3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Beaver Creek State Park Campground provides equestrian camping facilities near Darlington, Pennsylvania with 59 primitive campsites specifically for horse enthusiasts. Located on Sprucevale Road, the equestrian camp features tie-ups for horses at each site with no electrical hookups. The campground operates on a mixed reservation system - 12 of the sites can be reserved in advance while the remaining sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Vault latrines are available for campers, but no shower facilities exist at the equestrian campground. The park maintains separate camping areas including the family campground on Leslie Road and a group camping area that can accommodate organized groups of up to 30 people. The sites at the equestrian camp are spacious enough to accommodate trailers and provide adequate room for both horses and campers.
The North Country National Scenic Trail passes through Beaver Creek State Park, offering direct access to horseback riding opportunities from the campground. Multiple trails throughout the park are horse-friendly, allowing riders to explore the scenic wilderness areas. Small, quiet campgrounds with minimal amenities provide a more rustic experience for riders seeking solitude during their stay. Trails connect to various areas of the park including the pioneer village and scenic creek areas. Water access for horses is available, though campers should note the park operates on a well water system with limited supply. During warmer months, the creek that runs through the park provides additional opportunities for horses to cool off. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with some areas becoming overgrown during peak summer months, requiring riders to exercise caution when navigating certain sections.
"Portals/parks/PDFs/parks/Maps/Beaver_Creek/beavercreekcampmap.pdf)
- 6 electric sites
- 44 non-electric sites
- Dump station
- No showers; no flush toilets
- Pets are permitted on all sites
Equestrian"
"I live near by to this state park and have spent much time exploring the entirety of it."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $19 - $50 / night
"It is right next to the bike trail and has access to the lake. I have enjoyed my time at Moraine and will enjoy it every time I visit."
"In fact my family used to own property near by. This park has an awesome trail system for walking or biking"
"The bathrooms are clean and include a laundry and sinks outside to wash your dishes. Campground hosts and staff are friendly and helpful. Sites are roomy and clean. Lots of variety."
"There is no WiFi and barely one bar of cell service; your best internet access is at the nice public library 7 miles away in Ravenna Sand beach is an easy walk from all camp sites and boat trailers can"
Available this weekend
from $29 - $55 / night
"The group next to us seemed a little rowdy when we first pulled in, but by 10:00 there was no noise anywhere near us. "
"Wood is dry and cheap right outside the park entrance. Bass fishing is top notch on the lake. I would definitely come back here again and again."
Available this weekend
from $23 - $80 / night
"This smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning."
"Tucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court."
Available this weekend
from $19 - $29 / night
"Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore."
"The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit. The best part - it's free!"
"The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge, but there are other trailheads throughout the tract also."
"This campsite was close to an archery tournament for me. It is a huge campsite that is remote and peaceful. I will try to get this place again next year."
from $50 / night
ScoutI struggled making a reservation online, you need an account and it wouldn’t let me make one but i was able to call in and reserve a spot same day. I’m traveling to the east coast and just needed a place to pitch a tent for the night. worked perfect.
ScoutThere’s no electricity and no where in walking distance and the internet isn’t great, and at night u hear raccoons in the trash cans. If you come here bring a portable phone charger. There’s really nothing here, and the bathrooms are disgusting
GuideWe were passing through on a weeknight in mid September. Many open sites. Sites are paved and many are sloped. Most are shaded. Our site #41 was fairly level with electricity. Close to huge bathhouse with flush toilets, showers and laundry. High above the lake with views through the trees. Appeared there were many long term campers but just as good for our short overnight stay. Online registration. $45 for electric only site.
GuideMosquito Lake gets a bad rap because of its name. We had such a great time launching our kayak from our campsite! I’ve attached a highlighted map marked with the sights on or very close to the water to launch a kayak. Additional kayak launch sites available around the park if you can’t get one of these. It’s great campground if you have kids or a dog. Plenty of great playgrounds and a dog park/dog beach. The camp host was very nice and welcoming. The wash house has laundry and showers. Everything was clean.
GuideI've heard there are campgrounds that discriminate against car camping, first time experiencing it. There are many sites where people have a LARGE camper, a car, and multiple tents spread out over a large area. We have 2 SUV's with tents that attach to the backs. We followed all the rules and are taking up about HALF of our site. We were told that is not allowed. When asked for reasoning and comparing to what we've seen around the park, we get no clear answer that makes sense. We are here with a group that rented about 20 sites. After spending 4 hours setting everything up, she says one may have to leave; she's waiting to hear from her boss. I will definitely never return here!
TravelerVery neat and clean and organized
ScoutWhen we arrived, we checked in at the camp office. The ladies there were very kind. The roads through the campground are wide enough for two-way traffic and nicely paved.
This is a beautiful, heavily treed campground. Even on Memorial Day weekend with lots of people, the park was very peaceful. The sounds of birds permeate the air round the clock. Chipmunks run amok. They’re just so cute.
