Promised Land State Park offers equestrian camping facilities 15 miles southwest of Bethel, New York. The park maintains dedicated horse camping sites at the Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area. Trail riding options range from 1.5 to 6.2 miles in length with elevation changes from 200 to 450 feet throughout the trail system.
What to do
Paddle on lakes and ponds: At Keen Lake Resort Campground, water activities dominate the experience. "The sites seemed a little narrow when we first pulled in, but it was plenty. We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake," reports Shannon C.
Hike diverse terrain: Stokes State Forest provides 63 miles of marked trails including 12 miles of the Appalachian Trail. "The trails are varied, read the maps to get an idea of difficulty/elevation," advises W.L. The Tillman Ravine trail can be made into a loop visiting both the ravine and a historic cemetery.
Fish in clean waters: Multiple water bodies provide fishing opportunities. "The kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch," mentions Shannon C. about Keen Lake. For ice fishing enthusiasts, Lackawanna State Park offers winter opportunities with "an ice rink with a warming house" according to Michael.
What campers like
Exceptionally clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of bathrooms and shower facilities. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground," notes Emily Z. at Keen Lake Resort Campground. Similarly, at Pickerel Point Campground, "The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers," reports Kelly F.
Lakeside camping spots: Water-adjacent sites rank among the most popular. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper," says Kelly F. about Pickerel Point. Another camper, Carolyn M., shares: "My site overlooked the water and had a gorgeous sunset. There was a beach nearby that was an excellent place to gaze at the stars."
Trail accessibility: Many campgrounds offer direct access to trail systems. "The campground connects to multiple riding trails throughout the park," notes a ranger about the equestrian facilities. At Bear Spring Mountain, "There is a hiking loop that goes around the pond," mentions J.G., who also recommends renting paddle boats or kayaks.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds near Bethel, New York close during winter months. At Stokes State Forest, some camping remains available year-round, but with limited amenities. "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," reports Mara S. about winter camping.
Reservation requirements: Horse camping sites typically fill quickly during peak season. "We were given a terrific tent site" despite arriving "on a Holiday weekend without a reservation," shares Guy M. about Lackawanna, but this experience is uncommon during busy periods.
Site variations: Campsite quality varies significantly within the same park. Emily Z. notes about Keen Lake: "Our site was probably one of the worst in the place but we were able to scope out others that we would prefer for our next visit. We didn't have a view of the lake, instead we were in someone's back yard."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Structured activities help keep children engaged. "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!" shares Mike H. about Keen Lake. Similarly, Paula R. mentions that at Pickerel Point, "The museum and crafts were closed due to Covid so that was a bummer but we found other things to do."
Choose lakefront sites: Waterfront access provides continuous entertainment. "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," recommends Kara L. at Lake Ocquittunk.
Consider camping cabins: For families new to horse camping or outdoor recreation, cabins offer comfort with nature access. "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," notes W.L., who stayed in Stokes State Forest cabins.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: At Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area, sites accommodate both camping units and horse trailers. "We have camped here in tents and with our teardrop trailer. All of our experiences have been good," shares David S., who appreciates the clean facilities even when "the large campground is full."
Hookup reliability: Test electrical systems upon arrival. At Lackawanna State Park, one camper reported: "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
Spacing considerations: RV sites vary in privacy and spacing. "The RV sites are spaced out nicely," notes Charlotte D. about Keen Lake, while Maze M. found at Beechwood Area that "The RV pads were spaced out perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit."
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