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Best Equestrian Camping near Mahanoy City, PA

103 Reviews

World's End Equestrian Campground at Loyalsock State Forest provides direct access to bridle trails and offers designated camping facilities for horse owners. The campground features camping sites with enough space for horses and trailers, allowing equestrians to stay overnight while exploring the surrounding trails. Campsites include picnic tables and fire rings, with electric hookups, water access, and sewer connections available. The campground requires reservations, which can be secured through the state forest office. No size restrictions apply for horse trailers at the designated equestrian sites. The facility maintains clean grounds with ample space between sites for privacy.

The bridle trailhead connects directly to the campground, allowing for immediate trail access without having to transport horses. Loyalsock State Forest contains multiple trail networks suitable for various riding skill levels and preferences. Riders report well-maintained trails with clear markings throughout the system. The surrounding terrain offers diverse riding experiences through wooded areas, open fields, and stream crossings. Pennsylvania state forests typically require horse owners to carry proof of negative Coggins test results when traveling with horses. Water sources for horses are available at the campground, though riders should bring portable water containers for longer trail rides. The forest service maintains the equestrian facilities year-round, though winter access may be limited depending on weather and trail conditions.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania (9)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Mahanoy City, PA

103 Reviews of 9 Mahanoy City Campgrounds

  • Amanda K.
    Aug. 14, 2022

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Reviews are misleading, they don’t offer what they use to

    I’m sure one point in time this use to be a 4-5 star campground. It is a far stretch from that today.

    PROS:

    AT&T / Cricket cell service Paved loops good for bicycles

    CONS:

    The large pool you see in pictures, is not operating.

    The kayak/canoe rentals is not operating.

    It is prohibited to take a swim in the lake.

    A majority of the campsites are small and stacked right on top of each-other. Ours, C15, was a rocky terrain making it difficult for our children to walk around.

    Loop A has many parking pads that are on a significant sloop making it very difficult to level your camper/rv

    The bathrooms don’t seem to be well maintained or cleaned.

    No camp store

    No place to buy firewood

    THE WORST PART - The park rangers are on the boarder-line of harassment. They constantly patrol the area and seek out reasons to write tickets. We have witnessed them rummaging around peoples campsites when they were away from their sites. It doesn’t take much to do something wrong. Your vehicle tires must be on the pavement pad, they cannot be touching the grass. If your vehicle cannot fit it must go in “over flow parking” which isn’t close by. Any evidence of alcohol is surly a fine.

    NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Hopewell Furnace Historical Site Birdsboro Preserve St. Peters Classic Auto Mall Museum Ryerss Farm for aged equestrians

  • Avery M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Ferryboat Campsites

    Great little site with lots of seasonal residents.

    This is a wonderful little campsite primarily catering the seasonal RVer. With that said they do have primitive camping spots next to the putt putt course and water only tent sits at the upper feild. There are also water/electric sites in a loop behind the honeymooner cabins, and they have teh best shade and set up for hammock camping.

    The ferry here is real, and has been in operation for the last 100+ years

    There is a small goat petting zoo, with very friendly pigmy goats and the camp is extremely pet friendly as long as they are on a leash.

    There is the typical camp store, and in addition there is the icecream store next to the river. Across the street is a local winery with the best views of the river around.

    The campsite fills quickly on the weekends, kayakers and fishers, and motorboats use this as the weekend home and mini family vacation spots.

    The showers are located in the RV section of the campground, so you will have to walk a bit if you are tent camping.

    There are horse stable available as well on site.

  • Laure D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 24, 2021

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Feels crowded

    This PA state park felt, upon first impression, very tightly spaced and had an overall crowded feel in loop C, the only dog friendly electric loop. The sites that aren’t ADA have more space between them than we did.  Our site C41 was full hookup as are several others (1-7, 39-47). This is an ADA site, there are several of them. Perhaps this is why it’s crowded so they could fit extra ADA sites? They are very level and have paved pads, but also a paved picnic pad, and paved fire ring pad. Non ADA full hookup sites appeared to be the nicest though they were narrow and some weren’t level side to side. There were a lot of rocks embedded in the ground around and on many sites. Non ADA sites have only a paved pad for the RV. The picnic table and fire ring were behind our RV and when sitting at them, we were within view of sites 37, 39, and 40. I felt like I was in a townhouse setting. Non ADA sites varied as to where picnic and fire rings were set. Also many sites looked like there was quite a drop off at the edge of the already narrow pad so that you had a big step down off your last RV step. Site C42 is ADA and is a nice, semi private, spacious site. Though I’d choose from sites  #1-7 next time. ALL parking pads are 45’ long.

    Loop B has a mix of electric and non electric but doesn’t allow pets. That loop was more spacious and had trees between some  sites so it felt  more private. The sites appeared level. There are Yurts and mini cabins outside Loop C that had lots of space around them. Loop A is a pet loop but no electric. However, it’s closed now for what appears to be renovations. Loop D is non electric, no pets.

    The campground had no vacancy on this particular weekend. One car allowed per site and most had to park perpendicular. Sites were short (45’ long). 2nd cars are $5 a night but wouldn’t fit in most sites.

    The day use areas have frisbee golf, boat rentals, fishing, hunting, hiking, and a pool that overlooks the lake. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is adjacent to the park but was not fully open due to covid. It’s a large state park. The pool was nice looking but not open until Memorial Day. Boat rentals are available weekends in May and Sept. and daily all summer. These amenities were far from the campground and would require driving your car. Hiking trails were plentiful but most were labeled as “more difficult.”  Horse back riding is allowed on some trails. I didn’t see any trails that started at the campground loops. 

    Overall, it’s an adequate campground but not my favorite.

  • Christina S.
    Aug. 13, 2017

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Great local getaway

    We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes, there's a lake but unfortunately you can't swim in it, they have a public pool but we opted for hiking instead.

  • Ellen C.
    Oct. 5, 2019

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Wenzel Ivanhoe 6 Tent at French Creek State Park

    Campground Review: French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. There are 200 individual sites in four loops, some with full hookups for RVs, some with electric only but mostly primitive sites. There are also several cottages, cabins and yurts available as well.

    For this trip, my husband and I camped alongside our friends, which included three other couples and their children, so we took up two electric sites for the tent campers and two full hook up sites for our friends with RVs. We stayed in Loop C, which is the only dog friendly loop in the campground, on sites 35, 37, 39,& 40. Thankfully, a short walk to the bathroom facilities for us tent campers.

    Normally site 35 would have been way too small for our usual gear– a behemoth 9X15 tent- but it was a perfect fit for the tent I was reviewing on this trip. Our friends, who have the same large tent as us, stayed on site 37 and had plenty of space to pitch it, but many of the sites surrounding ours were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent so keep this in mind if you have a large family sized tent. I’ve included a few photos of the surrounding sites for future reference. The bath/shower house in this loop was adequate and includes two dish washing stations outside. The showers had good pressure and hot water. It was cleaned often throughout the weekend, however it is definitely in need of an update.

    We also checked out the other loops for future use and found Loop A to have very spacious, less rocky sites, however, there was little shrubbery between each site, making them less private than the sites in Loop C.

    There are two lakes in French Creek, Hopewell and Scott's Run and each contain many species of fish. We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It’s a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site.

    We found several places nearby to purchase wood, besides the supermarket and a nursery in town, there are a few residents that sell it right on their front lawn so be on the look-out en route to the park entrance.

    Generally, we camp in the off season, and usually have the whole place to ourselves, so I had some concern prior to arrival that every site in every loop was booked for the whole weekend and expected it to be noisy, however, I was pleasantly surprised. It was quiet and our neighbors were respectful of the quiet hours and our space. It was a wonderfully peaceful weekend for us all and we will definitely visit again soon.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Product Review: Wenzel Ivanhoe 6 Tent

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am occasionally offered the opportunity to test new outdoor products. For this trip I tested the Wenzel Ivanhoe 6 Tent https://wenzelco.com/ivanhoe-6/.

    Generally, my husband and I use a larger ez up tent, but I liked this tent specifically for the design which is reminiscent of the tent my parents used when I was a child and figured it would be a good option for shorter weekend trips, rather than our 9X15 ez-up.

    The set up was relatively easy, although one person might have some difficulty. It held up well during an evening thunderstorm, but for a small seam leak near the door. We believe this is a result of the fact that our site was slightly uneven and that particular corner was not as evenly pitched with the other corners of the tent which resulted in a bit of a gap in the roof.

    The airflow is great, with the small vent in the rear, two side windows and the full screen door. There are also two smaller vents at the top- though neither seem seem to add that much airflow,- perhaps a design flaw or more likely the uneven ground it was pitched on.