We booked site 56 for our 39’ fifth wheel. As soon as we pulled up, we knew there was no way we’d fit even though the reservation site said it would accommodate a 40’ rig. The camp hosts happened to be passing by as we were surveying the site. They were very helpful redirecting us to a nearby site that would be more suitable. FYI, sites 55 and 56 have deep culverts on either side. One wrong turn and you’re going to have a problem. The majority of sites along our road were just wide enough to keep the tires out of the dirt, but not wide enough for the stairs to land on asphalt. If you have a motorhome or other wide-bodied rig, like an Alliance Paradigm, I would recommend choosing one of the sites on the loop around the playground. Those are better suited for newer big rigs.
TIP…the line at the dump station is long on the holiday weekends. Plan accordingly.
GuideFirst time here. They told me Ohio State Parks were voted #1 in the US. Well there is a reason for that. Beautiful, clean, great spots, not a bad site in the entire park. Wood is dry and cheap right outside the park entrance. Bass fishing is top notch on the lake. I would definitely come back here again and again.
ScoutWe live really close so we stay at mosquito for our first stay every year. This year we were disappointed. They had no staff there to check us in, the signs says closed Monday through Wednesday. Bathrooms were supposed to be open because we stayed April 16th, but only some of them were. (Even though online states April 1st they reopen). Some sites are more wet than others. We stayed at site 54 this time. The pad was very narrow and it was wet around it (it has been raining a lot). The person before us must have purchased a $12 bale of hay that they were selling up front because there was hay everywhere. Wish they would just put gravel down.
Otherwise, it's quiet. We love the nature play area for the kids. We love the playgrounds.
When they are open, the bathrooms are very clean. The shower house is dated but clean. Far walk from every site basically as they put it on the main road between both loops.
Beaver Creek State Park's equestrian campground sits at approximately 900 feet elevation in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The camping area features predominantly deciduous forest with seasonal color changes and moderate rainfall throughout the year. Trail conditions vary widely between seasons, with spring often bringing muddy conditions while fall offers drier, more accessible riding opportunities.
Fishing opportunities: The creeks and waterways near Darlington provide excellent fishing spots, especially for bass. At Beaver Creek State Park Campground, visitors report good catches. "This is a nice clean state park. There is canoeing but no swimming. Bass fishing is really fun because we caught a few nice ones!!" notes Mike T.
Historical exploration: The region offers several historical sites within riding distance of equestrian campsites. "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc)," shares Shay D.
Trail riding: For those seeking horse-friendly trails beyond Beaver Creek, West Branch State Park Campground provides additional options about 40 miles away. "There are many inlets to explore or fish. There is a boat launch at the campground," notes Alisa G., highlighting the varied terrain available to riders.
Spacious sites: Many equestrian campers appreciate the generous site dimensions at Hidden Hollow Campground. "It is a very well maintenance campsite most have fire pits a lot of level ground for tent camping pull in parking spots for RVs and campers," reports Justin T., which allows ample room for both horses and camping equipment.
Quiet atmosphere: Despite some equestrian campgrounds being busy, many still offer peaceful settings. Matt H. describes his experience: "We camped this past weekend in site 50. It is an unbelievably spacious site under towering pine trees. The site sits back off the road and really makes you feel like you have the place to yourself."
Night sky viewing: The rural location around Darlington creates excellent stargazing conditions. "The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities. To cap it off, we laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!" writes Matt H. about his camping experience with a young child.
Water limitations: Several campgrounds near Darlington operate on well water systems with usage restrictions. "They are on a well so there is limited water and they don't allow you to fill up your on board tank. Make sure you fill up before you go!" advises Bounding Around from Mosquito Lake State Park Campground.
Road restrictions: Some access roads to horse camping areas have limitations. "There is a road in the park (Echo Dell Road) that RVs/Trailers can't go on so make sure you approach this campground from Leslie Road!" warns Bounding Around.
Trail maintenance: Trail conditions vary throughout the year. Ken M. notes about a nearby park: "Small park, only a few sites with hookups, but very nice. Rustic, with trails to the main park that take you through beautiful woods." Some trail sections require maintenance and can become overgrown during peak summer months.
Playground access: Families with children can benefit from campsites near play areas. "We got a site near the playground, which my 3 year old enjoyed. The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy," shares Matt H. about his experience with a toddler at Jefferson Lake State Park Campground.
Nature activities: The creeks provide natural entertainment for children. Theresa Tittle R. recommends: "Small lake for wading with the kiddos, fishing near the dam or skip rocks in the creek. But be sure to pack a picnic and relax and enjoy!"
Equestrian education: Darlington's horse camping facilities offer unique learning opportunities for children. Introduce young campers to horses gradually by visiting the tie-ups during quieter afternoon hours when most riders have returned from trails.
Site selection: When staying near Darlington with horses and an RV, carefully evaluate site terrain. "Only 5 electric sites. Very clean pit toilets. Well maintained campground. A few equine sites. Only 2 electric eq sites. Electric is a little far behind pad. We almost needed extension cord," advises Eddie about Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require substantial leveling equipment. "We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches. The jack was down as low as it would go and we were still off by 1.5 inches," shares Andrea F. about her experience with an RV at a nearby campground.
Water access planning: RVers should plan for limited water hookups at horse camping facilities. "All water full up towers only have those spigots that are not threaded. Had to hold hose over spigot about 20 min to fill 35 gal," notes Eddie, highlighting the importance of bringing appropriate filling equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Darlington, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Darlington, PA is Beaver Creek State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Darlington, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Darlington, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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