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Shawnee State Park Campground permits horses throughout the 3,983-acre park with designated riding areas and trails connecting to nearby equestrian routes. While the campground itself does not feature dedicated horse corrals or stalls, riders can use designated areas for temporary containment during day visits. The park accommodates both tent and RV camping with electric hookups available at select sites. Campsites are spacious with ample tree coverage, though some are positioned on slopes that may challenge level setup. Restroom facilities include hot showers and clean toilets. The campground periodically experiences the distinct smell of horse manure, confirming its regular equestrian use.
Trail riding opportunities extend throughout the park with connections to several regional bridle paths. Riders access the lake loop trail directly from the campground, offering scenic water views and varied terrain suitable for different experience levels. Horse trailer parking is available in designated lots near trailheads. Water access for horses includes several natural sources along trails, though riders should bring portable water containers during drier seasons. The park's proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike makes it easily accessible for horse trailers and larger vehicles, though highway noise is sometimes audible from certain campsites. Sites located in Loop D provide more privacy and a quieter experience for those camping with horses. Seasonal restrictions may apply to certain trails, particularly during hunting seasons or after heavy rainfall.
"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"Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes."
"The road is gravel and could use some work, I’d recommend 4x4 drive. We really enjoyed it and will go back. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, water situation and the roads could use some work."
from $100 - $150 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $10 - $55 / night
Check Availability"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
from $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.
TravelerPros: Very friendly and accommodating staff. We camped in October and we had pretty much the entire place to ourselves. Beautiful lake and overall picturesque setting. Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun. Cons: WiFi signal weak and intermittent, even close to router. We camped in sites with hookups near office and entrance and the toilets are really far. The showers are even farther-like a 15-20 minute walk with bad signage directing to. The view from the showers were breathtaking, but the showers themselves left much to be desired. We had told they had just been cleaned, but they were so old and rust stained that it still felt kinda gross. Cobwebs along ceiling, dim lighting and worn paint added to the overall dinginess. There are no hooks to hang a towel and no shower curtain, wall or door so the bench with my clothes and towel got wet as did the floor, so you step out of shower into a puddle.
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.
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.
ScoutThis 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
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.
ScoutSpent a weekend here in mid May. Bugs weren't a problem at all. Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes.
Shawnee State Park Campground offers extensive equestrian facilities spread across nearly 4,000 acres of Pennsylvania woodland. The park sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in the Appalachian foothills, creating varied terrain for riders. Trail conditions remain manageable most of the year except during heavy spring rains when certain paths become restricted due to erosion concerns.
Lake recreation: Big Run State Park Campground provides stream access for fishing enthusiasts. "The stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," notes Nathan S. The park connects to Savage River reservoir, offering additional water activities. "It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking," mentions Mark K.
Target shooting: The Cove Campground maintains an outdoor shooting range alongside other recreational options. "With great trails, a lake, and outdoor shooting range we can easily spend the whole weekend or longer," says Victoriana P. The range attracts visitors from surrounding areas seeking recreational target practice.
Mountain biking: Trail networks throughout the region accommodate various skill levels. "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend!" reports Kaley R. about Shawnee State Park. Trail maps available at most ranger stations identify beginner-friendly routes versus technical sections.
Private overlooks: Rothrock Roadside Campsites provides elevated camping spots with valley views. "The site has their own private overlook to the valley below," explains Scott I. These sites require advance reservations, especially during fall foliage season when demand increases.
Waterside campsites: Several campgrounds feature streamside sites with natural sound barriers. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" shares Zoe H. about Big Run. These water-adjacent sites typically fill first, particularly during summer weekends.
Spacious sites: Most campgrounds in the region prioritize privacy between camping spaces. "The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage," notes Brittany V. about Shawnee State Park. Site dimensions vary significantly, with some accommodating multiple tents and larger camping setups.
Road conditions: Access to remote campsites often requires navigating unpaved roads. "The road is gravel and could use some work, I'd recommend 4x4 drive," Christopher K. mentions about The Cove. Similarly, Scott I. warns about Rothrock sites: "This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion."
Site levelness: Many campsites in the region sit on uneven terrain. "Many of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level," reports Lee D. about Shawnee State Park. Bringing leveling blocks for trailers and tents is strongly recommended.
Cell coverage: Connectivity varies throughout the area. "Cell service is minimal to nonexistent — not a big deal for most campers, but something to keep in mind," notes Karl S. about The Cove. Some higher elevation sites maintain better signals than valley locations.
Animal encounters: The Cove Campground offers unique interactions with domesticated animals. "Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun," says Nancy L. This unexpected feature adds entertainment value for younger campers.
Beach access: Several parks maintain swimming areas with sandy beaches. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," notes Casey S. about Shawnee. Similarly, Karl S. mentions The Cove has "a small beach" where families can relax.
Playground options: Park facilities often include play structures for children. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop," mentions Lee D. regarding Shawnee State Park. Most established campgrounds maintain designated play areas, though equipment quality varies considerably.
Site verification: Shawnee State Park Campground requires careful attention to site dimensions when booking. "We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked," warns Brittany V. Site descriptions sometimes fail to accurately represent approach angles and pad lengths.
Dump station accessibility: Most primitive campgrounds lack onsite waste disposal. "Water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road at New Germany State Park," notes Nathan S. regarding Big Run. Planning dump schedules accordingly prevents inconvenient backtracking.
Electrical options: Check amperage availability before arrival. "There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site," explains Danielle S. about Shawnee's loop D. Many sites offer variable electrical connections, with full hookups concentrated in specific camping sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clearville, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clearville, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clearville, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Clearville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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