We're here to help you find where to go horse camping in Athens. Whether you own a horse or are joining a tour group, equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. These scenic and easy-to-reach Athens campsites are perfect for equestrian campers.
Tompkins Campground is on the north shore of Cowanesque Lake in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, less than one mile from the New York state border. Surrounded by lush forested ridges, the lake offers recreation for the entire family, including picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting and wildlife watching. The campground is a great place for kids of any age.
Cowanesque Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities. With a boat ramp and overnight mooring, campers can easily spend time on the water. There are a variety of indigenous fish that inhabit the area's streams and lakes, and fishing tournaments are held frequently. The North and South Tailrace areas provide access for fishing downstream of Cowanesque Dam. The fields and forests around the lakes are popular destinations for both local and out-of-state hunters looking for large and small game species native to the eastern hardwood forests. The 4 mile Moccasin Trail within the facility leads hikers on a trek through reclaimed farm fields and wood lots inhabited by a variety of watchable wildlife.
The partially forested campground sits in the pristine setting of the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. The surrounding land paints a scenic picture of rolling mountains and open fields.
Reservations to include any reservation changes, such as cancel, refund requests, site transfer, or date changes cannot be made at facility location.
$40 / night
Backbone Horse Campground is a small, semi-primitive campground designed primarily for campers or picnickers that bring horses with them.
$15 / night
$40 - $45 / night
Traveler
We arrived on Saturday and departed the following Friday. The campground was exceptionally maintained, bathrooms and showers virtually spotless and the pool was clearly and consistently maintained at all times. Plenty of space to spread out and walk. All of the roads were paved and sites were very large.
Legend
This is an amazing state park that has something for everyone. There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding trails. There are several campgrounds, with tremendous variety for every camping style. There are standard car camping tent sites, RV sites, and yurts and camper cabins. For those who like more rustic options, there are hike-in sites that are beautiful and not far from the parking area. The campsites are nestled in a deep shady mature forest, and peaceful and quiet due to the wooded aspect and spacing of sites (at least for me, in September in a hike-in site not far from the regular campground). It is nice to have such a fine camping and outdoor recreation opportunity within an easy drive of the city of Clarks Summit, so probably a great weekend getaway for local folks, but a wonderful stopover for anyone on a road trip through northern PA as it is not far off Interstate 81. I was there only one day, but would like to be back to explore the trails!
GuideStayed at this campsite, taking our pop-up camper on its maiden voyage to the Grand Canyon of PA. Was able to choose a location that worked best for us. The area we selected was not busy. Campsite appeared to have a lot of seasonal campers. My husband does not like staying in crowded campgrounds with people surrounding you and up all night screaming and singing. We go camping to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Not to listen to people pretending to relive their college days....lol. Area is open, not offering a lot of privacy, but we had shade and woods behind us, and the ground was grassy and level. The pool was nice and the rec center had a lot of activities for kids. The pond offered fishing and pedal boat rentals. We chose this campsite due to its proximity to the Leonard Harrison State Park. We had no issues here and would recommend.
LegendNice state park. Wooded campgrounds. Nice sites. Boating and fishing.
GuidePretty good State park. Convenient to Scranton. The bathhouse was adequate and clean. Site was paved but not really level and layout was odd, fire ring and table were on drivers side. Didn’t use facilities but Lake looke nice
LegendStopped at Lackawanna on our way to Vermont... good overnight spot!
TravelerMy experience here was most enjoyable. I stayed in a yurt for the first time and it was also my first time camping since my teenage years. The yurt was most comfortable and the park is beautiful in the spring. Went hiking and was sure to bring my camera along. Got some beautiful shots too. Would highly recommend visiting and/or camping here!
GuideWe like Lackawanna State Park. This is the place we camped when we moved to PA. It has signts that are very wooded. Some are a little close to each other, but others offer plenty of space, including our site (52) on this trip. One of the biggest spots we have ever had. The site has one potential drawback for some, no electric hookup, however most of the loop we were in and the other pet friendly loop was also electric capable. The trails are fun for relaxing hikes, we especially like the one right along the lake. Also their is a huge lakefront area along a different stretch of the lake that offers people a lot of ways to enjoy themselves. It also has a huge pool area, but that was closed and that was our reason for giving the rating a 4 star. Can't have your number 1 item closed during the middle of summer and get a 5 star. We would love to come back in the winter when they have an ice rink with a warming house.
ScoutOur family of four enjoyed the quiet of the tent camping area for two nights. There was plenty to keep our nature/loving kiddos engaged. Our only complaint was the lack of active enforcement of quiet hours — otherwise there would be no complaints.
GuideMy husband and I stayed here for just one night during the week in early May. We were one of 3 campers in the second set of sites after you enter. They were clean and well spaced. Pretty woods and clean bathrooms. Just what we wanted
Scout
Perfect quiet spot to star gaze and listen to the wildlife. We had perfect weather and it was a spectacular night!
GuideThis is a really nice state park. Stayed just one night, but the campsites were in the woods and well separated.
GuideWe were Motorcycle camping and came in on a Holiday weekend without a reservation. But we were given a terrific tent site. The park was very neat and well manicured. Bathrooms were fairly nice, but no TP mid day. The sites were a little close to each other and where we were in the park was a mixed use area. So we had an RV next to us with the Genny running all day. The people were nice and fed us so I didn’t complain. The Lake looked nice though we didn’t use it. The roads all around were great for motorcycles and Scranton was very close for all your needs. This place gets thumbs up but only 4 stars because I’m hard to please.
Traveler
Amazing View And Hiking
TravelerNice clean place. Can get a bit crowded in some spots where the campers seem to be on top of one another. Luckily we didn’t have one of those sites. Nice area lots to do in the area if you are ok driving to different places. No cell service and WiFi isn’t reliable if that’s what you need or are looking for.
GuideCamped here for a weekend, and probably one of my least favorite sites so far. Hiking trails are good, the lake is nice, but there is no privacy at the campsites; they're all very small and packed tight. Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained. Park rangers are hawkish and quick to assume wrongdoing.
Cell service covers the area, if you care. And no gas boats are allowed on the lake (cool!).
TravelerThis 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.
TravelerCampground has cabins and yurts, pull in sites for RV’s and strictly walk in tent sites. There is a beautiful lake and a very large pool. We went in early spring midweek, it was very quiet and exactly the get away we wanted.
TravelerNice hiking trails!
ScoutWe camp here several times a year and have never had a bad experience. Camp host is always most helpful and the park is always clean and well maintained. Great pool, lake, hiking etc.
GuideWe stayed one night when it happened to rain all evening. So, we stayed inside our camper. We did take a short walk around both camping loops in lighter rain. The swimming beach looked nice. They do have boat rental. Our site and the others we saw were nicely shaded. Look forward to visiting again in the sun for a longer period.
GuideStony Fork Creek is beautiful and offers nearby hiking trails, a lake, and activities. My only complaint is that other campers did not respect quiet hours and it took the campground staff too long to ask them to quiet down.
TravelerThe state park is a great way to get away and enjoy the forests. There is plenty of space to bring lunch and have a picnic. One suggestion would be to bring a fishing rod and enjoy casting while the kids run around and play.
TravelerWe 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.
Guidethe sites are in a long row. small lake It looks like they are about 50% seasonal. horseback riding nearby. We visited the PA grand canyon while we were there as well as the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, pa.
TravelerI have been camping at this campground for years,but I would say it not as kept up as it us to be. it still a nice campground but it’s nothing like it’s sister campground Ives run.
ScoutWe 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Athens, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Athens, PA is Lackawanna State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Athens, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Athens, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
