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Shawnee State Park Campground offers limited equestrian facilities with pet-friendly sites spread across multiple camping loops. The campground accommodates tent campers, RVs, and cabin stays throughout the year, though horses require trailer parking in designated areas. Many sites feature electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, with several loops allowing pets, though specific horse amenities are minimal. The campground reeks of horse manure 24/7 despite its proximity to highways, creating a distinct atmosphere for equestrian campers.
Trails connect to the main park area where a 451-acre lake provides additional recreation opportunities for campers and their horses. Water access points along the lake trail allow horses to drink after rides, though riders should bring portable water containers for overnight stays. The 5-mile loop trail around the lake accommodates horses and is excellent for biking, with well-marked paths for multi-use recreation. Visitors should reserve sites well in advance during summer months, as the 300+ site campground fills quickly, especially on weekends. Big Country Campground offers an alternative location with similar pet-friendly policies and trail access, though with more limited hookup options for extended equestrian camping trips.
"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"Lots of activities, tons of nearby attractions, fishing, hunting, and hiking. Great store and owners, a nice place to visit."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
from $10 / 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.
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.
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.
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.
GuideShawnee State Park is a very large campground (319 campsites with mixed electric and non-electric, some pet friendly, some not) about 10 minutes off highway 76 and 20 minutes from the Flight 93 National Memorial.
My fiancé and I visited on August 21, 2022- a Sunday. We did not have a reservation and utilized the campground’s honor system envelopes to reserve our site. We drove all over the entire campground (which is, again, quite large) and decided that sites 22 and 34 were both well suited for our Sprinter van 144 and not too crowded for our reactive dog.
The park employees were very helpful and accommodating, though we only needed limited assistance with our arrival since we didn’t have a reservation. A campsite list is posted at the entrance that displays the list of available sites for that night.
There is a loop that can accommodate larger RVs but most of those were full- the remaining sites are not necessarily level, and only about 1/4 of them appear to have electricity. Our site, 34, is not an electric site.
The campground appears well maintained, though the $33.50 fee is a little more expensive than we are used to paying. But the price of the site was worth it for us for a safe and quiet place to stop for the night on our way to the Flight 93 Memorial and Pittsburgh.
A note that traffic and highway noise can be heard from the campground but it isn’t incredibly loud- you do get nature sounds that drown out the highway noise at times, as the bugs here are very loud, but if the sound of the highway in the background will bother you, this might not be your ideal campground.
This campground clearly gets very busy during some weekends, so definitely plan a visit during the week if you’re like us and prefer a more private camping experience.
Shawnee State Park Campground provides horse-friendly camping options in the Schellsburg area, approximately 25 miles from Penn Run, Pennsylvania. The 300+ site campground includes a mix of full hookup, electric, and non-electric sites across multiple camping loops with select areas designated for equestrian use. This state park encompasses a 451-acre lake with multiple access points and trails designed for multi-use recreation, including horseback riding. Sites range from 20 to 115 feet in length with varying degrees of levelness across the camping areas.
Trail riding around the lake: The 5-mile loop trail surrounding Shawnee State Park lake accommodates horses with designated water access points. "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained," notes Kaley R. from Shawnee State Park Campground.
Fishing in multiple locations: Anglers can access the lake from various points near the campground. "Nice fishing lake and can be remote," reports Dustin R., who frequently visits the park. The fishing opportunities extend beyond the main lake with additional water features accessible from the trails.
Swimming at the beach area: During warmer months, the sandy beach area provides swimming access for families. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," shares Casey S. from Rothrock Roadside Campsites, who recommends visiting between late May and early September when water temperatures are most comfortable.
Spacious sites with natural separation: Many equestrian campers appreciate the layout of certain camping loops. "The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit," explains Brittany V. about her experience at Big Country Campground, which offers similar site configurations to Shawnee State Park.
Clean facilities despite heavy use: The bathroom and shower buildings receive regular maintenance. "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," reports Danielle S., noting the practical amenities available for overnight horse campers.
Proximity to historical attractions: The area surrounding the equestrian camping options includes significant historical sites. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike," mentions Melanie Z., highlighting the convenient location for travelers combining horse camping with historical exploration.
Site selection matters for level ground: Horse trailers require careful consideration when booking. "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," cautions Brittany V. from Shawnee State Park Campground.
Highway noise varies by campsite location: Despite the rural setting, some sites experience traffic sounds. "As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise," explains Lee D., recommending loops further from the main roads for quieter overnight stays with horses.
Limited firewood quality at park stores: Campfire materials may require supplementation. "Camp wood at the entrance is $5 and is tiny; our biggest piece was a foot long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick," reports Danielle S., suggesting visitors collect additional deadfall or purchase wood from local vendors before arrival.
Reserve well in advance for summer weekends: Popular equestrian camping areas fill quickly during peak season. "The park has lots of activities for the day, including a beach, fishing, hiking, group picnic areas," notes Tiffany K., emphasizing the importance of securing reservations 3-6 months ahead for family horse camping trips.
Check tent site terrain before setting up: Non-electric sites present challenges for level placement. "There are a fair amount of awkwardly-placed sites that sit on a hill and are difficult to place a tent, equipment or gear," warns Kaley R., suggesting families request specific site recommendations when making reservations.
Pack shower shoes and dish washing supplies: Shared facilities require appropriate accessories. "Bring shower shoes. We were able to hear a small bit of traffic from the highway, but nothing that disturbed us," advises Danielle S. from Rothrock Roadside Campsites, highlighting practical considerations for multi-day family stays.
Assess maneuverability before committing to sites: Large rigs face access challenges in certain camping loops. "We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up. However, as we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," cautions Gerard from Shawnee State Park Campground.
Consider seasonal timing for optimal experience: Off-peak visits offer advantages for equestrian RVers. "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," shares Lee D., noting the flexibility available during shoulder seasons.
Look for full hookup options when available: Water and sewer connections enhance longer stays. "Lots of activities, tons of nearby attractions, fishing, hunting, and hiking. Great store and owners, a nice place to visit," notes Michael L. from Big Country Campground, highlighting the combination of conveniences and recreation options available to RVers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Penn Run, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Penn Run, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Penn Run, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Penn Run, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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