We're here to help you find where to go horse camping in Blue Marsh Lake. Finding a place to stay in Pennsylvania while traveling with your horse has never been easier. You're sure to find the perfect site for your Pennsylvania horse camping excursion.
In Pennsylvania, the once industrious geography of North Coventry and Warwick now serves as home to 7,730 acres of protected wilderness known as French Creek State Park. Right in the heart of the Schuylkill Highlands, the park’s boundaries make up the largest mass of forested space between anywhere in Washington D.C. and New York City. The diverse land consisting of forests, wetlands, marshes, and sleepy bluffs throughout have become a top destination for the people of southeast Pennsylvania to hike, fish, camp, and bike. At a point long ago, before the industrial revolution, the land was once dominated by ancient forests of American chestnut. Sadly, in 1771 foresters started to clear these trees, in order to create charcoal for the furnace at nearby Hopewell Furnace. However, the forests were still allowed to regrow, with routine clearing scheduled every 25 years thereafter. The furnace was in operation for 112 years until 1883, and its impact on the regional environment was undeniable. The once wooded hillsides, towering trees, and babbling brooks that once existed now appeared as a barren wasteland in many areas. The ecological outlook was looking dim, that is until President Roosevelt started the CCC in 1993 as a response to economic turmoil created by the Great Depression. During the same time, Governor Gifford Pinchot invited the CCC to assist in reclaiming this special land, and they subsequently worked to clear the forests and streams of brush. To commemorate the work, they began the restoration of the historic Hopewell Furnace as well as the creation of many of the facilities still in use today at the park. Among these facilities are several tent camping areas, two group camps, picnic shelters, two small dams and lakes, and even the extensive network of roads and trails that snake throughout the park. Today, the second growth has brought with it a rebirth of life and wonder to the region. This massive expansion of protected land is now home to a multitude of rare animals and plants, not commonly found in the region. For example, French Creek State Park is an Important Bird Area as designated by the National Audubon Society, and an Important Mammal Area as designated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Pine Swamp is a State Park Natural Area. The park is now known for its diverse fishing, large abundance of wild game for hunt, and it’s plethora of outdoor recreation activities available within. Visitors to the park have a few options for overnight accommodations. The campground itself is well suited for both large and small groups, as well as individuals. In total, 201 modern sites accommodate thousands of visitors annually. The campground also boast a range of amenities, including a centrally located shower and toilet facility. Additionally, there are ten cozy cabins with heat and electricity. Finally, there are two historic group camping CCC Cabins available. The facilities include dining halls, central washhouses, and cabins for campers and staff.
$23 / night
The campground is open Friday and Saturday nights only. Two camping units are permitted at each site, one unit must be a tent. Sleeping in personal vehicles is not permitted.
$15 - $50 / night
Guide
Staying in C loop and here are some tips. If you want starlink, stay toward the entrance of the loop for a good view of the sky. If you want to be away from everyone and don't need a site that has good accessibility, stay in C27. You park at the top of the site and walk your tent and gear down a small slope where you can set up your tent. A little further down is a large-ish area with a fire pit and table. You can't see the roady from there and it looks like a great place to get away from it all!
Other sites around C27 have similar set-ups but not so far off the road.
TravelerBeen here many times over the years. Most recently stayed New Years Eve weekend. Had a homeless couple living in a pop up camper next to use but kept to themselves. Park Rangers drove through constantly at least 10 times a day slowly looking into our site. Sites are extremely close together in some areas. The layout sometimes had it where the sites next to your had their fire ring behind your camper while other sites you could be 50 yards from the next site. In winter only a couple loops open and water is turned off. Most sites around the back of the loops are very rocky terrain and get very muddy when it rains.
Scout
The park itself is beautiful.
First, there is absolutely no privacy. The campsites are right next to each other with hardly any trees. The more dense woods is on the other side of the trail. You can see everything other campers do any they can see everything you’re doing.
Second, The campground is ON the hiking trail so everyone doing the loop walks along the sites. Including people with dogs off leash.
Guide
Love this park
GuideGreat for families or solo
LegendGeneral: Four loops with a total of 200 campsites. Two of the loops allow pets (A, C) and two do not. Loop D offers no hookups while Loops A-C offer a mix of no hookups, water/Electric, and full hookups. We had no problem securing a site on a weekday in October with no reservation. There are also two yurts and three cottages.
