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Jefferson Lake State Park Campground offers a limited number of equestrian sites for horse owners near Nottingham, Pennsylvania. The campground provides both standard and equestrian campsites, with only two electric sites designated for horse camping. Some reviews note that the electric hookups are positioned at a distance behind the camping pad, potentially requiring extension cords. The equestrian area accommodates both tent camping and RVs, though riders should be prepared for relatively basic facilities. The campground features pit toilets that are cleaned daily according to visitors, but lacks shower facilities.
The park connects to approximately 18 miles of multi-use trails suitable for horseback riding through the surrounding Ohio countryside. Water access for horses comes from non-potable water spigots that lack threading, which can make filling larger water containers challenging. Riders report needing to hold hoses over spigots for extended periods to fill tanks. The campground maintains a quiet atmosphere due to its small size and somewhat remote location. Horse campers should arrive well-supplied, as there are limited restaurants and grocery stores in the immediate vicinity. Some access roads may have seasonal detours, so checking current road conditions before traveling with horse trailers is advisable.
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- 6 electric sites
- 44 non-electric sites
- Dump station
- No showers; no flush toilets
- Pets are permitted on all sites
Equestrian"
"I live near by to this state park and have spent much time exploring the entirety of it."
from $23 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore."
"The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit. The best part - it's free!"
"This smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning."
"Tucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court."
from $23 - $33 / night
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GuideThis smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning. You need to be careful when booking, especially if you are trying to pitch a tent, as some sites are quite sloped. Our site was huge and right next to the water spigot.
TravelerTucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court. Dump station and 18 miles of multi use trails! Small lake for wading with the kiddos, fishing near the dam or skip rocks in the creek. But be sure to pack a picnic and relax and enjoy! Only a few electric sites available. Mostly flat shaded sites most perfect for tents or trailers.
TravelerFamily Campground on Leslie Road [map]
Equestrian Camp on Sprucevale Road
Group Camp on Sprucevale Road
GuideI live near by to this state park and have spent much time exploring the entirety of it.
The trails are all nice, nothing too strenuous, and each have something unique compared to the others in the park. During the spring the Salamander trail is filled with thousands of Trilliums, a truly majestic experience. Lots of flowing water to enjoy throughout the park, some are off the trails but never hard to reach. A good park to enjoy with family and friends because you can fish, kayak, bike, skate, hike, horseback, and picnic. In addition, there are numerous historical cabins, locks, shelters, and a water run mill to sight-see. Then for those in search of a bit of spookiness, Gretchen’s Lock is notoriously a haunted location with certainly eerie vibes.
The family campground is small, but the park as a whole is not far from civilization so if any supplies are needed it is not a far endeavor.
I do not horseback, so I cannot comment on that campground, but many of the trails are friendly for horses to travel.
OH! And if you are there on the weekends the Wildlife Center is a must! The staff are so nice, it is by donation to visit so is in everyone’s price range. An astounding display of animals and nature information! You can even hold the snakes and see a bee hive in action.
RangerThis tiny gem of a campground is actually quite decent. Each site is furnished with a small fire ring and picnic table. The fire rings do not have a grill grate. The pit toilets in the restroom are "fragrant" when you enter the women's side of the building but not so terribly that they can't be used. My friend did gag upon entering the men's room. There are designated wastewater areas to dump grey water, but you'll have to bring your own water for drinking, washing, etc. There are no electric hookups.
As others have mentioned, there is a gun range nearby and you can hear occasional firing. Helicopter traffic at night was a slight distraction from the otherwise quiet night I spent here.
There is an easy orange-blazed trail behind site 10 but as of this writing, a there are several downed trees blocking the trail a good distance in.
I'd definitely stay again.
5/3/2021 Edited to add:. Well, our second stay here is decidedly less positive. We are at site 9 this time. No fire ring here. The women's bathroom is filthy and it made me gag (there is feces all over one toilet seat and the other smells so bad that I just peed in the woods). It's turkey season so lots of noise in the woods.
GuideWhen you pull into Beaver Creek Family Campground you pretty much have two choices: either you go left into multiple Pine tree sites or right into two cabins and more RV friendly open sites. A few of the RV sites have electric, but no water for their tanks. I suggest the pine sites for any tent or hammock campers. I stayed in one of the first set of 3 pine sites numbered 43, 44, and 45. There is some brush and cover between these sites, but each has a pull in parking pad. If 45 was occupied with a RV, 44 would not be as nice as it was. Backing into 44 and 45 would be tricky as well. To be fair any larger RV that came in better know how to get through tight quarters.
