North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides primitive camping facilities with direct trail access for horse riders. Situated 40 miles northeast of Pine Grove Mills at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet, this equestrian-focused destination connects to miles of Moshannon's forest trails. While the campground doesn't have permanent corrals, sites accommodate portable containment systems and high lines for securing horses overnight.
What to do
Hiking to scenic overlooks: Colonel Denning State Park offers challenging trails with significant elevation changes. "We made the trek up the Flat Rock Trail to the overlook. A six mile round trip with a 1200 ft climb. Spectacular views," notes Nate & Erika L. of Colonel Denning State Park Campground.
Kayaking on calm waters: Black Moshannon State Park features a 250-acre lake perfect for paddling. "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding," writes Matthew U. about Black Moshannon State Park Campground.
Wildlife observation: Horse campgrounds near Pine Grove Mills offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities along forest trails. "We had a group of people with tents next to us that were basically on top of us. Not their fault...it was the size of the sites," notes Shirley M. about her experience at Colonel Denning.
River activities: Stay at riverside campgrounds for water recreation. "We enjoyed our stay here — but mostly because we liked being right on the water. If it weren't for that this would not be the campground for us," shares melissa about her stay at Ferryboat Campsites.
What campers like
Private mountain views: Some sites offer exclusive scenery. "Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below," reports Scott I. about Rothrock Roadside Campsites.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards. "Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites," says Casey L. about Colonel Denning State Park Campground.
Dark night skies: The remote location of equine campgrounds near Pine Grove Mills creates excellent stargazing conditions. "The lake has lots to offer. Swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife watching and a big sky view for star gazing," notes Denise D. about Black Moshannon State Park.
Family-friendly amenities: "The pool here is top notch and it's good for fishing but the hiking isn't super great. We did have a nice bat spotting walk with a Ranger when we were there," shares Christopher E. about Little Buffalo State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Horse camping sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "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," advises Scott I.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approaches. "Our only trouble was our GPS brought us in the most difficult way. We suggest avoiding heading south from I80 on Casanova road," warns Sandi G. about Black Moshannon State Park.
Primitive conditions: Many equestrian sites lack modern amenities. "No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here. Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon)," explains Scott I. about Rothrock Roadside Campsites.
Water conditions: "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," explains Travis S. about Black Moshannon's distinctive water coloration.
Tips for camping with families
Look for accessible trail options: Choose equestrian campgrounds with varied trail difficulties. "This campground is so beautiful with plenty to do for everyone, tons of hiking along the whole park," recommends Lisa L. about Black Moshannon State Park Campground.
Consider cabin alternatives: "My family and I stayed here one night during a motorcycle trip. We rented 1 of the cabins they have on the property and it was great all of us fit comfortably," shares Danielle W. about her experience at Black Moshannon.
Check swimming options: "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!" explains Amanda H. about Little Buffalo State Park Campground.
Plan for site layout: "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," suggests Tiff T. about Colonel Denning.
Tips for RVers
Site selection matters: Choose sites carefully in horse campgrounds near Pine Grove Mills. "We have a small 19" travel trailer which was almost impossible to park due to very tight sites. Sites are almost on top of each other," cautions Shirley M.
Check road conditions: Forest service roads can be challenging. "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," warns Scott I.
Reserve well ahead: "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early. It has sites to accommodate any R.V. and lot of tent sites," advises Denise D. about Ferryboat Campsites.
Plan for seasonal changes: "This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion," notes Scott I. about the access road to Rothrock Roadside Campsites, an important consideration for RVers planning off-season visits.
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