6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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 Availability"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 $20 - $87 / night
Check Availability"This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. "
from $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $150 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
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TravelerCampground 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. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood. Hiking loop around lake is beautiful. Jean bonnet tavern nearby recommended for a great meal in a historic setting.
TravelerI had made plans to stay at SSP-PA as my first stopover spot, post leaving my beach friends on the East Coast. 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. Shawnee is a lovely state park and I was really pleased with my brief stay. 'Though we were only sleeping the one night, I found the staff to be pleasant and the site spacious. It might have helped that the doggo and I were about the only ones in our campground loop, aside from the campground hosts but the area felt well-maintained and well-proportioned. We had a good night's rest, after enjoying a post-dinner campfire and getting to breathe in the fresh, woodsy air. While sitting fireside, I got to enjoy the local wildlife, from birds to young deer, around the edges of my campsite. The campground restroom was clean and a fair size. I would definitely recommend it and I will certainly look into another reservation, the next time I roadtrip through Pennsylvania.
GuideShawnee State Park is about 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, and it has pretty much everything: swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and fairly decent hiking. It's close to some really great hiking--just outside the park--and that's how I ended up there. I was trekking on the very wild Mid-State Trail, nearby, when I opted for a night at the conventional campground in Shawnee. No regrets. I usually avoid car-camping because I don't want to listen to other people's classic rock in the woods. But this place was great. I came midweek, so I had the campground mostly to myself. The showers are hot and clean. The lake is beautiful with a nice swimming beach. The area around the park has all the scenic and historic attractions of central PA: covered bridges, big stone farmhouses, quaint towns. My only complaint is that the PA Turnpike screams a little too close by. Also, the sites are pretty close together, so be sure to look at a campground map beforehand to reserve one of the more isolated ones.
LegendGeneral: 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.
RangerWe stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet, but may have been noisy if the yurt and 2 cabins had been rented out. 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 (we bring a grill grate with us just in case, and had to use it). Bathroom and showers were clean, bright, and there is a dish washing sink outside. Showers were push button but pressure was great and the water was hot (make sure you push the button once before you get in so its warm if no one else is showering at that time). Bring shower shoes. We were able to hear a small bit of traffic from the highway, but nothing that disturbed us. There are several stores within a 20 minute drive (Walmart, etc) and a mall an hour away. Camp wood at the entrance is $5 and is tiny; our biggest piece was a foot long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick! It was okay to start a fire, but we went into the woods and picked up dead wood that we cut into manageable logs. There weren't any roadside stacks of seasoned wood, so be prepared if it rains. The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs. We would stay again.
LegendWe 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.
LegendGeneral: 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.
TravelerFirst 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.
GuideGetting 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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-star rating from 27 reviews.
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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