Are you looking for a place to stay in Coudersport with your horse? Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. With our help, you'll find the best Pennsylvania equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
$40 - $45 / night
There are numerous designated primitive campsites without developed facilities within Moshannon State Forest that can be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers are required to obtain a camping permit at no charge.
For information about campsite availability in Moshannon State Forest and to request a permit, please contact the district office at 814-765-0821.
Primitive backpack camping also is allowed throughout the entire forest. Backpack campers do not need a permit if they stay no more than one night at any campsite.
Primitive backpack campers should register at any trailhead near a state park office.
Roadside campsites are singular, remote sites located along dirt and gravel state forest roads. They may be pull offs or have a short driveway. These sites allow for overnight camping in or very near a vehicle. Depending on layout, the sites may accommodate different types of equipment such as tents, small RVs, or trailers. Some sites are also appropriate for equestrian use. Nineteen designated motorized, roadside campsites are available in Moshannon State Forest:
$10 / night
Tompkins Campground is on the north shore of Cowanesque Lake in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, less than one mile from the New York state border. Surrounded by lush forested ridges, the lake offers recreation for the entire family, including picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting and wildlife watching. The campground is a great place for kids of any age.
Cowanesque Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities. With a boat ramp and overnight mooring, campers can easily spend time on the water. There are a variety of indigenous fish that inhabit the area's streams and lakes, and fishing tournaments are held frequently. The North and South Tailrace areas provide access for fishing downstream of Cowanesque Dam. The fields and forests around the lakes are popular destinations for both local and out-of-state hunters looking for large and small game species native to the eastern hardwood forests. The 4 mile Moccasin Trail within the facility leads hikers on a trek through reclaimed farm fields and wood lots inhabited by a variety of watchable wildlife.
The partially forested campground sits in the pristine setting of the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. The surrounding land paints a scenic picture of rolling mountains and open fields.
Reservations to include any reservation changes, such as cancel, refund requests, site transfer, or date changes cannot be made at facility location.
$40 / night
Traveler
We arrived on Saturday and departed the following Friday. The campground was exceptionally maintained, bathrooms and showers virtually spotless and the pool was clearly and consistently maintained at all times. Plenty of space to spread out and walk. All of the roads were paved and sites were very large.
GuideStayed at this campsite, taking our pop-up camper on its maiden voyage to the Grand Canyon of PA. Was able to choose a location that worked best for us. The area we selected was not busy. Campsite appeared to have a lot of seasonal campers. My husband does not like staying in crowded campgrounds with people surrounding you and up all night screaming and singing. We go camping to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Not to listen to people pretending to relive their college days....lol. Area is open, not offering a lot of privacy, but we had shade and woods behind us, and the ground was grassy and level. The pool was nice and the rec center had a lot of activities for kids. The pond offered fishing and pedal boat rentals. We chose this campsite due to its proximity to the Leonard Harrison State Park. We had no issues here and would recommend.
Traveler
Great tent site with lots of room. Have your own little driveway to park your car right next to the site. Comes with a picnic table and fire pit. Need lots of rope for setting up tarps as trees are far apart. Cute little stream in the back with a log crossing. No cell service, near town with free wifi. No toilets or garbage. Good amount of traffic coming down the road but isn't an issue at night time.
Guide
We had a great time on the Cain hallow loop site 18. The satellite pictures do not give away how hilly the terrain is on the loop. We were at the top of the hill with a great view.
We did not expect to have zero cell phone reception, t-mobile, but turned out to be great as we just enjoyed the views and the time at the fire .
Our site had a huge space for the kids to run and play.
The bathrooms were clean and cleaned frequently while we were there. We saw the ranger or park staff drive through once or twice a day and they always waved and were friendly.
Lots of things to do in the park and explore. Definitely planning to go back again!
Scout
The site and facilities were very well kept and clean. The night we arrived there was several other campers but cleared out for the weekend so we basically got the whole lower camp ground to ourselves which was great. Sites are well spaced so you don’t feel like it’s crowded. Would definitely visit again!
