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Horse camping near Normalville, Pennsylvania ranges from full hookup sites to non-electric sites, with equestrian campgrounds accommodating horses alongside a swimming lake, boat rentals, and fishing. The 319-site campground offers a mix of full hookup, electric, and non-electric sites with varying levels of privacy and shade. Campground loops are designated for different uses, with select loops allowing pets. The park features a lake with swimming beach, boat rentals, and fishing opportunities. Campers should note that many sites are not level, particularly in the non-electric areas, making site selection important for RV campers with larger rigs.
Trail access includes a hiking loop around the lake that provides scenic views and wildlife observation opportunities. The park connects to several local attractions including the Flight 93 National Memorial approximately 20 minutes away. Horse owners should be prepared for limited privacy between some sites and plan accordingly for manure management. The campground is easily accessible from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, though this proximity results in noticeable highway noise at some campsites. Reservations are recommended during peak seasons as the campground becomes crowded on weekends. Weekday visits offer a quieter experience with more site availability for horse campers requiring specific accommodations.
"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."
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability"The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "
from $10 - $55 / night
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TravelerCampground 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.
TravelerI 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.
GuideShawnee 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.
LegendGeneral: 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.
RangerWe 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.
ScoutThis is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds. The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks. Clean and well maintained. The camp store nearby offers a good selection of basics along with boat rentals
LegendWe 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.
TravelerYou have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. Frankly, the bare campsites are nicer - they are more spread out, wooded, and some of them are located right along the stream. Mosquitos are something of an issue, but by no means awful; and it is a pleasure to sleep in nature with nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek. It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking.
ScoutThis is a nice park, close to home with a lake. We like to picnic and go fishing. There are nice trails, volleyball areas, and playgrounds.
Shawnee State Park offers equestrian camping near Normalville, Pennsylvania with designated areas for horseback riders. The park sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation in the Allegheny Mountains region, providing a cooler climate than surrounding lowlands. The campground maintains several horse-friendly sites with adequate space for trailers and direct access to riding trails.
Trail riding: The park maintains several equestrian-friendly trails with varying difficulty levels. According to visitors, "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained" at Shawnee State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can catch various species in the park's lake. One visitor noted, "Nice fishing lake and can be remote" with particularly good catches in the early morning or evening hours.
Visit nearby attractions: The area provides access to historical sites. As one camper shared, "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial" which is a short drive from the campground.
Water recreation: The lake offers multiple activities during warm months. A camper mentioned, "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating" making it suitable for families seeking water-based recreation.
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room between sites at Big Run State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "There was a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful" which provides privacy for equestrian campers with gear.
Natural soundscapes: The sound of moving water enhances the camping experience. One camper described, "beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" creating a relaxing atmosphere after a day of riding.
Well-maintained facilities: The parks in the region generally receive praise for upkeep. A camper stated, "it was huge and very well maintained" regarding the overall condition of grounds and facilities.
Lake views: The reservoir provides scenic backdrops for camping. As mentioned by a visitor, "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too."
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require preparation before setting up. One visitor advised, "Double check site booked" adding that "We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked" at Shawnee State Park Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts the experience significantly. During summer, mosquitoes can be an issue as one camper mentioned, "it was very peaceful, but the mosquitos sucked."
Reservation timing: Weekdays offer better availability and quieter conditions. A Monday in mid-October had "many open sites" according to one visitor who chose not to reserve ahead.
Bathroom facilities: Amenities vary by campground. Some parks offer "clean, bright" bathrooms while others have basic pit toilets that were described as "a nice long walk or a short drive away and not the worst I've seen."
Water play options: Children enjoy stream access at several campgrounds. One visitor at Big Run State Park Campground shared, "It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek. The kids loved playing in the water."
Wildlife viewing: The streams and lakes contain observable aquatic life. A camper noted the water was "incredible and lively with trout and crayfish" providing natural educational opportunities.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play areas for children. A visitor mentioned "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop" providing an activity option when not hiking or riding.
Beach activities: The lake offers swimming opportunities with designated areas. According to one camper, the park "has a large, sandy beach" suitable for family outings during warmer months.
Site selection strategy: RVers should research site specifications before booking. One camper advised, "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time" allowing them to select an appropriate site upon arrival.
Hookup availability: Full-hookup sites exist but are limited. A visitor noted, "We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up" for their 32-foot trailer.
Maneuvering challenges: Some sites have difficult approaches. One RVer observed "many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them."
Size accommodation: Different loops offer varying capacities. According to a visitor, sites "vary in length from 20' to 115'" with gravel pads that are fairly level in the full-hookup and electric sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Normalville, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Normalville, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
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