camping areas. "As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise," notes one reviewer. This may impact horses sensitive to traffic sounds, particularly at night.
Seasonal accessibility: Shawnee State Park Campground remains open year-round but with limited water facilities during winter months. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike," mentions Melanie Z.
Site selection for space: Reserve sites with adequate space for children and horses to move safely. "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!" explains Brittany V.
Lake activities: Multiple swimming areas provide family recreation options near camping areas. "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," notes Lee D. Most beaches open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Playground access: Some camping areas include dated but functional playground equipment. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop," mentions a reviewer. Families with young children should select sites near these amenities to reduce walking distances.
Back-in approaches: Some sites present challenging angles for larger rigs with horse trailers. "However, as we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," warns Gerard from The Cove Campground.
Water access planning: Water spigots may be limited at some campgrounds, requiring planning. "There are 4 water spigots in camp 1. However all the travel trailers hooked up, which means you either had to make friends or disconnect their water in order to have access," explains Christopher K. Bring extra water containers for horses during peak season.
Site surface variations: Gravel pads vary significantly in quality and levelness throughout the region. "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek," shares Andy C. about his camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Artemas, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Artemas, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Artemas, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Artemas, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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