5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Artillery Ridge Campground in Gettysburg features multiple horse stalls and a fenced riding arena accessible to campers with horses. The facility provides trailer parking near equestrian sites, allowing convenient access to stalls while staying in RVs, cabins, or tents. Horse owners can take advantage of the on-site wash rack for cleaning their animals after trail rides. The campground accommodates various camping styles with full hookup RV sites, tent areas, and cabins situated near the horse facilities. The National Riding Stables located on the grounds offers battlefield tours on rescue horses for those who don't bring their own mounts. Horse stalls remain accessible throughout the camping season from early April through mid-November.
Directly across from Artillery Ridge Campground lies access to the Gettysburg National Military Park's network of riding trails. Riders can explore historical battlefield routes on horseback with their own animals or through guided tours. Ferryboat Campsites in Liverpool offers another horse camping option with on-site stables for overnight guests. The campground maintains primitive camping areas and RV sites near horse facilities. Horse owners must bring their own feed, as neither location sells equine supplies. Equestrians staying at both campgrounds report excellent maintenance of horse facilities with daily stall cleaning services available for an additional fee. Reservations for horse camping should be made well in advance, especially during peak summer and fall seasons when battlefield riding is most popular.
"A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground."
"The driving path is gravel with a steep hill at the end so if you can help it I would avoid sites 32,34,36 as they are VERY difficult to back into with larger rigs."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $26 - $151 / night
"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"
"Campground Review: French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $75 / night
"This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"
"Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
"Starlight is a nice campground to relax or explore central Pennsylvania."
"The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."
"With that said they do have primitive camping spots next to the putt putt course and water only tent sits at the upper feild."
"Lots to do very close to water and many things to do in and around camp ground. Stayed for a few days would go back."
from $30 - $100 / night
"Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."
"We stayed in site 28 which was a walk-in site, this was perfect for us since we wanted to be further away from people and the light from the bathroom/shower facility."
Available this weekend
from $24 - $38 / night
from $10 / night
"Some reviewers have confused nearby State Parks with the actual State Forest, resulting in inaccurate information."
"Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail."
from $10 / night
"This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."
"Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites."
from $15 - $50 / night
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
LegendWe spent 4 nights at Gettysburg Campground to attend the AIM Club Rally(Lincoln’s Legacy- Gettysburg 250), and it served as base camp for the event.
WHAT I LIKED:
Location, Location, Location: This park is an absolute winner for convenience—just 5 minutes from the Gettysburg battlefields, museums, and the heart of town.
The Atmosphere: The staff gave us a warm reception at check-in, and the site itself was clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to back up to a running creek. Lots of mature trees offer lots of shade and character.
Big-Rig Friendly: Navigating a 45-foot motorhome with a toad can sometimes be stressful, but this park was easy to maneuver.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
Late-Night Power Struggles: On our final night, the campground experienced grid strain. Our Hughes Watchdog Power Center saved the day—but it had to shut off our power 7 different times due to low voltage. Aside from losing a few hours of sleep to the chorus of appliances cycling off and on, no harm was done. I recommend using a surge protector/voltage regulator if you stay here.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
LegendWe spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
ScoutFlat grounds, level campsites, nice pool, kids have tons of fun!
TravelerThe camp site was amazing. Everything is neat and clean and really beautiful place so quiet.
RangerGreat park, alittle close together than I like. I wish I had picked 1-12 sites by the creek, but I don’t think I had much choice when I booked anyway. Bathrooms were clean. My site was more of an rv and I felt like I was at the neighbors for supper.
RangerBeautiful park, pool and lake. Great for boating and fishing, running or hiking and swimming. In may, it wasn’t busy, but I can imagine it gets packed. I will be back for summer.
Middletown, Pennsylvania sits at the junction of several natural areas with rolling hills and woodlands. Located in the Susquehanna River Valley at approximately 370 feet elevation, the region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winters dipping to 20-30°F. Fall camping is particularly popular when the deciduous forest displays vibrant colors between mid-October and early November.
Trail riding opportunities: Directly across from Artillery Ridge Campground you'll find extensive riding paths through Gettysburg National Military Park. "The campground was very well maintained and clean. Fun filled weekend of activities for the whole family. Close to historic Gettysburg battleground. Fantastic horse rescue on the campground. You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback," notes Zack, who enjoyed the equestrian options.
Fishing year-round: Several parks near Middletown maintain stocked fishing lakes. Little Buffalo State Park Campground offers both a lake and streams for anglers. As Brandon C. describes, "Its an amazing little quite camping ground. Super clean. Lots of easy hiking trails and tons of fishing." The park permits ice fishing during winter months with staff monitoring ice thickness for safety.
Historical site visits: Riders and non-riders can explore preserved Civil War sites within 30 miles of Middletown. The Gettysburg battlefield features marked trails and monuments. "Very quiet and peaceful. Lots to do at the lake if you want or quiet enough to just kick back. Bath houses were very clean. Staff was pleasant," reports Shirley M. about her experience at a nearby campground.
Private, shaded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites at French Creek State Park Campground, which offers wooded areas between campsites. "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," writes Jen R. about her experience.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region consistently receive praise for well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "The bathhouse 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," Ellen C. noted about her stay at French Creek State Park.
Proximity to water features: Campers value sites near lakes and streams. "We camped at loop D…the only bad part was that it was kind of hard to find a level and rock-free spot large enough for our tent, but we managed! There is lots of hiking, the lake is beautiful," Katie M. shares about her experience at French Creek State Park.
Reservation requirements: For horse camping facilities near Middletown, book well in advance, especially during summer and fall. Most equestrian campgrounds require deposits and specific arrival times. At Starlite Camping Resort, Craig F. notes, "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."
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate from April through November, with limited winter options. "Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail. Water is easily found and views like Sunset Rocks are simply gorgeous," John S. reports about winter camping in Michaux State Forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Middletown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Middletown, PA is Little Buffalo State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Middletown, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Middletown, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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