The back area of each of those 3 sites looked best to get even ground for a tent. My buddy hung his hammock between the tree to the left of the picnic bench and to a tree back and left in the picture of site 44. Site was fairly clean, but be sure to move the pine tree duff away from the fire pits to be safe.
Probably the nicest pit toilets I have experienced and while we didn't use, it the sun shower building would give anyone privacy if they had packed a portable shower. Lots of trails to choose from and the pioneer village in the state park gives you many options to spend the day. Had some luck fishing at the Canoe/Kayak area in the South East area of the park close to the Group Camp Sites.
ScoutVery well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore. Very quiet everytime I've camped there, many times btw. Great, quiet, close to nature experience.
Travelerdirect access to the North Country National Scenic Trail and trails through main park
ScoutThe camp ground was nice except there is no running water. We took advantage of some of the hiking trails around and they were good in some areas, but definitely needed to be kept up on more often. Very over grown and difficult to follow the trails, but overall we were able to hike for about 3 hours without running into anyone else. The creek that runs through the area is beautiful and there were many people fishing along the way. Kayaking is also very popular among the creek, but the water was too low this time. If I were to go back I would definitely kayaking if the water is at the right level. The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc). Really historical area to check out and hike around.
Jefferson Lake State Park Campground near Richmond, Ohio offers limited equestrian camping facilities approximately 55 miles west of Nottingham, Pennsylvania. The campground sits at an elevation of about 1,200 feet and experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. Trail riders can access approximately 18 miles of multi-use trails through mixed hardwood forests common to the Ohio-Pennsylvania border region.
Trail exploration: Horse trails at Jefferson Lake connect with nearby forestland, creating opportunities for rides ranging from 1-4 hours. As one rider noted at Beaver Creek State Park Campground: "Direct access to the North Country National Scenic Trail and trails through main park" makes for diverse riding options.
Lake activities: The small lake at Jefferson Lake provides fishing opportunities when not affected by seasonal algae issues. "The camp ground was nice except there is no running water. We took advantage of some of the hiking trails around and they were good in some areas, but definitely needed to be kept up on more often," explains one visitor to Beaver Creek State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer the best opportunities for spotting white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and various bird species. A visitor to Hidden Hollow Campground shared: "Very quiet everytime I've camped there, many times btw. Great, quiet, close to nature experience."
Quiet atmosphere: Many equestrian campers appreciate the small size and peaceful environment. As one camper at Jefferson Lake State Park Campground stated: "This smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning."
Spacious sites: Some equine camping spots provide adequate room for trailers and portable corrals. A camper noted: "Perfect for our little Scamp trailer. Only 5 big electric sites, no showers or potable water. As a result it was so peaceful! We loved our rainy stay."
Trail conditions: Well-maintained trails with varied terrain appeal to both novice and experienced riders. "Tucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court. Dump station and 18 miles of multi use trails!" reports a Jefferson Lake visitor.
Water limitations: The non-threaded spigots present challenges for filling large containers. According to a camper: "All water full up towers only have those spigots that are not threaded. Had to hold hose over spigot about 20 min to fill 35 gal. We were later told by staff the maintenance building had a threaded spigot."
Seasonal closures: Some access roads may close during winter months or after heavy rainfall. Check current conditions before traveling.
Site selection: Pay attention to site grading when booking. A Hidden Hollow Campground visitor warned: "We got lucky and landed a level site, but most of the sites are extremely unlevel."
Recreation options: Beyond horseback riding, families can enjoy fishing and hiking. As one visitor explained: "Small lake for wading with the kiddos, fishing near the dam or skip rocks in the creek. But be sure to pack a picnic and relax and enjoy!"
Playground access: The small playground provides entertainment for younger children when not riding. "The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy. The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities," reported a visitor to Beaver Creek State Park Campground.
Star-gazing opportunities: Clear nights offer excellent star-viewing without city light pollution. "To cap it off, we laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!" shared another Beaver Creek camper.
Electric hookup positioning: RVers should bring extension cords for the electric sites. A visitor to Jefferson Lake noted: "Only 5 electric sites. Very clean pit toilets. Well maintained campground. A few equine sites. Only 2 electric eq sites. Electric is a little far behind pad. We almost needed extension cord."
Cellular coverage: AT&T users report reliable 5G service with 3 bars at Jefferson Lake, beneficial for those needing to stay connected. Verizon coverage may vary.
Supply planning: Limited shopping options nearby require advance preparation. "Not very many restaurants or grocery nearby. Better make sure you have what you need bf you travel," advises an experienced Jefferson Lake camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Nottingham, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Nottingham, PA is Beaver Creek State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Nottingham, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Nottingham, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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