Shawnee State Park Campground accommodates horse owners with select sites designed to minimize proximity to areas where horses are kept. The 319-site campground features a mix of tent sites, RV spots with electric, full hookup options, and cabins, though most equestrians prefer the D Loop where pets are permitted. While no dedicated horse corrals are available on the premises, the campground allows horses with proper containment brought by owners. Restrooms and shower facilities remain accessible to equestrian campers throughout their stay. Campers occasionally note the distinct smell of horse manure permeating certain areas of the campground, particularly after busy equestrian weekends.
Trail access from the campground connects riders to surrounding bridle paths in the Shawnee region. The park's lake loop trail offers scenic riding opportunities with well-maintained paths suitable for horses. Riders appreciate the ample parking areas that accommodate horse trailers near trailheads. Nearby Rothrock State Forest provides additional riding options with its roadside campsites serving as alternative equestrian camping locations. Horse owners should note that water access for animals varies seasonally, and bringing portable water containers is recommended. The park's proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike means some traffic noise may be audible from certain campsites, though this rarely disturbs the horses. Advance reservations are strongly recommended for equestrians planning weekend visits, as the limited number of suitable sites fill quickly during peak season.
$20 - $110 / night
"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."
$10 / night
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
$10 / night
$10 / night
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.
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.
TravelerFirst 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.
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.
GuideShawnee State Park is a very large campground (319 campsites with mixed electric and non-electric, some pet friendly, some not) about 10 minutes off highway 76 and 20 minutes from the Flight 93 National Memorial.
My fiancé and I visited on August 21, 2022- a Sunday. We did not have a reservation and utilized the campground’s honor system envelopes to reserve our site. We drove all over the entire campground (which is, again, quite large) and decided that sites 22 and 34 were both well suited for our Sprinter van 144 and not too crowded for our reactive dog.
The park employees were very helpful and accommodating, though we only needed limited assistance with our arrival since we didn’t have a reservation. A campsite list is posted at the entrance that displays the list of available sites for that night.
There is a loop that can accommodate larger RVs but most of those were full- the remaining sites are not necessarily level, and only about 1/4 of them appear to have electricity. Our site, 34, is not an electric site.
The campground appears well maintained, though the $33.50 fee is a little more expensive than we are used to paying. But the price of the site was worth it for us for a safe and quiet place to stop for the night on our way to the Flight 93 Memorial and Pittsburgh.
A note that traffic and highway noise can be heard from the campground but it isn’t incredibly loud- you do get nature sounds that drown out the highway noise at times, as the bugs here are very loud, but if the sound of the highway in the background will bother you, this might not be your ideal campground.
This campground clearly gets very busy during some weekends, so definitely plan a visit during the week if you’re like us and prefer a more private camping experience.
Equestrian camping near Woodbury, Pennsylvania provides multiple opportunities for trail riders across state parks and forests. The surrounding Bedford County region sits between 1,000 and 2,000 feet in elevation, creating varied terrain suitable for different riding skill levels. Winter temperatures can drop below 20°F, with summer averaging 70-80°F, affecting water availability for horses and trail conditions throughout the year.
Trail exploration: Riders at Rothrock State Forest can access numerous woodland paths. "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," notes Scott I. about the Colerain Road site.
Lake activities: When not riding, campers can enjoy water recreation at Shawnee State Park Campground. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," shares Casey S. Some equestrians trailer horses to the lake for scenic rides after a hot day on forest trails.
Historical sites: Take a break from riding to explore nearby landmarks. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike," mentions Melanie Z., highlighting additional activities between riding sessions.
Varied camping options: Beyond standard equestrian sites, the region offers diverse accommodations. "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," explains Lee D. at Shawnee State Park, providing alternatives for horse owners seeking more amenities.
Primitive camping privacy: Tuscarora State Forest offers more remote options for equestrians seeking solitude with their horses. The North Block sites provide greater separation between campers compared to more developed campgrounds, with natural barriers that help minimize noise between horse and non-horse campers.
Scenic views: Many roadside camping areas in state forests offer picturesque settings. "The site has their own private overlook to the valley below," reports Scott I. about Rothrock roadside sites. These elevated positions provide excellent vantage points for planning next-day trail routes.
Site selection challenges: Finding level sites suitable for horse trailers requires planning. "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," writes Brittany V. about Shawnee State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Fall weekends can be particularly busy due to football season. "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," advises Scott I. about Rothrock roadside sites.
Road conditions: Forest access roads vary significantly. "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," cautions Scott I., which is particularly important for horse trailer navigation.
Campsite amenities: Facilities vary widely between locations. "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," reports Danielle S. about Shawnee State Park, making it more suitable for families with children who need regular washing facilities.
Playground access: Some parks offer recreational facilities beyond riding. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground," mentions Lee D., providing options for younger family members who may not ride.
Site layout considerations: Choose your site based on group needs. "There are a fair amount of awkwardly-placed sites that sit on a hill and are difficult to place a tent, equipment or gear. Our site was essentially a grassy plain, no tree cover which was a bit disappointing," warns Kaley R., highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate sites when camping with children and horses.
Site leveling: Many locations present challenges for larger vehicles. "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'," explains Lee D. about Shawnee State Park Campground.
Approach angles: Horse trailer access requires careful site selection. "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," cautions Gerard, which is especially relevant for horse trailers.
Noise levels: Be prepared for varying ambient sounds. "As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise," notes Lee D., which might affect both campers and horses sensitive to traffic sounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Woodbury, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
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