Best Equestrian Camping near Olanta, PA

North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides essential facilities for horse owners camping near Olanta, Pennsylvania. The campground features drive-in access with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Reservations are required for the equestrian campsites, which accommodate both riders and their horses throughout the camping season. The sites are specifically designed for equestrian use, with space for horse trailers and sufficient area for portable corrals or highlines. Pets are allowed alongside horses, making it suitable for families traveling with multiple animals. While the campground lacks drinking water and shower facilities, it does offer electric hookups for campers who need power during their stay.

Located approximately 30 miles from Olanta, Dark Hollow Equestrian Campground in Elk State Forest offers another option for horse camping in the region. This drive-in campground includes toilet facilities and picnic tables at the campsites. The surrounding forest provides access to miles of bridle trails that wind through Pennsylvania's scenic woodland terrain. Riders appreciate the well-maintained paths that connect to larger trail systems throughout the state forest. The campground's location makes it an excellent base for day rides exploring the diverse landscape. Gaswell Equestrian Campground, also in Elk State Forest, provides similar amenities with toilet facilities and reservable sites designed specifically for equestrian use. Both campgrounds require advance planning as the equestrian sites tend to fill quickly during peak riding seasons from spring through fall.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Olanta, Pennsylvania (10)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Olanta, PA

28 Reviews of 10 Olanta Campgrounds


  • D
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Kelly Pines Campground

    Off the grid, lots to explore!

    This equestrian campground also has 2 non-equestrian sites, one which is reservable. There is no potable water but there is a river and a non-potable pump. There is a permanent toilet usually stocked with TP. Carry out all garbage. No electrical hookups.

    Traditional camp sites have space for multiple tents and 2 cars. Each has a picnic table and a fire pit with moveable cooking surface. We’ve never had an issue with bears or other wildlife where food and trash are concerned but we store in the cars at night to be safe. The area is usually damp so don’t count in being able to find much dry wood - we stop before driving in for wood.

    Trails galore! Mushrooms everywhere! Quiet and no cellular to distract.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2023

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    No cell, no problem!

    General: 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.

  • S
    Sep. 3, 2025

    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.

  • Joni P.
    Sep. 5, 2023

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    Beautiful and well appointed park

    Getting 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.

  • Rebecca E.
    Aug. 17, 2017

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    Totally Acceptable

    Beautiful facility- typical Pa mountains, abundant green trees, water...nice Campground AND cabin rentals are really nicely situated. Water was thick with weeds & lilies but ok nonetheless. Great day trip spot.

  • Amber W.
    Jun. 16, 2021

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    Family fun!

    Nice clean and quiet campground. The address online took us to the ranger station. Turn left BEFORE bridge. Couldn’t see sign from the road. The section we were in was “no pets allowed”. My kids loved the beach, swimming was not deep. Beach was big with adjacent playground. Lots of pavilions all over. The area was a little crowded for my liking.

  • S
    Apr. 24, 2018

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    Fantastic trip

    Very pretty campground with a nice clean wash house.. The sites are situated nicely, your neighbors are not “right there”. Our only trouble was our GPS brought us in the most difficult way. We suggest avoiding heading south from I80 on Casanova road. Overall, a great trip!

  • Travis S.
    Jul. 27, 2017

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    Red Mo

    Nice campground, wooded sites and most were okay for tent camping however some required your tent to be set up a small distance from the fire ring. Clean showerhouses and bathrooms. Big Lake and a few miles of hiking and biking trails right from the campground.

    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.

  • Fred L.
    Oct. 23, 2022

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground

    This entire park is beautiful! There are plenty of well-maintained, well-marked trails for all experience levels. The lake is lovely with a very nice swimming beach (although I imagine that the water is cold even in the summer). The campground is wonderful! The sites are large and relatively private. The showers in the bath house are clean and nice. There wasn't much in the camp store when we were there, but it was the end of the season. Note: there is NO Internet or cell service there, but the locations where you can get cell service are posted. There is also no firewood available in the camp, but nearby locations where you can buy it are posted.


Guide to Olanta

Horse camping in Pennsylvania offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

  • Black Moshannon State Park Campground provides a welcoming environment for horse campers, featuring spacious sites with picnic tables and fire rings, ensuring a comfortable stay.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • Moshannon State Forest is a great choice for horse camping, with access to scenic trails and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for exploring the natural beauty of Pennsylvania.

Some campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like designated sites

  • Big Country Campground caters to horse enthusiasts with well-maintained sites and nearby attractions for fishing, hunting, and hiking, making it an ideal spot for a family-friendly camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Olanta, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Olanta, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 24 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Olanta, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Olanta, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.