Posted 2011-08-21 6:18 PM (#136850) Subject: Need advise on camp grounds VA , OH, PA ?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Florida
We are working up a plan to get ourselves out of New England (Cape Cod) to find new camping and trail area's. I have run a drive time map of 10 hours, basically it covers VA, some of West VA some OH and all of PA.
I would love any suggestions for horse camping out in these states.
I am even willing to make a stop and push a second day but the problem is I realistically can only take a week off so I hate to exhaust myself and the horses by hi-way hours.
Posted 2011-08-21 8:40 PM (#136856 - in reply to #136850) Subject: RE: Need advise on camp grounds VA , OH, PA ?
Regular
Posts: 73
I live in central PA, and can give you some of my opinions. Zoe may have some good ideas for you, too.One of our favorite places to ride is in New York State, not sure if you would be interested in NY state. Brookfield Trail System. Nice, free campground with porta-pots, pump water for the horses, and extremely well-marked, easy to follow, inter-connected trails, that make it easy to ride longer or shorter, by connecting the trails. We enjoy riding in the Loyalsock State Forest, near Eagles Mere, PA. Lots of miles of marked trails, maps are sometimes difficult to follow, there is horse camping with pit toilets and poles for high lines, but no water or other facilities. The camping is free with a permit.For 3 years, we've done a long weekend at Beaver Creek State Park, in OH. Just a little south of I-80, and not far over the PA/OH line. We have camped at Cook Forest once and liked it, but we were not on an organized ride. We found the trails well marked and the map easy to follow. Also at Hickory Creek Ranch, at Tidioute, PA. Again, we liked it there, too. www.hickorycreekranch.com Benezette, PA is very beautiful riding, able to see the elk in the fall. I've heard that the state camping areas that access the Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trail are filled for the month of September. There is a private campground in Benezette, Big Elk Lick. Most people like it there, but we did not have a good experience. Neither the owners nor the other campers were very helpful with providing information on finding the trails. Might have just been our experience.I am in no way associated with these books, but I found the 2 "Ride Pennsylvania Horse Trails" books by Carolyn Cook, really useful.
Posted 2011-08-23 8:47 PM (#136922 - in reply to #136850) Subject: RE: Need advise on camp grounds VA , OH, PA ?
Member
Posts: 38 Location: Morriston, FL
I know you didn't mention NY but saw others did...Otter Creek is my favorite of all that was mentioned. I also like Iron Mountain. Sesquahannic (spelling) in PA is a favorite for many. I have only ridden there once and don't know the trails well...It was OK for a first time. Ohio was one of my least favorite state.
Posted 2011-08-23 9:20 PM (#136925 - in reply to #136850) Subject: RE: Need advise on camp grounds VA , OH, PA ?
Regular
Posts: 73 Location: MI
You mentioned OH as a possibility so I'll bring up the Hocking Hills about an hour south of Columbus. Not sure if that's within your range but we enjoyed a long four day weekend there without hitting all of the trails. It's a great area to both ride and explore without the horses. You can give the horses a rest day and visit the other attractions in the area like Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave and Cedar Falls among other places. The ride to places like Airplane Rock and 21 Horse Cave are nice. Just another suggestion.
Posted 2011-08-23 10:05 PM (#136929 - in reply to #136850) Subject: RE: Need advise on camp grounds VA , OH, PA ?
Member
Posts: 35 Location: Ohio
I second the vote for Beaver Creek State Park. You also might want to consider Salt Fork State Park, also in Ohio. It's easy to get to, just east of I-77 and has 60 miles of trails.
Posted 2011-08-25 8:07 PM (#137020 - in reply to #136850) Subject: RE: Need advise on camp grounds VA , OH, PA ?
Regular
Posts: 73
We do not do organized rides, either. When we rode at Cook Forest, we were not there during an organized ride.
With only a week, after riding a few days at Cook, and a few days at Salt Fork, are you looking for just an overnight stop on your way home? It looks like you would be driving home across the southern part of PA. Zoe is from the Allentown area, she really would be the person to help you find a place. I'll email her, and ask her to look at this thread and see what she thinks.
Posted 2011-09-20 11:23 AM (#137703 - in reply to #136850) Subject: RE: Need advise on camp grounds VA , OH, PA ?
Member
Posts: 17
Location: grantville pa
we are locatred in S.Central Pa and started horse camping three years ago. We love it. One of our favorite places is Tuscarora State forest, Blain Co. ofice # is 717-536-3191. they have a small horse camping area (Showaker) with 5 sites, 3 are easy pull through for big rigs. They have nice pit toilets in the day parking area which is just a short walk from the horse sites. They also have other camp sites available that allow horses. All of the horse camping is primative, no elec or water and like all state forests in Pa there is no fee. If you call for info they will send you a trail map and camp site maps. I don't do facebook but understand they have a great facebook site. lots of pictures of the campsites.
We also like Fair Hill in Elkton Md. very nice barns, elec hookups and lots of stuff to do in the area while not riding.
Need advise on camp grounds VA , OH, PA ?
