Ferryboat Campsites offers equestrians dedicated riverside sites with ample room for horse trailers. The facility operates seasonally from April through October along the Susquehanna River. Campers must bring portable corrals or highlines as permanent equine containment systems are not provided on the grounds. The campground connects to local riding trails suitable for day trips across central Pennsylvania.
What to do
Hiking trails: Colonel Denning State Park provides challenging hiking options for visitors seeking elevation gain. "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," notes Casey L. at Colonel Denning State Park Campground.
Water activities: Little Buffalo State Park offers multiple water recreation options beyond standard swimming. "There is a large lake for fishing! You can rent boats there! There is a pool! The pool is very nice! They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad!" explains Amanda H. at Little Buffalo State Park Campground.
Historical attractions: Several parks near Richfield feature preserved historical sites worth exploring. "The historical mill was well worth the trip. By the far the highlight of ours as well. Especially since they engaged the wheel and actually ground corn!" shares Chelsea K. about her experience at Little Buffalo State Park.
What campers like
River access: Direct water access ranks highly among equestrian camping priorities near Richfield. "We enjoyed our stay here — but mostly because we liked being right on the water. If it weren't for that this would not be the campground for us. The weather was hot so lots of tubing and fishing and kayaking in the river — we loved to sit out and watch the water go by," says melissa about Ferryboat Campsites.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a standout feature. "Amazing!!! Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites," notes Casey L. about Colonel Denning State Park Campground.
Quiet environment: Many equestrian campers value peaceful surroundings away from crowds. "We had a great time visiting the park! 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," explains Tiff T. about their stay at Colonel Denning.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Layout and location significantly impact camping experience, especially with horses. "If you stay in lower sites you are near the water and will have to walk up a large hill to get to bathrooms," warns Casey L. about Hickernell Roadside Campsites in the Bald Eagle State Forest area.
Limited hookup options: Many primitive sites in state forests lack standard amenities. "While the campground does not have dedicated horse corrals, campers report successfully using portable corrals or highlines at their sites," notes a visitor about equestrian camping options.
Weather considerations: Riverside locations can face flooding risks during heavy rain. "Storms with heavy rain in the area made the river rise. We were told the campground is susceptible to flooding, so check the weather when you come!" advises Robin about Ferryboat Campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Swimming facilities may require additional fees even for registered campers. "2nd downfall, you have to pay to get in the pool, yes even if you are camping!!! 3rd downfall, I'm pretty sure it's the most expensive state park in PA!" mentions Amanda H. about Little Buffalo State Park.
Distance planning: Consider proximity of amenities to your campsite when traveling with children. "Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up," shares Paula R. about Little Buffalo State Park.
Safety precautions: Road crossings between camping areas and recreational facilities require careful planning. "The down side is they are across the street. I recommend you drive across because the road is a high speed limit and might not be safe to cross," advises Amanda H. about Little Buffalo's amenities.
Tips from RVers
Site size challenges: Many campgrounds near Richfield have tight spacing limitations. "We have a small 19" travel trailer which was almost impossible to park due to very tight sites. Sites are almost on top of each other - we had a group of people with tents next to us that were basically on top of us," warns Shirley M. about her experience at Colonel Denning State Park.
Setup logistics: Consider site layout when positioning your RV. "We stayed in site 42, which was not the greatest layout (electric was on the wrong side of the site for our door and canopy to open to the fire ring), but our time there more than made up for it," explains Nate & Erika L. about their Colonel Denning visit.
Fire considerations: Firewood availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "Wood at the camp store is incredibly expensive — they don't sell to nightly campers by anything more than the small bundle ($8) — thankfully a lien seasonal let us buy some of his stock, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to afford more than one fire over the weekend," notes melissa about Ferryboat Campsites.
