4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Jefferson Lake State Park Campground provides equestrian camping options approximately 45 miles west of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. The campground features dedicated equestrian sites with two electric hookups available for horse campers. The parking pads are level and accommodate trailers, though electric connections may require extension cords as they're positioned somewhat far behind the camping pads. Equestrian sites are separated from the regular camping area, providing dedicated space for horses and their owners. The campground maintains pit toilets that are cleaned daily and offers non-potable water from spigots for horses, though riders should note these spigots are not threaded for hose connections.
The park provides access to approximately 18 miles of multi-use trails suitable for horseback riding through the surrounding forest. Trail systems connect directly to the equestrian campsites, allowing riders immediate access to riding opportunities without trailering. The campground's relatively small size creates a quiet atmosphere ideal for horses and riders seeking a peaceful experience. Beaver Creek State Park, another option in the region, offers family camping alongside a separate horseman campground, though specific horse amenities are more limited. Both parks maintain bridle paths that connect to broader trail networks. Campers should bring all necessary supplies as restaurants and grocery stores are limited in the immediate area, with water availability restricted to non-potable sources suitable for horses but not drinking.
"Portals/parks/PDFs/parks/Maps/Beaver_Creek/beavercreekcampmap.pdf)
- 6 electric sites
- 44 non-electric sites
- Dump station
- No showers; no flush toilets
- Pets are permitted on all sites
Equestrian"
"I live near by to this state park and have spent much time exploring the entirety of it."
from $23 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore."
"The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit. The best part - it's free!"
"This smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning."
"Tucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court."
from $23 - $33 / night
Check Availability"It is right next to the bike trail and has access to the lake. I have enjoyed my time at Moraine and will enjoy it every time I visit."
"In fact my family used to own property near by. This park has an awesome trail system for walking or biking"
GuideThis smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning. You need to be careful when booking, especially if you are trying to pitch a tent, as some sites are quite sloped. Our site was huge and right next to the water spigot.
TravelerTucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court. Dump station and 18 miles of multi use trails! Small lake for wading with the kiddos, fishing near the dam or skip rocks in the creek. But be sure to pack a picnic and relax and enjoy! Only a few electric sites available. Mostly flat shaded sites most perfect for tents or trailers.
TravelerFamily Campground on Leslie Road [map]
Equestrian Camp on Sprucevale Road
Group Camp on Sprucevale Road
GuideI live near by to this state park and have spent much time exploring the entirety of it.
The trails are all nice, nothing too strenuous, and each have something unique compared to the others in the park. During the spring the Salamander trail is filled with thousands of Trilliums, a truly majestic experience. Lots of flowing water to enjoy throughout the park, some are off the trails but never hard to reach. A good park to enjoy with family and friends because you can fish, kayak, bike, skate, hike, horseback, and picnic. In addition, there are numerous historical cabins, locks, shelters, and a water run mill to sight-see. Then for those in search of a bit of spookiness, Gretchen’s Lock is notoriously a haunted location with certainly eerie vibes.
The family campground is small, but the park as a whole is not far from civilization so if any supplies are needed it is not a far endeavor.
I do not horseback, so I cannot comment on that campground, but many of the trails are friendly for horses to travel.
OH! And if you are there on the weekends the Wildlife Center is a must! The staff are so nice, it is by donation to visit so is in everyone’s price range. An astounding display of animals and nature information! You can even hold the snakes and see a bee hive in action.
RangerThis tiny gem of a campground is actually quite decent. Each site is furnished with a small fire ring and picnic table. The fire rings do not have a grill grate. The pit toilets in the restroom are "fragrant" when you enter the women's side of the building but not so terribly that they can't be used. My friend did gag upon entering the men's room. There are designated wastewater areas to dump grey water, but you'll have to bring your own water for drinking, washing, etc. There are no electric hookups.
As others have mentioned, there is a gun range nearby and you can hear occasional firing. Helicopter traffic at night was a slight distraction from the otherwise quiet night I spent here.
There is an easy orange-blazed trail behind site 10 but as of this writing, a there are several downed trees blocking the trail a good distance in.
I'd definitely stay again.
5/3/2021 Edited to add:. Well, our second stay here is decidedly less positive. We are at site 9 this time. No fire ring here. The women's bathroom is filthy and it made me gag (there is feces all over one toilet seat and the other smells so bad that I just peed in the woods). It's turkey season so lots of noise in the woods.
ScoutI have been camping at Moraine State Park since I was 5 years old (so about 14 years). While I was in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts we used the 5 Points Group Camping Area a lot. It is right next to the bike trail and has access to the lake. I have enjoyed my time at Moraine and will enjoy it every time I visit.
