13 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides rustic campsites specifically designed for horse owners. The campground accommodates tents and RVs with spacious sites that feature picnic tables and fire rings. Trailer parking is available directly at the sites, making it convenient for equestrians to maintain proximity to their horses. While the campground lacks formal horse corrals, riders are permitted to set up portable corrals or use highlines for securing horses overnight. The equine camping area connects directly to the state forest trail system, offering extensive riding opportunities through varied terrain. The campground requires reservations for overnight stays, and sites are equipped with electric hookups, though no shower facilities are available. The surrounding area often reeks of horse manure, particularly after busy weekends when the campground hosts multiple equestrian groups.
Colonel Denning State Park Campground provides access to several bridle trails that wind through the surrounding forest. The park maintains clean facilities with hot showers that are particularly appreciated after long days on the trails. While not exclusively an equestrian campground, Colonel Denning welcomes horses on designated trails and offers spacious sites that can accommodate trailers. The campsites near water allow easy access for horses to drink, though riders should check water quality reports before allowing animals to consume natural water sources. Some sites sit on hills, making them less suitable for equestrian camping, so reservation specifications are essential. The park's trail system connects to more extensive riding routes in neighboring Michaux State Forest, creating opportunities for day-long trail rides. Riders particularly value the wide, well-maintained paths that accommodate both novice and experienced equestrians without difficulty.
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
from $10 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability"Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season."
"Great hiking and a beautiful lake for kayaking. Site 22 is a full hookup. Utilities worked nicely. However, our picnic table had seen better days. "
from $20 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."
"We stayed in site 28 which was a walk-in site, this was perfect for us since we wanted to be further away from people and the light from the bathroom/shower facility."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability"A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground."
"The driving path is gravel with a steep hill at the end so if you can help it I would avoid sites 32,34,36 as they are VERY difficult to back into with larger rigs."
from $22 - $102 / night
Check Availability"Some reviewers have confused nearby State Parks with the actual State Forest, resulting in inaccurate information."
"Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail."
from $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
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TravelerCampground 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. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood. Hiking loop around lake is beautiful. Jean bonnet tavern nearby recommended for a great meal in a historic setting.
TravelerSome reviewers have confused nearby State Parks with the actual State Forest, resulting in inaccurate information. Despite their proximity, Caledonia and Pine Grove Furnace State Parks are NOT considered State Forest land, and have completely different amenities, availability, and regulations.
Michaux State Forest sites fall in to 4 categories:
1. Designated motorized sites, which require a free online permit and are open April 2 until the 3rd Sunday after Thanksgiving
2. Designated motorized parking lot sites, which require the same free online permit but are open year-round
3. Primitive backpacking sites, open year-round (no permit required, should be at least 1 mi from a trailhead, and only 1 night per site allowed)
4. Primitive Cabins, which are on State Forest land but are managed by and booked through the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.
None of the sites available in Michaux have:
-electric or water hookups. If you used/saw one, you were in a State Park, not Forest.
-drinking water available at sites (some have a creek or springhouse, which must be treated first)
-restrooms (a very small number of sites have outhouses within 1/4 mi or so, but don't count on it)
All designated sites have some sort of fire ring, whether stones or metal.
Some, but not all, designated sites have picnic tables.
Cell service varies greatly. Some sites will have none without a decent drive or hike, while others have 4 bars.
Fires are not permitted at all from March 1 to May 25, and are also banned when fire danger is deemed too high.
Alcohol is permitted, except in picnic areas.
Designated motorized parking lot sites also serve as equestrian sites, and horse camping is allowed here. Teaberry has a few hitching posts and a two step mounting block available.
Pets are allowed as long as they are under control at all times and are not disturbing others. If your dog's recall is anything but perfect, they haven't earned the privilege. Use a leash or long line; remember that if your out-of-control dog gets into a fight with an aggressive but leashed dog, the fault is yours. It's not worth two sets of vet bills.
This is my go-to local place for camping and hiking alike. Michaux sits on the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and though they are scarcely more than foothills here compared to their majesty in more well-known areas like TN, NC, and VA, it is a place of peace and beauty all the same. Like much of the state, it's a young mixed deciduous and coniferous forest, with some open and sparsely wooded prairie/meadow sections.
TravelerI had made plans to stay at SSP-PA as my first stopover spot, post leaving my beach friends on the East Coast. 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. Shawnee is a lovely state park and I was really pleased with my brief stay. 'Though we were only sleeping the one night, I found the staff to be pleasant and the site spacious. It might have helped that the doggo and I were about the only ones in our campground loop, aside from the campground hosts but the area felt well-maintained and well-proportioned. We had a good night's rest, after enjoying a post-dinner campfire and getting to breathe in the fresh, woodsy air. While sitting fireside, I got to enjoy the local wildlife, from birds to young deer, around the edges of my campsite. The campground restroom was clean and a fair size. I would definitely recommend it and I will certainly look into another reservation, the next time I roadtrip through Pennsylvania.
GuideShawnee State Park is about 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, and it has pretty much everything: swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and fairly decent hiking. It's close to some really great hiking--just outside the park--and that's how I ended up there. I was trekking on the very wild Mid-State Trail, nearby, when I opted for a night at the conventional campground in Shawnee. No regrets. I usually avoid car-camping because I don't want to listen to other people's classic rock in the woods. But this place was great. I came midweek, so I had the campground mostly to myself. The showers are hot and clean. The lake is beautiful with a nice swimming beach. The area around the park has all the scenic and historic attractions of central PA: covered bridges, big stone farmhouses, quaint towns. My only complaint is that the PA Turnpike screams a little too close by. Also, the sites are pretty close together, so be sure to look at a campground map beforehand to reserve one of the more isolated ones.