    I love the fact that there are awnings over the side windows, but in order for them to be effective one must stake out three guy lines on each side, plus the one on the front and the back. Knowing this I had purchased some small lights to hang on the lines to prevent tripping on them at night and it worked out perfectly.

    The front doors are secured closed from wind and rain by velcro strips, rather than the standard ties. There are four side pockets and a handy troubleshooting guide sewn into the interior wall for any issues you experience while in use, such as leaking, condensation, or a faulty zipper.

    I am very happy with this tent. For the two of us it was the perfect size for our ten inch high queen size air mattress and some minimal gear. The peak height was just over 6 foot, so we were both able to stand upright without issue.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2023

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Convenient to Philadelphia

    General: Four loops with a total of 200 campsites. Two of the loops allow pets (A, C) and two do not. Loop D offers no hookups while Loops A-C offer a mix of no hookups, water/Electric, and full hookups. We had no problem securing a site on a weekday in October with no reservation. There are also two yurts and three cottages. 

    Site Quality: We chose a non-electric site in the B Loop, so this review focuses on this loop. There are abundant trees separating the sites. The pads were paved and B12 was very long. A picnic table and fire ring complete the site. Because the loops are on a slight slope, not all of the sites are completely level, something that would be difficult to determine if making reservations ahead of time. 

    Bathhouse: Pennsylvania state parks get high marks for their modern, clean restrooms and this park (at least the B Loop) was no exception. Hot showers were no additional charge and generous in size. 

    Activities: 35 miles of hiking trails. Be aware that the Hopewell Lake Loop is not very well marked (it appears to be a work in progress) although blazes on trees are abundant for most trails. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent during the summer season, and there is a boat dock for your own boat for fishing (either from a fishing pier or on your boat). There is a huge pool available from Memorial Day through Labor Day (there is an additional fee for this). Some of the trails allow horseback riding. Nearby Hopewell Furnace is accessible via hiking trails, or you can drive there. Other activities include orienteering and disc golf. Make sure you wear blaze orange during the fall hunting season as you will hear hunters! 

    In general, it is obvious Pennsylvania invests in its state park campgrounds and the price is reasonable ($27 for a non-electric site during the week with a $4.50 senior discount). My only complaint is that the dumpsters are a hike from the loops, but this is a minor complaint.

  • Mary S.
    Oct. 6, 2018

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Beautiful, large wooded sites and lots of hiking trails

    This is a nicely laid out campground with 4 loops and many site choices - non-electric, electric and full hookup sites (water, sewer and electricity); a couple yurts; and 3 camping cottages. (There are cabins elsewhere in the park.) We just showed up on a Wednesday in early October but I'm sure you'd need a reservation on a weekend.

    Activities

    • See the photo that shows 35 miles of hiking trails. It's an excellent brochure! Some trails are hiking only; others allow mountain biking in addition to hiking, and there are equestrian trails.

    • Boating and fishing

    • Swimming pool by Hopewell Lake

    • Disc golf

    • Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is on your way to the campground.

    The Sites

    • See photo of the campground map along with typical site photos.

    • 4 loops: no electricity in A and D, mix of electric and non-electric sites in B, and a mix of full hookups, electric and non-electric sites in C. Loop C is the only loop open all year with no guarantee of access in the winter.

    • Asphalt pads are all supposed to be 45 feet.

    • The sites looked level but many of the pads in Loop A were just a bit downhill as you back in. That means our heads are downhill for sleeping unless we turn our teardrop trailer, so we just looked until we found a level site. If you're into leveling a camper, it's not a big deal. We can adjust our back end, but we don't mess around with anything else. It is what it is!

    • There are water spigots around the loops and recycling/trash disposal and a dump station on your way in/out.

    • Site map shows some ADA accessible sites.

    New Restrooms Are Worth Noting

    • See photos.

    • Push button showers. You can't adjust the temperature and you have to keep pushing the button every 30 seconds or so. I guess this saves water.

    • Two utility sinks outside the restrooms are a good addition.

    Pet Owners: Pets are only allowed in loop C.

    A Couple Warnings

    • PA state parks do not allow alcoholic beverages at all. That's what they say.

    • Hunting is permitted in most of the state park. That would put a real damper on my hiking at certain times of the year because the hiking trails run right through these areas.

