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Christopher P.
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TravelerBig Run State Park Campground
Generous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
Equestrian Camping near Buffalo Mills, PA
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Shawnee State Park Campground allows horses throughout its 300-site facility near Schellsburg, Pennsylvania. The campground features a mix of full hookup, electric, and non-electric sites, with select loops designated as pet-friendly. Campers have access to a lake for fishing and boating, clean shower facilities, and multiple accommodation options including tent sites, RV spots, yurts, and cabins. Sites vary in levelness and size, with RV sites ranging from 20 to 115 feet in length. The park provides fire rings, picnic tables, and sanitary dump stations. Many tent sites lack definable pads and may be unsuitable for level camping. The campground maintains clean bathhouses with hot showers and outdoor dishwashing sinks. Campground loops are well-marked and maintained with spacious sites separated by tree coverage.
The 300-acre park connects to several hiking trails around the lake perimeter, offering potential riding routes through wooded terrain. The lake features a sandy beach area accessible within a short distance from the campground, though riders should note it requires either a walk or bike ride of approximately one mile. Some traffic noise from the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike may be audible at night, particularly for tent campers. The park remains open year-round with varying seasonal amenities. Weekday visits provide a quieter experience with fewer occupied sites, while summer weekends see higher occupancy rates. The campground provides easy access to nearby attractions including the Flight 93 Memorial, local covered bridges, and historic sites around Bedford. Some sites experience morning fog rolling in from the lake, creating limited visibility for early rides.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Buffalo Mills (3)
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
3. Vagabond Isle
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $150 / night
Drive Time
- 40 min from Altoona, PA
- 53 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr 19 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 1 hr 22 min from Chambersburg, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Buffalo Mills, PA
35 Reviews of 3 Buffalo Mills 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 Buffalo Mills
Shawnee State Park Campground offers specialized equestrian camping near Buffalo Mills, Pennsylvania, with horses permitted throughout the 300-site facility. Located in the rolling hills of Bedford County at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, the park experiences typical four-season Appalachian climate patterns with foggy mornings common in spring and fall. The campground connects to numerous trails suitable for horseback riding through mixed hardwood forests.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Riders at Shawnee State Park Campground can access several trails around the lake perimeter. As reviewer Tiffany K. notes, "It is a nice park with good campsites, clean bathrooms, good hiking trails and a nice lake view." These same trails can be used for horseback riding during appropriate seasons.
Visit nearby historical sites: The park's location provides convenient access to significant historical attractions. "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial," recommends Rachel L., highlighting one of several important historical sites within driving distance.
Fishing at multiple locations: The park offers various fishing spots for anglers. According to Dustin R., there's a "Nice fishing lake and can be remote," providing opportunities for peaceful angling away from crowds.
What campers like
Morning fog experience: Early risers appreciate the atmospheric conditions unique to this location. Melanie Z. describes, "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too." This natural phenomenon creates distinctive riding conditions for early departures.
Well-maintained facilities: The consistent upkeep receives frequent positive mentions from visitors. One camper, Rachel L., was particularly impressed, stating it was "huge and very well maintained," making it suitable for equestrian camping needs.
Spacious sites with natural separation: Many campers appreciate the layout and natural features of the camping areas. According to Brittany V., "The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage," providing good separation for horse trailers and equipment.
What you should know
Site selection is crucial: For equestrian camping, choosing the right site makes a significant difference. As Brittany V. advises, "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." This becomes even more important when bringing horses and associated equipment.
Seasonal weather variations: The park experiences significant seasonal changes that affect riding conditions. "We were planning a breakfast on the lake but the fog had rolled in overnight," reports Tiffany K., highlighting how weather can impact morning activities.
Traffic noise considerations: Despite its rural setting, some ambient noise exists. As one camper noted, "As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise," which may be important for those with horses sensitive to sound.
Water access involves planning: While the lake is accessible, it requires some effort to reach. "It's not directly on the lake but there is a ton of parking and easy access points," explains Brittany V., which matters when planning horse-related activities involving water.
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Big Run State Park Campground offers water-based recreation options. "The kids loved playing in the water. Very quiet and relaxing!" reports Andy C., making it suitable for families combining equestrian activities with water play.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy spotting native animals. "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," notes Nathan S., describing natural features that engage younger campers.
Well-marked trails: Families appreciate clear navigation when exploring with children. At Shawnee State Park, everything is "extremely well marked and maintained," according to a visitor, reducing the chance of getting lost during family rides.
Playground availability: The dedicated play areas provide alternative entertainment for children. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop," mentions one camper, offering an option for kids when not participating in horse activities.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness varies significantly: RVers with horse trailers should research site options carefully. As one camper observed, "Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level." This affects both RV stability and trailer positioning.
Length accommodation varies: Sites differ substantially in their capacity to handle larger rigs. According to Gerard, "Many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," which becomes especially important when bringing horses and associated equipment.
Utility connections for extended stays: For longer equestrian camping trips, utilities become important. Danielle S. notes, "There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site," providing information about available power options at specific locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Buffalo Mills, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Buffalo Mills, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Buffalo Mills, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Buffalo Mills, PA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Buffalo Mills, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Buffalo Mills, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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