Tower City, Pennsylvania offers several equestrian camping options with terrain ranging from 600-1200 feet elevation. The area features predominantly deciduous forests with mixed oak and maple stands, creating seasonal shade patterns important for horse camping. Trail systems connect multiple state forests and parks within a 25-mile radius, providing varied terrain for riders.
What to do
Hiking trails with elevation views: French Creek State Park features numerous trails with good visibility. "Lots of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds (perfect for our kids), the bathrooms were well maintained," shares Katie M. about French Creek State Park.
Explore historical sites: Several parks offer historical components for off-saddle activities. "The nearby wineries and local attractions provide additional options for riders during their stay," notes a reviewer about Ferryboat Campsites. The area around Little Buffalo State Park includes "interesting historical sites" with Chelsea K. mentioning that "the historical mill was well worth the trip... especially since they engaged the wheel and actually ground corn!"
Fishing opportunities: Multiple waterways support fishing throughout the region. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," notes a reviewer about Tuscarora State Park.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room between sites. At Starlite Camping Resort, Craig F. notes that "the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed... the sites felt very secluded."
River access: Direct water access ranks high for both horses and humans. Robin explains at Ferryboat Campsites that they "stayed at a Susquehanna river view site with full hookups for 2 nights. Site was level and shaded, but very close to neighbors."
Clean facilities: Maintained bathrooms and shower facilities matter to overnight visitors. "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes," explains Jen R. about French Creek State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: River-adjacent sites may experience water issues. Robin cautions that at Ferryboat Campsites, "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!"
Firewood availability: Planning ahead for campfires is essential. Melissa noted at Ferryboat Campsites: "Wood at the camp store is incredibly expensive—they don't sell to nightly campers by anything more than the small bundle ($8)."
Varying shade conditions: Tree cover varies significantly between camping areas. At Tuscarora State Park, sites provide good coverage, with Zoltan P. describing it as having "no light pollution" and being "off the beaten path in the middle of 'pennsyl-tucky'."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple locations offer water recreation. Paula R. reports about Little Buffalo State Park: "Pool was great once you got there... 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."
Playground accessibility: Several parks maintain play areas for children. At French Creek State Park, Jen R. observed "a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line."
Animal attractions: Some campgrounds feature animal interactions. Avery M. mentions that Ferryboat Campsites has "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."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: The terrain affects setup requirements. Cheryl K. notes at French Creek State Park: "We were in the D loop which is rustic with no hookups. Spacious sites. Bathrooms were just okay."
Full hookup availability: Limited full-service sites exist in the region. Craig F. explains at Starlite Camping Resort, "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites... Water pressure and electric were both great throughout the stay."
Access road challenges: Some horse campgrounds near Tower City require careful navigation. Chris G. warns about Starlite: "There is also a great view of the surrounding countryside because it's up on a big hill. If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills."
Legend
