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 Entriken, PA
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North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest offers primitive camping sites for horse owners in central Pennsylvania. This dedicated equestrian campground provides essential accommodations for trail riders with horses, though amenities are limited. Sites feature picnic tables and fire rings, with reservations required. The area permits pets alongside horses and provides some electric hookups and water access. Campground sites at Shawnee State Park near Entriken sometimes reek of horse manure, indicating regular equestrian use despite not having dedicated horse corrals according to visitor reports.
The trails surrounding North Run Equine Camping Area connect riders to extensive backcountry routes through Moshannon State Forest. Horse owners can access miles of trails directly from their campsites, making this location practical for multi-day riding adventures. While facilities are basic, the emphasis remains on trail access rather than amenities. The primitive nature of these sites suits experienced horse campers prepared for self-sufficient trips. Trailer parking is available, though space may be limited during peak seasons. Riders should bring their own water supplies and equipment for securing horses overnight as no permanent corrals are provided. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays when equestrian groups frequently utilize the campground.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Entriken (9)
1. 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."
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability2. Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
from $10 / night
Check Availability3. Black Moshannon State Park Campground
"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 Availability4. Colonel Denning State Park Campground
"Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."
"We stayed in site 28 which was a walk-in site, this was perfect for us since we wanted to be further away from people and the light from the bathroom/shower facility."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability5. Michaux State Forest
"Some reviewers have confused nearby State Parks with the actual State Forest, resulting in inaccurate information."
"Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail."
from $10 / night
Check Availability6. North Block — Tuscarora State Forest
from $10 / night
Check Availability7. South Block — Tuscarora State Forest
from $10 / night
Check Availability8. North Run Equine Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
from $10 / night
Check Availability9. Vagabond Isle
from $100 - $150 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 35 min from Altoona, PA
- 59 min from State College, PA
- 1 hr 8 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr 15 min from Chambersburg, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Entriken, PA
69 Reviews of 9 Entriken Campgrounds
MsTrailBlazer 🏔.RangerColonel Denning State Park Campground
Snakes! 🐍 🥰
Great park, alittle close together than I like. I wish I had picked 1-12 sites by the creek, but I don’t think I had much choice when I booked anyway. Bathrooms were clean. My site was more of an rv and I felt like I was at the neighbors for supper.
Etzer D.
GuideColonel Denning State Park Campground
Great creekside spot
The weather wasn’t too great, but the campaign joy could not be hampered. We had a great spot along the creek, which was also a short walk from the lake. The bathroom facilities are fantastic nice and clean couldn’t be happier.
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.
Tiff T.
ScoutColonel Denning State Park Campground
Awesome!
We had a great time visiting the park! We stayed in site 28 which was a walk-in site, this was perfect for us since we wanted to be further away from people and the light from the bathroom/shower facility. The site was not far from our parking spot, maybe a hundred yards but there was a slight hill. There are even more isolated campsites further up the hill.
The park itself is definitely on the smaller side but packs in a lot. Lots of great trails and the beach would be great( close due to bacteria overgrowth) the michaux forest is 30 minutes away and has a lot more outdoor activities.
Will stay here again in the future.
Guide to Entriken
Equestrian camping near Entriken, Pennsylvania offers riders direct access to extensive trail networks through forested mountain terrain. The area sits within the Allegheny Mountain region at elevations ranging from 1,100-2,300 feet, creating varied terrain for horse and rider. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March, with summer highs typically reaching 75-85°F.
What to do
Trail riding at Moshannon State Forest: Experienced riders can access miles of backcountry trails from North Run Equine Camping Area in central Pennsylvania. The forest contains interconnected trail systems suitable for day rides or longer excursions.
Hiking with panoramic views: The 6-mile round-trip Flat Rock Trail at Colonel Denning State Park offers a challenging 1,200-foot climb to a spectacular overlook. "A six mile round trip with a 1200 ft climb. Spectacular views," writes Nate & Erika L.
Winter camping for adventurous riders: Some forest roads remain accessible during winter months, though preparation is essential. "Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail. It's you can park at Pine Grove State Park and then hike your way into locations," notes John S. about Michaux State Forest.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Remote sites provide privacy for horse owners and their animals. At Rothrock Roadside Campsites, "The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road," explains Scott I., who stayed at site 002 Colerain Road.
Clean facilities: Riders appreciate well-maintained bathroom facilities after trail rides. "Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites," reports Casey L. about Colonel Denning State Park Campground.
Water access for horses: Streams and water sources near campsites allow for watering horses without long treks. "We love the dog friendly sites near the water, the kids and pups play all day!" mentions Casey L. about Colonel Denning, which similarly accommodates horses at certain sites.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campsites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. For Shawnee State Park Campground, "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!" reports Brittany V.
Site limitations for larger trailers: Horse trailer parking can be challenging at some campgrounds without dedicated equestrian areas. "While the area is beautiful, we were not impressed with the campground. We have a small 19" travel trailer which was almost impossible to park due to very tight sites," notes Shirley M. about Colonel Denning State Park.
Seasonal water availability: Some primitive equestrian sites lack year-round water sources. For Michaux State Forest, Bridget D. explains, "None of the sites available in Michaux have drinking water available at sites (some have a creek or springhouse, which must be treated first)."
Tips for camping with families
Beach and lake access: Families with children can combine horse camping with swimming opportunities. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," writes Casey S. about Shawnee State Park.
Educational programs: Some parks offer ranger-led activities suitable for younger riders. "The park rangers had an owl program on Friday night and ended up calling in several screech owls. Very cool to hear their eerie cries in the woods," reports Nate & Erika L. from Colonel Denning.
Multi-use facilities: Parks with both equestrian trails and family amenities offer something for everyone. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground," notes Lee D. about Black Moshannon State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: Choose pull-through sites when possible for easier maneuvering with horse trailers. "My wife and I stayed for two nights at this campground and enjoyed it greatly. We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up," shares Gerard about Shawnee State Park.
Electric requirements: Check amperage availability when booking if you need power for horse-related equipment. "There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site," notes Danielle S. about Shawnee State Park's site 258.
Maneuverability considerations: Forest roads to equestrian campsites may present challenges. "Appalachian mountain range, not bad with 4wheel drive. Stayed first at camp, moved to atv parking. Very remote and atvs in and out," cautions Carolyn K. about accessing Michaux State Forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Entriken, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Entriken, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Entriken, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Entriken, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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