Shawnee State Park Campground and Big Country Campground are the top horse camping options near Indiana, Pennsylvania, each accommodating horseback riders with trailer-accessible sites and water hookups for equines. Big Country Campground features ample site space and electrical hookups that can support campers with horse trailers, while Shawnee offers more diverse lodging options including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, yurts, and glamping accommodations on its expansive grounds. Both campgrounds maintain pet-friendly policies that extend to equestrians. Many sites at Shawnee are not level, requiring careful selection when arriving with horse trailers. The campground's spacious sites with tree coverage provide sufficient room for standard trailer parking.
Located approximately 35 miles southwest of Indiana, Shawnee State Park provides access to multiple trails that accommodate horseback riders, with connecting paths around the 451-acre lake offering scenic riding routes. Big Country Campground, situated northeast of Indiana near Brookville, connects to nearby trail systems suitable for day rides. Neither campground features dedicated horse corrals or specialized equestrian facilities, so riders must bring portable containment systems. Water access is available at both locations through hookups that can serve both campers and their horses. The lake at Shawnee offers additional water access points for horses. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with late spring through early fall providing optimal riding conditions. Reservations are recommended during peak summer months when both campgrounds experience higher occupancy.
$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."
$20 - $30 / night
"Lots of activities, tons of nearby attractions, fishing, hunting, and hiking. Great store and owners, a nice place to visit."
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.
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.
GuideShawnee 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.
LegendBooked 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.
Equestrian camping near Indiana, Pennsylvania offers riders access to forest trails throughout the Allegheny region. The area sits within the Allegheny Plateau at elevations ranging from 1,000-2,000 feet, creating varied terrain for horseback riding. Trail conditions typically feature compact soil with occasional rocky sections, and seasonal hunting restrictions affect access during deer season.
Trail riding around the lake: Shawnee State Park Campground features trails circling a 451-acre lake with multiple access points. "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.
Explore historical sites: The region contains significant historical landmarks within riding distance of camping areas. "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.
Fishing opportunities: Riders can combine equestrian activities with fishing at several locations. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," states Casey S. about the recreational options at Shawnee State Park.
Spacious sites for horse trailers: Big Country Campground provides ample room for equestrian vehicles. "Lots of activities, tons of nearby attractions, fishing, hunting, and hiking. Great store and owners, a nice place to visit," mentions Michael L., highlighting the campground's versatility.
Lake access for horses: The water features provide valuable resources for equestrians after trail rides. "The lake is gorgeous and has a large, sandy beach. Would love to spend more time there to explore the park further," shares Gerard about Shawnee State Park, noting the appealing water features horses can access.
Quiet camping sections: Some areas offer more secluded options for campers with horses. "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," reports Danielle S., identifying specific quieter locations suitable for horse camping.
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require careful selection for horse trailers. "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.
Reservation timing: Book early during peak riding seasons for appropriate sites. "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," cautions Brittany V., emphasizing the importance of careful site selection for large trailers.
Portable containment requirements: Since dedicated horse facilities are limited, equestrians must bring their own containment systems. "There are numerous tent sites, some with electric, that appear to be large and fairly level," notes Gerard, describing areas that might accommodate temporary horse enclosures.
Beach activities after riding: Combine horseback riding with swimming activities. "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," explains Lee D. from Shawnee State Park.
Playground accessibility: Some campgrounds offer play areas near equestrian-friendly sites. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop," mentions Lee D., providing information on family amenities near camping areas.
Memorial sites nearby: Rachel L. recommends combining camping with educational visits: "I spent a night here on my way to Pittsburgh one weekend, and I couldn't be more impressed. If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial."
Check site angles carefully: RV campers with horse trailers should verify site orientation. "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)," shares Danielle S., noting practical considerations for site setup.
Highway noise considerations: Some sites experience road noise despite feeling remote. "As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise," states Lee D., which can affect horses sensitive to traffic sounds.
Hookup verification: Confirm electrical capacity matches requirements for horse trailer amenities. "There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site," mentions Danielle S. about specific power options available at certain campsites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Indiana, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Indiana, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
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