Nancy B.
Ranger
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
Equestrian Camping near Saxton, PA
10 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest accommodates riders with electric hookups, water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. The designated equestrian camping area provides space for horses and horse trailers with relatively level sites for both tents and RVs. Riders need to bring their own temporary containment systems as permanent corrals are not provided at the campsites. The campground layout allows for easy loading and unloading of horses, with ample space between sites for horse trailers. Most sites can accommodate multiple horses with room for portable corrals or high lines. Sites remain relatively quiet during weekdays, making them ideal for horses that may be sensitive to noise and activity.
The trail system connecting to North Run Equine Camping Area provides direct access to miles of forested riding paths within Moshannon State Forest. Trails vary in difficulty and are generally well-marked, accommodating both novice and experienced riders. Water access for horses is available along several trail routes, though riders should bring their own water for horses while at the campsites. The area experiences moderate use during summer weekends but maintains a peaceful atmosphere most of the year. Camping permits must be obtained in advance through the Pennsylvania DCNR reservation system, especially during peak seasons. Some trails connect to wider networks allowing for extended day rides directly from camp without trailering. Horse owners should pack out all manure or scatter it well away from campsites and water sources according to forest regulations.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Saxton (10)
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."
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability2. Black Moshannon State Park Campground
"Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season."
"Great hiking and a beautiful lake for kayaking. Site 22 is a full hookup. Utilities worked nicely. However, our picnic table had seen better days. "
from $24 - $145 / night
Check Availability3. Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
from $10 / night
Check Availability4. Colonel Denning State Park Campground
"Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."
"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."
from $24 - $38 / night
Check Availability5. Michaux State Forest
"Some reviewers have confused nearby State Parks with the actual State Forest, resulting in inaccurate information."
"Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail."
from $10 / night
Check Availability6. Vagabond Isle
from $100 - $150 / night
Check Availability7. North Block — Tuscarora State Forest
from $10 / night
Check Availability8. South Block — Tuscarora State Forest
from $10 / night
Check Availability9. North Run Equine Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
from $10 / night
Check Availability10. Peggy's Hill Parking Area Campsites — Michaux State Forest
from $10 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 34 min from Altoona, PA
- 1 hr 6 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr 9 min from Chambersburg, PA
- 1 hr 10 min from State College, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Saxton, PA
69 Reviews of 10 Saxton Campgrounds
MsTrailBlazer 🏔.RangerColonel Denning State Park Campground
Snakes! 🐍 🥰
Great park, alittle close together than I like. I wish I had picked 1-12 sites by the creek, but I don’t think I had much choice when I booked anyway. Bathrooms were clean. My site was more of an rv and I felt like I was at the neighbors for supper.
Etzer D.
GuideColonel Denning State Park Campground
Great creekside spot
The weather wasn’t too great, but the campaign joy could not be hampered. We had a great spot along the creek, which was also a short walk from the lake. The bathroom facilities are fantastic nice and clean couldn’t be happier.
Graham S.
TravelerBlack Moshannon State Park Campground
Great campground at a beautiful park
Ive camped at Black Moshannon State Park many times both in a tent and our camper. The Park has tent only, electric and full hookup sites. It is well cared for and clean. The bathhouses are nice and well maintained. The Park itself offers a lot to do with fishing. Hiking, the beach, kayak rentals, etc. I've never had a bad time at Black Moshannon and will keep coming back.
- SScott I.Traveler
Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
Nice spot to camp in the mountains
First 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.
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.
- SSteveGuide
Black Moshannon State Park Campground
Beautiful spot
In the middle of the woods vibe. The sites had good privacy and it was just a pretty area. Neighbors were respectful and relatively quiet.. There was zero cell service at this campground. Bathrooms were clean.
Tiff T.
ScoutColonel Denning State Park Campground
Awesome!
We had a great time visiting the park! 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. The site was not far from our parking spot, maybe a hundred yards but there was a slight hill. There are even more isolated campsites further up the hill.
The park itself is definitely on the smaller side but packs in a lot. Lots of great trails and the beach would be great( close due to bacteria overgrowth) the michaux forest is 30 minutes away and has a lot more outdoor activities.
Will stay here again in the future.
Guide to Saxton
North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides a dedicated camping experience for riders and their horses in central Pennsylvania. The campground accommodates tent and RV camping with limited electric hookups and offers picnic tables at each site. While specific corral facilities are not included, horse owners should be prepared to bring their own portable fencing or tie-out equipment. The campsites are reservable and pet-friendly, allowing visitors to bring additional animals beyond their horses. Electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables create a functional base camp for riders exploring the surrounding forest trails. The campground's accessibility via drive-in access makes it suitable for horse trailers and equipment transport.
Located approximately 70 miles northwest of Saxton, Moshannon State Forest encompasses over 190,000 acres with an extensive trail system suitable for day rides and multi-day excursions. Riders can access miles of bridle paths directly from the campground without trailering to separate locations. Water access points are available throughout the forest for horses, though campers should verify seasonal availability before planning trips. The forest terrain varies from gentle slopes to more challenging elevations, providing diverse riding experiences for all skill levels. Trail connections to neighboring public lands expand riding opportunities beyond the immediate camping area. Visitors should check with forest rangers about current trail conditions and temporary closures before planning extensive rides, particularly during hunting seasons or after significant weather events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Saxton, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Saxton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Saxton, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Saxton, PA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Saxton, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Saxton, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring