C
Christopher P.
Scout
ScoutBig Run State Park Campground
Generous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
Equestrian Camping near Somerset, PA
2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Shawnee State Park Campground offers sites suitable for equestrian visitors in the Somerset area, with 300+ campsites across multiple loops featuring a mix of full hookup, 30 and 50-amp electric, and non-electric tent sites. The campground provides accommodations including tents, RVs, cabins, glamping options, and yurts, though sites vary significantly in size and levelness. Select loops allow pets, with many campsites situated under tree coverage providing natural shade. The campground features clean bathroom facilities, picnic tables, fire rings, and a sanitary dump station, though some visitors note road noise from the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike can occasionally be heard.
Trails surrounding the campground connect to a 293-acre lake that serves as the centerpiece of the park's outdoor activities. Equestrians can access multiple hiking paths with varying difficulty levels, some of which permit horseback riding. The lake offers swimming at a sandy beach, fishing, and boat rentals during peak season. The park's location provides convenient access to regional attractions, including the Flight 93 National Memorial approximately 20 minutes away. Campground roads are partially paved, with both wooded and open sites available. Sites range from 20 to 115 feet in length, though visitors with larger rigs should carefully select their site as many non-electric spaces lack defined, level pads. Reservations are recommended during peak season when the campground typically fills with weekend visitors.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Somerset (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."
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability2. 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. "
from $10 - $55 / night
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Drive Time
- 29 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr from Altoona, PA
- 1 hr 1 min from Pittsburgh, PA
- 1 hr 11 min from Morgantown, WV
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Somerset, PA
35 Reviews of 2 Somerset 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.Scout
Shawnee 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 Somerset
Shawnee State Park offers equestrian camping options near Somerset, Pennsylvania, with dedicated spaces for visitors bringing horses. The park sits at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet in the Appalachian Mountains, creating varied terrain for trail riders. Camping areas designed for equestrian use provide necessary facilities for both riders and their horses, with multiple trail access points available directly from camp.
What to do
Fishing at nearby lakes: Shawnee State Park features a 293-acre lake stocked with various fish species. "Nice fishing lake and can be remote," notes Dustin R. about the opportunities at Shawnee State Park Campground.
Visit historic sites: The area surrounding Somerset contains significant historical landmarks. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites," reports Melanie Z. about camping at Shawnee. The Flight 93 National Memorial is approximately 20 minutes from many campgrounds, with one camper mentioning, "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial."
Kayaking and boating: Many parks in the region offer water recreation options. A visitor to Big Run State Park Campground mentions, "It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking." Rental equipment is available seasonally at most parks with lakes, typically ranging from $15-25 per hour.
What campers like
Stream-side camping: Waterfront sites are highly sought after in horse campgrounds near Somerset, Pennsylvania. A camper at Big Run State Park shares, "The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
Spacious, well-separated sites: Many campgrounds in the Somerset region offer generous spacing between campsites. One camper notes, "Tons of space between sites," while another mentions the "wide open site" available at Big Run State Park Campground, making it ideal for those seeking privacy.
Natural surroundings: The wooded settings provide shade and habitat for wildlife. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," states Casey S. about camping at Shawnee State Park. The natural environments support equestrian activities with trail systems designed for horse access.
What you should know
Site selection matters: When camping near Somerset with horses, choosing the right site can significantly impact your experience. "We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites," reports Brittany V. about Shawnee State Park. "We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked."
Primitive options available: Some campgrounds offer more rustic experiences without full amenities. "This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways," writes one camper about Big Run State Park. "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."
Seasonal considerations: Somerset area camping experiences vary dramatically by season. The best times for equestrian camping typically fall between April and October, when trails are most accessible. Water services and some facilities may be limited during colder months.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Family-friendly swimming areas provide recreation during summer months. "The lake is gorgeous and has a large, sandy beach," notes Gerard about Shawnee State Park Campground. Water depth is generally graduated, with designated shallow areas for younger children.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. As one camper observed about Shawnee, "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop," providing an activity option when not exploring trails or waterways.
Bug preparation: Insects can be an issue, particularly in sites near water. "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," reports one camper about their experience in the Somerset area.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness varies: RVers should research specific site conditions before booking at horse campgrounds near Somerset. "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time," shares Lee D. at Shawnee State Park. "Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level."
Site approach challenges: Access to some sites requires careful maneuvering. "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," explains one RVer about Shawnee State Park.
Check site dimensions: Verify that your rig will fit comfortably within site boundaries. One camper at Big Run State Park notes, "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Somerset, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Somerset, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Somerset, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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