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Shawnee State Park Campground near Fort Hill, Pennsylvania accommodates horses but lacks dedicated equestrian facilities. The campground reeks of horse manure according to visitor reports, indicating regular equine presence despite no formal horse corrals being listed among amenities. The 300+ site campground offers a mix of full hookup, electric, and non-electric sites along with cabins and yurts, though specific horse-related infrastructure is minimal.
Trail access provides the primary appeal for equestrians visiting the area. The park features hiking trails around its lake that could potentially accommodate horses, though specific bridle paths aren't documented in visitor reviews. Located approximately 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh and close to the PA Turnpike, the campground provides convenient access for horse trailers. Visitors note that while some sites are spacious with ample tree coverage, others are awkwardly placed on hills that could present challenges for setting up horse containment. The proximity to the turnpike creates noticeable traffic noise that might affect sensitive horses.
"The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "
from $10 - $55 / 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
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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.
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.
ScoutThis is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds. The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks. Clean and well maintained. The camp store nearby offers a good selection of basics along with boat rentals
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.
TravelerYou have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. Frankly, the bare campsites are nicer - they are more spread out, wooded, and some of them are located right along the stream. Mosquitos are something of an issue, but by no means awful; and it is a pleasure to sleep in nature with nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek. It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking.
ScoutThis is a nice park, close to home with a lake. We like to picnic and go fishing. There are nice trails, volleyball areas, and playgrounds.
Shawnee State Park near Fort Hill, Pennsylvania sits at approximately 1,275 feet of elevation in the Allegheny Mountains. The campground experiences distinct seasonal changes, with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-70s and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. The park encompasses over 3,900 acres of forested land surrounding a 451-acre lake, providing access to multiple recreational activities.
Explore lake activities: The 451-acre lake at Shawnee State Park Campground offers swimming, fishing and boating opportunities. "The lake is gorgeous and has a large, sandy beach. Would love to spend more time there to explore the park further," notes camper Gerard.
Bicycle the lake trail: The paved pathway circling the lake provides excellent biking opportunities for all skill levels. "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained," writes Kaley R. from Philadelphia.
Visit nearby historical sites: The campground's location provides convenient access to significant landmarks. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike," says Melanie Z. The Flight 93 Memorial is also accessible from the campground, with Rachel L. recommending: "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial."
Peaceful waterfront sites: At Big Run State Park Campground, campers appreciate the stream-adjacent locations. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" writes Zoe H. Another camper, Nathan S., adds: "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish. So quiet and very little traffic. Tons of space between sites."
Natural surroundings: The wooded environment creates a sense of seclusion. "This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds," shares Katie H.
Diverse site options: Campers value the variety of accommodations available. "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," reports Lee D. This diversity makes the area suitable for different camping styles, including equestrian camping near Fort Hill.
Site selection matters: At Shawnee State Park Campground, careful site selection is crucial. "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," notes Brittany V.
Uneven terrain: Many sites present leveling challenges. "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level," explains Lee D.
Environmental factors: Weather conditions can impact camping experience. "The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs. We would stay again," mentions Danielle S. Seasonal considerations should be made when planning equestrian camping trips near Fort Hill, Pennsylvania.
Road noise: Despite the rural setting, traffic can be audible. "As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise," observes Lee D.
Look for sites near amenities: Choose locations that balance convenience and privacy. "The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks," advises Katie H. at Big Run State Park Campground.
Water activities for children: The lake and streams provide natural play areas. "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek. The kids loved playing in the water," shares Andy C.
Playground access: Consider camping loops with recreational structures. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground," notes Lee D. This can be particularly important for families combining horse camping near Fort Hill with child-friendly activities.
Check hookup locations: Verify utility positions when selecting sites for larger rigs. "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 at Shawnee State Park Campground.
Beware of challenging access: Some sites have difficult approaches for larger vehicles. "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," Gerard continues.
Utilize dump facilities: Plan for waste management when selecting sites without full hookups. "Easy access to the dump station as you exit," mentions Brittany V., highlighting an important consideration for RV-based equestrian camping options near Fort Hill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Fort Hill, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Fort Hill, PA is Big Run State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
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