Site Quality: We chose a non-electric site in the B Loop, so this review focuses on this loop. There are abundant trees separating the sites. The pads were paved and B12 was very long. A picnic table and fire ring complete the site. Because the loops are on a slight slope, not all of the sites are completely level, something that would be difficult to determine if making reservations ahead of time.
Bathhouse: Pennsylvania state parks get high marks for their modern, clean restrooms and this park (at least the B Loop) was no exception. Hot showers were no additional charge and generous in size.
Activities: 35 miles of hiking trails. Be aware that the Hopewell Lake Loop is not very well marked (it appears to be a work in progress) although blazes on trees are abundant for most trails. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent during the summer season, and there is a boat dock for your own boat for fishing (either from a fishing pier or on your boat). There is a huge pool available from Memorial Day through Labor Day (there is an additional fee for this). Some of the trails allow horseback riding. Nearby Hopewell Furnace is accessible via hiking trails, or you can drive there. Other activities include orienteering and disc golf. Make sure you wear blaze orange during the fall hunting season as you will hear hunters!
In general, it is obvious Pennsylvania invests in its state park campgrounds and the price is reasonable ($27 for a non-electric site during the week with a $4.50 senior discount). My only complaint is that the dumpsters are a hike from the loops, but this is a minor complaint.
RangerInexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground.
Traveler
Starlite offers a wide variety of amenities such as a community pool, general store, snack bar, playground area, toilets, indoor shower stalls, daily activities, pets permitted, water/electric utilities and laundry units. Staff was very friendly! Loved the cleanliness and atmosphere as well!
TravelerCounty park so no booze but camp sites are under trees
TravelerA group of us stayed here over Memorial Day weekend. The sites were super spacious and private. There was enough room for a full overlanding setup, three vehicles, a hammock, two dogs and a two person tent with plenty of room to spare. Good hiking trails were just a short walk away from our campsite. Would definitely go back again.
Legend
Close to Jim Thorpe and tons of recreational activities. If you’re driving through the area, there’s a Cabela’s nearby that allows boondocking. Also very close to a few Appalachian trail heads.
There’s a cute river that flows through the campground and this one has a doggy park. Love this one!!
TravelerWe have been camping at Starlite with Dave and family for 15+ years. The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore. The facilities are spotless and the campground is maintained to the highest standards I have seen. There are regular activities for all ages including bingo, crafts and live music. Add all of that to the best view we have seen and it’s a win win. We highly recommend!
TravelerWe loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There’s running water available, porta potties are very clean and don’t smell and are lit with a street lamp. Very quiet at night. The park ranger this weekend was the nicest and very helpful with directions to walk to the playground and indoor restrooms. The lake is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails. Each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with a built in grill. Plenty of firewood to be found. Great for families. We are already planning our next trip. Super great price at $15/night as well. The children’s pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing.
GuideWe had a great family camping weekend at Starlight and will definitely return in the future. Yes, it is quite hilly throughout the campground, but the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed.
We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites. Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Except for the Plateau sites, which have the amazing view, the rest of the campground had a great tree cover! Too often private campgrounds attempt to squeeze as many sites as possible and end up with campers on top of their neighbors, but at Starlight, the sites felt very secluded. Water pressure and electric were both great throughout the stay. There is no internet, but we had good cell phone service.
The employees in the camp store are amazing and go out of their way to make you feel welcome! I felt everyone went above and beyond to help me from the reservation process through check-in. The camp store is well stocked and also serves hand-dipped ice cream.
Starlight is a nice campground to relax or explore central Pennsylvania.
ScoutFantastic weekend with family. Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites. Walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful.
ScoutQuiet. Occasional planned activities. Rented pavilions for renunions, birthdays, seasonal gatherings, etc.
GuideThis is a great family run campground. The store is nice, bathhouses are clean and private. Owners are super nice. There is also a great view of the surrounding countryside because it’s up on a big hill. If you’re hauling a big camper you’ll need power for the hills.
ScoutBeen coming for years, clean and spacious sites. Family operated. Located between Hershey and all of the PA Dutch Lancaster County attractions.
Guide
Nice place, not a campground
GuideMy girlfriends and I just stayed in the yurts for annual glamping trip. We reserved 3 of 4 yurts for first weekend in June...non peak season. Peak season requires minimum 5 day reservation, I believe. Yurts have 2 sets of bunk beds with one set having full size mattress on bottom. Yurts have heat and fans. Full size refrigerator, stove and microwave. No water but directly across from facilities with basin sinks outside for cleaning dishes, etc. Each yurt has a huge deck, 2 picnic tables and fire pit. Restrooms and showers are a hop, skip and jump from yurts and well maintained. Also each yurt comes with a moor skip to keep kayaks, paddleboards or canoes at lake. Beautiful lake surrounded by trails and includes beach area and playground. Dogs are allowed in the park but not in campgrounds (yurts and cabins). There is no tent camping here but is available at Locust Lake State Park, just a few miles away. Alcohol is prohibited. Must park in overnight lot after unloading.
