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 Tyrone, PA
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North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest offers primitive camping for horse riders near Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Located about 30 miles from Tyrone, this designated equestrian camping area provides space for trailers and camping alongside horses. The camping area features basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables. Unlike standard campgrounds, North Run caters specifically to those traveling with horses, with designated areas for animals. The sites are reservable through the Pennsylvania DCNR reservation system, making advance planning possible for weekend trail rides.
Connected to forest trail systems, North Run serves as a basecamp for exploring miles of bridle paths through Moshannon State Forest. Riders access forest roads and designated horse trails directly from the camping area, eliminating the need to trailer horses between rides. Trail riders should note that the primitive nature of the campground means no showers or flush toilets are available, and potable water must be brought in. Most equestrians visiting the area bring high-line systems or portable corrals as permanent horse containment facilities are not provided. The forest setting offers natural water sources for horses along many trails, though riders should carry water on longer excursions. Group horse camping is permitted with advance reservations, making it suitable for riding clubs and family gatherings with multiple horses.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Tyrone (12)
1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. North Run Equine Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
5. Snow Shoe Sites — Sproul State Forest
"A standard Ford Explorer handled the drive without trouble, though bringing a trailer would likely only be practical if it is set up for overlanding conditions."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
6. North Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
7. Yellowsnake Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
8. New Lancaster Valley Roadside Campsites — Bald Eagle State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
9. South Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
10. Cooks Run Rd Sites — Sproul State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Drive Time
- 11 min from Altoona, PA
- 23 min from State College, PA
- 54 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr 38 min from Chambersburg, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Tyrone, PA
55 Reviews of 12 Tyrone Campgrounds
michael R.
GuideSnow Shoe Sites — Sproul State Forest
SS007
Site SS007 sits roughly two miles off pavement along a fairly rough access road. A standard Ford Explorer handled the drive without trouble, though bringing a trailer would likely only be practical if it is set up for overlanding conditions.
The location offers excellent views of the Susquehanna River and exceptionally clear night skies with strong stargazing opportunities. There was no existing fire ring on site, so we built one using nearby stones. The site does not include a picnic table or other amenities, making it a primative experience.
Cell service was limited but usable, averaging about one bar with AT&T and two bars with T-Mobile.
Overall, it is a quiet, scenic roadside site best suited for campers comfortable with minimal facilities and no other people around.
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.
- SSteveGuide
Black 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.
Guide to Tyrone
North Run Equine Camping Area serves as the primary designated horse camping facility in Moshannon State Forest. Located 30 miles from Tyrone at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet, this camping area connects to over 40 miles of bridle trails through the forest. Equestrians can access multiple water crossings and ridge-top trails directly from the campground without trailering between rides.
What to do
Trail riding excursions: Directly access forest roads and dedicated horse trails from Yellowsnake Camping Area within Moshannon State Forest, offering varied terrain for day-long rides.
Lake activities: Visit Black Moshannon State Park Campground for water recreation between trail rides. "Nice campground, wooded sites and most were okay for tent camping... Big Lake and a few miles of hiking and biking trails right from the campground. 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," notes Travis S.
Wildlife viewing: The forest setting provides opportunities for bird watching and animal tracking. Matthew U. comments about Black Moshannon: "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding."
What campers like
Forest surroundings: The dense woods provide natural shade and privacy at many equestrian camping areas. Campers at Rothrock Roadside Campsites appreciate the mountain setting. Scott I. mentions: "The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road... No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here."
Multiple water sources: Streams throughout Moshannon and surrounding forests provide natural water for horses on trails. Creeks with distinct coloration add interest to rides, as Travis S. notes about Black Moshannon: "The Iron Ore mines from the past have left the creek water stained red."
Group camping options: Several horse camping areas accommodate multiple trailers, making them suitable for club events. Shawnee State Park Campground offers varied camping experiences. Casey S. reports: "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian sites require advance booking through Pennsylvania DCNR. According to campers at Snow Shoe Sites, weekends fill quickly, particularly during fall riding season.
Trail conditions: Forest roads may become rutted after heavy rain. Bring maps as some trail intersections lack signage. Be aware of seasonal hunting restrictions that may limit trail access.
Limited facilities: Most horse camping areas provide minimal amenities. Gerard from Shawnee State Park notes: "My wife and I stayed for two nights at this campground and enjoyed it greatly... The lake is gorgeous and has a large, sandy beach. Would love to spend more time there to explore the park further."
Tips for camping with families
Bring entertainment: Pack games for evening campsite activities since many horse campgrounds lack dedicated children's facilities. Danielle W. from Black Moshannon recommends: "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 all of us fit comfortably we were able to have a campfire out front and sit at a picnic table."
Pack all supplies: Most equestrian camping areas have no stores nearby. Plan meals that can be prepared over a fire ring as many sites provide them.
Combined experiences: Schedule stays that mix riding with swimming or fishing opportunities. Lisa L. says about Black Moshannon: "This campground is so beautiful with plenty to do for everyone, tons of hiking along the whole park. Spaces are clean and spacious, bath house is very well kept. The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc."
Tips from RVers
Trailer positioning: At North Block and similar horse camping areas, position trailers carefully to maximize space for portable corrals. Sites with stock trailers need extra room for safe horse containment.
Access routes: Some forest roads to horse camps have sharp turns. Brittany V. warns about Shawnee: "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."
Check water availability: While most horse campgrounds near Tyrone require bringing potable water, some offer natural water sources for horses. Lee D. notes about Shawnee: "Select loops allow pets but not all do. I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Tyrone, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Tyrone, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Tyrone, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Tyrone, PA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Tyrone, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Tyrone, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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