C
Christopher P.
Scout
ScoutBig Run State Park Campground
Generous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
Equestrian Camping near Jones Mills, PA
2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Shawnee State Park Campground allows horses throughout its extensive grounds, with trails and facilities that accommodate equestrian visitors. The 319-site campground features a mix of tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, cabins, and yurts spread across several loops. Campground reeks of horse manure 24/7 according to visitor observations, indicating frequent equestrian use despite no dedicated horse corrals being listed in the official amenities. The campground provides water access, picnic tables, fire rings, and clean restroom facilities with showers. Sites vary considerably in levelness and privacy, with some situated on inclines making them better suited for certain camping setups than others.
The park offers multiple trail options appropriate for horseback riding, including a scenic loop around the 451-acre lake. Trail access points connect directly from the campground to longer routes. The surrounding wooded environment provides natural scenery for riders exploring the park boundaries. Firewood is available for purchase at the entrance via vending machine, and the campground maintains a sanitary dump station for RV users. Despite its relatively remote feel, some traffic noise from the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike is audible from certain camping areas. Located approximately 20 minutes from the Flight 93 National Memorial, the park serves as a convenient base for exploring regional attractions while providing suitable accommodations for those traveling with horses.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Jones Mills (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."
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability2. Big Run State Park Campground
"The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "
from $10 - $55 / night
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Drive Time
- 43 min from Pittsburgh, PA
- 47 min from Johnstown, PA
- 59 min from Morgantown, WV
- 1 hr 17 min from Altoona, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Jones Mills, PA
35 Reviews of 2 Jones Mills Campgrounds
Nancy B.
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
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.Scout
Shawnee 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.
- KKatie H.Scout
Big Run State Park Campground
Great primitive campsite
This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds. The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks. Clean and well maintained. The camp store nearby offers a good selection of basics along with boat rentals
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.
Guide to Jones Mills
Shawnee State Park Campground accommodates equestrian visitors with trails and facilities suited for horse riders. The 319-site property includes numerous electric hookups, full-hookup sites, and non-electric options spread across multiple camping loops. While several amenities cater to all campers, those with horses benefit from the extensive trail network accessible directly from the grounds. The campground connects to longer routes through wooded terrain, providing varied riding experiences for equestrians at different skill levels.
What to do
Lake activities: Shawnee State Park features a 451-acre lake with a sandy beach area for swimming during summer months. Boat rentals are available seasonally for kayaking and small watercraft exploration. As one visitor noted about Big Run State Park Campground: "The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks."
Trail exploration: Numerous hiking paths wind through the wooded surroundings, including a scenic lake loop appropriate for all skill levels. The trail system includes routes designated for horseback riding, connecting directly to camping areas. A visitor observed the park has "good hiking trails and a nice lake view."
Fishing opportunities: The lake supports various fish species accessible from shore or boat. Access points around the water provide casting locations for anglers. One camper mentioned: "Nice fishing lake and can be remote," while another noted streams in the region are "lively with trout and crayfish."
What campers like
Natural soundscapes: Campsites near water features offer soothing background sounds that enhance the outdoor experience. One camper at Big Run State Park Campground appreciated the "sound of the river as white noise" while another enjoyed sleeping with "nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek."
Spacious sites: Many campsites provide adequate separation between neighbors, particularly in non-electric areas. A visitor mentioned: "The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage" while another noted "tons of space between sites" at nearby facilities.
Clean facilities: Bathroom buildings receive regular maintenance throughout the camping season. A camper reported: "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."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campsites sit on uneven terrain, particularly in non-electric areas. Choose carefully when making reservations. One camper at Shawnee State Park Campground warned: "there are a fair amount of awkwardly-placed sites that sit on a hill and are difficult to place a tent, equipment or gear."
Seasonal variations: Facilities and services change throughout the year, with some only available during peak season. A visitor noted: "We did see a boat launch and what appeared to be kayak rentals, but we were there out of season."
Horse-friendly environment: The trail system accommodates equestrian use with connecting paths from the campground. Riders should check trail conditions before heading out, especially after rain. The campground receives frequent equestrian visitors using the trail system.
Road noise present: Despite the rural setting, highway sounds reach certain camping areas. A camper observed: "As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: The lake beach area provides swimming opportunities with gradual entry points suitable for children. Kids can also explore shallow creek areas at certain campsites. One visitor shared: "The kids loved playing in the water. Very quiet and relaxing!"
Playground access: A play area exists within Loop A, though equipment shows some age. A camper mentioned: "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop."
Site research: Review site maps carefully when booking with children to ensure adequate space and reasonable bathroom proximity. One camper advised: "Double check site booked. We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks as many sites feature sloped terrain. A visitor at Shawnee State Park Campground noted: "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."
Site dimensions: Verify your RV will fit in your selected site before arrival. One camper shared: "We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked."
Hookup variations: Sites offer different utility options ranging from no hookups to full service. A visitor explained: "There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site" while another mentioned some sites had "very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Jones Mills, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Jones Mills, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Jones Mills, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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