ScoutGood for family and very shady ( lots of trees ) nice employees and all hookups and peaceful
ScoutOff the beaten path in the middle of “pennsyl-tucky”. No cell service at all unless you drive up to the top of the mountain. It is free to camp at one of the spots but you must call the respective ranger station ahead of time and let them know your car name ect and they issue you a permit free of charge. No one will bother you here you get a car driving by here and there. There are fire pits already in place. Is mainly a pull off off of a dirt road that runs along a creek all the way through the state forest. There are bear in the region so be weary with your food. No noise pollution. No light pollution. No large towns anywhere near here all towns with very minimal population. There are trails throughout the forest but tall grass filled with ticks. Dog friendly!! Found a couple of large black rat snakes near our campsite. There are rattle snakes in the region I’ve been told too.
GuideA nice primitive campground - good for a quick trip away. The campground is a county run one that works on a first come first serve basis, which is fine if there are others close by. They are wooded sites and have 2 loops. There is no store, but there a places close to get supplies. The park is dry, no alcohol. No hook ups either. There is an old mansion that gives tours on weekends.
ScoutI mostly stayed at a cabin on the lake here, which was incredible. Dogs are welcome, as long as you clean up after them. Hiking through was good fun, and actually sort of clean.
TravelerThis campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters. I wouldn't attempt to park an RV up there. Fiddler's loop is where we always camp so this review will be Fiddler's loop specific. We camp in a 28ft 5th wheel for the most part so this review will also reflect that.
1. There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank. There is one spigot at the "bathroom", which brings me to….
2. (no pun intended, hah) There are only pit toilets in Fiddler's loop, however there is a bathroom with running water, flush toilets and electric outlets (no shower) within walking distance of the loop. I'm not sure if these are open all night, but they are open dawn to dusk… speaking of #2…
3. There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you’ll have to look for a truck stop on the way home.
4. This campground is only open on the weekends, in season. Sites can be reserved on line, by phone, or by "first come, first served" self-registration. Hibernia annually hosts the (super fun!) "Old Fiddlers Picnic" (Folk/Americana/Bluegrass etc. music & arts, beginner to pro!) the second weekend in August. This is the only weekend that you are REQUIRED to call in to reserve, and you must reserve both Friday & Saturday nights.
**EDIT**: You can now reserve online at: https://www.chesco.org/1067/Camping
Now for the good stuff… We LOVE this campground. It’s tiny (19 sites in Fiddlers loop), it’s quiet, it’s heavily wooded. There is NOTHING to do (with the exception of Fiddlers Picnic weekend) except walk or bike the beautiful trails (there are a half dozen, easy trails, the longest is around 2 miles), spend time on Chamber’s Lake (no swimming, or gas powered motors allowed), spend time in the hammock and stare at the fire. Sounds like heaven to me!
Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities. The sites are mostly grass, and not very well defined which means the distance between you and your neighbor can vary depending on how you set up camp. As I said in the first paragraph, we mostly camp in a 28ft 5th wheel and though at first glance the sites don’t look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper. They aren’t level, but nothing a little creative positioning can’t fix.
Here is a link to my video review on youtube: https://youtu.be/apB5S_Gba6k
Travelercan hike flat rock with a beautiful overlook. there is a a campground as well as a mini shelter on the flat rock trail. we stayed at the mini shelter.
LegendI absolutely love camping here! If you want to be disconnected, literally because there is no cell service, then this is the place for you. Best of all it is free! You just have to get a pass from the office. We love going here because of the creek. You can fish, swim and just relax! Pets allowed and don't have to be on a leash. Campsites are not even any where near each other. It's like you have the whole forest to yourself! You have to be alert to make the turn into the mountains onto the dirt road. Up and around down the mountain into the valley has some really beautiful views. Love, love love!!!
Horse camping near Blue Marsh Lake in Pennsylvania offers a unique opportunity to explore the beautiful outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With several well-reviewed campgrounds in the area, equestrian enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to set up camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Blue Marsh Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Blue Marsh Lake is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 75 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Blue Marsh Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Blue Marsh Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
