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Christopher P.
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TravelerBig Run State Park Campground
Generous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
Equestrian Camping near Garrett, PA
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Big Run State Park Campground allows horses in a primitive camping environment along the creek. Located in Swanton, Maryland, the campground features tent sites with wide spacing between campsites and access to stream-side locations. The park provides pit toilets that are generally well-maintained, though no showers are available on-site. Pets are permitted throughout the campground. While no dedicated horse corrals are present, the spacious sites and natural setting accommodate equestrians who bring their own containment systems. The campground experiences minimal traffic and maintains a quiet atmosphere for visitors and their horses. Sites near the creek offer natural white noise that helps keep horses calm during overnight stays.
Trail access is available directly from the camping area, with connections to surrounding forest lands suitable for horseback riding. Water access from the stream provides natural watering opportunities for horses, though riders should bring their own drinking water as no hookups are available. The campground remains open year-round and accommodates various access types including drive-in and hike-in approaches. Nearby New Germany State Park, approximately 10 minutes away, offers water and dump station facilities that complement Big Run's primitive setup. Horse owners frequently mention the peaceful environment and lack of restrictions as major benefits. The large, open sites accommodate trailers without difficulty, making this location practical for weekend trail rides.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Garrett (2)
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."
100 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $110 / night
2. Big Run State Park Campground
"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. "
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $55 / night
Drive Time
- 35 min from Johnstown, PA
- 59 min from Morgantown, WV
- 1 hr 7 min from Altoona, PA
- 1 hr 13 min from Pittsburgh, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Garrett, PA
35 Reviews of 2 Garrett Campgrounds
Nancy B.
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
Brittany V.
LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Double check site booked
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. 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.
Lee D.LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Huge state park
General: 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.
- JJennifer R.
ScoutShawnee State Park Campground
Loved the park but not the site
We loved the swimming and fishing in this park. Awesome Sandy swim beach and roped off area in the water made it great for keeping an eye on the kids while they swam. We had site 59 and are tent campers. This site was on an incline so the cots we brought were pretty miserable to sleep on. This spot was in its own little wooded cubby hole so it gave us a little more privacy but we thought that a lot of these sites were much too close together. We plan to scope out other sites to find a more level and more private option. Overall we really loved the park itself and will be back!
Rick G.LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Met our Needs Perfectly
Booked for 5 nights to have an opportunity to explore the Bedford, PA area. Great access to Flight 93 Memorial, local covered bridges, Fort Bedford Historic Fort, and many other attractions. Loop D was quiet with ample space between sites that provided privacy. Bathhouse was clean and used for showers. Dump and water fill station easy to access on your way in or out. Verizon signal good enough for streaming.
- KKatie H.Scout
Big Run State Park Campground
Great primitive campsite
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. 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
Christina V.
GuideShawnee State Park Campground
Large, accompdating campground- Quiet on the weekdays!
Shawnee State Park is a very large campground (319 campsites with mixed electric and non-electric, some pet friendly, some not) about 10 minutes off highway 76 and 20 minutes from the Flight 93 National Memorial.
My fiancé and I visited on August 21, 2022- a Sunday. We did not have a reservation and utilized the campground’s honor system envelopes to reserve our site. We drove all over the entire campground (which is, again, quite large) and decided that sites 22 and 34 were both well suited for our Sprinter van 144 and not too crowded for our reactive dog.
The park employees were very helpful and accommodating, though we only needed limited assistance with our arrival since we didn’t have a reservation. A campsite list is posted at the entrance that displays the list of available sites for that night.
There is a loop that can accommodate larger RVs but most of those were full- the remaining sites are not necessarily level, and only about 1/4 of them appear to have electricity. Our site, 34, is not an electric site.
The campground appears well maintained, though the $33.50 fee is a little more expensive than we are used to paying. But the price of the site was worth it for us for a safe and quiet place to stop for the night on our way to the Flight 93 Memorial and Pittsburgh.
A note that traffic and highway noise can be heard from the campground but it isn’t incredibly loud- you do get nature sounds that drown out the highway noise at times, as the bugs here are very loud, but if the sound of the highway in the background will bother you, this might not be your ideal campground.
This campground clearly gets very busy during some weekends, so definitely plan a visit during the week if you’re like us and prefer a more private camping experience.
Gina I.RangerShawnee State Park Campground
Beautiful
Nice campground. Some of the campsites are a little bit too close together with no privacy. Our site/47 was too sunny. No shade, no privacy. But during the week was not too crowded, nice and quiet. The bathrooms were nice and kept clean. We had to ride our bikes or walk to get to the beach, that was more then a mile away or just felt like it was more, because it wasn’t mostly flat and for the kids was hard to ride they’re bikes . But when we got there we were pleased. Large,clean beach with sand , no rocks or aquatic plants in the water. I will do more day trips to the beach in the future.
Guide to Garrett
Big Run State Park Campground provides primitive horse camping along a scenic creek in western Maryland. Located within the Savage River State Forest area, this rustic campground maintains substantial spacing between sites, with several positioned directly adjacent to flowing water. The area sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation in the Appalachian Mountains, creating cool overnight temperatures even during summer months. Creek access points are shallow enough for horses to drink safely.
What to do
Trail riding access: Riders can access multiple forest trails directly from Big Run State Park Campground, with routes that connect to the broader Savage River State Forest system. "This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream," notes Katie H.
Fishing opportunities: The creek running through the campground contains native trout populations accessible for catch-and-release fishing. "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," reports Nathan S., highlighting the water quality and ecosystem health.
Water activities: The nearby Savage River Reservoir provides flatwater paddling options for campers. According to Mark K., "It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking." Boat rentals are available seasonally at a nearby camp store.
What campers like
Creek-side campsites: The sound of running water provides natural white noise for both campers and horses. Zoe H. mentioned, "beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!"
Site spacing: The campground layout offers substantial privacy between campsites. "There was a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful," reports Aakansha J., though she cautions about mosquitos during warm weather periods.
Natural setting: The undeveloped nature of the campground appeals to those seeking a more rustic experience. "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. Frankly, the bare campsites are nicer," explains Mark K.
What you should know
Facility limitations: The campground offers only basic amenities with pit toilets located at central points. Nathan S. reports, "Pit toilets were pretty clean. Water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road at New Germany State Park."
Site variations: Sites along the stream tend to be most popular for horses due to natural water access. "The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks," notes Katie H., indicating site selection should be based on specific needs.
Trailer accommodations: Many sites can handle horse trailers of moderate size. Andy C. reports using "lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek."
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: The shallow creek provides safe areas for children to explore. "The kids loved playing in the water. Very quiet and relaxing," mentions Andy C., making this a good option for families with young children interested in stream ecology.
Weather preparation: Pack for cooler nights even in summer months due to elevation. Temperatures can drop significantly after sunset, requiring appropriate clothing layers and sleeping gear for children.
Wildlife viewing: The area hosts deer, wild turkey, and numerous bird species visible from campsites. Morning hours offer the best wildlife observation opportunities, particularly along the stream corridor.
Tips from RVers
Larger rig considerations: While not designed for big rigs, several sites can accommodate moderate-sized trailers. "Many other sites/options for 26ft ish size camper. Highly recommend!" notes Andy C., suggesting this campground works for those with smaller to mid-sized horse trailers.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require substantial leveling for trailers. Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended as terrain can be uneven, particularly after rainy periods.
Water access planning: Since there are no hookups, RVers should arrive with full water tanks. The nearest water fill and dump station is located at New Germany State Park, approximately 10 minutes away by vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Garrett, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Garrett, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Garrett, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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