TravelerMy 3 year old cat and I had a wonderful time staying here. It was incredibly quiet, no cell service (we use total wireless which uses Verizon towers), and I couldn’t hear any of the neighboring campsites (I stayed at #7) even though they were all full. Highly recommend this spot.
It rained almost every day but only for a half hour or so and went back to being sunny. Bring bug spray and tick collars for your pets.
I would recommend bringing firewood with you, as there wasn’t much to collect that was already dead and dry enough for burning. Several of the local gas stations sell some if you want to bring some on the way.
TravelerThis has to be the best campground I’ve ever been to. From the beautiful lake to the stunning views of the vistas, you are always feeling at peace.
LegendThis state park had a nice lake to paddle on, a solid general store, a huge beach area, kayak rentals, tennis courts, a basketball court, and more.
It was a perfect overnight stop as I made my way out of NY, but I would definitely come back for a longer stay!
GuidePrimitive sites with picnic tables and fire pits for a group. You need to contact the forestry district for availability and reservations but they are free. You will want to reserve them together or else you are going to get to know your neighbors really well. Room for multiple cars and lots of tents. Creek is right there and it’s only 5-10 minutes away from Benzenette which has a store, bars, restaurants, public restrooms and lots of places to view the PA elk herd. Bring some trash bags with you. Unfortunately the group before left a lot of trash to be picked up.
GuideThis is a free site with no amenities but in a beautiful area. You need to contact the forestry district for availability and to reserve. Nice sit with fire pit, picnic table, and short walk to a beautiful creek so no need to bring water if you can filter it. Only 5-10 minutes away from Benezette and the PA elk herd. Town itself has a store and restaurants. Definitely will go again!
ScoutWhat a great park. Was there in order to go to nearby Cherry Springs SP which is a certified Dark Sky area, to see the stars. Cherry Springs is about 8 miles away. We like staying at Lyman Run since Cherry Springs gets filled pretty quickly. Lyman Run campground is great. There are 2 campgrounds, one right by the lake(larger) and one a little further away (smaller). We prefer the smaller one. Bathrooms are newer with a nice, new system for “composting” I guess. No odor at all. And nice and clean. Nice hiking trails, beach area by lake, fishing and then the stars! One of my favs.
TravelerStayed for the weekend at site 25 at the lower campground. Site was next to the bathrooms but no problems noise. Nice and quiet overall. Bathrooms were very clean with nice hot water in the showers. There are pit toilets but they are well maintained and there was no smell even though it was hot out. Some good trail for hiking with a great scenic overlook on the Rock Run Trail. The concession stand by the beach only took cash while we were there, no cards. Cherry Springs right down the road. Recommend bringing chairs or a blanket to sit on if you drive over there for stargazing.
GuideWe were at the Lower Campgrounds. It was perfect. It was so quiet and peaceful, did not even notice other campers around. (I can’t speak for the Daggett Run side though). Bathhouse was very clean. Had a good time fishing at the lake and stopping for ice cream at the beach shop is a must!
ScoutCabins are great for families and there are also activities and hiking....Close to some attractions for adults and children too.
Traveler
Amazing View And Hiking
TravelerWas planning on camping at Cherry Springs but it was full for the weekend and decided to say here. Great location to camp with family and friends.very quiet campgrounds, clean bathrooms, and the beach at the reservoir makes for a great day of swimming or fishing. About a 10 or 15 minute drive to the observatory field. Highly recommend taking a night to head up there.
GuideNice alternative to Cherry Springs. Campgrounds are well maintained. Clean bathrooms with toilets, sinks and shower.
We camped at site #26. Maybe had to walk in about 50ft. to campsite. Has fire rings and picnic table.
GuideOne of our favorite places to camp. Tent and RV sites are nice, clean. The trees offer great shade and privacy between most sites. The park itself is fantastic with plenty to see and do. Family friendly and kids live it.
