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 Imler, PA
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Shawnee State Park Campground accommodates horses on spacious sites with electric hookups and pet-friendly options. Located 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh near Schellsburg, the campground provides access to riding areas but does not feature dedicated horse corrals or stalls. The campground reeks of horse manure at times, indicating regular equestrian use despite lacking formal horse facilities. Many campsites are not level, so selecting an appropriate site for horse trailers requires advance planning. The campground offers a mix of full hookup, electric-only, and non-electric sites with fire rings and picnic tables.
The trail system connects riders to multiple routes for day rides, including a scenic loop around the lake that's excellent for horseback riding. Riders report good trail conditions with well-maintained paths that accommodate horses year-round. Water access for horses is available at several points throughout the park. While highway noise from the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike can be heard from some campsites, most equestrians find the forest setting provides sufficient seclusion for comfortable horse camping. Clean bathrooms and hot showers make this a practical base for trail riders. The park's proximity to the Flight 93 National Memorial and local covered bridges offers additional riding and sightseeing opportunities for equestrians exploring the central Pennsylvania region.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Imler (3)
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. 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
3. Vagabond Isle
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $150 / night
Drive Time
- 24 min from Altoona, PA
- 43 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr from State College, PA
- 1 hr 21 min from Chambersburg, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Imler, PA
29 Reviews of 3 Imler Campgrounds
- SScott I.
TravelerRothrock 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.
- 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.
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.
- ddavid C.Traveler
Shawnee State Park Campground
Nice
Nice campground Need more hook up sites
Guide to Imler
Shawnee State Park Campground provides horseback riding opportunities through its network of trails and specialized camping areas. Located near Schellsburg in southwestern Pennsylvania, this facility sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in the Appalachian foothills. The park's mix of wooded terrain and lake access creates varied riding conditions throughout the year, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable temperatures for equestrian activities.
What to do
Trail riding around the lake: Riders at Shawnee State Park Campground can access multiple trail options. "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained," notes Kaley R., suggesting the same trails work well for horses and other recreational users.
Visit historical sites: The surrounding area offers cultural riding destinations. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike," shares Melanie Z., highlighting proximity to local points of interest for day trips on horseback.
Water activities after riding: The lake provides cooling options after trail rides. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean," reports Casey S., describing opportunities to combine horseback riding with water recreation during summer visits.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Park infrastructure supports horse camping needs. "Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained. Nice lake where you can fish, canoe/kayak, etc.," according to Kaley R., emphasizing the park's attentive management practices.
Variety of campsite types: Shawnee State Park offers multiple accommodation options. "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," explains Lee D., highlighting options for different equestrian camping preferences.
Accessible natural features: The terrain facilitates direct trail access. "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," notes Brittany V., mentioning amenities relevant to horse owners with trailers.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Finding level sites requires planning. "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," advises Lee D., providing insights critical for horse trailers.
Environmental factors: Weather conditions affect site usability. "The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs. We would stay again," reports Danielle S. from Shawnee State Park Campground, indicating how rain impacts the camping experience.
Noise considerations: Despite natural surroundings, expect some ambient sound. "As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise," notes Lee D., warning horse owners about potential disturbances for sensitive animals.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Recreational options exist for children. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground," says Lee D., mentioning facilities that complement equestrian activities for families.
Site positioning: Rothrock Roadside Campsites offer alternative settings. "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," explains Scott I., describing layouts that accommodate family camping setups.
Multi-use activities: Combined recreation options enhance family experiences. "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," notes Scott I., highlighting viewing areas suitable for families with horses.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Horse trailer compatibility varies by location. "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," observes Lee D., providing specifics for equestrian campers with trailers.
Maneuvering challenges: Shawnee State Park requires careful navigation. "Many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," warns Gerard, detailing access issues relevant to horse trailers and towing vehicles.
Double-check reservations: Site specifications may not match actual conditions. "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!" shares Brittany V., emphasizing the importance of verifying site dimensions for horse trailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Imler, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Imler, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Imler, PA?
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