North Run Equestrian Camping Area provides specialized facilities for horse owners in Moshannon State Forest, located at elevations between 1,700 and 2,300 feet. The camping area sits in a region characterized by second-growth forests of oak, maple, and pine trees recovering from extensive logging operations in the late 1800s. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March, with summer highs typically reaching the 80s.
What to do
Trail riding exploration: Access miles of designated bridle trails directly from Black Moshannon State Park Campground. "Great camping area stop a mountain...nice unique lake that is incredibly dark in color. Lilly pads abound with great flowers," notes Clay P. The park's unique bog ecosystem creates distinctive scenery for riders.
Lake activities: Take breaks from riding to enjoy water recreation at nearby lakes. "The lake has lots to offer. Swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife watching and a big sky view for star gazing," shares Denise D. about Black Moshannon State Park. Many equestrians combine riding days with fishing or wildlife observation.
Historical site visits: When not riding, explore the region's coal mining and logging history. The Colonel Denning State Park Campground area offers historical sites within riding distance. "There was also a chaplain who came around offering a Sunday morning church service at the amphitheater," notes Nate & Erika L., highlighting the area's community atmosphere.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Horse owners appreciate well-maintained amenities after dusty trail rides. "Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites," Casey L. notes about Colonel Denning State Park, where many equestrians stay.
Strategic location: The area's network of state forests provides multiple camping options near riding trails. "Nice spot to camp in the mountains," reports Scott I. about Rothrock Roadside Campsites. "No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here. Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon)."
Seasonal beauty: Fall colors typically peak in mid-October, creating spectacular riding conditions. "This campground is so beautiful with plenty to do for everyone, tons of hiking along the whole park," Lisa L. mentions about Black Moshannon State Park, which shares trail connections with North Run Equestrian Camping Area.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Book equestrian sites 2-11 months in advance through the Pennsylvania DCNR reservation system, especially for summer weekends. "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early," advises Denise D.
Trail conditions: Spring trails often remain muddy into May, affecting horse footing. "Water sources for horses are available throughout the property," but riders should still carry water during dry periods or for longer rides crossing multiple state forest boundaries.
Road access considerations: Some forest roads leading to equestrian camping areas can be challenging for large trailers. "We suggest avoiding heading south from I80 on Casanova road," warns Sandi G. about routes to Black Moshannon. "Our GPS brought us in the most difficult way."
Tips for camping with families
Mixed-activity planning: Families with both riders and non-riders need balanced schedules. "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc.," mentions Lisa L., highlighting opportunities for family members who don't ride.
Educational opportunities: Park rangers often conduct programs relevant to equestrian families. "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.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes quickly, requiring flexible planning. "Despite the cold wet weather this trip, we had a wonderful weekend!" notes James B. about staying at Black Moshannon near North Run Equestrian Area, showing that proper preparation makes variable conditions manageable.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Horse trailer and RV combinations require careful site selection. "We have a small 19" travel trailer which was almost impossible to park due to very tight sites," cautions Shirley M. about her experience at Colonel Denning State Park. North Run's sites are specifically designed for equestrian rigs.
Hookup management: Equestrian campers with RVs should monitor water usage between dump station visits. "Very nice! We camped here over Columbus Day weekend. We wanted a quiet escape. We had one of the few full hook up sites," reports Shirley M. about a fall camping experience when water conservation becomes less critical.
Off-season considerations: Equestrian camping extends into cooler months with proper preparation. "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," advises Scott I. about Rothrock sites, which share similar booking patterns with North Run.
