Nancy B.
Ranger
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
Equestrian Camping near Claysburg, PA
4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest is specifically designed for equestrians visiting Claysburg, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. Located in Penfield, this established campground offers camping facilities where horses are permitted alongside their owners. The site includes designated areas for equestrian use with consideration for both riders and their mounts. Sites are reservable and include picnic tables and fire rings where campfires are allowed. While the campground permits pets alongside horses, riders should note the absence of horse corrals, which requires bringing portable corrals or using tie-out methods.
The trail system connecting to North Run provides access to the extensive Moshannon State Forest trail network, offering varied terrain for different skill levels. Riders should prepare for primitive camping conditions as the facility does not offer showers or toilets. Horse owners must bring their own water for animals, as no drinking water is available on site. For extended trips, Black Moshannon State Park Campground is located nearby with additional amenities including showers and toilets, though it does not offer specific horse facilities. Trail access requires riders to bring appropriate maps as some forest routes may be seasonal or affected by weather conditions. Electric hookups are available at the site for those needing power for horse-related equipment or camping conveniences.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Claysburg (6)
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. Black Moshannon State Park Campground
"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. "
40 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $87 / night
3. Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
4. North Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
5. North Run Equine Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
6. Vagabond Isle
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $150 / night
Drive Time
- 13 min from Altoona, PA
- 46 min from Johnstown, PA
- 49 min from State College, PA
- 1 hr 23 min from Chambersburg, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Claysburg, PA
54 Reviews of 6 Claysburg Campgrounds
Graham S.
TravelerBlack Moshannon State Park Campground
Great campground at a beautiful park
Ive camped at Black Moshannon State Park many times both in a tent and our camper. The Park has tent only, electric and full hookup sites. It is well cared for and clean. The bathhouses are nice and well maintained. The Park itself offers a lot to do with fishing. Hiking, the beach, kayak rentals, etc. I've never had a bad time at Black Moshannon and will keep coming back.
- SScott I.Traveler
Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
Nice spot to camp in the mountains
First I'll just say that the Rothrock campsites should probably each be listed separately, rather than as a group; they are very spread out throughout the State Forest and each is a different experience. This review will be for site 002 Colerain Road.
This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. It's easy enough during the summer, though 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.
The parking is just right off the road, and there's a picnic table and large stone fire ring near the parking. There's a small path further up the hill into the woods where there is a tent pad, another fire ring and another picnic table. There are also a lot of flat spots nearby for additional tents to be set up.
Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below. The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road. Traffic may have been busier than usual the weekend we went because there was the Mid Atlantic Overland festival nearby at the same time. At one point a family parked in the campsite's parking to start a walk... (there's a better trailhead up closer to Indian Lookout they should have used).
No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here. Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon).
These sites used to be totally free but they're now $10 a night. You still need to book a while out if you want to be here on a weekend, especially during the fall when Penn State is playing.
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.
- SSteve
GuideBlack Moshannon State Park Campground
Beautiful spot
In the middle of the woods vibe. The sites had good privacy and it was just a pretty area. Neighbors were respectful and relatively quiet.. There was zero cell service at this campground. Bathrooms were clean.
- 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.
Joni P.GuideBlack Moshannon State Park Campground
Beautiful and well appointed park
Getting to the park had some sharp turns and windy roads. Small campground but nicely equipped. 2 bath houses were dated but clean. Nice playground at the campground and also one at the beach. Small camp concessions with a few camping items as well as ice cream cones. 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. The site sat down off the road but once you were backed in the spot it was pretty level. This site also had a separate tent pad located down a few stone steps. Verizon and AT&T cell service were basically non existent. Every once in a while a text would come in or send but very spotty. Sorry I failed to get a pic of the site in the daylight. It was spacious and we had plenty of room for our 30' trailer, truck, and easy up over the table. 6+ chairs around the fire pit, cooking ring could have been better. Grassy area for cornhole or playing.
Guide to Claysburg
North Run Equine Camping Area offers essential amenities for riders visiting the Moshannon State Forest region near Claysburg, Pennsylvania. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet, the area experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers and cold winters that affect trail conditions. The campground serves as a base for accessing over 200 miles of trails throughout the surrounding forest.
What to do
Trail riding expeditions: The extensive trail network connects to multiple forest areas beyond Moshannon. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," notes Casey S. about nearby Shawnee State Park Campground, which offers additional recreation options.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings provide optimal wildlife viewing along forest edges. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too," shares Melanie Z. about the region's natural settings.
Water activities: While North Run focuses on equestrian use, nearby Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers water recreation options. "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding," reports Matthew U., making it a good day trip option for equestrians wanting water activities.
What campers like
Private mountain views: Some nearby forest sites offer exceptional vistas. "Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below," explains Scott I. about a Rothrock Roadside Campsite, providing perspective on the regional landscape.
Forest access: The direct connection to extensive woodland areas appeals to campers. "This campground is so beautiful with plenty to do for everyone, tons of hiking along the whole park," says Lisa L. about Black Moshannon, which connects to similar forest systems.
Spacious sites: The equestrian sites provide adequate room for trucks, trailers and equipment. "The sites are situated nicely, your neighbors are not 'right there'," notes Sandi G. about camping in the region, reflecting the typical site layouts throughout state forest campgrounds.
What you should know
Weather preparation: Mountain elevations create variable conditions that require planning. "Despite the cold wet weather this trip, we had a wonderful weekend!" shares James B. about camping at North Block — Tuscarora State Forest, highlighting the need for weather adaptability.
Road conditions: Access roads to horse camps can be challenging. "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," warns Scott I. about forest roads similar to those accessing North Run.
Reservation requirements: During peak seasons, securing sites in advance is essential. "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early," advises Denise D. about camping in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: The forest environment provides natural learning experiences. "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc," mentions Lisa L., highlighting programs available at nearby Vagabond Isle and other regional parks.
Cabin alternatives: For families not equipped for primitive camping with horses, consider nearby facilities with more amenities. "My family and I stayed here one night during a motorcycle trip. We rented 1 of the cabins they have on the property and it was great all of us fit comfortably," shares Danielle W.
Site selection: Carefully review site specifications before booking. "We heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time," explains Lee D., noting the importance of researching specific sites.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookups: North Run provides electric connections useful for RVs and horse-related equipment. "We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up," shares Gerard about regional camping options that complement the equestrian facilities.
Approach challenges: Larger rigs require careful navigation. "However, as we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," Gerard continues, highlighting access considerations relevant to horse trailers and RVs.
Alternative facilities: When equestrian camping proves too primitive, nearby options offer more conveniences. "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," explains Brittany V., emphasizing the importance of site selection for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Claysburg, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Claysburg, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Claysburg, 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
Claysburg, PA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Claysburg, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Claysburg, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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