GuideWe stayed at Lyman Run because we needed electricity hookups, and Cherry Springs didn't offer it. Our trip was for astrophotography purposes, and Lyman Run is only a 10 minute drive away from the Cherry Springs viewing area. Totally worth it!
The good: Daggett Loop sites 16 and 17 are pretty solid. They're the last two in the loop and next to 17 is a river trail just to yourselves. It's nice. The bathrooms are modern and clean. Electricity hookups work great and I was able to pull a consistent 80% of max load(~32 amps) the entire time without issue. Sites are well kept. No cell service on site, but a 10 minute drive and you've got it (the best, imo)
The bad: The lake is a bit scummy/stagnant and was jammed pack with people (and since this review is written during COVID, no one was wearing masks or social distancing--disappointing). The sites are really close together with zero trees in-between sites. Bring your own privacy. PA has cross-county firewood ban, but the campsite doesn't have a firewood store. Had to drive 15 minutes off the campsite to find a random house selling firewood for $5 a bundle.
TravelerNice clean place. Can get a bit crowded in some spots where the campers seem to be on top of one another. Luckily we didn’t have one of those sites. Nice area lots to do in the area if you are ok driving to different places. No cell service and WiFi isn’t reliable if that’s what you need or are looking for.
GuideLyman Run holds a special place for me. It’s nestled within the gold level dark sky area. This means on a clear night and with a waning or new moon, one could see the arm of the Milky Way with millions of stars- more than most people see in a lifetime. The camp sites are a bit rough- there are two loops, with one loop catering to the mostly RV crowds and the remaining one for tents. There are a few really good and shaded tent sites in the RV loop. The location of the park is near Cherry Springs SP, which gets all the attention for the night sky viewing. We were able to use Lyman Run as a way station as we visited Kinzua, the PA Grand Canyon, and other sites in the PA Woods area. There’s even a chance to watch elk nearby. Each site has a fire ring, with wood available nearby. Amenities include a beach at a nearby lake, warm showers, and good hiking trails. There is a general store nearby, but the nearest town is almost 45+ minutes away. But hey, there’s a Fox’s Pizza there, so ... win? Since Cherry Springs (at the time of this writing) does not take reservations, we opted for the sure thing. Tent pads are well taken care of and the bathrooms are clean. This park is worth the time and view- you will not be disappointed.
TravelerStayed with my husband last fall for our first camping trip and have zero complaints. This place was perfect has everything you need. The surrounding area is loaded with things to do as well if you feel like venturing out. Cherry Springs Dark Park is just up the road but the view from our tent was just as good. We also stopped at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Hiking trails were within walking distance from the tent. Looking forward to our next stay and some more camp food!
GuideSites are pretty level and well kept. The bathrooms are great! Remote, cute little place! They maintain the place well! There are a few trails close by. Nothing crazy but nice to have something close. Not far from cherry spring. We stayed at site 25. We were right next to the bathroom. Convenient, but did hear some traffic from other campers but not bad.
TravelerGreat place to explore. Many trailes, boating, swimming, camping... just a great place to go.
GuideSpent a week here and loved it. Very remote wooded area with small stream. Sites are tight but worth it, gorgeous area. Bathrooms are clean and large, staff keeps the grounds immaculate. Lake and beach nearby.
GuideSites are close together small and in wooded areas. Close enough to the lake and beach which is clean but small. Bathrooms are well kept and clean workers keep trash picked up and grounds immaculate. Very close to Cherry Springs International Dark Sky Park with its amazing views of the stars and Milky Way.
TravelerThis is a small, fairly remote campground. The sites are very small- some don't even have room for a pop-up canopy. Sites have a fairly level parking pad for campers. Some sites lead you to believe they are on water (stream)- the stream is barely there and there is no access to it. There are ATV trails all over the park which can get loud. Tons of great hiking trails and a great beach. Fishing and boat launch also available.
Horse camping in Pennsylvania offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you'll find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Coudersport, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Coudersport, PA is Lyman Run State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Coudersport, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Coudersport, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