RangerThis is a great place just of interstate 79. Been going there since I was a kid. In fact my family used to own property near by. This park has an awesome trail system for walking or biking
GuideWhen you pull into Beaver Creek Family Campground you pretty much have two choices: either you go left into multiple Pine tree sites or right into two cabins and more RV friendly open sites. A few of the RV sites have electric, but no water for their tanks. I suggest the pine sites for any tent or hammock campers. I stayed in one of the first set of 3 pine sites numbered 43, 44, and 45. There is some brush and cover between these sites, but each has a pull in parking pad. If 45 was occupied with a RV, 44 would not be as nice as it was. Backing into 44 and 45 would be tricky as well. To be fair any larger RV that came in better know how to get through tight quarters.
The back area of each of those 3 sites looked best to get even ground for a tent. My buddy hung his hammock between the tree to the left of the picnic bench and to a tree back and left in the picture of site 44. Site was fairly clean, but be sure to move the pine tree duff away from the fire pits to be safe.
Probably the nicest pit toilets I have experienced and while we didn't use, it the sun shower building would give anyone privacy if they had packed a portable shower. Lots of trails to choose from and the pioneer village in the state park gives you many options to spend the day. Had some luck fishing at the Canoe/Kayak area in the South East area of the park close to the Group Camp Sites.
ScoutVery well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore. Very quiet everytime I've camped there, many times btw. Great, quiet, close to nature experience.
Equestrian camping near Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania offers access to over 18 miles of trails through dense hardwood forests in the Appalachian foothills. The region sits at elevations between 900-1,200 feet, creating varied terrain for riders and hikers alike. Most horseback trails in the area maintain a natural surface with limited improvements, making them suitable for intermediate to experienced riders.
Trail riding along North Country Trail: Access this national scenic trail from Beaver Creek State Park, located about 50 minutes from Upper St. Clair. "Direct access to the North Country National Scenic Trail and trails through main park," notes Tracy H.
Fishing at multiple locations: Jefferson Lake State Park provides fishing opportunities despite swimming restrictions. "There is canoeing but no swimming. Bass fishing is really fun because we caught a few nice ones!!" shares Mike T. about nearby Beaver Creek State Park.
History exploration: Discover pioneer structures and historical sites while camping. "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc)," says Shay D. about Beaver Creek State Park.
Privacy and seclusion: Some sites offer more isolation than others for a peaceful experience. "We camped this past weekend in site 50. It is an unbelievably spacious site under towering pine trees. The site sits back off the road and really makes you feel like you have the place to yourself," explains Matt H.
Night sky viewing: Rural locations provide excellent stargazing opportunities. "The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities. To cap it off, we laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!" shares Matt H. about Beaver Creek State Park.
Level camping areas: Finding flat sites can be crucial for tent camping comfort. "Only 5 electric sites. Very clean pit toilets. Well maintained campground. A few equine sites. Only 2 electric eq sites," notes Eddie about Jefferson Lake State Park Campground.
Water limitations: Many parks have restrictions on water access and usage. "They are on a well so there is limited water and they don't allow you to fill up your on board tank. Make sure you fill up before you go!" warns Bounding Around about Beaver Creek State Park.
Terrain challenges: Site selection matters for tent camping. "The majority of the campsites are also so hilly that you can't put a tent up on a flat spot. We ended up sliding downhill all night because the space we rented was on a hill," cautions Alex S. about Jefferson Lake.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers can find no-cost sites. "All paved sites with picnic tables. Most have fire rings. All free but you must fill out a registration card. There are pit toilets and a water pump. The ranger comes by everyday to collect registration cards," explains Karen W. about Hidden Hollow Campground.
Playground access: Consider sites near recreation areas for children. "We got a site near the playground, which my 3 year old enjoyed. The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy," recommends Matt H. about Beaver Creek State Park.
Small lake activities: Shallow water areas provide safe play spaces. "Small lake for wading with the kiddos, fishing near the dam or skip rocks in the creek," suggests Theresa Tittle R. about Jefferson Lake State Park.
Recreation facilities: Some campgrounds offer additional activities beyond trails. "Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court," notes Theresa about Jefferson Lake State Park.
Extension cord needs: Electric hookups might require additional equipment. "Electric is a little far behind pad. We almost needed extension cord," warns Eddie about Jefferson Lake's equestrian sites.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Pay attention to campground layouts when booking. "We chose this park because it was the closest one we could find that was still open with electric this time of year to downtown Pittsburgh. Also, because it had great cell/internet service on our hotspots and had a lot of trails," shares Bounding Around about Beaver Creek State Park.
Access route considerations: Some roads have restrictions for larger vehicles. "There is a road in the park (Echo Dell Road) that RV's/Trailers can't go on so make sure you approach this campground from Leslie Road!" cautions Bounding Around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Upper St. Clair, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Upper St. Clair, PA is Beaver Creek State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Upper St. Clair, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Upper St. Clair, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
