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 Indiana, PA
1 campground with availability next weekend
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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.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Indiana (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."
105 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $20 - $110 / night
2. Big Country Campground
"Lots of activities, tons of nearby attractions, fishing, hunting, and hiking. Great store and owners, a nice place to visit."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $30 / night
Drive Time
- 33 min from Johnstown, PA
- 51 min from Altoona, PA
- 58 min from Pittsburgh, PA
- 1 hr 27 min from State College, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Indiana, PA
29 Reviews of 2 Indiana Campgrounds
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.
TravelerShawnee State Park Campground
Nice
Nice campground Need more hook up sites
- ddavid C.Traveler
Shawnee State Park Campground
Nice
Nice campground Need more sites with hook ups
Guide to Indiana
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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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?
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 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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