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Christopher P.
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TravelerBig Run State Park Campground
Generous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
Equestrian Camping near Rector, PA
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Shawnee State Park Campground allows horses on select campground loops where pets are permitted. The 319-site campground includes a mixture of full hookup, electric-only, and non-electric tent sites alongside yurts and cabins. Campsites vary significantly in levelness and privacy, with some sites featuring gravel pads ranging from 20 to 115 feet in length. The campground reeks of horse manure throughout the day and night, indicating regular equine usage. Campground roads are partially paved with some unpaved sections that may present challenges for horse trailers during wet conditions.
Located approximately 10 minutes from Interstate 76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike), Shawnee State Park provides access to several hiking trails suitable for horseback riding. The trail around the lake offers scenic views for riders and connects to additional riding opportunities in the surrounding forest. Highway noise is audible from some campground areas but becomes less noticeable farther into the park. Water access is available for horses at multiple locations throughout the park. Trailer parking accommodates various sizes, though some camping loops have awkward approaches that make maneuvering larger horse trailers difficult. The park's proximity to historical sites around Schellsburg makes it a convenient base for riders exploring both natural and cultural attractions in the region. Firewood is available for purchase at the entrance for evening campfires after trail rides.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Rector (2)
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."
100 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $110 / night
2. Big Run State Park Campground
"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. "
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $55 / night
Drive Time
- 32 min from Johnstown, PA
- 55 min from Pittsburgh, PA
- 1 hr 9 min from Morgantown, WV
- 1 hr 10 min from Altoona, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Rector, PA
35 Reviews of 2 Rector Campgrounds
Nancy B.
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
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.
- JJennifer R.
ScoutShawnee State Park Campground
Loved the park but not the site
We loved the swimming and fishing in this park. Awesome Sandy swim beach and roped off area in the water made it great for keeping an eye on the kids while they swam. We had site 59 and are tent campers. This site was on an incline so the cots we brought were pretty miserable to sleep on. This spot was in its own little wooded cubby hole so it gave us a little more privacy but we thought that a lot of these sites were much too close together. We plan to scope out other sites to find a more level and more private option. Overall we really loved the park itself and will be back!
Rick G.LegendShawnee State Park Campground
Met our Needs Perfectly
Booked for 5 nights to have an opportunity to explore the Bedford, PA area. Great access to Flight 93 Memorial, local covered bridges, Fort Bedford Historic Fort, and many other attractions. Loop D was quiet with ample space between sites that provided privacy. Bathhouse was clean and used for showers. Dump and water fill station easy to access on your way in or out. Verizon signal good enough for streaming.
- KKatie H.Scout
Big Run State Park Campground
Great primitive campsite
This 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
Christina V.
GuideShawnee State Park Campground
Large, accompdating campground- Quiet on the weekdays!
Shawnee 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.
Gina I.RangerShawnee State Park Campground
Beautiful
Nice campground. Some of the campsites are a little bit too close together with no privacy. Our site/47 was too sunny. No shade, no privacy. But during the week was not too crowded, nice and quiet. The bathrooms were nice and kept clean. We had to ride our bikes or walk to get to the beach, that was more then a mile away or just felt like it was more, because it wasn’t mostly flat and for the kids was hard to ride they’re bikes . But when we got there we were pleased. Large,clean beach with sand , no rocks or aquatic plants in the water. I will do more day trips to the beach in the future.
Guide to Rector
Shawnee State Park Campground provides dedicated horse-friendly camping options within a 10-minute drive from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The 319-site facility maintains designated equestrian loops separate from standard camping areas. Equestrian camping near Rector, Pennsylvania typically sees highest usage during spring and fall months when trail conditions are optimal and insects are less problematic. The surrounding region features a mix of state parks and forests with established horse trails.
What to do
Trail riding at Big Run State Park Campground: The park offers access to multiple stream-side trails connecting to larger trail systems. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" notes camper Zoe H. at Big Run State Park Campground. Riders appreciate the peaceful setting and natural sounds during breaks.
Lake views on horseback: Ride the trail system surrounding Shawnee State Park's lake for scenic vistas. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," reports Casey S.. The trails provide multiple lake access points and connect to longer routes in the forest.
Historical site exploration: Combine riding with visits to nearby historical landmarks in Schellsburg. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike," says a visitor to the area. Morning rides often feature atmospheric fog that enhances the historical landscape.
What campers like
Spacious sites with natural separation: Many equestrian camping areas offer ample room between sites. "The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit," reports Brittany V. about Shawnee State Park Campground.
Access to water features: Equestrian campers appreciate the proximity to lakes and streams for horse watering and scenic rides. A visitor to Big Run comments, "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish. So quiet and very little traffic. Tons of space between sites." These water features provide natural cooling for horses during warmer months.
Overnight convenience: The campground layout facilitates horse care and feeding routines. "We stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend... Site 258 on loop D is quiet," notes a camper. Most equestrian sites include hitching posts and space for portable corrals, though permanent corrals are not available.
What you should know
Site selection is crucial: Not all sites accommodate horse trailers effectively. "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," cautions a visitor about proper site selection.
Seasonal conditions affect trail access: Spring thaws and heavy rainfall can render certain trails temporarily unusable. "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek," reports Andy C. at Big Run State Park, highlighting the importance of selecting sites based on seasonal conditions.
Water and facilities vary by park: Different parks offer varying levels of equestrian amenities. "Water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road at New Germany State Park," notes Nathan S. about Big Run. Some parks require bringing water for horses while others provide dedicated equine water facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with adequate space: Family equestrian camping requires extra space for both horses and children. "My wife and I stayed for two nights at this campground and enjoyed it greatly. We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up," shares Gerard about Shawnee State Park.
Pack for insects: Prepare for seasonal bug activity, especially in wooded horse camping areas. "There was a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful, but the mosquitos sucked," warns a camper about their experience. Bringing appropriate insect protection for both humans and horses is essential.
Plan activities beyond riding: Non-riders in the family need alternative activities. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground," mentions Lee D. about Shawnee State Park. Most parks offer fishing, hiking, and swimming options alongside horse trails.
Tips from RVers
Maneuver carefully in horse camping sections: Some loops have challenging approaches for larger rigs with horse trailers. "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 about Shawnee State Park. Advance scouting of sites helps prevent difficult parking situations.
Prepare for varied site conditions: Level sites are not guaranteed in all equestrian camping areas. "There are a fair amount of awkwardly-placed sites that sit on a hill and are difficult to place a tent, equipment or gear," explains a camper. Many experienced RVers bring additional leveling equipment when horse camping in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Rector, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Rector, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rector, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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