7 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Horse camping near Summerdale, Pennsylvania is limited with few dedicated equestrian facilities in the immediate area. Based on the available data, none of the campgrounds explicitly list horse corrals among their features. Ferryboat Campsites in Liverpool offers horse stables on site according to visitor reviews, making it one of the few options for equestrians in the region. The campground provides water and electric hookups, accommodates tents, RVs, and cabins, and remains open from April through October. The campground is situated along the Susquehanna River, allowing campers to enjoy water activities between trail rides. Sites are level and shaded but tend to be close together, with many occupied by seasonal residents.
Trails for horseback riding can be accessed in the broader region, particularly in Michaux State Forest near Fairfield, which permits camping with proper permits. Trail access varies seasonally, with some routes becoming difficult to navigate during wet weather. Michaux State Forest offers primitive camping that accommodates horses, though specific equestrian amenities are minimal. For those seeking more amenities, Little Buffalo State Park Campground provides water and electric hookups at most sites, but does not list specific horse facilities. When camping with horses in Pennsylvania state forests, riders must obtain the appropriate permits and follow established guidelines for manure management and overnight tethering. Most locations require advance reservations, particularly during peak season from May through September.
"A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground."
"The driving path is gravel with a steep hill at the end so if you can help it I would avoid sites 32,34,36 as they are VERY difficult to back into with larger rigs."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $92 / night
"With that said they do have primitive camping spots next to the putt putt course and water only tent sits at the upper feild."
"Lots to do very close to water and many things to do in and around camp ground. Stayed for a few days would go back."
from $30 - $100 / night
"Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."
"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."
Available this weekend
from $24 - $38 / night
"This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"
"Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."
from $10 / night
"Some reviewers have confused nearby State Parks with the actual State Forest, resulting in inaccurate information."
"Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail."
from $10 / night
"Starlight is a nice campground to relax or explore central Pennsylvania."
"The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore."
from $10 / night
from $10 / night
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
LegendWe spent 4 nights at Gettysburg Campground to attend the AIM Club Rally(Lincoln’s Legacy- Gettysburg 250), and it served as base camp for the event.
WHAT I LIKED:
Location, Location, Location: This park is an absolute winner for convenience—just 5 minutes from the Gettysburg battlefields, museums, and the heart of town.
The Atmosphere: The staff gave us a warm reception at check-in, and the site itself was clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to back up to a running creek. Lots of mature trees offer lots of shade and character.
Big-Rig Friendly: Navigating a 45-foot motorhome with a toad can sometimes be stressful, but this park was easy to maneuver.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
Late-Night Power Struggles: On our final night, the campground experienced grid strain. Our Hughes Watchdog Power Center saved the day—but it had to shut off our power 7 different times due to low voltage. Aside from losing a few hours of sleep to the chorus of appliances cycling off and on, no harm was done. I recommend using a surge protector/voltage regulator if you stay here.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
ScoutFlat grounds, level campsites, nice pool, kids have tons of fun!
RangerGreat park, alittle close together than I like. I wish I had picked 1-12 sites by the creek, but I don’t think I had much choice when I booked anyway. Bathrooms were clean. My site was more of an rv and I felt like I was at the neighbors for supper.
RangerBeautiful park, pool and lake. Great for boating and fishing, running or hiking and swimming. In may, it wasn’t busy, but I can imagine it gets packed. I will be back for summer.
GuideThe weather wasn’t too great, but the campaign joy could not be hampered. We had a great spot along the creek, which was also a short walk from the lake. The bathroom facilities are fantastic nice and clean couldn’t be happier.
TravelerNice clean and open sites but we stayed in the 400 section which was separate from the main campground. Very easy check in. Did it online and just pulled up to the little shack they have and grabbed our packet. We didn’t use the bathhouse but it was very clean. A little older and could probably use a little updating. The campground is only a mile and a half from town which was awesome and direct access to battlefield trails right there. The only complaint we had was the WiFi was awful. Maybe it was because of the section we were in but once the campground filled up it was useless.
