Shawnee State Park Campground offers equestrian camping opportunities in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Situated at approximately 1,250 feet elevation in the Appalachian Mountain foothills, the area features rolling terrain with mixed hardwood forests. Campsites designated for horse trailers require advance reservation, particularly during summer and fall weekends when trail riding conditions are optimal.
What to do
Lake recreation: Riders can enjoy breaks from trail riding with swimming and fishing at the 451-acre lake. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," notes Casey S. about Shawnee State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: Take a day trip from camp to nearby historical sites. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike," reports Melanie Z.
Memorial visits: The Flight 93 Memorial is accessible from most area campgrounds. "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial," recommends Rachel L., who rated her experience 5 stars.
What campers like
Diverse camping options: Michaux State Forest provides multiple camping styles. "Michaux State Forest campgrounds have vault toilets and the sites are well-maintained. I went in late fall and was the only camper at the area I stayed in," shares Jen S., noting the free primitive sites available with permits.
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room for horse trailers and equipment. "The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit," reports Brittany V. about her stay with a 35-foot travel trailer.
Private views: Some sites offer scenic vistas perfect for relaxing after a day on horseback. "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 Rothrock Roadside Campsites.
What you should know
Permit requirements: "Camping is free in several areas throughout Michaux State Forest (as well as other PA State Forests), BUT you usually need to have a camping permit (also free) and you can only stay in designated campsites," explains Jen S.
Seasonal access limitations: Road conditions can limit horse trailer access in winter months. "This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion," cautions Scott I. about mountain access routes.
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared to assess sites carefully. "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time," shares Lee D. about Peggy's Hill Parking Area Campsites, noting that "most of the non-electric sites had no definable pads at all."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for loops with recreational facilities. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground," mentions Lee D.
Cabin alternatives: For families new to equestrian camping, cabins provide comfort while still allowing trail access. "We 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," notes Danielle S.
Seasonal planning: Vagabond Isle and similar primitive sites require careful preparation. "Water is easily found and views like Sunset Rocks are simply gorgeous. These trips are what gave me the experience, and confidence, to go from tent camping to tarp camping," shares John S. about winter camping in the region.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: "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. The site we were assigned was easily accessed and had a nice view of the campground," shares Gerard about his stay at Shawnee State Park. "However, 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."
Weather considerations: Prepare for fog and rain when camping at higher elevations. "We ended up putting our tent basically on the neighboring site (which was vacant) in order to string a tarp up to block the rain," explains Kaley R.
Local supply options: Pack essentials but know where to resupply. "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," notes Danielle S., suggesting gathering additional wood from permitted areas.
