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 Williamsburg, PA
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North Run Equine Camping Area in Moshannon State Forest provides primitive equestrian camping options near Williamsburg, Pennsylvania. The campground features accessible sites with picnic tables and established fire rings for equestrian campers. Reservations are required for all horse camping stays. The sites accommodate trailers with ample parking space for vehicles and equipment. Primitive facilities mean campers should bring their own water for horses and pack out all waste materials. Though the campground lacks dedicated horse corrals, the spacious layout allows for portable corrals or highline setups that many horse owners prefer when camping.
Located approximately 92 miles northwest of Williamsburg, North Run connects to an extensive network of forest trails ideal for day rides. Riders access multiple trail systems directly from the campground without needing to trailer horses to separate trailheads. The surrounding Moshannon State Forest offers varied terrain through mature woodlands with streams for watering horses along designated routes. Trail difficulty ranges from easy flat paths to more challenging inclines, accommodating riders of different experience levels. Horse owners should note that overnight camping is restricted to designated equestrian sites only, and riders must carry current negative Coggins test documentation. The campground typically operates seasonally with closures during winter months when trail conditions deteriorate and access becomes difficult due to snow and mud.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Williamsburg (9)
1. 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
2. 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
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. 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."
"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."
26 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $24 - $38 / night
5. North Run Equine Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
6. 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
7. North Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
8. South Block — Tuscarora State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
9. New Lancaster Valley Roadside Campsites — Bald Eagle State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Drive Time
- 19 min from Altoona, PA
- 47 min from State College, PA
- 58 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr 35 min from Chambersburg, PA
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Williamsburg, PA
64 Reviews of 9 Williamsburg Campgrounds
MsTrailBlazerRangerColonel Denning State Park Campground
Snakes! 🐍 🥰
Great 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.
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.
Etzer D.GuideColonel Denning State Park Campground
Great creekside spot
The 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.
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.
Guide to Williamsburg
North Run Equine Camping Area is one of several horse campgrounds near Williamsburg, Pennsylvania located within the state forest system. The elevation of Moshannon State Forest ranges from 1,000 to 2,300 feet, creating varied terrain for trail riding. Weather conditions can change rapidly in this mountainous region, with significant temperature drops during evening hours even in summer months.
What to do
Trail riding through Moshannon Forest: Riders at Black Moshannon State Park Campground can access multiple trail systems. "The lake has lots to offer. Swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife watching and a big sky view for star gazing," notes Denise D. Trail difficulty varies with terrain, requiring different skill levels.
Mountain biking on dedicated paths: Shawnee State Park Campground offers excellent routes for cycling enthusiasts. "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained," reports Kaley R. Many trails connect to roads allowing for longer rides.
Fishing in forest streams: Stream fishing opportunities exist throughout the region. At Black Moshannon, according to Matthew U., there's a "quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding." The unique water color creates distinctive fishing conditions, with different fish species thriving in various parts of the system.
What campers like
Accessible equestrian facilities: Equine camping options at North Run Equine Camping Area provide dedicated spaces for horse owners. Similar sites at Colonel Denning State Park Campground offer streamside camping. "We love the dog friendly sites near the water, the kids and pups play all day!" writes Casey L. Many sites accommodate both horses and other animals.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: The quality of campground upkeep stands out to visitors. At Colonel Denning, campers praise the condition of amenities: "The bathhouse is very nice and clean," and "the bathrooms were the absolute cleanest bathrooms we've seen in a state park," according to Nate & Erika L.
Secluded campsites for privacy: Tent campers appreciate the layout of sites in many area forests. At Rothrock Roadside Campsites, Scott I. notes: "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."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian camping areas require advance booking. For North Block — Tuscarora State Forest, reservations are mandatory, similar to other state forest campsites. At popular locations like Black Moshannon, campers advise: "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early."
Seasonal closures affect access: Winter weather impacts road conditions in mountainous areas. For Rothrock sites, Scott I. cautions: "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."
Limited water availability: Most horse camping areas lack running water. Campers must bring their own water for both personal use and for horses. The primitive conditions mean planning ahead for all necessary supplies, particularly during dry periods when natural water sources may be low.
Tips for camping with families
Ranger programs enhance education: State parks often provide educational opportunities. At Colonel Denning, "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," shares Nate & Erika L. Programs typically run on weekends during summer months.
Choose sites strategically: At South Block — Tuscarora State Forest, site selection matters for family camping. Similar considerations apply at Colonel Denning, where Tiff T. notes: "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."
Plan for varied weather: Mountain elevations mean temperature fluctuations. At Shawnee State Park, Danielle S. explains practical considerations: "The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs." Bringing extra tarps and portable seating helps families adjust to changing conditions.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Many horse campgrounds have limited spaces for larger trailers. At Shawnee State Park, reviewers caution: "There are a fair amount of awkwardly-placed sites that sit on a hill and are difficult to place a tent, equipment or gear." Site selection becomes critical for horse trailers combined with camping equipment.
Electrical hookup locations: Power access points may not be ideally positioned. One camper at Shawnee noted: "We stayed in site 42, which was not the greatest layout (electric was on the wrong side of the site for our door and canopy to open to the fire ring)." Bringing extension cords helps solve this common issue at equestrian campgrounds.
Road access considerations: Forest roads leading to equestrian campsites require careful navigation. For those traveling to horse camping facilities, Sandi G. recommends: "Our only trouble was our GPS brought us in the most difficult way. We suggest avoiding heading south from I80 on Casanova road."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Williamsburg, PA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Williamsburg, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Williamsburg, PA is Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Williamsburg, PA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Williamsburg, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Williamsburg, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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