Big Run State Park Campground provides primitive camping with equestrian access near Markleton, Pennsylvania. The campground features wide-open sites with significant space between each location, allowing ample room for horse trailers. Sites adjacent to the stream offer natural water access for horses, though no dedicated horse corrals are available. Camping areas near the reservoir provide easy lake access for riders planning to combine water activities with trail riding. The park maintains clean pit toilets, though riders should note that water facilities and dump stations are located 10 minutes away at New Germany State Park. Sites accommodate tents and can fit campers up to 26 feet in length, with flat areas large enough for camping equipment and horse care.
Trail access surrounds the campground with multiple riding options connecting to the wider Western Maryland wilderness area. Riders can enjoy the peaceful setting with minimal traffic and natural sounds from the creek creating a serene environment for both horses and campers. The campground's stream access provides natural watering opportunities for horses after trail rides. Mosquito protection is recommended during summer months. Nearby Shawnee State Park Campground offers additional facilities with full hookup options, though riders should verify horse regulations before booking. Both locations operate year-round, allowing for seasonal riding opportunities. Wooded sites provide natural shelter and shade for horses during summer camping, while the stream areas offer water access after trail excursions.
$10 - $55 / night
"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. "
$24 - $122 / night
"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."
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.
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.
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.
Big Run State Park Campground offers equestrian-friendly camping in Maryland's western region, approximately 20 miles from Markleton, Pennsylvania. Located at an elevation of 1,750 feet, the campground experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding lowland areas, with summer highs typically ranging from 70-85°F. The primitive sites can accommodate tent campers and smaller trailers on terrain that ranges from wooded areas to streamside locations.
Stream exploration: At Big Run, children can safely wade in shallow creek areas when supervised. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" notes Zoe H. about the Big Run State Park Campground.
Trout fishing: The streams within the park contain active populations of trout. Nathan S. observed the stream was "incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," making it ideal for fishing enthusiasts bringing appropriate gear and licenses.
Kayaking: The reservoir areas provide easy water access for paddlers. According to Katie H., "The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks," which makes launching watercraft simple for day trips.
Lake swimming: Shawnee State Park Campground features water recreation opportunities within driving distance. Casey S. mentions, "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating."
Spacious sites: The significant distance between camping locations allows for privacy. Andy C. commented that their site was "flat, large, clean and right by the creek" and accommodated a "26ft hybrid camper" comfortably.
Natural soundtrack: Many campers appreciate the ambient noise from nearby streams. Mark K. describes the pleasure of sleeping "in nature with nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek."
Lake accessibility: For those wanting water recreation near equestrian trails, the proximity to lakes provides additional activities. Gerard notes that Shawnee's "lake is gorgeous and has a large, sandy beach," which complements trail riding experiences in the region.
Mosquito preparation: Insect protection is essential, particularly in warmer months. Aakansha J. warns that "the mosquitos sucked" during their summer stay at Big Run, suggesting campers bring appropriate repellent.
Limited facilities: The primitive nature of some horse campgrounds means basic amenities only. Nathan S. points out that "Water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road at New Germany State Park," requiring planning for longer stays.
Site selection: Some sites offer better features than others. Mark K. advises that "the bare campsites are nicer - they are more spread out, wooded, and some of them are located right along the stream," making them preferable for horse camping.
Creek play areas: Children can enjoy natural water features at stream-adjacent sites. Andy C. reported, "The kids loved playing in the water. Very quiet and relaxing!" making these sites ideal for families with children.
Site levelness: When reserving spots for family camping with horses, check site conditions. At Shawnee, Brittany V. cautions, "We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked," highlighting the importance of verifying site dimensions.
Consider shower access: For longer family stays with children, consider facilities. While Big Run offers primitive camping, families wanting shower facilities might need to use other nearby parks or schedule shorter stays.
Length limitations: Horse campgrounds near Markleton, Pennsylvania typically accommodate smaller to mid-sized rigs. According to Andy C., sites can fit "a 26ft hybrid camper" but larger rigs may have difficulty at many locations.
Full hookup alternatives: When needing full services for longer equestrian camping trips, Gerard recommends looking for specific sites: "We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up," noting that not all sites offer equal access.
Approach challenges: Access to some sites requires careful navigation. Gerard observes that "many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," suggesting advance research for horse trailer combinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Markleton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Markleton, PA is Big Run State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
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