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Shawnee State Park Campground accommodates horses with sites that can handle trailers and RVs up to big-rig size. The campground features 300+ sites with a mix of full hookup, 30 and 50-amp electric, and non-electric options. Campground reeks of horse manure 24/7 according to visitor experiences, confirming regular equestrian use. The park maintains several loops with varying levels of privacy, with Loop D noted for its quiet atmosphere and ample space between sites. Horse owners should note that while pets are allowed throughout the campground, not all loops permit animals. The campground provides water hookups, sanitary dump stations, and showers, making it suitable for extended stays with horses.
Trail access is available directly from the campground with multiple hiking paths surrounding the 132-acre lake. Horse riders can enjoy the natural setting while being aware of the proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which creates some background noise at certain campsites. The campground is accessible via boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in approaches, making it versatile for different arrival methods with horse trailers. Sites vary significantly in levelness, with reviewers recommending careful site selection for those bringing horses and larger rigs. The park remains open year-round, allowing for all-season equestrian camping opportunities. Firewood is available for purchase at the entrance via a vending machine, and campfires are permitted at designated fire rings at each site.
"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 Availability"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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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.
ScoutThis 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
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.
TravelerYou 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. Frankly, the bare campsites are nicer - they are more spread out, wooded, and some of them are located right along the stream. Mosquitos are something of an issue, but by no means awful; and it is a pleasure to sleep in nature with nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek. It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking.
Shawnee State Park Campground provides extensive facilities for equestrian camping near Laughlintown, Pennsylvania. Located in the rolling hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, this 3,983-acre park sits at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet, creating varied terrain for horse riding. The campground features dedicated equestrian sites within its 300+ camping locations, designed specifically to accommodate the needs of visitors traveling with horses.
Trail riding opportunities: The park offers multiple riding trails accessible directly from the campground areas. According to Casey S., "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean."
Lake activities: Shawnee State Park Campground centers around a 132-acre lake with a sandy beach area. As Gerard notes, "The lake is gorgeous and has a large, sandy beach. Would love to spend more time there to explore the park further."
Historical site visits: The nearby Schellsburg historical area provides additional attractions for day trips. As Melanie Z. states, "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike."
Flight 93 Memorial: Located a short drive from the campground, this national memorial offers a solemn experience. Rachel L. suggests, "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial."
Spacious sites: Many sites provide ample room for horse trailers and camping equipment. Brittany V. reports, "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."
Natural setting: The wooded environment creates a pleasant backdrop for equestrian camping. According to Tiffany K., "It is a nice park with good campsites, clean bathrooms, good hiking trails and a nice lake view. The park has lots of activities for the day, including a beach, fishing, hiking, group picnic areas."
Quiet atmosphere: The D loop offers a more peaceful experience. Danielle S. notes, "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."
Well-maintained facilities: Big Run State Park Campground offers a primitive alternative for horse camping with clean facilities. Katie H. shares, "Clean and well maintained. The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks."
Site selection matters: Choose level sites carefully when bringing horses and trailers. Gerard advises, "As we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them."
Seasonal considerations: The park operates year-round but services vary by season. Lee D. mentions, "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."
Background noise: Some sites experience highway noise from the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike. Danielle S. reports, "We were able to hear a small bit of traffic from the highway, but nothing that disturbed us."
Firewood limitations: Plan accordingly for campfires. According to Danielle S., "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."
Water activities: The lake provides family-friendly swimming and boating options during warm months. Casey S. shares, "Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean."
Alternative camping options: For families not bringing horses, consider the variety of accommodation types. Gerard notes, "There are numerous tent sites, some with electric, that appear to be large and fairly level."
Playground access: Shawnee State Park Campground includes play areas for children. Lee D. mentions, "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop."
Check campsite angles: Some fire rings are positioned at awkward angles for cooking. Danielle S. advises, "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)."
Confirm site dimensions: Verify your site can accommodate your rig before arrival. Brittany V. cautions, "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."
Consider hookup options: The campground offers various utility connections. Lee D. explains, "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."
Satellite reception: Tree coverage affects signal availability in many sites. Kaley R. notes, "Our site was essentially a grassy plain, no tree cover which was a bit disappointing."
Accessibility considerations: Access routes vary by campsite location. Andy C. from Big Run shares, "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek. Many other sites/options for 26ft ish size camper."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Laughlintown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Laughlintown, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
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