LegendGeneral: 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.
RangerAmazing!!! Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites. If you stay in lower sites you are near the water and will have to walk up a large hill to get to bathrooms. Trail head close to site and was a very difficult hike with amazing views!! Wide open area to swim that was very clean and well kept. Hope to revisit soon!
RangerWe stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet, but may have been noisy if the yurt and 2 cabins had been rented out. There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site. The fire ring is at an angle so cooking on it proved to be a challenge (we bring a grill grate with us just in case, and had to use it). Bathroom and showers were clean, bright, and there is a dish washing sink outside. Showers were push button but pressure was great and the water was hot (make sure you push the button once before you get in so its warm if no one else is showering at that time). Bring shower shoes. We were able to hear a small bit of traffic from the highway, but nothing that disturbed us. There are several stores within a 20 minute drive (Walmart, etc) and a mall an hour away. Camp wood at the entrance is $5 and is tiny; our biggest piece was a foot long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick! It was okay to start a fire, but we went into the woods and picked up dead wood that we cut into manageable logs. There weren't any roadside stacks of seasoned wood, so be prepared if it rains. The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs. We would stay again.
LegendWe 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.
LegendGeneral: 73-site campground; most have electric hookups, and some are FHU. Pets are only permitted at selected sites. There are also 20 (13 rustic and 6 modern) cabins. Cell service is extremely limited to non-existent (Verizon).
Site Quality: Pads are gravel and most appeared to be level. Site 70 was at the end of the loop which is why we picked it. A picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook complete each site.
Bathhouse: As has been our experience in all PA state parks, the bathhouse was pristine, and the shower (for no additional cost) was clean with plentiful hot water and was very much appreciated.
Activities/Amenities: Coin-operated laundry. A playground is in the campground and there is an additional one at the swimming beach. The swimming beach is open from mid-May to mid-September, from 8 am– sunset. Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season. Permits are required. 24 miles of hiking trails, including two trails directly from the campground to the lake. In the summer, there is a camper store/concession stand. Hunting is allowed in season. There are 4.3 miles of mountain biking trails.
I used to think Oregon State Parks were the best, but Pennsylvania State Parks have them beat by a mile. We have yet to be disappointed by the amenities(especially the clean bathrooms) offered at the half-dozen state parks we have visited so far.
Equestrian camping opportunities abound in the densely forested regions surrounding Calvin, Pennsylvania. The area sits within the Allegheny Mountains with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,400 feet, creating varied terrain for horse trails. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with cooler evenings dropping into the 50s, making it comfortable for both riders and horses during peak camping season.
Trail riding through Michaux State Forest: Connect to extensive trail networks directly from Teaberry Parking Area Campsites. A camper noted the layout is "a very large gravel lot with 5 sites along one side, pretty well spaced" making it easy to maneuver with horse trailers.
Scenic overlook hikes: Take a break from riding and explore on foot at Rothrock Roadside Campsites. "Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below," according to one visitor who appreciated the elevation gains.
Swimming and lake activities: After dusty trail rides, cool off at lakes near several equestrian campgrounds. At Little Buffalo State Park Campground, campers mention "a large lake for fishing" and that "you can rent boats there" for a day off the saddle.
Clean facilities after dusty rides: Black Moshannon State Park Campground maintains "super clean" wash houses, particularly important after long trail rides. A camper mentioned that "bath house is very well kept" and another praised the "very well maintained" grounds.
Spacious campsites for trailers: The layout at several horse campgrounds accommodates larger rigs. One camper at Shawnee State Park Campground noted "we have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked" but after moving to a better site found "the sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage."
Direct trail access: Many riders value minimal travel between camping and riding. Rothrock Roadside Campsites offer immediate access to trails, with one visitor reporting "traffic may have been busier than usual the weekend we went because there was the Mid Atlantic Overland festival nearby at the same time."
Permits and reservations required: Most state forest horse campgrounds require advance permits. At Michaux State Forest, "camping is free in several areas throughout Michaux State Forest, BUT you usually need to have a camping permit (also free) and you can only stay in designated campsites."
Seasonal considerations: Many facilities have limited availability. Rothrock camper noted that "the road is narrow and you've got some sharp bends depending on which way you come from. This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion."
Invasive species concerns: At Teaberry Parking Area Campsites, one camper warned about a seasonal problem: "The first 3.5 days there were lantern flies actively trying to get into our rig, digging themselves behind the window screens, etc. and then day 4 they were gone."
Trail difficulty ratings: When bringing children on horseback, check trail ratings. At Colonel Denning State Park Campground, a family reported "Our family of six made the trek up the Flat Rock Trail to the overlook. A six mile round trip with a 1200 ft climb. Spectacular views."
Educational programs: Some horse campgrounds near Calvin offer ranger-led activities. At Colonel Denning State Park Campground, "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."
Swimming options for kids: After trail riding, children can cool off at several parks. Little Buffalo State Park Campground offers "an all-ages pool with water slides and fountains to jump through," making it perfect for families with various age groups.
Site selection for horse trailers: When bringing both RVs and horse trailers, site selection becomes critical. A Shawnee State Park Campground visitor advised to "double check site booked" and shared that "we absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites" after discovering their original site couldn't accommodate their setup.
Water and hookups: Equestrian campers with RVs should verify available amenities. One camper at Little Buffalo State Park noted they "had one of the few full hook up sites" which made their stay more comfortable when balancing horse care with camping comfort.
Level site importance: Horse campers with RVs need particularly level sites for stability. At Shawnee State Park, one visitor observed that "most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level," important information when planning a horse camping trip with an RV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Calvin, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Calvin, PA is Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Calvin, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Calvin, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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