Equestrian camping near Summerdale, Pennsylvania offers several options within the South Central Pennsylvania woodlands at elevations ranging from 400-1200 feet. The terrain varies from river valleys to wooded mountains, creating diverse trail experiences for riders. Access to trails changes seasonally with spring conditions often muddy through mid-May and summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F.
Trail riding in Michaux State Forest: Located about 45 minutes southwest of Summerdale, Michaux State Forest permits horse camping with proper arrangements. "Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail. It's you can park at Pine Grove State Park and then hike your way into locations or park at other trail heads," notes John S.
Explore historic battlefields: Artillery Ridge Campground in Gettysburg provides access to historic trails. "Amazing location surrounded by the national park. The grounds are nice and shaded, and you don't feel crowded," explains Sean M. Riders can follow designated trails through battlefield areas with proper permits.
Fishing between trail rides: Many campgrounds offer water access for fishing when not riding. "Its an amazing little quite camping ground. Super clean. Lots of easy hiking trails and tons of fishing," reports Brandon C. about Little Buffalo State Park Campground.
Private sites with river views: At Ferryboat Campsites in Liverpool, campers appreciate the water proximity. "We stayed at a Susquehanna river view site with full hookups for 2 nights. Site was level and shaded, but very close to neighbors," notes Robin. The site offers horse stables and access to river activities.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses. "Very nice staff and accommodations. Centrally located with kid friendly activities. Would definitely go back!" reports Ken K. about Gettysburg Campground.
Evening wildlife viewing: Several sites offer opportunities to spot wildlife at dusk. "The park rangers had an owl program on Friday night and ended up calling in several screech owls. Very cool to hear their eerie cries in the woods," writes Nate & Erika L. about Colonel Denning State Park Campground.
Seasonal campground closures: Many facilities close during winter months. "i love camping here. the camping area is closed summer 2018. but should be open next year after they finish their project on fixing the park to make it better," explains Danielle W. about Colonel Denning State Park.
Horse-specific regulations: When bringing horses, call ahead to confirm requirements. "There are horse stable available as well on site," mentions Avery M. about Ferryboat Campsites, one of the few facilities with dedicated equestrian accommodations.
Storm risk assessment: Weather conditions can impact camping safety. "Storms with heavy rain in the area made the river rise. We were told the campground is susceptible to flooding, so check the weather when you come!" warns Robin about Ferryboat Campsites.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies throughout the region. "AT&T cell reception at our site was hit or miss, but good in the rest of the campground," notes Dave B. about Artillery Ridge Campground.
Swimming options: Starlite Camping Resort offers family-friendly water activities. "Starlite offers a wide variety of amenities such as a community pool, general store, snack bar, playground area, toilets, indoor shower stalls, daily activities, pets permitted, water/electric utilities and laundry units," explains Brie A.
Kid-friendly water features: Many parks have dedicated areas for young children. "They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!" shares Amanda H. about Little Buffalo State Park.
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds offer wildlife or farm animal interactions. "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," says Avery M. about Ferryboat Campsites.
Playground access: Check distance to playgrounds when selecting sites. "Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up," advises Paula R.
Site leveling requirements: Gettysburg Campground offers varied terrain. "Level sites, friendly and efficient staff, decently sized sites long enough for my 32' coach and a toad. The two drawbacks are that the sites are quite packed together and the noise of traffic– at least in the frontmost sites– can get rather loud at night," explains Jim G.
Power needs for hilly terrain: RVers should plan for additional power when navigating the region. "If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills," advises Chris G. about Starlite Camping Resort.
Hookup availability: Water and electric options vary by location. "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites. Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy," notes Craig F.
Seasonal reservation requirements: Peak times require advance planning. "We had a great family camping weekend at Starlight and will definitely return in the future. Yes, it is quite hilly throughout the campground, but the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed," reports Craig F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Summerdale, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Summerdale, PA is Little Buffalo State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Summerdale, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Summerdale, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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