The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Equestrian Camping near Todd, PA

84 Reviews

Campground at Shawnee State Park near Todd, Pennsylvania reeks of horse manure 24/7 according to visitor reports. The campground features sites that are not overly large or private but remain quiet despite the size of the campground and proximity to the highway. Sites accommodate both tent and RV camping with electric hookups, water, and sewer available at select locations. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed in the park amenities, the strong horse presence indicates accommodation for equestrians. The campground provides a hiking loop around the lake and is situated close to the Jean Bonnet tavern, recommended for meals in a historic setting.

Michaux State Forest offers designated motorized parking lot sites that also serve as equestrian sites for horse camping. Teaberry area includes a few hitching posts and a two-step mounting block for riders. These sites require a free online permit and remain open year-round, unlike the standard motorized sites which close after the third Sunday following Thanksgiving. No electric or water hookups are available at any of the Michaux sites, and campers must treat any creek or springhouse water before drinking. All designated sites include fire rings, either stone or metal, and some feature picnic tables. Cell service varies significantly throughout the forest, with some areas having no reception while others offer strong coverage.

Map showing campgrounds near Todd, PennsylvaniaExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Sites Near Todd, Pennsylvania (12)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Todd Contest

Enter to Win

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Todd, PA

84 Reviews of 12 Todd Campgrounds

  • M
    Aug. 3, 2021

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Is as others say

    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. 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.

  • B
    Sep. 1, 2022

    Michaux State Forest

    Motorized and Primitive Sites, but double check info.

    Some reviewers have confused nearby State Parks with the actual State Forest, resulting in inaccurate information. Despite their proximity, Caledonia and Pine Grove Furnace State Parks are NOT considered State Forest land, and have completely different amenities, availability, and regulations.

    Michaux State Forest sites fall in to 4 categories:

    1. Designated motorized sites, which require a free online permit and are open April 2 until the 3rd Sunday after Thanksgiving

    2. Designated motorized parking lot sites, which require the same free online permit but are open year-round

    3. Primitive backpacking sites, open year-round (no permit required, should be at least 1 mi from a trailhead, and only 1 night per site allowed)

    4. Primitive Cabins, which are on State Forest land but are managed by and booked through the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.

    None of the sites available in Michaux have:

    -electric or water hookups. If you used/saw one, you were in a State Park, not Forest.

    -drinking water available at sites (some have a creek or springhouse, which must be treated first)

    -restrooms (a very small number of sites have outhouses within 1/4 mi or so, but don't count on it)

    All designated sites have some sort of fire ring, whether stones or metal.

    Some, but not all, designated sites have picnic tables.

    Cell service varies greatly. Some sites will have none without a decent drive or hike, while others have 4 bars.

    Fires are not permitted at all from March 1 to May 25, and are also banned when fire danger is deemed too high.

    Alcohol is permitted, except in picnic areas.

    Designated motorized parking lot sites also serve as equestrian sites, and horse camping is allowed here. Teaberry has a few hitching posts and a two step mounting block available.

    Pets are allowed as long as they are under control at all times and are not disturbing others. If your dog's recall is anything but perfect, they haven't earned the privilege. Use a leash or long line; remember that if your out-of-control dog gets into a fight with an aggressive but leashed dog, the fault is yours. It's not worth two sets of vet bills.

    This is my go-to local place for camping and hiking alike. Michaux sits on the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and though they are scarcely more than foothills here compared to their majesty in more well-known areas like TN, NC, and VA, it is a place of peace and beauty all the same. Like much of the state, it's a young mixed deciduous and coniferous forest, with some open and sparsely wooded prairie/meadow sections.

  • DL W.
    Jun. 23, 2019

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    A treasure to remember, after a long, rough day...

    I 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.

  • Brian S.
    Apr. 19, 2018

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Close to Really Great Hiking

    Shawnee 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.

  • Danielle S.
    May. 24, 2020

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Pleasant camping

    We 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.

  • Casey L.
    Aug. 17, 2021

    Colonel Denning State Park Campground

    Favorite Park of the Season

    Amazing!!! Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites. If you stay in lower sites you are near the water and will have to walk up a large hill to get to bathrooms. Trail head close to site and was a very difficult hike with amazing views!! Wide open area to swim that was very clean and well kept. Hope to revisit soon!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 16, 2025

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Huge state park

    General: 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.

  • Brittany V.
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Double check site booked

    We 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.

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

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    No cell, no problem!

    General: 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.

Guide to Todd

Dispersed camping areas near Todd, Pennsylvania sit within the Appalachian Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet. The region's weather varies dramatically with seasons, from hot, humid summers to cold winters with significant snowfall. Streams and creeks flow abundantly through the forested lands, creating natural boundaries between camping areas.

What to do

Hiking trails around lakes: Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers a unique hiking experience around its distinctively dark-colored lake. According to camper Travis S., "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." The park features miles of hiking and biking trails accessible directly from the campground.

Visit historical sites: The region contains significant historical landmarks within short driving distances. Rachel L. mentions about Shawnee State Park Campground: "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial." The park serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby historical attractions.

Swimming in state park pools: Several area parks offer swimming facilities with varying amenities. Amanda H. notes about Little Buffalo State Park Campground: "The pool is very nice! They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!" Access to pools typically requires an additional fee, even for registered campers.

What campers like

Well-maintained facilities: Parks in the region receive consistent praise for cleanliness. According to Casey L. about Colonel Denning State Park Campground: "Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites." The park's bathhouse renovation has significantly improved the camping experience.

Secluded walk-in sites: Some campgrounds offer more remote options for those seeking privacy. Tiff T. reports: "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. The site was not far from our parking spot, maybe a hundred yards but there was a slight hill."

Night sky viewing: The rural location provides excellent stargazing opportunities. Denise D. from Black Moshannon State Park Campground mentions the park offers "a big sky view for star gazing." Limited light pollution in state forests enhances visibility of astronomical features.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: State park campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. Denise D. advises: "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early." Most parks allow reservations up to 11 months in advance.

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. According to Lee D. about Shawnee State 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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Todd, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Todd, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Todd, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring