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TravelerBig Run State Park Campground
Generous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
Equestrian Camping near Boswell, PA
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Shawnee State Park Campground offers limited options for visitors camping with horses near Boswell, Pennsylvania. The campground encompasses several loops with sites for tents, RVs, cabins, and yurts. While pets are allowed throughout the campground, there are no dedicated horse corrals or equine-specific facilities mentioned in the available data. The campground provides electric hookups, water hookups, and sewer connections at select sites, though these may not be configured for equestrian use. Some campers have noted that the campground occasionally has a noticeable manure smell despite not being designated for horse camping.
The park features trails around its lake that could potentially be suitable for day rides, though specific bridle paths are not identified in the available information. Located approximately 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, Shawnee State Park is accessible via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, providing relatively easy trailer access for day visitors. The nearby Flight 93 National Memorial is approximately 20 minutes away, offering an additional destination for visitors. For serious equestrians seeking dedicated facilities, alternative campgrounds with proper horse accommodations would be more suitable. The park's primary recreational focus centers on its lake activities including swimming, fishing, and boating rather than equestrian pursuits.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Boswell (2)
1. Shawnee State Park Campground
"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."
"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."
100 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $110 / night
2. Big Run State Park Campground
"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. "
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $55 / night
Drive Time
- 17 min from Johnstown, PA
- 49 min from Altoona, PA
- 1 hr 13 min from Pittsburgh, PA
- 1 hr 17 min from Morgantown, WV
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Boswell, PA
35 Reviews of 2 Boswell Campgrounds
Nancy B.
RangerShawnee State Park Campground
Well maintained
The sites and roads are well maintained. Some sites are on hilly roads but are acceptable for tenters. The bathhouse is older but the showers are hot. August 2026
Brittany V.
LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Double check site booked
We 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.
Lee D.LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Huge state park
General: 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.
- JJennifer R.
ScoutShawnee State Park Campground
Loved the park but not the site
We loved the swimming and fishing in this park. Awesome Sandy swim beach and roped off area in the water made it great for keeping an eye on the kids while they swam. We had site 59 and are tent campers. This site was on an incline so the cots we brought were pretty miserable to sleep on. This spot was in its own little wooded cubby hole so it gave us a little more privacy but we thought that a lot of these sites were much too close together. We plan to scope out other sites to find a more level and more private option. Overall we really loved the park itself and will be back!
Rick G.LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Met our Needs Perfectly
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. 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.
- KKatie H.Scout
Big Run State Park Campground
Great primitive campsite
This 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
Christina V.
GuideShawnee State Park Campground
Large, accompdating campground- Quiet on the weekdays!
Shawnee State Park is a very large campground (319 campsites with mixed electric and non-electric, some pet friendly, some not) about 10 minutes off highway 76 and 20 minutes from the Flight 93 National Memorial.
My fiancé and I visited on August 21, 2022- a Sunday. We did not have a reservation and utilized the campground’s honor system envelopes to reserve our site. We drove all over the entire campground (which is, again, quite large) and decided that sites 22 and 34 were both well suited for our Sprinter van 144 and not too crowded for our reactive dog.
The park employees were very helpful and accommodating, though we only needed limited assistance with our arrival since we didn’t have a reservation. A campsite list is posted at the entrance that displays the list of available sites for that night.
There is a loop that can accommodate larger RVs but most of those were full- the remaining sites are not necessarily level, and only about 1/4 of them appear to have electricity. Our site, 34, is not an electric site.
The campground appears well maintained, though the $33.50 fee is a little more expensive than we are used to paying. But the price of the site was worth it for us for a safe and quiet place to stop for the night on our way to the Flight 93 Memorial and Pittsburgh.
A note that traffic and highway noise can be heard from the campground but it isn’t incredibly loud- you do get nature sounds that drown out the highway noise at times, as the bugs here are very loud, but if the sound of the highway in the background will bother you, this might not be your ideal campground.
This campground clearly gets very busy during some weekends, so definitely plan a visit during the week if you’re like us and prefer a more private camping experience.
Gina I.RangerShawnee State Park Campground
Beautiful
Nice campground. Some of the campsites are a little bit too close together with no privacy. Our site/47 was too sunny. No shade, no privacy. But during the week was not too crowded, nice and quiet. The bathrooms were nice and kept clean. We had to ride our bikes or walk to get to the beach, that was more then a mile away or just felt like it was more, because it wasn’t mostly flat and for the kids was hard to ride they’re bikes . But when we got there we were pleased. Large,clean beach with sand , no rocks or aquatic plants in the water. I will do more day trips to the beach in the future.
Guide to Boswell
Shawnee State Park campground provides opportunities for outdoor recreation approximately 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh. The 300-acre park centers around a lake with swimming, fishing and boating activities. Located near Schellsburg rather than Boswell proper, the park sits at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet in the ridge and valley section of the Appalachian Mountains. For visitors seeking horse camping near Boswell, Pennsylvania, several alternatives exist within driving distance as Shawnee State Park doesn't offer dedicated equine facilities.
What to do
Trail exploration: Big Run State Park offers peaceful stream-side camping with opportunities for hiking. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" notes visitor Zoe H. about the Big Run State Park Campground.
Water recreation: The lake at Shawnee provides multiple water activities during warmer months. According to Casey S., "Shawnee State Park Campground lake and trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating."
Historical sites: Within a 20-minute drive from Shawnee, visitors can explore the Flight 93 National Memorial. The area also contains several historical sites near Schellsburg, creating opportunities for day trips while staying at the campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous spacing between sites at Shawnee, particularly in the wooded sections. Brittany V. mentions, "The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit."
Lakeside amenities: The beach area receives positive feedback from visitors seeking water activities. Gerard notes, "The lake is gorgeous and has a large, sandy beach. Would love to spend more time there to explore the park further."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer opportunities for wildlife spotting, particularly in foggier conditions. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites," shares Melanie Z.
What you should know
Site selection challenges: Many RV sites at Shawnee require careful selection due to leveling issues. "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time," explains Lee D., who found that "most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level."
Limited equestrian options: Horse camping near Boswell, Pennsylvania is restricted as neither Shawnee nor the immediate surrounding parks offer dedicated equine facilities such as corrals or specialized campsites.
Seasonal variations: The campground experiences significant seasonal changes in activity levels and amenities. During off-season visits, some facilities like boat rentals may be closed, though the campground remains accessible year-round.
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities: Families particularly enjoy the beach and water recreation options at Shawnee during summer months. Tiffany K. shares, "The park has lots of activities for the day, including a beach, fishing, hiking, group picnic areas."
Playground access: For families with younger children, note the playground location. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop," mentions Lee D., providing a convenient activity option within the campground itself.
Supply planning: Within 20 minutes of Shawnee, campers can access stores for supplies. Danielle S. notes, "There are several stores within a 20 minute drive (Walmart, etc) and a mall an hour away."
Tips from RVers
Site verification: Double-check site dimensions before booking, especially for larger rigs. Brittany V. warns, "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!"
Electric options: Different sites offer varying electric service. Some sites provide both 20-amp and 30-amp service, while full hookup sites are available in specific loops. Check site details carefully when booking.
Navigation challenges: The campground layout can be confusing for first-time visitors with larger rigs. Gerard observed that "many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Boswell, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Boswell, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Boswell, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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