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.
$20 - $110 / night
"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."
$10 - $55 / night
"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. "
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gray, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
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