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Christopher P.
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TravelerBig Run State Park Campground
Generous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
Equestrian Camping near Gray, PA
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Shawnee State Park Campground near Gray, Pennsylvania accommodates horses in its 300+ site campground with varying site types. The campground includes tent, RV, cabin, glamping, and yurt options distributed across multiple loops. Sites range from 20 to 115 feet in length with full hookup, 30 and 50-amp electric, and non-electric tent sites available. Some sites feature level gravel pads while others, particularly non-electric sites, lack defined pads and present leveling challenges. Pet-friendly loops allow animals, though not all campground areas permit pets. The campground offers clean bathrooms, showers, sanitary dump stations, and electric hookups.
The park features a lake with a sandy beach area and trails suitable for multiple activities. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed in the facilities, the extensive grounds and trail networks provide riding opportunities. The lake supports fishing, boating, swimming, and kayaking during season, with kayak rentals available at certain times. Campground roads are partially paved with gravel sections. Despite the natural setting, some road noise from the Pennsylvania Turnpike can be heard within the campground. The park provides easy access to regional attractions including the Flight 93 Memorial and local covered bridges. Weekdays typically offer quieter camping experiences with more privacy than busy weekends.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Gray (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
- 25 min from Johnstown, PA
- 57 min from Altoona, PA
- 1 hr 11 min from Pittsburgh, PA
- 1 hr 19 min from Morgantown, WV
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Gray, PA
35 Reviews of 2 Gray 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 Gray
Shawnee State Park Campground offers equestrian-friendly camping options near Gray, Pennsylvania. Located within the 3,983-acre park, the campground sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in the Appalachian foothills. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, while spring and fall can bring significant temperature variations and occasional frost. The campground's layout features distinct loops with varying levels of shade coverage and site accessibility.
What to do
Kayaking on the lake: Shawnee State Park Campground provides water recreation opportunities at its centerpiece lake. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," notes Casey S. Kayak rentals are available during the main season.
Fishing for local species: Anglers can access multiple fishing spots around the 451-acre lake. "Nice fishing lake and can be remote," writes Dustin R. The lake supports various fish species and is stocked seasonally by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Visit nearby attractions: The area surrounding the park offers cultural and historical sites. "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial," recommends Rachel L., highlighting the proximity to important historical landmarks within a short driving distance.
What campers like
Spacious sites with natural cover: Big Run State Park Campground receives praise for its site layout. "There was a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful," writes Aakansha J. The woodland setting provides natural screening between many campsites.
Stream-side camping: Waterfront sites are particularly valued by visitors. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" explains Zoe H. These sites offer direct water access and natural ambient sounds throughout the stay.
Weekday tranquility: Mid-week visits typically offer a more secluded experience with fewer campers. "We stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet," notes Danielle S., highlighting that even on holiday weekends, certain areas maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Campsite terrain varies significantly across the park. "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," reports Brittany V. from Shawnee State Park, emphasizing the importance of verifying site dimensions before booking.
Variable terrain: Not all sites provide level ground for setup. "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.
Seasonal facilities: Big Run State Park Campground operates with limited amenities during certain seasons. "Water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road at New Germany State Park," explains Nathan S., noting the need to plan for water access when staying at more primitive sites.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access planning: The swimming beach at Shawnee offers family recreation but has specific operational hours. "The lake is gorgeous and has a large, sandy beach," shares Gerard. Families should verify current beach hours as they change seasonally.
Playground options: Recreation areas for children exist but may need updating. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop," notes Lee D., suggesting families might want to bring additional entertainment options.
Stream exploration: Big Run State Park Campground offers creek-side activities for children. "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," writes Nathan S., highlighting natural discovery opportunities along the waterways.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require preparation for leveling. "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," explains Gerard at Shawnee State Park Campground. RVers should bring leveling blocks and plan extra time for setup.
Utilities access: Hookup availability varies significantly between sites and parks. "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," notes Danielle S., suggesting RVers verify electrical requirements and cooking setups.
Site size verification: For those with larger units, confirming dimensions is crucial. "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek," advises Andy C., emphasizing the importance of matching vehicle size to appropriate sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Gray, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gray, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gray, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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