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Christopher P.
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TravelerBig Run State Park Campground
Generous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
Equestrian Camping near Rockwood, PA
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Shawnee State Park Campground and Big Run State Park Campground near Rockwood permit pets and allow horseback riding on designated trails, though neither offers dedicated horse corrals or specialized equestrian facilities. Shawnee provides both tent and RV camping with electric hookups, water connections, and sewer facilities for visitors traveling with horses. Campsites feature picnic tables and fire rings, with clean restrooms and shower facilities available. Most sites accommodate horse trailers, though campers note that some sites have awkward back-in approaches that make maneuvering larger rigs challenging.
Trails connect both campgrounds to surrounding recreational areas where horseback riding is permitted. Big Run State Park offers more primitive camping with spacious, widely separated sites ideal for visitors with horses. The park features stream access where horses can drink, though campers should bring their own water containers as drinking water facilities are limited. Sites positioned near the stream provide natural white noise that helps calm horses after trail rides. Trail riders should note that mosquitoes can be problematic in certain seasons, particularly at Big Run's streamside locations. Both parks require reservations, especially during peak summer months when equestrian-friendly sites fill quickly.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Rockwood (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
- 42 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr 8 min from Morgantown, WV
- 1 hr 10 min from Pittsburgh, PA
- 1 hr 13 min from Altoona, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Rockwood, PA
35 Reviews of 2 Rockwood 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 Rockwood
Shawnee State Park and Big Run State Park provide dedicated equestrian opportunities near Rockwood, Pennsylvania, with trails available specifically for horseback riding throughout the year. The region features mixed terrain at elevations ranging from 1,900 to 2,200 feet, creating varied trail experiences for riders of all skill levels. Seasonal temperature fluctuations impact trail conditions, with spring often bringing muddy sections while summer offers firm footing.
What to do
Trail riding on reservoir routes: Access designated equestrian trails at Shawnee State Park Campground that circle the lake area. "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., highlighting the trail quality that benefits horse riders as well.
Fish after riding: Many horseback riders combine trail riding with fishing opportunities. "Nice fishing lake and can be remote," reports Dustin R. about Shawnee State Park, where you can tie up your horse at your campsite and walk to fishing spots within minutes.
Visit historical sites: After trail riding, explore nearby landmarks. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike," shares Melanie Z. The Flight 93 Memorial is also accessible, with Rachel L. noting, "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial."
What campers like
Stream-side camping for horses: Riders appreciate the natural water features at Big Run State Park Campground where horses can easily access water. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" says Zoe H., highlighting how the stream sounds can have a calming effect on horses after a day on trails.
Spacious campsites for trailers: The generous spacing between sites makes Big Run particularly suitable for horse camping. "Tons of space between sites," reports Nathan S., while Andy C. confirms, "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek."
Natural surroundings: The wooded environment provides shade and natural comfort for horses. "The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds," shares Katie H., describing conditions that benefit both riders and horses during overnight stays.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Shawnee State Park Campground, choosing the right site for horse trailers requires advance planning. "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," explains Brittany V., a consideration equally important for horse trailers.
Mosquito protection needed: Insect repellent for both humans and horses is essential, particularly near water. "Landed here after a road trip and it was great after sleeping in the car for a few nights. There was a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful, but the mosquitos sucked," warns Aakansha J. about Big Run State Park.
Seasonal availability: Facilities and water access vary by season. "We did see a boat launch and what appeared to be kayak rentals, but we were there out of season," notes Lee D. about Shawnee State Park, indicating the importance of checking seasonal availability when planning horse camping trips.
Tips for camping with families
Creek exploration opportunities: Kids can enjoy wading while horses rest at camp. "The kids loved playing in the water. Very quiet and relaxing!" shares Andy C. about Big Run State Park, where stream areas offer shallow spots safe for supervised children.
Wildlife observation: Streams near equestrian campsites support diverse wildlife viewing. "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," describes Nathan S., mentioning activities that can entertain children while parents tend to horses.
Reservoir recreation: Big Run State Park Campground offers additional water activities beyond horseback riding. "It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking," notes Mark K., providing alternative activities for family members not riding.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: When bringing horse trailers with living quarters, note the varied hookup options. "We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up. We have a 32 foot trailer. The site we were assigned was easily accessed and had a nice view of the campground," shares Gerard about Shawnee State Park Campground.
Approach challenges: Large horse trailers require careful navigation at certain sites. "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," Gerard continues, highlighting access issues relevant to equestrian campers.
Multi-purpose amenities: RV facilities often benefit horse campers with living quarters trailers. "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," reports Danielle S., noting electrical options that support extended horse camping trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Rockwood, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Rockwood, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rockwood, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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