Nancy B.
Ranger
RangerShawnee State Park Campground
Well maintained
The sites and roads are well maintained. Some sites are on hilly roads but are acceptable for tenters. The bathhouse is older but the showers are hot. August 2026
Equestrian Camping near Todd, PA
8 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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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.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Todd (12)
1. Shawnee State Park Campground
"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."
117 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $110 / night
2. Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
3. Black Moshannon State Park Campground
"Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season."
"Great hiking and a beautiful lake for kayaking. Site 22 is a full hookup. Utilities worked nicely. However, our picnic table had seen better days. "
37 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $87 / night
4. 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."
"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."
40 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $38 / night
5. Little Buffalo State Park Campground
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $26 - $151 / night
6. Michaux State Forest
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
7. North Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
8. South Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
9. Teaberry Parking Area Campsites — Michaux State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
10. Vagabond Isle
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $150 / night
Drive Time
- 46 min from Altoona, PA
- 1 hr 3 min from Chambersburg, PA
- 1 hr 11 min from State College, PA
- 1 hr 19 min from Johnstown, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Todd, PA
89 Reviews of 12 Todd Campgrounds
MsTrailBlazerRangerColonel Denning State Park Campground
Snakes! 🐍 🥰
Great 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.
- MsTrailBlazerRanger
Little Buffalo State Park Campground
Campground away from park 👍🏻
Beautiful 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.
Etzer D.
GuideColonel Denning State Park Campground
Great creekside spot
The weather wasn’t too great, but the campaign joy could not be hampered. We had a great spot along the creek, which was also a short walk from the lake. The bathroom facilities are fantastic nice and clean couldn’t be happier.
Graham S.
TravelerBlack Moshannon State Park Campground
Great campground at a beautiful park
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. 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.
- SScott I.Traveler
Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
Nice spot to camp in the mountains
First 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.
Brittany V.
LegendShawnee 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.LegendShawnee 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.
- SSteveGuide
Black Moshannon State Park Campground
Beautiful spot
In the middle of the woods vibe. The sites had good privacy and it was just a pretty area. Neighbors were respectful and relatively quiet.. There was zero cell service at this campground. Bathrooms were clean.
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
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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 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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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.
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