Best Equestrian Camping near Spring Mills, PA

North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides the only dedicated horse camping facilities near Spring Mills, Pennsylvania. Located in Penfield, this primitive camping area accommodates equestrians with their horses while exploring the extensive trail system in the state forest. The campground is designed specifically for horse owners, with sites situated to allow for trailer parking and horse containment. While the facilities are primitive with no drinking water, showers, or flush toilets, the campsites include picnic tables and fire rings. Reservations are required for the equestrian camping area, which allows for both tent and smaller RV camping. The sites are well maintained and offer adequate space for setting up camp while keeping horses nearby. No permanent horse corrals are available, so equestrians must bring portable corrals or highline equipment. Camping photos and user guides for Spring Mills, Pennsylvania are available on The Dyrt.

The surrounding Moshannon State Forest trail system provides excellent riding opportunities directly from the campground. Riders can access miles of diverse terrain through the forest, with trails suitable for various skill levels. Black Moshannon State Park, while not offering dedicated horse camping, provides additional day-use riding trails nearby that connect to the larger state forest system. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with spring often bringing muddy sections and fall offering spectacular foliage views along the routes. The extensive network of forest roads throughout Moshannon creates loop opportunities for riders seeking longer excursions. Most trails are natural surface paths with occasional rocky sections requiring horses with proper conditioning and hoof protection. Riders should pack in all feed and water for horses as natural water sources may be limited or seasonal depending on weather conditions.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Spring Mills, Pennsylvania (25)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Spring Mills, PA

56 Reviews of 25 Spring Mills Campgrounds


  • Avery M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Ferryboat Campsites

    Great little site with lots of seasonal residents.

    This is a wonderful little campsite primarily catering the seasonal RVer. With that said they do have primitive camping spots next to the putt putt course and water only tent sits at the upper feild. There are also water/electric sites in a loop behind the honeymooner cabins, and they have teh best shade and set up for hammock camping.

    The ferry here is real, and has been in operation for the last 100+ years

    There is a small goat petting zoo, with very friendly pigmy goats and the camp is extremely pet friendly as long as they are on a leash.

    There is the typical camp store, and in addition there is the icecream store next to the river. Across the street is a local winery with the best views of the river around.

    The campsite fills quickly on the weekends, kayakers and fishers, and motorboats use this as the weekend home and mini family vacation spots.

    The showers are located in the RV section of the campground, so you will have to walk a bit if you are tent camping.

    There are horse stable available as well on site.

  • Casey L.
    Aug. 17, 2021

    Colonel Denning State Park Campground

    Favorite Park of the Season

    Amazing!!! Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites. If you stay in lower sites you are near the water and will have to walk up a large hill to get to bathrooms. Trail head close to site and was a very difficult hike with amazing views!! Wide open area to swim that was very clean and well kept. Hope to revisit soon!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2023

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    No cell, no problem!

    General: 73-site campground; most have electric hookups, and some are FHU. Pets are only permitted at selected sites. There are also 20 (13 rustic and 6 modern) cabins. Cell service is extremely limited to non-existent (Verizon). 

    Site Quality: Pads are gravel and most appeared to be level. Site 70 was at the end of the loop which is why we picked it. A picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook complete each site. 

    Bathhouse: As has been our experience in all PA state parks, the bathhouse was pristine, and the shower (for no additional cost) was clean with plentiful hot water and was very much appreciated. 

    Activities/Amenities: Coin-operated laundry. A playground is in the campground and there is an additional one at the swimming beach. The swimming beach is open from mid-May to mid-September, from 8 am– sunset. Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season. Permits are required. 24 miles of hiking trails, including two trails directly from the campground to the lake. In the summer, there is a camper store/concession stand. Hunting is allowed in season. There are 4.3 miles of mountain biking trails. 

    I used to think Oregon State Parks were the best, but Pennsylvania State Parks have them beat by a mile. We have yet to be disappointed by the amenities(especially the clean bathrooms) offered at the half-dozen state parks we have visited so far.

  • S
    Sep. 3, 2025

    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.

  • Tiff T.
    Jun. 4, 2024

    Colonel 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.

  • Joni P.
    Sep. 5, 2023

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    Beautiful and well appointed park

    Getting to the park had some sharp turns and windy roads.  Small campground but nicely equipped.  2 bath houses were dated but clean.  Nice playground at the campground and also one at the beach.  Small camp concessions with a few camping items as well as ice cream cones.  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.  The site sat down off the road but once you were backed in the spot it was pretty level.  This site also had a separate tent pad located down a few stone steps.  Verizon and AT&T cell service were basically non existent.  Every once in a while a text would come in or send but very spotty.  Sorry I failed to get a pic of the site in the daylight.  It was spacious and we had plenty of room for our 30' trailer, truck, and easy up over the table.  6+ chairs around the fire pit, cooking ring could have been better.  Grassy area for cornhole or playing.

  • Rick W.
    Aug. 15, 2022

    Colonel Denning State Park Campground

    Tent camping sites

    Walk in sites have picnic table and fire ring. Tent pads are level and smooth. Showers and restrooms are close to sites. Strongly recommend...

  • Rebecca E.
    Aug. 17, 2017

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    Totally Acceptable

    Beautiful facility- typical Pa mountains, abundant green trees, water...nice Campground AND cabin rentals are really nicely situated. Water was thick with weeds & lilies but ok nonetheless. Great day trip spot.

  • Amber W.
    Jun. 16, 2021

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    Family fun!

    Nice clean and quiet campground. The address online took us to the ranger station. Turn left BEFORE bridge. Couldn’t see sign from the road. The section we were in was “no pets allowed”. My kids loved the beach, swimming was not deep. Beach was big with adjacent playground. Lots of pavilions all over. The area was a little crowded for my liking.


Guide to Spring Mills

Horse camping in Pennsylvania offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of well-reviewed campgrounds that cater to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to saddle up and hit the trails.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Tips for equestrian camping near Spring Mills, Pennsylvania

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers spacious sites with easy access for big rigs, making it convenient for those traveling with horse trailers.
  • At Little Buffalo State Park Campground, you’ll find electric hookups and clean facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your horse.
  • Moshannon State Forest features primitive sites that allow for a more rustic experience, perfect for those looking to connect with nature while camping with their horses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Spring Mills, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Spring Mills, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 24 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Spring Mills, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 25 equestrian camping locations near Spring Mills, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.