6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides essential facilities for horse campers near Duncansville, Pennsylvania. The campground accommodates both riders and their horses with designated camping areas designed specifically for equestrian use. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings with ample space for horse trailers. While the campground does not offer dedicated horse corrals, campers can set up temporary containment systems or highlines for their animals. The sites are reservable in advance through the Pennsylvania state forest reservation system. Some sites feature electric hookups with both 30 and 50-amp service available, though primitive camping options exist as well. Most sites are accessible via drive-in access, making them suitable for horse trailers of various sizes.
Located approximately 60 miles from Duncansville, the equestrian camping area connects directly to the extensive trail network throughout Moshannon State Forest. These trails provide varied terrain suitable for riders of all experience levels, from beginners to advanced equestrians. Water access points for horses are available along certain trail sections. Campers should bring their own water and feed storage containers as these are not provided at the campsites. The camping area remains accessible throughout most of the year, though seasonal road closures may affect access during winter months. Riders appreciate the well-maintained forest roads that connect to bridle paths and wider trail systems. Pet-friendly policies allow campers to bring dogs along with their horses, creating a complete outdoor experience for the whole family, including four-legged companions.
"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
Check Availability"Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season."
"Great hiking and a beautiful lake for kayaking. Site 22 is a full hookup. Utilities worked nicely. However, our picnic table had seen better days. "
from $20 - $87 / night
Check Availability"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
from $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availability
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.
LegendGeneral: 73-site campground; most have electric hookups, and some are FHU. Pets are only permitted at selected sites. There are also 20 (13 rustic and 6 modern) cabins. Cell service is extremely limited to non-existent (Verizon).
Site Quality: Pads are gravel and most appeared to be level. Site 70 was at the end of the loop which is why we picked it. A picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook complete each site.
Bathhouse: As has been our experience in all PA state parks, the bathhouse was pristine, and the shower (for no additional cost) was clean with plentiful hot water and was very much appreciated.
Activities/Amenities: Coin-operated laundry. A playground is in the campground and there is an additional one at the swimming beach. The swimming beach is open from mid-May to mid-September, from 8 am– sunset. Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season. Permits are required. 24 miles of hiking trails, including two trails directly from the campground to the lake. In the summer, there is a camper store/concession stand. Hunting is allowed in season. There are 4.3 miles of mountain biking trails.
I used to think Oregon State Parks were the best, but Pennsylvania State Parks have them beat by a mile. We have yet to be disappointed by the amenities(especially the clean bathrooms) offered at the half-dozen state parks we have visited so far.
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.
GuideGetting to the park had some sharp turns and windy roads. Small campground but nicely equipped. 2 bath houses were dated but clean. Nice playground at the campground and also one at the beach. Small camp concessions with a few camping items as well as ice cream cones. Great hiking and a beautiful lake for kayaking. Site 22 is a full hookup. Utilities worked nicely. However, our picnic table had seen better days. The site sat down off the road but once you were backed in the spot it was pretty level. This site also had a separate tent pad located down a few stone steps. Verizon and AT&T cell service were basically non existent. Every once in a while a text would come in or send but very spotty. Sorry I failed to get a pic of the site in the daylight. It was spacious and we had plenty of room for our 30' trailer, truck, and easy up over the table. 6+ chairs around the fire pit, cooking ring could have been better. Grassy area for cornhole or playing.
Equestrian camping areas near Duncansville, Pennsylvania offer dedicated facilities for trail riders across multiple state forests. The region features a mix of established campgrounds and primitive sites with direct access to extensive bridle path networks. Several locations provide trailer parking, picket lines, and water access points specifically designed for horse owners who camp.
Trail riding through scenic forests: Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers access to miles of designated equestrian trails. "The Park itself offers a lot to do with fishing, hiking, the beach, kayak rentals, etc. I've never had a bad time at Black Moshannon and will keep coming back," notes Graham S., highlighting the diversity of activities beyond horseback riding.
Explore mountain terrain: At Rothrock Roadside Campsites, riders can access varied elevation trails. Scott I. describes one site: "Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below." These elevation changes provide challenging rides for experienced equestrians.
Bird watching from horseback: The diverse ecosystems around horse campgrounds support excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding," mentions Matthew U. about Black Moshannon, where riders frequently spot woodland species along trail edges.
Spacious campsites: Horse campers appreciate generous spacing between sites. As Sandi G. notes about Black Moshannon, "The sites are situated nicely, your neighbors are not 'right there,'" which is particularly important when camping with horses that need sufficient space.
Clean facilities: Despite the rustic nature of many equestrian camping areas, campers value well-maintained grounds. Lisa L. shares about Black Moshannon State Park Campground: "Spaces are clean and spacious, bath house is very well kept. Very peaceful and well maintained."
Seasonal flexibility: Some horse campgrounds maintain extended seasons. "Pulled in on Friday of Labor Day weekend without a reservation but there were a couple open sites," reports Courtney S., indicating availability even during popular weekends at some locations.
Reservation requirements: While North Run Equine Camping Area requires advance reservations, other sites may have different policies. Denise D. advises about popular parks: "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early."
Road conditions: Access roads to horse camping areas vary seasonally. For Rothrock sites, Scott I. warns, "This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion," a crucial consideration for horse trailers.
Water quality considerations: Natural water sources may have unusual characteristics. Travis S. explains an interesting phenomenon: "The Iron Ore mines from the past have left the creek water stained red which is why it's called the Red Mo with the locals." Bringing supplemental water for horses is recommended.
Educational opportunities: Some horse campgrounds offer learning experiences. "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc," says Lisa L., making these locations ideal for family trips combining horseback riding with other outdoor skills.
Weather preparation: Mountain camping conditions can change rapidly. Danielle S. notes at Shawnee State Park Campground: "We stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend... The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs," highlighting the importance of bringing versatile equipment.
Site selection strategy: When camping with horses and children, site layout matters. Brittany V. shares: "We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites... Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating! We moved over one site and it made all the difference."
Site leveling challenges: Many horse campgrounds have uneven terrain. One camper at Shawnee State Park Campground advises: "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time... Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level."
Hookup availability: Horse-friendly campgrounds offer varying levels of RV amenities. Gerard notes, "We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up. We have a 32 foot trailer." Calling ahead to confirm specific site dimensions for larger rigs with horse trailers is recommended.
Seasonal timing: Off-season visits can provide better site selection for RVs with horse trailers. "A Monday in mid-October had many open sites," observes one reviewer, suggesting weekday trips during shoulder seasons offer more flexibility for equestrian campers with RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Duncansville, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Duncansville, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Duncansville, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Duncansville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
