Artillery Ridge Campground offers more than just horse facilities for campers traveling with horses. The 85-acre site sits at approximately 560 feet above sea level in the Gettysburg area, located on terrain that served as a Union artillery position during the Civil War. Seasonal horse campgrounds near Jacobus, Pennsylvania operate primarily from spring through fall, with many requiring advance reservations during peak battlefield tour seasons.
What to do
Horse-guided battlefield tours: National Riding Stables at Artillery Ridge Campground provides guided horseback tours of historical sites. "Great location and friendly staff. We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn't have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly," notes Justine I.
Historical exploration: The Gettysburg area offers numerous opportunities to experience Civil War history. "Camping as close to history as you can get. Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts," explains MJ B.
Fishing opportunities: Many local campgrounds provide fishing access. Greg W. from Gettysburg Campground reports, "Nice little fishing pond" while another camper at a different site mentions, "My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently praise the maintenance standards. "The camp store has everything that any camper could need, and the game room is really nice. The whole campground was clean and well kept," shares Dave B. about his stay at Artillery Ridge.
Creek access: Waterfront sites at Hibernia County Park offer natural water features. "We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There's running water available, porta potties are very clean and don't smell and are lit with a street lamp. The lake is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails," notes Anna.
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings support diverse wildlife. Brandon W. at Gettysburg Campground recommends "a site by the creek" where campers can observe local fauna in their natural habitat.
Direct trail access: Camping areas often connect to hiking routes. "Behind the campground we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts," describes a visitor to Artillery Ridge.
What you should know
Winter camping options: Some facilities offer extended stays during off-peak months. "The lady in the office are AMAZING (JENN AND SUE), and they answered all questions we had...they got us a great deal for are winter site we were in spots 86,85,89 for a month long stay... which they do during the winter," mentions lakota M. about Little Buffalo State Park Campground.
Site selection considerations: Campgrounds vary in layout and privacy. "The sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities. The sites are mostly grass, and not very well defined which means the distance between you and your neighbor can vary depending on how you set up camp," explains Jennifer S.
Wi-Fi limitations: Internet access can be inconsistent at some locations. "The only complaint we had was the WiFi was awful. Maybe it was because of the section we were in but once the campground filled up it was useless," reports Peter K.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Several campgrounds include swimming options. "The pool here is top notch and it's good for fishing but the hiking isn't super great. We did have a nice bat spotting walk with a Ranger when we were there," notes Christopher E. about Little Buffalo State Park.
Free children's activities: Colonel Denning State Park Campground offers ranger-led programs. "The park rangers had an owl program on Friday night and ended up calling in several screech owls. Very cool to hear their eerie cries in the woods," explains Nate & Erika L.
Playground access: Many sites have dedicated play areas. "Amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites. Wide open area to swim that was very clean and well kept," reports Casey L.
Tips from RVers
Space considerations: Starlite Camping Resort provides accommodations for various RV sizes. "Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Except for the Plateau sites, which have the amazing view, the rest of the campground had a great tree cover! Too often private campgrounds attempt to squeeze as many sites as possible and end up with campers on top of their neighbors, but at Starlight, the sites felt very secluded," shares Craig F.
Hookup options: Electrical connections vary by site. "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites. Water pressure and electric were both great throughout the stay," continues Craig F.
Leveling requirements: Terrain may present challenges for larger vehicles. "The sites were very clean, no trash, and pretty level. The staff, Glenda, were very helpful," notes Greg W., indicating minimal setup effort needed.
