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Shawnee State Park Campground accepts horses on its grounds and provides camping opportunities for equestrian visitors near Stoystown, Pennsylvania. The 300+ site campground offers a mix of full hookup, 30 and 50-amp electric, and non-electric tent sites, along with yurts and cabins across multiple loops. Horse owners find varied site quality throughout the park, with some areas featuring level gravel pads ranging from 20 to 115 feet in length. Many tent sites lack defined pads and may not be level. The campground maintains clean bathroom facilities with hot showers and outdoor dish washing stations. Sites are spacious with good tree coverage providing natural privacy between camping areas. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Stoystown, Pennsylvania.
The lake at Shawnee provides additional recreational opportunities for campers, with a sandy beach area, boat launch, and kayak rentals available in season. Multiple hiking trails surround the lake, offering scenic views and outdoor exploration options. The park's proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike creates some road noise at night, particularly noticeable for tent campers. Reservations are recommended during peak seasons as the campground fills quickly on weekends, though midweek visitors often find plenty of available sites. The park's location provides convenient access to nearby attractions including the Flight 93 National Memorial, historic covered bridges, and Fort Bedford Historic Fort. Pet-friendly loops are available, though not all camping areas permit animals.
"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"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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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.
ScoutThis 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
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.
ScoutThis is a nice park, close to home with a lake. We like to picnic and go fishing. There are nice trails, volleyball areas, and playgrounds.
TravelerYou 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. Frankly, the bare campsites are nicer - they are more spread out, wooded, and some of them are located right along the stream. Mosquitos are something of an issue, but by no means awful; and it is a pleasure to sleep in nature with nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek. It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking.
Shawnee State Park Campground provides equestrian camping near Stoystown, Pennsylvania, with designated areas for visitors traveling with horses. The park sits at approximately 1,600 feet elevation in Bedford County, surrounded by Appalachian foothills. The campground experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers suitable for water activities and colorful fall foliage making autumn a popular camping season.
Fishing opportunities: Big Run State Park offers stream fishing with plenty of trout and crayfish activity. According to Nathan S., "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," making it an excellent option for anglers.
Memorial visits: The Shawnee State Park Campground provides convenient access to important historical sites. As Rachel L. notes, "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial," which commemorates the September 11 crash site.
Water recreation: The park lake offers multiple activities during warmer months. Gerard observed, "The lake is gorgeous and has a large, sandy beach. Would love to spend more time there to explore the park further." Boat rentals, swimming areas, and fishing spots are available throughout the season.
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the room between sites at Big Run State Park. Nathan S. shared, "So quiet and very little traffic. Tons of space between sites," highlighting the privacy many seek when horse camping near Stoystown, Pennsylvania.
Natural sound barrier: Sites along water features provide ambient noise that enhances the camping experience. Zoe H. mentioned, "beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" This natural feature helps mask any sounds from neighboring campsites.
Diverse terrain options: The campground offers varied site locations to match preferences. Katie H. explained, "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."
Site selection matters: Many campsites vary considerably in levelness and accessibility. According to Shawnee State Park Campground reviewer Lee D., "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."
Highway noise considerations: Despite the natural setting, some sites experience traffic sounds. Lee D. noted, "As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise." This factor might affect site selection for those sensitive to background noise.
Campfire wood logistics: Purchasing wood on-site may not be the best option. Danielle S. reported, "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."
Water play access: Big Run State Park offers creek-side sites perfect for children. Andy C. shared, "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek. The kids loved playing in the water."
Trail exploration: Multiple hiking paths surround the lake area with varying difficulty levels suitable for different ages. Tiffany K. found that "The park has lots of activities for the day, including a beach, fishing, hiking, group picnic areas, and if the season is right they allow some hunting in areas."
Weather preparedness: Fog and rain can affect recreational plans. Tiffany K. observed, "We were planning a breakfast on the lake but the fog hid the lake view," suggesting families should bring indoor activities as backup.
Site verification: Double-check site specifications before booking for your equestrian camping trip near Stoystown, Pennsylvania. Shawnee State Park Campground visitor Brittany V. advised, "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."
Maneuvering challenges: Some sites have difficult access for larger rigs. Gerard noted, "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." Consider reserving pull-through sites for easier access.
Hookup availability: The campground offers various site types with different amenities. Danielle S. mentioned, "There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site," though hookup types vary throughout the campground. Be sure to verify the specific amenities at your chosen site when booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Stoystown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Stoystown, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
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