Best Equestrian Camping near McConnellsburg, PA
Michaux State Forest offers primitive camping options for equestrians approximately 20 miles from McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania. The forest maintains designated parking lot sites that serve as equestrian campsites, with Teaberry Parking Area providing hitching posts and a two-step mounting block for horses. Camping permits are free but required for all designated sites throughout the forest. The parking lot sites are spacious gravel areas with campsites positioned along one side, providing ample room for horse trailers. Sites are well-spaced and maintained, though they lack amenities like water hookups or restrooms. Campers should be prepared to bring all necessary supplies for themselves and their horses.
The forest contains an extensive network of trails suitable for horseback riding, connecting to the Appalachian Trail and other scenic routes throughout the region. Horse camping is permitted year-round at the designated parking lot sites, while other motorized sites are available from April through late November. Water for horses must be packed in or sourced from natural streams and springs, which require treatment before use. The forest sits on the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing varied terrain from mixed deciduous and coniferous forest to open meadow sections. Lanternflies have been reported as a seasonal nuisance at some sites, particularly at Teaberry, though the infestation periods are typically temporary and limited to certain times of year.