  • Inez W.
    Jun. 24, 2024

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Unique campsites

    Staying in C loop and here are some tips. If you want starlink, stay toward the entrance of the loop for a good view of the sky. If you want to be away from everyone and don't need a site that has good accessibility, stay in C27. You park at the top of the site and walk your tent and gear down a small slope where you can set up your tent. A little further down is a large-ish area with a fire pit and table. You can't see the roady from there and it looks like a great place to get away from it all! 

    Other sites around C27 have similar set-ups but not so far off the road.

  • Peyton S.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Wonderful, Easy, Quick trip from Philly

    It’s about an hour away from Philadelphia. We tent camped in loop B. The site was wonderful. Just know it is a gravel site, not grass. The fire pit has a grill attachment and wood was easy to find. Water and bathrooms were close. We hiked around the lake and there were plenty of trails and even rentable kayaks and paddle boards! Would definitely recommend if looking for a quick overnight stay outside of the city.

Guide to Mahanoy City

Loyalsock State Forest offers several horse-friendly camping options within 35 miles of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. The forest encompasses over 114,000 acres in the Endless Mountains region with elevations ranging from 800 to 2,000 feet. Equestrian campgrounds near Mahanoy City provide direct access to over 30 miles of bridle trails through mixed hardwood forests.

What to do

Trail riding at Tuscarora State Park: Located 5 miles from Mahanoy City, the park offers several trail loops for riders. "I mostly stayed at a cabin on the lake here, which was incredible. Dogs are welcome, as long as you clean up after them. Hiking through was good fun, and actually sort of clean," notes Joycel Y. in her review of Tuscarora State Park Campground.

Fishing opportunities: Many camping areas offer access to stocked lakes and streams. "There is a a campground as well as a mini shelter on the flat rock trail. We stayed at the mini shelter," says Lara L. about her experience at Tuscarora State Park. The park's lake contains numerous warm water fish species for anglers of all skill levels.

Water recreation: Several parks feature swimming beaches and boat launches. At French Creek State Park Campground, "We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site," explains Ellen C.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the spacious layout at many parks. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers," shares Jen R. about French Creek State Park Campground.

Cell service limitations: For those seeking to disconnect, some areas provide a true escape. "If you want to be disconnected, literally because there is no cell service, then this is the place for you. Best of all it is free! You just have to get a pass from the office," reports Jen R. about Ferryboat Campsites.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent bathhouses. "The bathrooms and showers are a hop, skip and jump from yurts and well maintained. Also each yurt comes with a moor skip to keep kayaks, paddleboards or canoes at lake," notes Mandy F. about the accommodations at Tuscarora State Park.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campsites require advance booking. At Starlite Camping Resort, "The employees in the camp store are amazing and go out of their way to make you feel welcome! I felt everyone went above and beyond to help me from the reservation process through check-in," explains Craig F.

Terrain considerations: Some camping areas feature challenging topography. "Yes, it is quite hilly throughout the campground, but the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed," notes Craig F. about Starlite Camping Resort.

Fire regulations: Fire restrictions vary by location and season. "We found several places nearby to purchase wood, besides the supermarket and a nursery in town, there are a few residents that sell it right on their front lawn so be on the look-out en route to the park entrance," advises Ellen C. regarding French Creek State Park.

Tips for camping with families

Choose loops with playgrounds: Some campground sections offer better amenities for children. "There is a huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake. There are trails for mountain biking or hiking, a frisbee golf course, playground at the campground and at the lake," recommends Jen R. about Carvolth Camping Area.

Water activities for kids: Lakes provide family-friendly recreation options. "The main attraction for this park is their lake, which you can swim in, fish, kayak or drop in a boat. There is a playground for kids to play in that is well maintained," explains Tiffany K. about her visit to Tuscarora State Park.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy observing local animals. "There are bear in the region so be weary with your food. No noise pollution. No light pollution. Found a couple of large black rat snakes near our campsite," reports Zoltan P. about his stay at Tuscarora State Forest.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate big RVs. "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites. Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy," notes Craig F. about Sassafras Hill Camping Area.

Hookup availability: Check utility options before booking. "We stayed at a Susquehanna river view site with full hookups for 2 nights. Site was level and shaded, but very close to neighbors. Most sites were occupied by permanent or seasonal residents," explains Robin about Ferryboat Campsites.

Access considerations: Some roads to campgrounds can be challenging. "The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore," shares Elizabeth L. about Starlite Camping Resort, which offers good connectivity to nearby attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mahanoy City, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mahanoy City, PA is Tuscarora State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mahanoy City, PA?

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

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