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Shawnee State Park Campground accommodates equestrians with pet-friendly sites located in selected loops within its 300+ site campground. Located near Schellsburg, Pennsylvania, this state park offers full hookup and electric sites that can accommodate large rigs, including horse trailers. While specific horse corrals are not present, the campground permits horses in designated areas with appropriate containment methods provided by owners. The park maintains trails suitable for horseback riding, with some campers noting the distinct smell of horse manure throughout the campground. Sites vary in size and levelness, with some offering more privacy than others.
Horse owners traveling near Confluence can access additional options like Big Run State Park Campground. This primitive camping area offers spacious, well-separated sites with room for horse trailers at select locations. Trails connect riders to natural areas where horses can be ridden, though water access for horses requires planning. The campground provides basic facilities with pit toilets rather than full bath houses. Sites positioned along the stream provide natural water access, though equestrians should verify specific horse policies before arrival. The park's quiet setting and natural water features create comfortable conditions for both horses and riders, with ample space between campsites allowing for proper horse management.
"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"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
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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.
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.
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
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.
TravelerYou 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. Frankly, the bare campsites are nicer - they are more spread out, wooded, and some of them are located right along the stream. Mosquitos are something of an issue, but by no means awful; and it is a pleasure to sleep in nature with nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek. It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking.
ScoutThis is a nice park, close to home with a lake. We like to picnic and go fishing. There are nice trails, volleyball areas, and playgrounds.
Big Run State Park Campground near Confluence offers equestrian camping options with spacious sites suitable for horse trailers. Located in western Maryland, this primitive camping area maintains sites positioned along Savage River with natural spacing that accommodates horses and riders. The park connects to trail systems suitable for horseback riding in the Savage River State Forest region. Riders should note that water access points are available for horses at stream-side sites, though facilities remain basic with pit toilets rather than shower houses.
Creek exploration: Big Run State Park provides direct access to a vibrant stream ecosystem. "The stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," notes Nathan S. about Big Run State Park Campground, highlighting natural features that attract both fishing enthusiasts and nature observers.
Lake recreation: The large lake at Shawnee State Park supports multiple water activities for equestrian campers between trail rides. "Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean," reports Casey S., making it ideal for cooling off after horseback excursions.
Trail biking: Equestrian campers can alternate riding days with cycling opportunities around Shawnee State Park Campground. "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained," explains Philadelphia Kaley R.
Stream-side camping: Sites along the water provide natural white noise and cooling effects. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise," shares Zoe H. about her experience at Big Run State Park, appreciating the natural soundscape that benefits both horses and riders.
Site spacing: The generous distance between camping spots allows proper separation for equestrian needs. "Tons of space between sites," confirms Nathan S. about Big Run State Park Campground, noting this critical feature that allows proper management of horses during overnight stays.
Lake views: The scenic water features add visual appeal to equestrian camping experiences. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful," states Casey S. regarding Shawnee State Park, describing the aesthetic backdrop available to horse campers between trail rides.
Site selection strategy: Many camping areas have varied site quality and levelness that affect horse trailer positioning. "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 were super accommodating! We moved over one site and it made all the difference," advises Brittany V. about her experience at Shawnee State Park.
Seasonal timing: The camping experience changes significantly across seasons, affecting trail conditions for horses. "We were there out of season. We did see a boat launch and what appeared to be kayak rentals," reports Lee D. from Shawnee State Park Campground, indicating reduced services outside peak times.
Weather preparation: Morning fog and precipitation patterns can impact trail visibility and riding conditions. "We were planning a breakfast on the lake but the fog hid the lake view," explains Tiffany K. about camping at Shawnee State Park in April.
Water play options: Stream-side sites provide natural entertainment for children between horseback activities. "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek. The kids loved playing in the water," shares Andy C. about Big Run State Park.
Campsite selection: Look for level, spacious sites that accommodate both family equipment and horse needs. "The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds," recommends Katie H. at Big Run State Park.
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary significantly between parks, affecting family comfort levels. "Pit toilets were a nice long walk or a short drive away and not the worst I've seen," notes Aakansha J. about Big Run State Park, providing context about facility access important for families with young children.
Hookup options: For equestrian campers bringing RVs, understand the electrical service variations. "There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site," details Danielle S. about Shawnee State Park site 258, providing specific information relevant to horse campers who need power for extended stays.
Site approach challenges: RV access can be problematic at some horse-friendly campgrounds. "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," warns Gerard about his experience at Shawnee State Park.
Shower facilities: After trail riding, shower quality becomes important. "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," advises Danielle S. about the facilities at Shawnee State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Confluence, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Confluence, PA is Big Run State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
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