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North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides primitive camping facilities for horseback riders. The campground is accessible by drive-in access with limited amenities. While there are no horse corrals built into the campground, the sites accommodate horses with ample space for portable corrals or highlines. Fires are permitted at designated fire rings throughout the camping area. The sites include picnic tables and are reservable in advance through the Pennsylvania state forest reservation system. Pets are allowed at the campground, making it possible for campers to bring dogs along with their horses.
Located near Penfield, Pennsylvania, the equestrian-friendly campsites connect directly to the extensive trail system within Moshannon State Forest. Riders can access miles of bridle paths through dense forest terrain suitable for day rides of varying difficulties. Trail riders should note that some routes may have seasonal restrictions, particularly during hunting seasons or after heavy rainfall. The Dark Hollow Equestrian Campground and Gaswell Equestrian Campground in nearby Elk State Forest offer additional horse camping options, both providing toilet facilities while maintaining a rustic camping experience. These equestrian campgrounds provide convenient access points to different trail systems, allowing riders to explore various terrains and scenery during their stay. Horse owners need to bring their own water and feed, as drinking water is not provided at these primitive sites.
"Ive camped at Black Moshannon State Park many times both in a tent and our camper. The Park has tent only, electric and full hookup sites. It is well cared for and clean."
"Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season."
from $20 - $87 / night
Check Availability"A standard Ford Explorer handled the drive without trouble, though bringing a trailer would likely only be practical if it is set up for overlanding conditions."
from $10 / night
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Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availability"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
from $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
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TravelerIve camped at Black Moshannon State Park many times both in a tent and our camper. The Park has tent only, electric and full hookup sites. It is well cared for and clean. The bathhouses are nice and well maintained. The Park itself offers a lot to do with fishing. Hiking, the beach, kayak rentals, etc. I've never had a bad time at Black Moshannon and will keep coming back.
LegendGeneral: 73-site campground; most have electric hookups, and some are FHU. Pets are only permitted at selected sites. There are also 20 (13 rustic and 6 modern) cabins. Cell service is extremely limited to non-existent (Verizon).
Site Quality: Pads are gravel and most appeared to be level. Site 70 was at the end of the loop which is why we picked it. A picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook complete each site.
Bathhouse: As has been our experience in all PA state parks, the bathhouse was pristine, and the shower (for no additional cost) was clean with plentiful hot water and was very much appreciated.
Activities/Amenities: Coin-operated laundry. A playground is in the campground and there is an additional one at the swimming beach. The swimming beach is open from mid-May to mid-September, from 8 am– sunset. Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season. Permits are required. 24 miles of hiking trails, including two trails directly from the campground to the lake. In the summer, there is a camper store/concession stand. Hunting is allowed in season. There are 4.3 miles of mountain biking trails.
I used to think Oregon State Parks were the best, but Pennsylvania State Parks have them beat by a mile. We have yet to be disappointed by the amenities(especially the clean bathrooms) offered at the half-dozen state parks we have visited so far.
TravelerStayed 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!
GuideSite SS007 sits roughly two miles off pavement along a fairly rough access road. A standard Ford Explorer handled the drive without trouble, though bringing a trailer would likely only be practical if it is set up for overlanding conditions.
The location offers excellent views of the Susquehanna River and exceptionally clear night skies with strong stargazing opportunities. There was no existing fire ring on site, so we built one using nearby stones. The site does not include a picnic table or other amenities, making it a primative experience.
Cell service was limited but usable, averaging about one bar with AT&T and two bars with T-Mobile.
Overall, it is a quiet, scenic roadside site best suited for campers comfortable with minimal facilities and no other people around.
GuideWe 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.
TravelerBeautiful 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.
GuideSites 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.
TravelerThe 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.
TravelerFirst I'll just say that the Rothrock campsites should probably each be listed separately, rather than as a group; they are very spread out throughout the State Forest and each is a different experience. This review will be for site 002 Colerain Road.
This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. It's easy enough during the summer, though the road is narrow and you've got some sharp bends depending on which way you come from. This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion.
The parking is just right off the road, and there's a picnic table and large stone fire ring near the parking. There's a small path further up the hill into the woods where there is a tent pad, another fire ring and another picnic table. There are also a lot of flat spots nearby for additional tents to be set up.
Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below. The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road. Traffic may have been busier than usual the weekend we went because there was the Mid Atlantic Overland festival nearby at the same time. At one point a family parked in the campsite's parking to start a walk... (there's a better trailhead up closer to Indian Lookout they should have used).
No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here. Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon).
These sites used to be totally free but they're now $10 a night. You still need to book a while out if you want to be here on a weekend, especially during the fall when Penn State is playing.
North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides primitive campsites tailored for riders exploring the region's extensive trail systems. Sites are situated at approximately 1,850 feet elevation in Pennsylvania's Allegheny Plateau region, where summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F. The area connects to multiple bridle paths that traverse the 190,000-acre forest, with most trails requiring moderate riding experience due to varied terrain and occasional steep sections.
Stargazing opportunities: Lyman Run State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing in Pennsylvania's renowned dark sky region. "We love the lower loop! We were there on a Monday night and there were 4 sites occupied on our loop. Great stars. Clean bathrooms!" according to Dana M. The park's location near Cherry Springs makes it an alternative base for astronomy enthusiasts.
Fishing in Black Moshannon: The distinctive 250-acre lake offers unique fishing conditions due to its dark water coloration. "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding," notes Matthew U. The lake's coloration comes from natural bog plants and historic iron mining activities.
Trail riding networks: The equestrian campgrounds throughout Rothrock State Forest connect to extensive trail systems. "These sites used to be totally free but they're now $10 a night. You still need to book a while out if you want to be here on a weekend," explains Scott I. Trails vary from flat terrain to challenging mountain paths.
Peaceful forest settings: Campers consistently mention the quiet, wooded environment at Black Moshannon State Park Campground. "This campground is so beautiful with plenty to do for everyone, tons of hiking along the whole park. Spaces are clean and spacious, bath house is very well kept," writes Lisa L. Sites are positioned with adequate separation for privacy.
Educational programming: State parks in the region offer structured learning activities. "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc," notes a visitor to Black Moshannon. These ranger-led programs typically run May through September, with schedules posted at campground offices.
Wildlife viewing: The wetland ecosystems support diverse bird and animal populations. "Beautiful facility - typical Pa mountains, abundant green trees, water... nice Campground AND cabin rentals are really nicely situated," comments Rebecca E. Morning hours offer best wildlife spotting opportunities along marsh boardwalks.
Water characteristics: The waterways in this region have distinctive properties. "The Iron Ore mines from the past have left the creek water stained red which is why its called the Red Mo with the locals," explains Travis S. about Lyman Run State Park. This coloration is natural and doesn't affect recreational safety.
Seasonal popularity: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak periods. "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early," advises Denise D. Weekends from May-September typically require reservations 3-6 months in advance.
Access considerations: Some forest roads present navigation challenges. "Our only trouble was our GPS brought us in the most difficult way. We suggest avoiding heading south from I80 on Casanova road," warns Sandi G. Forest service maps are recommended as GPS directions often route through difficult access roads.
Beach access: Snow Shoe Sites and nearby parks offer water recreation options. "There's a beach with concessions stand and paddle boats on the lake with the prettiest skyline surrounding the lake," shares Jennifer P. The swimming areas typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day with lifeguards on duty 11am-7pm.
Space requirements: Evaluate site dimensions when booking. "We booked a tent site, and there was only one small patch of grass where we could set up our tent," cautions Gina M. Sites vary considerably in usable space, with some accommodating multiple tents while others work better for smaller setups.
Nearby activities: The region offers diverse family-friendly options. "We had a lot of fun camping here. There are some great hikes in the area. The campsites are pretty close to each other but we ended up making friends," explains Brooke J. Most trailheads have information boards with difficulty ratings and distances.
Site selection: RV campers should research site specifications carefully. "It has sites to accommodate any R.V. and lot of tent sites," mentions Denise D. However, many forest roads have tight turns and low clearances requiring advance planning.
Limited services: The equestrian campgrounds near Moshannon offer minimal amenities. "No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here," notes Scott I. about camping in state forests. Cell coverage varies significantly by location and carrier throughout the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Moshannon, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Moshannon, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Moshannon, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 equestrian camping locations near Moshannon, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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