Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area provides specialized facilities for riders with horses in northeastern Pennsylvania, approximately 50 miles from Hibernia. The campground features both equestrian-specific tent sites and RV spaces with electric hookups and water access directly at campsites. Trail systems throughout the region accommodate horses with connecting paths that allow direct access from camping areas to riding trails. While the equestrian area offers basic amenities for both riders and their horses, several alternative camping options exist within reasonable driving distance for those seeking different experiences.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: The Promised Land State Park trail system offers multiple riding opportunities with varied terrain. "We stayed at site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," notes Kelly F., highlighting options that combine water views with forested paths.
Kayaking and fishing: Water activities remain popular at Pickerel Point Campground, with access to multiple lakes. A camper named Vito reports, "Nice place to set up and car camp. Enjoyed some fishing and hiking within walking distance from the site." The lakes support both motorized and non-motorized watercraft with designated launch areas.
Winter camping: Unlike many regional campgrounds that close seasonally, some areas remain accessible year-round. Mara S. notes about winter camping: "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers. The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing."
What campers like
Water access: Proximity to lakes ranks high on camper preferences. According to Kara L., "We stayed at site #T007, it was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons. The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake, it was beautiful!" Many sites include direct lake views or short paths to water access points.
Stargazing opportunities: The region's limited light pollution creates optimal conditions for night sky observation. At Mountainview Campground, a reviewer named Scott notes, "Stayed at one of the primitive sites. Very clean and quite. Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean. Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting supports diverse wildlife observation opportunities. Christina H. shares about her experience: "Once it was time to turn in for the night, that's when the cool part happened. I've camped many times at multiple state parks, huge remote state forests, but I've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here... we heard foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night!"
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Campground bathroom quality differs across locations. A camper at Spruce Run Recreation Area reports: "Showers were cold water only and very cold at that." Contrast this with another reviewer who notes, "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall."
Site terrain considerations: Many campsites feature rocky or uneven terrain that requires preparation. Alaina Z. cautions, "Chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad!" Meanwhile, other reviewers note that some areas offer more level options: "The site was located on a small hill next to the lake with the road directly in front."
Noise factors: Highway proximity impacts some camping experiences. Jules T. notes about Spruce Run: "The only con to this campground is it's proximity to the highway. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down." Similarly, overnight noise varies by location, with some areas enforcing quiet hours more strictly than others.
Tips for camping with families
Platform tent sites: Families with young children often prefer platform sites for improved sleeping comfort. At Stokes State Forest, a reviewer describes, "Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform. Many sites are a bit rocky." Platform sites minimize ground contact with potential moisture.
Wildlife safety education: The region requires proper precautions for wildlife encounters. As one camper advises, "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes." Preparing children with appropriate wildlife awareness improves safety.
Winter cabin options: For families seeking cold-weather camping without tents, cabins provide reasonable alternatives. W.L. describes their experience: "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend. The main room has a bunk bed and two twins, a table with benches, two Adirondack chairs, a wood stove set into a fireplace."
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: RVers should consider overhead clearance when booking sites. Douglas P. cautions, "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs." Site measurements sometimes fail to account for vertical clearance limitations.
Hookup limitations: Water and electric availability varies across campgrounds. At Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, facilities focus on tent camping rather than RV amenities. Meanwhile, some specialized sites like the equestrian camping areas provide both water and electric connections specifically sized for horse trailer combinations with living quarters.
Temperature management: RVers camping in shoulder seasons should prepare for temperature fluctuations. One winter camper notes the importance of heating systems: "You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin. Turning on the oven is a help, but not a good solution. The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely. I went through two bundles of wood in one night."
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