Nancy B.
Ranger
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
Equestrian Camping near Hollidaysburg, PA
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North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest offers primitive horse camping facilities about 90 minutes from Hollidaysburg. This equestrian-specific campground provides direct access to forest trails for riders seeking backcountry experiences. The sites accommodate both tents and small RVs with adequate space for horse trailers. Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire ring, though the campground lacks amenities like showers or flush toilets. Sites are reservable, allowing riders to secure their preferred locations before arrival. The campground allows pets, making it suitable for campers bringing both horses and dogs.
Located in Penfield, the North Run area connects to extensive trail networks throughout Moshannon State Forest, providing varied terrain for day rides directly from the camping area. While the campground does not feature dedicated horse corrals, riders should bring their own containment systems or plan to tie horses at their campsites. The primitive nature of this campground means riders must pack in water for themselves and their horses. Rothrock State Forest also offers roadside campsites about an hour from Hollidaysburg that can accommodate horses at select locations, particularly in the more remote areas. Campfire rings and picnic tables are provided at these sites, with camping fees typically around $10 per night for the basic facilities.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Hollidaysburg (6)
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. Black Moshannon State Park Campground
"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. "
40 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $87 / night
3. Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
4. North Run Equine Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
5. North Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
6. South Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Drive Time
- 8 min from Altoona, PA
- 42 min from Johnstown, PA
- 44 min from State College, PA
- 1 hr 35 min from Chambersburg, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Hollidaysburg, PA
54 Reviews of 6 Hollidaysburg Campgrounds
Graham S.
TravelerBlack Moshannon State Park Campground
Great campground at a beautiful park
Ive camped at Black Moshannon State Park many times both in a tent and our camper. The Park has tent only, electric and full hookup sites. It is well cared for and clean. The bathhouses are nice and well maintained. The Park itself offers a lot to do with fishing. Hiking, the beach, kayak rentals, etc. I've never had a bad time at Black Moshannon and will keep coming back.
- SScott I.Traveler
Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
Nice spot to camp in the mountains
First 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.
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.
- SSteve
GuideBlack Moshannon State Park Campground
Beautiful spot
In the middle of the woods vibe. The sites had good privacy and it was just a pretty area. Neighbors were respectful and relatively quiet.. There was zero cell service at this campground. Bathrooms were clean.
- 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.
Joni P.GuideBlack Moshannon State Park Campground
Beautiful and well appointed park
Getting to the park had some sharp turns and windy roads. Small campground but nicely equipped. 2 bath houses were dated but clean. Nice playground at the campground and also one at the beach. Small camp concessions with a few camping items as well as ice cream cones. 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. The site sat down off the road but once you were backed in the spot it was pretty level. This site also had a separate tent pad located down a few stone steps. Verizon and AT&T cell service were basically non existent. Every once in a while a text would come in or send but very spotty. Sorry I failed to get a pic of the site in the daylight. It was spacious and we had plenty of room for our 30' trailer, truck, and easy up over the table. 6+ chairs around the fire pit, cooking ring could have been better. Grassy area for cornhole or playing.
Guide to Hollidaysburg
Equestrian camping near Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania offers diverse terrain across multiple state forests and parks. The region features mixed hardwood forests at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,300 feet, with spring and fall seasons bringing temperature fluctuations between 30-70°F. Trail systems throughout the area connect to larger networks including the Mid State Trail, providing extended riding opportunities for horse campers.
What to do
Trail riding at Black Moshannon State Park: The park features several miles of trails accessible from the campground with connections to the surrounding state forest. "Despite the cold wet weather this trip, we had a wonderful weekend!" notes James B., who enjoyed the park's extensive trail system.
Kayaking alongside horse trails: Several parks with horse access also feature water recreation. At Black Moshannon State Park Campground, "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding," according to Matthew U., making it ideal for groups where some prefer water activities.
Historical site exploration: The region offers access to nearby historical attractions. As Rachel L. mentions about Shawnee State Park Campground, "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial." Many horse trails pass by or near historical mining operations and old settlement areas.
What campers like
Spacious sites for trailers: Horse campers appreciate the ample room at designated equestrian sites. Lisa L. notes about Black Moshannon, "Spaces are clean and spacious, bath house is very well kept. Very peaceful and well maintained, plan to go back again for sure!!"
Mountain views from campsites: The elevated terrain provides scenic vantage points. At Rothrock Roadside Campsites, Scott I. describes, "Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below." These views are accessible from many horse trails as well.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer programming relevant to outdoor skills. "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc," mentions Lisa L. about Black Moshannon State Park, with some locations offering specific equestrian clinics seasonally.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: State forest campsites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. Scott I. notes about Rothrock, "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."
Site selection challenges: Carefully research site dimensions when bringing horse trailers. At Shawnee State Park Campground, Brittany V. advises, "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."
Water availability: Many equestrian sites lack direct water access. Travis S. points out about Black Moshannon, "The Iron Ore mines from the past have left the creek water stained red which is why its called the Red Mo with the locals," making water planning essential for horse needs.
Tips for camping with families
Educational wildlife opportunities: Families can combine horse camping with nature observation. Denise D. recommends Shawnee State Park: "The lake has lots to offer. Swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife watching and a big sky view for star gazing."
Multi-activity planning: Consider campsites with diverse recreation options for non-riders. Tiffany K. shares about Shawnee, "It is a nice park with good campsites, clean bathrooms, good hiking trails and a nice lake view. The park has lots of activities for the day, including a beach, fishing, hiking, group picnic areas."
Pack-in supplies: Remote equestrian sites require thorough preparation. Many designated horse areas in the state forests have limited amenities, requiring families to bring sufficient water, food, and entertainment options for children.
Tips from RVers
Access road considerations: Some equestrian-friendly sites have challenging approaches. Sandi G. warns about Black Moshannon, "Our only trouble was our GPS brought us in the most difficult way. We suggest avoiding heading south from I80 on Casanova road."
Site leveling challenges: RVers with horse trailers should prepare for uneven sites. Gerard from Shawnee State Park notes, "Many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," which applies to horse trailer positioning as well.
Seasonal availability: Check operational dates when planning trips with horses. Black Moshannon State Park operates "2nd Friday April to December 15," while other equestrian sites in state forests have variable seasons dependent on road conditions and hunting seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hollidaysburg, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hollidaysburg, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Hollidaysburg, PA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hollidaysburg, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Hollidaysburg, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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