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 Sproul, PA
4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides tent and RV camping specifically designed for horse owners. The campground features access to equestrian trails while offering electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site. The surrounding forest provides numerous bridle paths and trail riding opportunities. Campground design accommodates horse trailers with pull-through sites and ample parking areas. The park maintains a quiet atmosphere even during peak season, creating a peaceful environment for both riders and horses. The campground reeks of horse manure 24/7, which is typical for active equestrian camping areas.
Located approximately 40 miles from Sproul, Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers additional horse-friendly camping options with sites that can accommodate equestrians traveling with trailers. The campground operates from the second Friday in April through December 15, providing nearly eight months of access to the region's extensive trail system. Horse owners must bring their own portable corrals or tie-out systems as permanent horse facilities are limited. Trails connect riders to various scenic routes throughout the state forest system. The park provides water access points for horses along several trails. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends and fall foliage season when equestrian campers visit the area to enjoy the network of forest trails. Trail conditions remain well-maintained throughout the riding season with minimal hazards for horses.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Sproul (6)
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. 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. "
40 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $87 / night
3. Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest
"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
4. Vagabond Isle
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $150 / night
5. North Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
6. North Run Equine Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Drive Time
- 14 min from Altoona, PA
- 47 min from Johnstown, PA
- 50 min from State College, PA
- 1 hr 22 min from Chambersburg, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Sproul, PA
54 Reviews of 6 Sproul Campgrounds
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.
- SSteve
GuideBlack 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.
- 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.
Joni P.GuideBlack 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.
Guide to Sproul
Nestled on a plateau of the Allegheny Mountains, Sproul State Forest spans over 305,000 acres in north-central Pennsylvania. The region contains significant wetlands and second-growth hardwood forests at elevations between 700-2,300 feet. Equestrian camping areas maintain specific rules regarding manure management and trail use, with designated bridle paths open from the second Friday in April through December 15, weather permitting.
What to do
Trail riding through state forests: At Black Moshannon State Park Campground, riders can access miles of trails with diverse terrain. "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc," notes Lisa L., highlighting available activities beyond riding.
Fishing in tea-colored waters: Black Moshannon Lake offers unique fishing opportunities due to its distinctive coloration. "The Iron Ore mines from the past have left the creek water stained red which is why its called the Red Mo with the locals," explains Travis S. The 250-acre lake supports various fish species despite its unusual appearance.
Kayaking forest waterways: Navigate quiet forest lakes near equestrian camping areas. "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding," shares Matthew U. about Black Moshannon. The water contains thick vegetation, creating habitat for diverse wildlife.
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: Shawnee State Park Campground offers well-designed sites that accommodate horse trailers. "The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit," reports Brittany V., noting logistics important for large rigs and trailers.
Campground amenities: Horse-friendly campgrounds provide specific facilities for equestrians. "We stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet... The fire ring is at an angle so cooking on it proved to be a challenge," describes Danielle S., detailing site specifics.
Cabin alternatives: For riders preferring solid shelter, cabin options exist near horse trails. "My family and I stayed here one night during a motorcycle trip. We rented 1 of the cabins they have on the property and it was great... we were able to have a campfire out front and sit at a picnic table," explains Danielle W. from Black Moshannon.
What you should know
Site selection matters: When choosing equestrian campsites, verify dimensions match your setup. "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 Brittany V. at Shawnee State Park.
Seasonal conditions: The region experiences significant seasonal changes affecting trail conditions. "Despite the cold wet weather this trip, we had a wonderful weekend!" shares James B. about Black Moshannon, indicating campers should prepare for variable weather.
Reservation planning: Popular horse camping areas book quickly during peak seasons. "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early," advises Denise D. regarding Black Moshannon, emphasizing the importance of advance planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Sproul, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sproul, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sproul, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
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Sproul, PA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sproul, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Sproul, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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