4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Beaver Creek State Park Campground and Fernwood State Forest's Hidden Hollow Campground offer horse-friendly camping options near Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Beaver Creek features a specialized equestrian campground on Sprucevale Road with 59 primitive sites and essential horse facilities including tie-ups. The campground maintains vault latrines but no electric hookups. Sites accommodate both riders and their horses with ample space for trailers. Self-registration is required at the equestrian campground, with 12 sites available by reservation and the remainder first-come, first-served. The camping area remains reasonably quiet and clean throughout the riding season.
The North Country National Scenic Trail connects directly to Beaver Creek State Park, providing extensive riding opportunities for equestrians. Trails wind through wooded terrain with creek access at multiple points, offering water sources for horses during rides. Both campgrounds enforce standard horse camping etiquette, including proper manure management and tie-out protocols. Fernwood State Forest accommodates larger rigs, making it suitable for horse trailers up to 40 feet in length on mostly level parking areas. The primitive facilities at both locations include fire rings and picnic tables at most sites, though riders should bring their own water for both themselves and their horses. The trails surrounding these campgrounds remain open throughout most of the year, allowing for multiple-day riding excursions in various seasons.
"Portals/parks/PDFs/parks/Maps/Beaver_Creek/beavercreekcampmap.pdf)
- 6 electric sites
- 44 non-electric sites
- Dump station
- No showers; no flush toilets
- Pets are permitted on all sites
Equestrian"
"I live near by to this state park and have spent much time exploring the entirety of it."
from $23 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore."
"The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit. The best part - it's free!"
"It is right next to the bike trail and has access to the lake. I have enjoyed my time at Moraine and will enjoy it every time I visit."
"In fact my family used to own property near by. This park has an awesome trail system for walking or biking"
"This smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning."
"Tucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court."
from $23 - $33 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning. You need to be careful when booking, especially if you are trying to pitch a tent, as some sites are quite sloped. Our site was huge and right next to the water spigot.
TravelerTucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court. Dump station and 18 miles of multi use trails! Small lake for wading with the kiddos, fishing near the dam or skip rocks in the creek. But be sure to pack a picnic and relax and enjoy! Only a few electric sites available. Mostly flat shaded sites most perfect for tents or trailers.
TravelerFamily Campground on Leslie Road [map]
Equestrian Camp on Sprucevale Road
Group Camp on Sprucevale Road
GuideI live near by to this state park and have spent much time exploring the entirety of it.
The trails are all nice, nothing too strenuous, and each have something unique compared to the others in the park. During the spring the Salamander trail is filled with thousands of Trilliums, a truly majestic experience. Lots of flowing water to enjoy throughout the park, some are off the trails but never hard to reach. A good park to enjoy with family and friends because you can fish, kayak, bike, skate, hike, horseback, and picnic. In addition, there are numerous historical cabins, locks, shelters, and a water run mill to sight-see. Then for those in search of a bit of spookiness, Gretchen’s Lock is notoriously a haunted location with certainly eerie vibes.
The family campground is small, but the park as a whole is not far from civilization so if any supplies are needed it is not a far endeavor.
I do not horseback, so I cannot comment on that campground, but many of the trails are friendly for horses to travel.
OH! And if you are there on the weekends the Wildlife Center is a must! The staff are so nice, it is by donation to visit so is in everyone’s price range. An astounding display of animals and nature information! You can even hold the snakes and see a bee hive in action.
RangerThis tiny gem of a campground is actually quite decent. Each site is furnished with a small fire ring and picnic table. The fire rings do not have a grill grate. The pit toilets in the restroom are "fragrant" when you enter the women's side of the building but not so terribly that they can't be used. My friend did gag upon entering the men's room. There are designated wastewater areas to dump grey water, but you'll have to bring your own water for drinking, washing, etc. There are no electric hookups.
As others have mentioned, there is a gun range nearby and you can hear occasional firing. Helicopter traffic at night was a slight distraction from the otherwise quiet night I spent here.
There is an easy orange-blazed trail behind site 10 but as of this writing, a there are several downed trees blocking the trail a good distance in.
I'd definitely stay again.
5/3/2021 Edited to add:. Well, our second stay here is decidedly less positive. We are at site 9 this time. No fire ring here. The women's bathroom is filthy and it made me gag (there is feces all over one toilet seat and the other smells so bad that I just peed in the woods). It's turkey season so lots of noise in the woods.
ScoutI have been camping at Moraine State Park since I was 5 years old (so about 14 years). While I was in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts we used the 5 Points Group Camping Area a lot. It is right next to the bike trail and has access to the lake. I have enjoyed my time at Moraine and will enjoy it every time I visit.
