Nancy B.
Ranger
RangerShawnee State Park Campground
Well maintained
The sites and roads are well maintained. Some sites are on hilly roads but are acceptable for tenters. The bathhouse is older but the showers are hot. August 2026
Equestrian Camping near Altoona, PA
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North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest offers primitive camping facilities designed for horse owners. The campground provides minimal amenities, focusing on access to forest trails rather than developed facilities. Sites accommodate vehicles with horse trailers and allow pets. The camping area is situated approximately 30 miles west of Altoona near Penfield, Pennsylvania, making it accessible for riders seeking forest trail experiences. Cell service is extremely limited to non-existent in the region, requiring advance planning for trail navigation.
The forest trails connecting to North Run Equine Camping Area traverse varied terrain through Moshannon State Forest. Riders should bring sufficient water for horses as drinking water is not provided at the campground. Reservations are required for the camping area, which operates seasonally. The primitive nature of the facilities means campers need to pack in all supplies and remove all waste upon departure. For riders seeking more amenities, Black Moshannon State Park Campground is located nearby with full hookup sites, though it lacks designated horse facilities. The isolation and lack of development create a true backcountry equestrian camping experience focused on trail riding rather than campground amenities.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Altoona (8)
1. Black Moshannon State Park Campground
"The Moss Hanne is still a thrilling trail even in the winter months and there's been a lot of beaver activity since we last visited including a very impressive dam. "
"Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season."
45 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $24 - $145 / night
2. Shawnee State Park Campground
"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."
105 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $110 / night
3. Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
4. Snow Shoe Sites — Sproul State Forest
"A standard Ford Explorer handled the drive without trouble, though bringing a trailer would likely only be practical if it is set up for overlanding conditions."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
5. North Run Equine Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
6. North Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
7. South Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
8. Yellowsnake Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Drive Time
- 35 min from State College, PA
- 42 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr 34 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 1 hr 37 min from Chambersburg, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Altoona, PA
55 Reviews of 8 Altoona Campgrounds
michael R.
GuideSnow Shoe Sites — Sproul State Forest
SS007
Site SS007 sits roughly two miles off pavement along a fairly rough access road. A standard Ford Explorer handled the drive without trouble, though bringing a trailer would likely only be practical if it is set up for overlanding conditions.
The location offers excellent views of the Susquehanna River and exceptionally clear night skies with strong stargazing opportunities. There was no existing fire ring on site, so we built one using nearby stones. The site does not include a picnic table or other amenities, making it a primative experience.
Cell service was limited but usable, averaging about one bar with AT&T and two bars with T-Mobile.
Overall, it is a quiet, scenic roadside site best suited for campers comfortable with minimal facilities and no other people around.
Graham S.
TravelerBlack Moshannon State Park Campground
Great campground at a beautiful park
Ive camped at Black Moshannon State Park many times both in a tent and our camper. The Park has tent only, electric and full hookup sites. It is well cared for and clean. The bathhouses are nice and well maintained. 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.
- SScott I.Traveler
Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
Nice spot to camp in the mountains
First 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.
Brittany V.
LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Double check site booked
We 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.
Lee D.LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Huge state park
General: 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.
- SSteveGuide
Black Moshannon State Park Campground
Beautiful spot
In the middle of the woods vibe. The sites had good privacy and it was just a pretty area. Neighbors were respectful and relatively quiet.. There was zero cell service at this campground. Bathrooms were clean.
- JJennifer R.
ScoutShawnee State Park Campground
Loved the park but not the site
We loved the swimming and fishing in this park. Awesome Sandy swim beach and roped off area in the water made it great for keeping an eye on the kids while they swam. We had site 59 and are tent campers. This site was on an incline so the cots we brought were pretty miserable to sleep on. This spot was in its own little wooded cubby hole so it gave us a little more privacy but we thought that a lot of these sites were much too close together. We plan to scope out other sites to find a more level and more private option. Overall we really loved the park itself and will be back!
Rick G.LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Met our Needs Perfectly
Booked for 5 nights to have an opportunity to explore the Bedford, PA area. Great access to Flight 93 Memorial, local covered bridges, Fort Bedford Historic Fort, and many other attractions. Loop D was quiet with ample space between sites that provided privacy. Bathhouse was clean and used for showers. Dump and water fill station easy to access on your way in or out. Verizon signal good enough for streaming.
Guide to Altoona
North Run Equine Camping Area serves equestrian campers seeking trail access through Moshannon State Forest. Located about 30 miles west of Altoona at elevations ranging from 1,800-2,200 feet, this region features extensive trail networks through dense mixed hardwood forests. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with spring thaws creating muddy sections that require careful navigation. Cell service throughout Moshannon State Forest remains very limited, requiring offline maps or traditional navigation tools.
What to do
Trail riding on forest service roads: Moshannon State Forest offers interconnected trail systems suitable for various riding skill levels. At Rothrock Roadside Campsites, campers can access mountain terrain with valley views. "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.
Fishing in nearby waters: Several water bodies provide fishing opportunities within driving distance from equestrian camping areas. Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers lake access for anglers. "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding," reports Matthew U.
Stargazing in dark sky areas: The remote location creates minimal light pollution for excellent night sky viewing. Denise D. from Black Moshannon State Park Campground mentions the area has a "big sky view for star gazing" among its notable features.
What campers like
Forest immersion: The dense woodlands create a genuine backcountry experience. At Shawnee State Park Campground, Melanie Z. appreciates the "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too."
Wildlife observation: The forests support diverse wildlife populations visible throughout the seasons. Lisa L. notes Black Moshannon's natural setting is "so beautiful with plenty to do for everyone, tons of hiking along the whole park."
Seasonal flexibility: While most primitive equestrian camping areas operate seasonally, some nearby established campgrounds remain open year-round. Travis S. describes the unique water features: "The Iron Ore mines from the past have left the creek water stained red which is why its called the Red Mo with the locals."
What you should know
Primitive facilities only: North Run Equine Camping Area provides minimal amenities focused on trail access rather than comfort. The nearby Snow Shoe Sites follow similar primitive camping patterns common in Pennsylvania state forests.
Water requirements: Bring sufficient water for both humans and horses as drinking water isn't available at primitive equestrian sites. Danielle S. from Shawnee State Park advises about facilities at established campgrounds: "Bathroom and showers were clean, bright, and there is a dish washing sink outside. Showers were push button but pressure was great."
Reservation process: Reservations are mandatory for North Run and most state forest camping areas. Scott I. notes about Rothrock campsites: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Emergency preparation: Due to remote locations and limited cell service, carry a first aid kit and emergency contacts. North Block in Tuscarora State Forest shares similar isolation characteristics with North Run.
Weather considerations: Mountain elevations experience temperature drops and increased precipitation compared to Altoona. At Black Moshannon, James B. reported they "had a wonderful weekend" despite "cold wet weather this trip."
Nearby alternatives: Families seeking more amenities should consider established campgrounds near horse trails. For example, Rachel L. found Shawnee State Park "huge and very well maintained" with helpful staff.
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: Many forest service camping areas have limited space for larger rigs. At South Block in Tuscarora State Forest, site arrangements follow similar forest service patterns with minimal development.
Access road conditions: Forest roads leading to horse campgrounds near Altoona, Pennsylvania can be challenging for larger trailers. Gerard from Shawnee State Park notes: "Many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them."
Leveling requirements: Prepare for potentially uneven parking areas at primitive sites. Lee D. warns at Shawnee State Park: "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Altoona, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Altoona, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Altoona, PA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Altoona, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Altoona, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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