The Kittatinny Mountains near Montville, New Jersey contain several camping options for equestrians. Most horse camping areas sit at elevations between 900-1,500 feet with moderate temperatures averaging 75°F in summer and 25°F in winter. Primitive campsites with highline systems are available at several locations along the Appalachian Trail corridor, offering direct access to bridle paths.
What to do
Guided trail rides: Mohican Outdoor Center offers access to several trail systems connecting to the Appalachian Trail. "The AT runs right through the camp. I love this place!" notes reviewer Shawn B.
Kayaking and fishing: Spruce Run Recreation Area provides water-based activities near equestrian trails. "Great for sailing and fishing. Does get a little rowdy at night with some groups that party," mentions Mike D. The reservoir allows horses to cool off after trail rides.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park combines riding trails with target practice. "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," says Patrick M.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: The campsites at horse-friendly areas provide good spacing between neighbors. At Lake Ocquittunk, "The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites. The views of the lake are nice, very peaceful," reports Catherine S.
Wildlife encounters: Camping with horses often puts you in prime wildlife viewing areas. At Mountainview Campground, one camper noted, "I've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here. Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!"
Accessible hiking: Horse-friendly camping areas typically connect to extensive trail systems. "There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail," according to a reviewer.
What you should know
Trail conditions: Some bridle paths become challenging after rain. At Stokes State Forest, riders should note that "some trails may become muddy after rainfall, particularly in spring and fall."
Tick precautions: Horse camping requires tick checks for both animals and riders. One camper at Turkey Swamp Park reported, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Water access: Not all horse campgrounds have direct water hookups at the sites. "You need to bring your own portable corrals or highline systems for securing horses overnight," advises a camper at Stokes State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Pickerel Point Campground offers horse-friendly family camping. "Almost every campsite is close to the water. Our site had kayak access and that was a real bonus," notes Aida K., making it ideal for families who want both riding and water activities.
Safety considerations: Keep children away from horse areas during feeding times. "The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail. The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers," suggests Kelly F.
Educational opportunities: Many horse campgrounds near Montville offer ranger programs about local ecology. "We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!" reports a family camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: When bringing horses and RVs, choose sites carefully. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, one RVer advised, "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."
Hookup availability: Most equestrian camping areas have limited hookups. "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV. It's kind of worth it," suggests Ruette W.
Generator restrictions: Horse camping areas often restrict generator use to minimize disturbance to animals. "We have some solar so we can go for awhile without running the generator. We fill our fresh water tank and bring drinking water," notes a camper describing their setup for horse camping.
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