9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several equestrian campgrounds are available near Flinton, Pennsylvania, with North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest offering dedicated facilities for riders and their horses. The primitive camping area provides basic amenities with access to surrounding forest trails. Dark Hollow Equestrian Campground and Gaswell Equestrian Campground in Elk State Forest feature toilet facilities and picnic tables at each site, though neither has running water or electricity. Sites are reservable with ample space for horse trailers and camping equipment. Fire rings are available at all locations with fires permitted at designated sites.
Trail networks throughout the state forests provide extensive riding opportunities, connecting these equestrian campgrounds to miles of backcountry terrain. The camping areas allow pets alongside horses, making them suitable for families traveling with multiple animals. Most equestrian sites in Pennsylvania state forests require advance reservations, particularly during peak seasons from spring through fall. The sites accommodate both tent camping and smaller RVs, though none offer horse corrals—riders must bring portable containment systems or use tie-outs. Horse trailer parking is available directly at campsites, with sufficient room for standard-sized horse trailers. Water for horses must be carried in or collected from natural sources when available.
"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 Availability"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
from $10 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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."
from $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availability"Lots of activities, tons of nearby attractions, fishing, hunting, and hiking. Great store and owners, a nice place to visit."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
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TravelerCampground 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. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood. Hiking loop around lake is beautiful. Jean bonnet tavern nearby recommended for a great meal in a historic setting.
TravelerI had made plans to stay at SSP-PA as my first stopover spot, post leaving my beach friends on the East Coast. 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. Shawnee is a lovely state park and I was really pleased with my brief stay. 'Though we were only sleeping the one night, I found the staff to be pleasant and the site spacious. It might have helped that the doggo and I were about the only ones in our campground loop, aside from the campground hosts but the area felt well-maintained and well-proportioned. We had a good night's rest, after enjoying a post-dinner campfire and getting to breathe in the fresh, woodsy air. While sitting fireside, I got to enjoy the local wildlife, from birds to young deer, around the edges of my campsite. The campground restroom was clean and a fair size. I would definitely recommend it and I will certainly look into another reservation, the next time I roadtrip through Pennsylvania.
GuideShawnee State Park is about 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, and it has pretty much everything: swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and fairly decent hiking. It's close to some really great hiking--just outside the park--and that's how I ended up there. I was trekking on the very wild Mid-State Trail, nearby, when I opted for a night at the conventional campground in Shawnee. No regrets. I usually avoid car-camping because I don't want to listen to other people's classic rock in the woods. But this place was great. I came midweek, so I had the campground mostly to myself. The showers are hot and clean. The lake is beautiful with a nice swimming beach. The area around the park has all the scenic and historic attractions of central PA: covered bridges, big stone farmhouses, quaint towns. My only complaint is that the PA Turnpike screams a little too close by. Also, the sites are pretty close together, so be sure to look at a campground map beforehand to reserve one of the more isolated ones.
LegendGeneral: 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.
GuideSite 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.
RangerWe 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. There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site. The fire ring is at an angle so cooking on it proved to be a challenge (we bring a grill grate with us just in case, and had to use it). Bathroom and showers were clean, bright, and there is a dish washing sink outside. Showers were push button but pressure was great and the water was hot (make sure you push the button once before you get in so its warm if no one else is showering at that time). Bring shower shoes. We were able to hear a small bit of traffic from the highway, but nothing that disturbed us. 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; our biggest piece was a foot long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick! It was okay to start a fire, but we went into the woods and picked up dead wood that we cut into manageable logs. There weren't any roadside stacks of seasoned wood, so be prepared if it rains. The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs. We would stay again.
LegendGeneral: 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.
LegendWe 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.
TravelerFirst 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.
Equestrian camping near Flinton, Pennsylvania features a mix of forested terrain at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,300 feet. Most designated horse camping areas remain open from mid-April through early December, with seasonal closures during winter months due to difficult road access conditions. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F with higher humidity levels than western Pennsylvania regions.
Trail riding through state forests: Both Moshannon and Elk State Forest offer interconnected trail networks with terrain varying from gentle valleys to steeper ridge climbs. "There are a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc" notes Lisa L. about nearby recreation options.
Fishing at Black Moshannon Lake: The 250-acre lake located near Black Moshannon State Park Campground provides unique fishing opportunities. "Nice quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding," reports Matthew U. The lake's dark-colored water creates a distinctive fishing environment.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Fall camping coincides with increased elk movement throughout the region. Several roadside pull-offs on forest roads provide observation points. "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc," mentions Lisa L., highlighting organized activities available seasonally.
Lake access for horses: The water access points near camping areas allow horses to cool off during summer months. At Black Moshannon State Park, "The lake has lots to offer. Swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife watching and a big sky view for star gazing," reports Denise D.
Spacious trailer parking: Most equestrian sites accommodate standard horse trailers with room for tacking up. "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!" shares Brittany V. about her experience at Shawnee State Park.
Evening campfires: Fire rings at all equestrian sites accommodate standard campfires with local regulations permitting fires unless drought conditions exist. "We were able to have a campfire out front and sit at a picnic table," notes Danielle W. about her family's stay in a cabin.
Reservations required: Most state forest camping sites must be booked through the Pennsylvania DCNR reservation system, especially during peak season. "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early," advises Denise D.
Weather preparedness: Mountain elevations experience rapid temperature changes and fog conditions frequently occur in valleys. "We stayed here on a brisk night and the fog had rolled in overnight. We were planning a breakfast on the lake but the fog hid the lake view," reports Tiffany K. about her Rothrock State Forest experience.
Road access challenges: Many equestrian sites require navigating narrow forest roads not suitable for larger rigs. "The 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," explains Scott I.
Pack extra entertainment: Limited cell service means bringing offline activities for children during downtime. "My family and I stayed here one night during a motorcycle trip. We rented 1 of the cabins they have on the property and it was great all of us fit comfortably," says Danielle W.
Safety around water: Lakes near camping areas lack lifeguards and have limited visibility due to natural tannins in the water. "Great camping area stop a mountain...nice unique lake that is incredibly dark in color. Lilly pads abound with great flowers," Clay P. mentions about Big Country Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Teaching children about local wildlife enhances the experience while maintaining safety. "Lots of activities, tons of nearby attractions, fishing, hunting, and hiking. Great store and owners, a nice place to visit," notes Michael L. about family-friendly amenities.
Site selection considerations: Many equestrian sites have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. "The campground is okay, there are a fair amount of awkwardly-placed sites that sit on a hill and are difficult to place a tent, equipment or gear," cautions Kaley R.
Water management: No direct hookups exist at equestrian sites requiring self-contained water supplies. "The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs. We would stay again," shares Danielle S. about managing without full amenities at Snow Shoe Sites.
Generator restrictions: Most equestrian sites prohibit generator use to maintain the natural soundscape. "Despite the cold wet weather this trip, we had a wonderful weekend!" James B. comments, highlighting the importance of preparing for conditions without relying on powered equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Flinton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Flinton, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Flinton, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Flinton, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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