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 Fairview, PA
8 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Search destinations
Add dates
Michaux State Forest provides equestrian camping at designated motorized parking lot sites, which double as horse camping areas. The Teaberry site includes several hitching posts and a two-step mounting block for riders. Horses are permitted in specific areas of the forest where motorized camping is allowed. The campground frequently carries the distinct scent of horse manure throughout the grounds. Campers should be aware that while tethering horses is allowed at designated sites, no formal corrals or stables are available. A free online permit is required for all motorized sites, with availability from April through the third Sunday after Thanksgiving, while designated parking lot sites remain open year-round.
Trail riders have direct access to forest paths from the Teaberry parking area in Michaux State Forest. The forest sits at the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering miles of mixed deciduous and coniferous forest trails suitable for equestrian use. Primitive backpacking sites throughout the forest do not require permits but must be located at least one mile from any trailhead. Campground reviews note the heavy presence of horses affects the camping environment, particularly regarding odor. Water for horses must be brought in or sourced from natural springs and creeks, which require treatment before use. The forest's horse camping regulations allow alcohol consumption except in designated picnic areas, and fires are prohibited from March 1 to May 25 and during high fire danger periods.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Fairview (13)
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."
104 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $110 / night
2. 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."
32 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $24 - $38 / night
3. Gettysburg Campground
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"If youâre looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isnât it."
4. 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. "
43 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $24 - $145 / night
5. Rothrock Roadside Campsites â Rothrock State Forest
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
6. Little Buffalo State Park Campground
"A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground."
"The driving path is gravel with a steep hill at the end so if you can help it I would avoid sites 32,34,36 as they are VERY difficult to back into with larger rigs."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $26 - $151 / night
7. 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."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
8. Teaberry Parking Area Campsites â Michaux State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
9. North Block â Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
10. South Block â Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Drive Time
- 54 min from Altoona, PA
- 1 hr 1 min from Chambersburg, PA
- 1 hr 9 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 1 hr 13 min from State College, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Fairview, PA
117 Reviews of 13 Fairview Campgrounds
Matt S.
LegendGettysburg Campground
Great Location in Gettysburg
We spent 4 nights at Gettysburg Campground to attend the AIM Club Rally(Lincolnâs Legacy- Gettysburg 250), and it served as base camp for the event.Â
WHAT I LIKED:Â
-
Location, Location, Location: This park is an absolute winner for convenienceâjust 5 minutes from the Gettysburg battlefields, museums, and the heart of town.Â
-
The Atmosphere: The staff gave us a warm reception at check-in, and the site itself was clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to back up to a running creek. Lots of mature trees offer lots of shade and character.Â
-
Big-Rig Friendly: Navigating a 45-foot motorhome with a toad can sometimes be stressful, but this park was easy to maneuver.Â
WHAT I DIDNâT LIKE SO MUCH:Â
-
Late-Night Power Struggles: On our final night, the campground experienced grid strain. Our Hughes Watchdog Power Center saved the dayâbut it had to shut off our power 7 different times due to low voltage. Aside from losing a few hours of sleep to the chorus of appliances cycling off and on, no harm was done. I recommend using a surge protector/voltage regulator if you stay here.Â
WOULD WE COME BACK?Â
- Absolutely! Minor power hiccups aside, this is a beautiful, clean park situated right in the middle of everything you'd want to see and do in the area.
-
- JJohn B.
ScoutGettysburg Campground
Everything clean
Flat grounds, level campsites, nice pool, kids have tons of fun!
MsTrailBlazer đ.RangerColonel Denning State Park Campground
Snakes! đ đ„°
Great park, alittle close together than I like. I wish I had picked 1-12 sites by the creek, but I donât 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.
- MsTrailBlazer đ.Ranger
Little Buffalo State Park Campground
Campground away from park đđ»
Beautiful park, pool and lake. Great for boating and fishing, running or hiking and swimming. In may, it wasnât busy, but I can imagine it gets packed. I will be back for summer.
Etzer D.
GuideColonel Denning State Park Campground
Great creekside spot
The weather wasnât 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 couldnât 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.
Marcandpatti B.GuideGettysburg Campground
Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.
We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.
- SScott I.Traveler
Rothrock Roadside Campsites â 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. Â
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. Â
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. Â
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).Â
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.
Guide to Fairview
Camping sites near Fairview, Pennsylvania range from established state parks with full amenities to primitive backcountry locations in state forests. Located in northwestern Pennsylvania, the region features rolling hills, mature forests, and abundant waterways. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing with significant snowfall, while summer brings mild temperatures between 60-80°F.
What to do
Hiking and trail access: Michaux State Forest offers extensive trail networks suitable for day hikes or backpacking. "Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail... Water is easily found and views like Sunset Rocks are simply gorgeous," notes reviewer John S.
Water recreation: Shawnee State Park Campground features a lake with multiple activities. "Shawnee State Park is about 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, and it has pretty much everything: swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and fairly decent hiking," reports Brian S. The park maintains a swimming beach and boat rental facilities.
Historical exploration: Camp near significant historical sites like Gettysburg. "Gettysburg is a place that I could spend days in and learn all its history. The campgrounds were easy to find and had plenty of room," writes Nick P. The battlefield areas offer interpretive programs throughout summer months.
Equestrian camping options: For travelers with horses, Teaberry Parking Area Campsites in Michaux State Forest accommodates equestrian camping. "Teaberry has a few hitching posts and a two step mounting block available," notes Bridget D. These sites serve dual purposes for both motorized and horse camping.
What campers like
Lakefront access: Campers consistently mention the appeal of waterfront sites. "The tent sites have numerous walnut trees, so there's a bit of a hazard there when walking around trying to dodge the falling nuts," writes Dave G. about Gettysburg Campground, where tent camping areas border a creek.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent bathhouse conditions. At Colonel Denning State Park Campground, Casey L. reports "Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn N. notes at Little Buffalo State Park Campground, "Wildlife is everywhere and there is even an eagle nest in the park and you can see the pair and often their young." Early morning hours provide optimal wildlife viewing opportunities.
Quiet camping environment: State forest primitive sites offer solitude. "I went in late fall and was the only camper at the area I stayed in," writes Jen S. about Michaux State Forest. These dispersed sites require a free permit available through the State Forest District Office.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: State forest sites have specific season limitations. "Designated motorized sites, which require a free online permit and are open April 2 until the 3rd Sunday after Thanksgiving," explains Bridget D. regarding Michaux State Forest regulations.
Site flooding concerns: Be aware of potential water issues at certain campgrounds. Jean T. warns about Gettysburg Campground: "This campground is a short drive from the battlefields and has nice enough sites, however being along the water there could be serious flooding. We had to evacuate after the first of our three night stay."
Reservation requirements: Many popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Fairview, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Fairview, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Fairview, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Fairview, PA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Fairview, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Fairview, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring