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Equestrian Camping near Lewis Run, PA

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    Elk State Forest offers two designated equestrian campgrounds within driving distance of Lewis Run. Gaswell Equestrian Campground and Dark Hollow Equestrian Campground both feature electric hookups, toilets, water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Both campgrounds are reservable and permit pets. The campsites accommodate horse trailers with adequate parking space and room for setting up camp alongside equine companions. Each campsite provides space for horses near the camping area, though neither location offers dedicated horse corrals. Trail riders must bring their own containment systems such as portable corrals or highlines to secure their horses overnight.

    The equestrian trail system throughout Elk State Forest connects directly to both campgrounds, allowing riders immediate access to miles of forested trails. Water access for horses is available at the campgrounds, but riders should bring buckets for transporting water from spigots to their horses. The forest provides varied terrain suitable for all skill levels, from gentle paths to more challenging routes with elevation changes. Most trails are well-maintained and clearly marked for horse use. Firewood is not provided at the equestrian campgrounds, so campers should plan to bring their own or purchase from nearby towns. Kelly Pines Campground in Allegheny National Forest offers an alternative option for horse camping with primitive facilities and river access, though only two non-equestrian sites are available for general use alongside the designated equestrian areas.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Lewis Run (9)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Red House Area — Allegany State Park State Park

      4.9(13)16mi from Lewis RunRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Cabins are pretty large and have some great surounding areas, like creeks right next to the cabins. Great place for family camping with tons of different activites offered around the park."

      "We've been coming to this campground since I was a kid, and love the fact that you can have the amenities of home away from home."

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      2. Hearts Content Recreation Area

      4.2(9)33mi from Lewis Run27 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Allegheny National Forest is Pennsylvania's only National Forest and a gem of a location for outdoor recreation."

      "Go to nearby town of Warren or Tidouette for supplies. (Stop at the store just outside of Tidouette just across from DG- they have the best deli sandwiches around)"

      from $12 - $80 / night

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      3. Lyman Run State Park Campground

      4.6(25)47mi from Lewis Run35 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The surrounding area is loaded with things to do as well if you feel like venturing out. Cherry Springs Dark Park is just up the road but the view from our tent was just as good."

      "Our trip was for astrophotography purposes, and Lyman Run is only a 10 minute drive away from the Cherry Springs viewing area. Totally worth it!"

      from $20 - $29 / night

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      4. Kelly Pines Campground

      5.0(2)32mi from Lewis Run9 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This equestrian campground also has 2 non-equestrian sites, one which is reservable. There is no potable water but there is a river and a non-potable pump."

      "There is a hiking trail that follows the river around the campsite. There are free showers and potable water stations."

      from $15 - $30 / night

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      5. Cherry Creek Campground and Recreation

      3.0(1)37mi from Lewis RunRVs, Tents

      from $35 - $45 / night

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      6. Warner Road Dispersed Camping in North Harmony State Forest

      3.0(2)46mi from Lewis RunTents

      7. Big Country Campground

      5.0(1)49mi from Lewis RunRVs, Tents

      "Lots of activities, tons of nearby attractions, fishing, hunting, and hiking. Great store and owners, a nice place to visit."

      from $20 - $30 / night

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      8. Gaswell Equestrian Campground — Elk State Forest

      Be the first to review36mi from Lewis Run5 sites

      from $10 / night

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      9. Dark Hollow Equestrian Campground — Elk State Forest

      Be the first to review37mi from Lewis Run10 sites

      from $10 / night

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Lewis Run, PA

    53 Reviews of 9 Lewis Run Campgrounds

    • D
      Oct. 21, 2021

      Kelly Pines Campground

      Off the grid, lots to explore!

      This equestrian campground also has 2 non-equestrian sites, one which is reservable. There is no potable water but there is a river and a non-potable pump. There is a permanent toilet usually stocked with TP. Carry out all garbage. No electrical hookups.

      Traditional camp sites have space for multiple tents and 2 cars. Each has a picnic table and a fire pit with moveable cooking surface. We’ve never had an issue with bears or other wildlife where food and trash are concerned but we store in the cars at night to be safe. The area is usually damp so don’t count in being able to find much dry wood - we stop before driving in for wood.

      Trails galore! Mushrooms everywhere! Quiet and no cellular to distract.

    • Kaitlin B.
      Feb. 4, 2020

      Lyman Run State Park Campground

      Amazing stay

      Stayed with my husband last fall for our first camping trip and have zero complaints. This place was perfect has everything you need. The surrounding area is loaded with things to do as well if you feel like venturing out. Cherry Springs Dark Park is just up the road but the view from our tent was just as good. We also stopped at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Hiking trails were within walking distance from the tent. Looking forward to our next stay and some more camp food!

    • D
      Jul. 20, 2020

      Lyman Run State Park Campground

      Solid campgrounds, super close to Cherry Springs, but lacks privacy & store

      We stayed at Lyman Run because we needed electricity hookups, and Cherry Springs didn't offer it. Our trip was for astrophotography purposes, and Lyman Run is only a 10 minute drive away from the Cherry Springs viewing area. Totally worth it!

      The good: Daggett Loop sites 16 and 17 are pretty solid. They're the last two in the loop and next to 17 is a river trail just to yourselves. It's nice. The bathrooms are modern and clean. Electricity hookups work great and I was able to pull a consistent 80% of max load(~32 amps) the entire time without issue. Sites are well kept. No cell service on site, but a 10 minute drive and you've got it (the best, imo)

      The bad: The lake is a bit scummy/stagnant and was jammed pack with people (and since this review is written during COVID, no one was wearing masks or social distancing--disappointing). The sites are really close together with zero trees in-between sites. Bring your own privacy. PA has cross-county firewood ban, but the campsite doesn't have a firewood store. Had to drive 15 minutes off the campsite to find a random house selling firewood for $5 a bundle.

    • Katie S.
      Jul. 12, 2018

      Lyman Run State Park Campground

      Beautiful area to get away!

      Beautiful area all around. Up the road is cherry springs, known as our only Dark Sky Park in PA. The night sky is amazing. There is a lake to do many activities, and a beach there. ATV trails, hiking, beautiful overlooks. No cell service, so you really get to get away from everything.

    • Ashley L.
      Oct. 21, 2019

      Lyman Run State Park Campground

      Well kept

      Sites are pretty level and well kept. The bathrooms are great! Remote, cute little place! They maintain the place well! There are a few trails close by. Nothing crazy but nice to have something close. Not far from cherry spring. We stayed at site 25. We were right next to the bathroom. Convenient, but did hear some traffic from other campers but not bad.

    • J
      Sep. 1, 2018

      Lyman Run State Park Campground

      People and their pups will love this campground

      The sites are affordable, spacious, and they allow dogs. The campground is quiet at night and the stars are sensational. It's also super close to Cherry Springs if you want the full dark sky experience. The bathroom and showers were clean. Sink area outside for convenience, like a wash area, very handy. Little creek runs beside it for kids to play and explore. There's a beach with concessions stand and paddle boats on the lake with the prettiest skyline of surrounding the lake. Got an ATV? They have trails that run all over the place. Love this campground. Wish it was closer to home.

    • M
      Jul. 22, 2022

      Hearts Content Recreation Area

      Quiet, Fairly Remote, Pleasant National Forest Campground

      Allegheny National Forest is Pennsylvania's only National Forest and a gem of a location for outdoor recreation. Hearts Content itself is a well-maintained, very quiet campground with some of the most private sites we've experienced in 15 years of regular car camping.

      Site A02 is very nice for privacy, one of the three front sites which means a bit of road traffic for other arriving campers, but covered by dense old-growth forest on all three sides and well set off the road. Ample tree coverage means an excellent shade canopy, but not-so-great if you're powering your rig with solar.

      Clean, good-tasting drinking water at several community water spigots are available, and the central grassy area even contains a clean and well-maintained playground.

      The campground itself is actually across the road from the Recreation Area. The Recreation Area is home to 3 nice hiking trails, including one all-season trail that converts to a cross-country skiing trail in the snowy months, as well as some picnic tables and a restroom.

      The campground has a couple pit toilets that have been very well maintained by campground hosts each year we've been there. Zero smell or problems here, they appear to be looked after daily. They are still pit toilets so this is not exactly a luxury affair, but as pit toilets go, these definitely suffice.

      ---

      INTERNET: One bar of usable Verizon 4G LTE and T-Mobile 4G LTE suitable for slow web browsing and e-mail, but little else. Because of the very dense tree cover here, Starlink is not really a viable option. The most southern facing sites have more of a clearing which may work for Starlink, but are smaller, less private, and also face the group campsite which is well trafficked by Boy Scout troops and other summer camp gatherings, so you're upping your noise quite a bit.

      ---

      MAJOR PROS: This is a great campground to just enjoy camping. Set some 15 miles back in old growth forest, the most private of the campsites provide a very pleasant wilderness experience but still some well-maintained amenities like fresh drinking water and good pit toilets. In our experience camping here several times over several years, weekdays are very quiet at this location, perhaps the quietest of any campground of this size and caliber we've experienced anywhere. It's only really Friday evenings and Saturdays where you'll see more than 3-4 other campers in this place.

      ---

      The closest nearby town is Warren, PA a small but service-rich town set on the Allegheny River that provides all the necessary stuff - a Wal Mart,  a Lowes, and plenty of restaurants and little shops. Warren is the longtime home of a refinery of some sort and on days when the downwind is blowing especially strong, you can catch the faint whiff of a funky but ambiguous smell of…something?

      Cell service kicks up to 5G on T-Mobile in Warren itself, but you're still stuck on 4G with Verizon, as of summer 2022.

      Back to the campground, I would highly recommend this place for people who can get out there on weekdays and enjoy peace and quiet. Firewood is available for sale at the Camp Host campsite, but there's so much downed wood behind just about every site that purchasing wood really isn't necessary: you can keep a hot fire going all night, for free, just by cleaning out the underbrush.

      This is such a pretty, quiet campsite that during weekdays the area deer will often approach from the woods behind the campsites to feast on low hanging leaves. We've seen dozens of them who will get within 10-20 yards of you for a snack later into the night. While never getting too close, it does make for a pleasant wildlife viewing opportunity.

      We really like this place. No showers or other running-water facilities and limited internet service prevent this place from being a perfect 5. It is also a bit of a drive into town for provisions or daily ingress if you need these amenities. That aside, tent, trailer or RV, you are likely to enjoy your experience here if you enjoy camping at all.

    • Gina M.
      Aug. 6, 2018

      Lyman Run State Park Campground

      Sites were a little too close together

      We booked a tent site, and there was only one small patch of grass where we could set up our tent. But the people next to us were in a big group and already had their tents set up very close to our grass, and we didn't feel comfortable camping that close to people. My brother had an RV site, so we went down to his and set up our tent there and it was much nicer. The fire pits are very nice, and the hiking trails in the park are great.

    • T
      Jun. 24, 2018

      Red House Area — Allegany State Park State Park

      Rustic charm

      Love camping at allegheny. Cabins are pretty large and have some great surounding areas, like creeks right next to the cabins. Great place for family camping with tons of different activites offered around the park.

    Guide to Lewis Run

    Horse enthusiasts looking for equestrian camping near Lewis Run, Pennsylvania have several options beyond those mentioned in Elk State Forest. The surrounding area sits within the Allegheny Plateau at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,300 feet, creating varied terrain for trail riding. Weather conditions in this region can change rapidly, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and dropping to 50-60°F at night.

    What to do

    Stargazing at Cherry Springs: Lyman Run State Park provides easy access to Cherry Springs State Park, a certified Dark Sky area about 8 miles away. "The night sky is amazing. There is a lake to do many activities, and a beach there. ATV trails, hiking, beautiful overlooks. No cell service, so you really get to get away from everything," notes Katie S. from Lyman Run State Park Campground.

    Explore old-growth forest: Hearts Content Recreation Area offers trails through pristine woodland. "The sites are nestled within a grove of immense pines. Across the road is a hiking area with picnic tables and the like," explains Bill G. from Hearts Content Recreation Area.

    Water activities: Many campgrounds offer lake access for fishing and boating. "We've been coming to this campground since I was a kid, and love the fact that you can have the amenities of home away from home. There is so much to do there including catching crayfish, fishing, going to the amplitheater, hiking, and so much more," shares Ashley V. about Red House Area in Allegany State Park.

    Trail riding: Beyond the equestrian facilities at Gaswell and Dark Hollow, Kelly Pines Campground offers horse-friendly trails. "This equestrian campground also has 2 non-equestrian sites, one which is reservable. There is no potable water but there is a river and a non-potable pump," explains Debra D. from Kelly Pines Campground.

    What campers like

    Privacy and quiet: Many campsites in the region offer secluded spots. "It was very quiet and relaxing. There is a hiking trail that follows the river around the campsite," shares Georgina about Kelly Pines Campground. At Hearts Content, "Easy to find a site. Nice size sites that are not on top of each of. We could barely see our 'neighbors' through the trees. Well shaded spots," notes Heather M.

    Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds near Lewis Run cater to families with various amenities. "This park is a great place to camp. New improvements to the park have been made the last few years! They run daily activities you can go to and learn about different things in nature," explains Kelly B. from Red House Area — Allegany State Park State Park.

    Night sky viewing: The area's dark skies attract stargazers. "Lyman Run holds a special place for me. It's nestled within the gold level dark sky area. This means on a clear night and with a waning or new moon, one could see the arm of the Milky Way with millions of stars," shares Bill G. about Lyman Run State Park.

    What you should know

    Limited services: Many campgrounds have basic amenities only. "Primitive amenities. Nice short hikes," notes James N. about Lyman Run. For dispersed camping options, "The site was fine, fire pit, primitive spot so no services. Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter," reports Rose S. about Warner Road Dispersed Camping.

    Weather preparation: The region's elevation means weather can change quickly. "There's even a chance to watch elk nearby. Each site has a fire ring, with wood available nearby. The area is usually damp so don't count on being able to find much dry wood - we stop before driving in for wood," advises Debra D. about Kelly Pines.

    Reservation options: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others are first-come, first-served. "Since Cherry Springs (at the time of this writing) does not take reservations, we opted for the sure thing. Tent pads are well taken care of and the bathrooms are clean," explains Bill G. about Lyman Run.

    Tips for camping with families

    Recreation areas with kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with beaches and play areas. "The camp sites are pretty close to each other but we ended up making friends. Make sure to bring your telescope!" advises Brooke J. about Lyman Run State Park.

    Educational opportunities: "We spent all days exploring the nearby trails and creeks. Lots of critter life. My dogs loved it here," shares Bill G. about Hearts Content Recreation Area.

    Cabin options for mixed comfort levels: For families new to camping, cabins provide a comfortable introduction. "Cabins are pretty large and have some great surrounding areas, like creeks right next to the cabins. Great place for family camping with tons of different activities offered around the park," notes Tina S. about Red House Area in Allegany State Park.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: RV campers should research site sizes before booking. "Sites are fairly level. Great place to camp with everything from a class a to a tent," advises James K. about Hearts Content Recreation Area.

    Hookup availability: Check which utilities are available at your chosen campground. "Very nice quiet small wooded campground. No hookups, about 3-4 fresh water spigots, 1 dump station and dumpster. Water pressure was very low and took a while to fill tank. 26 various sized sites, some large with plenty of space for our 22 foot tow behind and truck," reports Jennifer K.

    Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies widely throughout the region. "AT&T spotty 0-1 bars," notes Jennifer K. about Hearts Content. For those needing to stay connected, "One bar of usable Verizon 4G LTE and T-Mobile 4G LTE suitable for slow web browsing and e-mail, but little else. Because of the very dense tree cover here, Starlink is not really a viable option," explains Matthew.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lewis Run, PA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lewis Run, PA is Red House Area — Allegany State Park State Park with a 4.9-star rating from 13 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lewis Run, PA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Lewis Run, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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