Equestrian Camping near Upper Strasburg, PA

Michaux State Forest features several equestrian campsites in designated motorized parking areas near Upper Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Located in the northern Blue Ridge Mountain foothills at elevations between 900-2,100 feet, the forest experiences moderate precipitation year-round with winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. The area sees frequent fog in spring months, creating challenging visibility conditions during early morning trail rides.

What to Do

Winter camping options: Michaux State Forest permits winter camping at some sites. "[E]very 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. of Michaux State Forest.

Historic exploration: Gettysburg's nearby battlefields provide educational opportunities. At Artillery Ridge Campground, MJ B. shared: "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts."

Lake activities: For water-based activities, swimming locations exist beyond the forest boundaries. Brandon C. reports that Little Buffalo State Park Campground is "an amazing little quite camping ground. Super clean. Lots of easy hiking trails and tons of fishing."

What Campers Like

Secluded tent locations: Some prefer the forested tent areas away from RV sections. Dave G. appreciated Gettysburg Campground's layout: "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. The tenting area is calm and has a creek right next to it to listen to in the evening and morning."

Variety of trail challenges: For riders seeking diverse terrain difficulty, options range from beginner to advanced. "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained," writes Kaley R. about Shawnee State Park Campground.

Clean facilities: Many equestrian campers value well-maintained bathhouses after long trail rides. Casey L. was impressed with Colonel Denning State Park Campground: "Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."

What You Should Know

Seasonal access limitations: Road conditions can restrict access to some horse campgrounds during winter. Scott I. warns about Rothrock Roadside Campsites: "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."

Wildlife encounters: The region hosts various wildlife species that may interact with horses. Be prepared for insects during summer months, as one camper at Teaberry noted: "The first 3.5 days there were lantern flies actively trying to get into our rig, digging themselves behind the window screens, etc. and then day 4 they were gone."

Permit requirements: Most state forest areas require online reservation permits. Jen S. explains: "Camping is free in several areas throughout Michaux State Forest (as well as other PA State Forests), BUT you usually need to have a camping permit (also free) and you can only stay in designated campsites."

Tips for Camping with Families

Water safety preparation: When camping with children near water features, safety planning is essential. Chelsea K. notes at Little Buffalo: "Not much luck fishing but all the turtles were cool and just paddling around in the kayak is always a good time."

Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning experiences into equestrian camping trips. Artillery Ridge offers educational opportunities where "we took a horse carriage ride through the battlefields, Picketts Charge and the peach orchard with a private guide to learn every ounce of the battlefield."

Playground accessibility: Some campgrounds offer play areas near horse camping sections. Brittany V. suggests at Shawnee State Park: "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."

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Horse trailer owners should carefully review site specifications before booking. Gerard at Shawnee State Park advises: "However, 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."

Local water sources: Trailers with water tanks should arrive filled, as potable water isn't available at many equestrian sites. Danielle S. notes: "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."

Winter preparations: For cold-weather horse camping near Upper Strasburg, insulation is critical. John S. shares: "These trips are what gave me the experience, and confidence, to go from tent camping to tarp camping."