RangerThis is a great place just of interstate 79. Been going there since I was a kid. In fact my family used to own property near by. This park has an awesome trail system for walking or biking
GuideWhen you pull into Beaver Creek Family Campground you pretty much have two choices: either you go left into multiple Pine tree sites or right into two cabins and more RV friendly open sites. A few of the RV sites have electric, but no water for their tanks. I suggest the pine sites for any tent or hammock campers. I stayed in one of the first set of 3 pine sites numbered 43, 44, and 45. There is some brush and cover between these sites, but each has a pull in parking pad. If 45 was occupied with a RV, 44 would not be as nice as it was. Backing into 44 and 45 would be tricky as well. To be fair any larger RV that came in better know how to get through tight quarters.
The back area of each of those 3 sites looked best to get even ground for a tent. My buddy hung his hammock between the tree to the left of the picnic bench and to a tree back and left in the picture of site 44. Site was fairly clean, but be sure to move the pine tree duff away from the fire pits to be safe.
Probably the nicest pit toilets I have experienced and while we didn't use, it the sun shower building would give anyone privacy if they had packed a portable shower. Lots of trails to choose from and the pioneer village in the state park gives you many options to spend the day. Had some luck fishing at the Canoe/Kayak area in the South East area of the park close to the Group Camp Sites.
ScoutVery well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore. Very quiet everytime I've camped there, many times btw. Great, quiet, close to nature experience.
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania sits within the Appalachian Plateau region at elevations between 1,100-1,200 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and moderate summers, making spring through fall the prime camping season. Camping options within a 50-mile radius of Bethel Park include free primitive sites, specialized equestrian facilities, and state parks with varying amenities.
Fishing opportunities: Lake areas near Jefferson Lake State Park Campground provide excellent bass fishing spots along with small creeks for casual anglers. "Bass fishing is really fun because we caught a few nice ones!!" notes Mike T. about Beaver Creek State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: Pioneer villages and historical structures dot the region, offering educational side trips from your campsite. "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc)," explains Shay D.
Multi-use trail systems: The parks feature extensive trail networks suitable for day hiking or longer treks. "Direct access to the North Country National Scenic Trail and trails through main park," mentions Tracy H., highlighting the connectivity between Hidden Hollow Campground — Fernwood State Forest and regional trail systems.
Spacious campsites: Many parks offer unusually large sites that provide privacy and room for equipment. "It is an unbelievably spacious site under towering pine trees. The site sits back off the road and really makes you feel like you have the place to yourself," writes Matt H. about his experience at Beaver Creek.
Equestrian-focused amenities: Horse riders appreciate the specialized facilities designed specifically for their needs. "Tucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court. Dump station and 18 miles of multi use trails!" shares Theresa Tittle R. about Jefferson Lake State Park Campground.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers can find no-cost sites that still offer basic amenities. "Self-register with cards located at pit latrine building. 14 days every 30. No problem getting 40' skoolie in and parked in mostly level spots. Camp fire rings and picnic tables at most sites," explains Donald F. about his stay at Hidden Hollow Campground.
Water limitations: Several campgrounds have restricted water access or non-potable sources. "We are on a well so there is limited water and they don't allow you to fill up your on board tank. Make sure you fill up before you go!" cautions Bounding Around about their Beaver Creek experience.
Site topography challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain that can complicate tent setup. "The majority of the campsites are also so hilly that you can't put a tent up on a flat spot. We ended up sliding downhill all night," warns Alex S. from Jefferson Lake.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds are near shooting ranges or high-traffic areas. "Gun range 5 mins away or so... you can hear gunshots all day until 11pm," notes Jaysha L. about Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park, an important factor when planning equestrian camping near Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Child-friendly campsite selection: Look for sites near playgrounds or with natural features kids will enjoy. "We got a site near the playground, which my 3 year old enjoyed. The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy," recommends Matt H. about Beaver Creek.
Wildlife observation opportunities: Nighttime offers special experiences for children. "The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities. To cap it off, we laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!" adds Matt H.
Recreation options beyond trails: Many parks offer additional activities for families. "Moraine State Park is beautiful. It offers many camping styles including Group Tenting, Adirondack shelters for backpacking, and Cabins," notes Mitchel R. about Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park.
Site access considerations: RV campers should research road restrictions before arrival. "There is a road in the park (Echo Dell Road) that RV's/Trailers can't go on so make sure you approach this campground from Leslie Road!" warns Bounding Around.
Electric site availability: The number of powered sites is limited at most area campgrounds. "Only 5 electric sites. Very clean pit toilets. Well maintained campground. A few equine sites. Only 2 electric eq sites. Electric is a little far behind pad. We almost needed extension cord," advises Eddie about Jefferson Lake, which offers horse camping options near Bethel Park.
Seasonal access variations: Weather affects campground usability, especially for larger rigs. "Perfect for our little Scamp trailer. Only 5 big electric sites, no showers or potable water. As a result it was so peaceful! We loved our rainy stay," shares Teri A. about her experience at Jefferson Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bethel Park, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bethel Park, PA is Beaver Creek State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bethel Park, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Bethel Park, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
