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Shawnee State Park Campground near Schellsburg provides limited equestrian access within its 319-site campground system. While the park does not feature dedicated horse corrals according to available data, it accommodates diverse camping styles including tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and cabin options in a forested setting. The campsites vary considerably in levelness and size, with some RV sites offering full hookups including 30 and 50-amp electrical service. Most tent sites lack defined pads and present leveling challenges for equipment. The campground maintains clean bathroom facilities with showers, though some visitors note the push-button shower system provides only 30 seconds of water before requiring reactivation.
Trail access near the campground connects to moderate hiking paths surrounding the lake, though specific bridle trails are not identified in the park's amenities listing. The surrounding Bedford County area offers additional equestrian opportunities beyond the immediate park boundaries. Trailer parking is available throughout the campground, with some sites accommodating vehicles up to 115 feet in length on gravel pads. The park features a substantial lake with beach access, fishing opportunities, and boat rentals during peak season. Horse owners should note that while pets are permitted in select camping loops, specific horse-related policies may vary, and the campground's proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike creates noticeable background noise that might affect some horses sensitive to traffic sounds.
"Booked for 5 nights to have an opportunity to explore the Bedford, PA area. Great access to Flight 93 Memorial, local covered bridges, Fort Bedford Historic Fort, and many other attractions."
"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."
from $20 - $110 / 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
Check Availability"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
from $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $150 / night
Check Availability
LegendBooked for 5 nights to have an opportunity to explore the Bedford, PA area. Great access to Flight 93 Memorial, local covered bridges, Fort Bedford Historic Fort, and many other attractions. Loop D was quiet with ample space between sites that provided privacy. Bathhouse was clean and used for showers. Dump and water fill station easy to access on your way in or out. Verizon signal good enough for streaming.
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.
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.
TravelerFirst 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.
Shawnee State Park Campground offers equestrian enthusiasts several options for trail riding near Bedford, Pennsylvania. The 319-site facility accommodates horses within a forested setting about 10 miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The campground provides varying site types from tent-only to full hookup RV spots, though specialized equestrian facilities are limited. Sites range from 20 to 115 feet in length with gravel pads at improved locations, while tent sites typically lack defined pads.
Lake activities: Shawnee Lake provides fishing opportunities with a variety of species. According to visitor Casey S., "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating."
Historical exploration: The Flight 93 Memorial sits approximately 20 miles from Shawnee State Park Campground. As Rachel L. notes, "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial."
Primitive camping: For riders seeking more remote experiences, Big Run State Park Campground offers riverside sites within a 40-minute drive. Katie H. mentions, "This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream."
Mountain biking: The trails surrounding Shawnee Lake provide moderate terrain for cycling. As Kaley R. reports, "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained."
Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to highways, many campsites maintain relative tranquility. Melanie Z. states about Shawnee State Park Campground, "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites."
Waterfront sites: Primitive sites at Big Run State Park Campground offer streamside camping approximately 35 miles from Bedford. According to Zoe H., visitors enjoy "beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!"
Spacious sites: The campgrounds in this region typically provide adequate space between sites. Nathan S. describes Big Run as having "Tons of space between sites. Water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road at New Germany State Park."
Off-grid options: For those seeking equestrian camping with minimal amenities, Rothrock Roadside Campsites provides backcountry access. Scott I. explains 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."
Site selection: Carefully research specific site dimensions and terrain before booking. Brittany V. advises about Shawnee State Park Campground, "Double check site booked. We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked."
Unlevel sites: Many tent sites throughout horse campgrounds near Bedford, Pennsylvania present leveling challenges. Gerard notes, "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."
Firewood availability: Limited quality firewood options exist at some campgrounds. One visitor reports, "Camp wood at the entrance is $5 and is tiny; our biggest piece was a foot long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick!"
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts trail conditions significantly in this mountainous region. Scott I. cautions about Rothrock's access roads: "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."
Kid-friendly water access: Several sites offer stream access for children. Andy C. from Big Run State Park Campground shares, "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek. The kids loved playing in the water."
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds maintain playground equipment for children. Lee D. notes about Shawnee, "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground."
Boat rentals: Seasonal kayak and small boat rentals provide additional family activities. As Lee D. observes, "We did see a boat launch and what appeared to be kayak rentals, but we were there out of season."
Insect preparation: Pack appropriate repellents as some sites experience significant insect activity. One camper at Big Run notes "it was very peaceful, but the mosquitos sucked."
Hookup variations: Electrical service differs between sites and loops. Danielle S. explains about Shawnee State Park Campground, "There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site."
Site leveling: Bring adequate leveling equipment for RVs. Gerard warns, "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."
Full hookup availability: Select sites offer complete services. Lee D. details, "300+ site campground with a mix of FHU, 30 and 50-amp electric, and non-electric tent sites, yurts, and cabins."
Weekday arrival: For better site selection, particularly with larger rigs, consider non-weekend arrivals. One reviewer noted, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bedford, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bedford, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
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