7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area at Promised Land State Park offers specialized camping for equestrians with direct access to riding trails. The area features designated sites for horses and riders with water hookups, electric hookups including fifty-amp service, and sewer connections. Sites accommodate tents and RVs with ample space for horse trailers. The camping area provides showers, toilets, and sanitary dump stations. Sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and pet-friendly policies. The campsites remain well-spaced, allowing riders privacy while setting up their horses for overnight stays. Reservations are required for equestrian sites to ensure availability during peak riding seasons.
Located within Pennsylvania's Promised Land State Park, the equestrian area connects to multiple trail systems suitable for various riding levels. The park's trail network extends throughout wooded terrain with access to scenic overlooks and water features. Horse owners find convenient trailer parking near campsites, eliminating long walks between horses and camp. The campground maintains clean facilities with spacious sites that accommodate multiple horses and camping equipment. Water sources for horses are accessible throughout the camping area. The surrounding trails offer peaceful riding experiences through forested areas. Sites fill quickly during summer months and autumn foliage season, making advance reservations essential for weekend trips. Some trails connect to longer routes that extend beyond park boundaries, providing extended riding options.
"We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."
"* Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash
- There are outhouses scattered around, or if"
from $7 - $55 / night
Check Availability"We stayed at site #T007 is was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons."
"The caping set up was nice and I enjoyed the proximity to available hikes in the area. The ‘lake’ however, was kind of a disappointment."
"SO many weekenders from New York and New Jersey being so loud, littering, and highly disrespectful to others and the land. Quite a shame. If you’re reading this and offended, be the change!!"
"Pros: beautiful new bathrooms -private lakeside walk-in sites -beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless -the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked."
from $20 - $44 / night
Check Availability"Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City."
"Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability"3 hour drive from NYC, and a wonderful campsite with good weather in the summer - not too hot during the day and nice and cool overnight."
"We stayed in lower lake beechwood site 323. Was decent site only downside was fire pit area was very un-level for camping chairs, otherwise it’s a nice wooded site with privacy."
from $27 - $29 / night
Check Availability"If you're there in the summer, I'd recommend taking a kayak around the lake and filling it with wild blueberries. Lots of hiking options as well."
from $5 - $75 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availability
RangerVery plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!
ScoutThere is only a small place for tents. Mostly people go there with campers. Not your typical campground. Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly.
LegendVery hard to get a good site in this park. But if you get the right one, you can launch your kayaks right from the site. The sites are very crowded together, some you can’t tell where one begins and the next one ends. But the park is beautiful. Avoid going on the weekends if you can help it. SO many weekenders from New York and New Jersey being so loud, littering, and highly disrespectful to others and the land. Quite a shame. If you’re reading this and offended, be the change!!
GuidePros: -beautiful new bathrooms -private lakeside walk-in sites -beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless -the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked.
Cons: -chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad! -has a beach but it's not much to look at -sites have nice sizable fire pits, but they are very tall. It's difficult to cook over them, and sitting around the campfire in the evening is a much less visually appealing experience than I'd like
We stayed in site 157. Accessible via a path from the designated parking space to the site about 2 minute walk. Lakeside, but visibility not great due to vegetation. All sites have little trails down to the water.
Site 174 by the road and less private, but prettily overhung by evergreens.
The cabins look very nice inside.
TravelerEnjoyed a great weekend at Stokes State Forest. We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents. Site came with bear proof bin for garbage and fire ring. Very comfortable site, quiet but still with plenty of amenities. Bathrooms and shower were all single stall and very clean, only a 5 min walk from our site. Two water sources nearby as well. We didn’t have direct views of the lake, but were within a minute walk to some quiet views of the lake. Also the location is amazing; there are trail heads near the campsites and longer trails, including access to the Appalachian Trail within a short 10-15 minute drive. You can also rent kayaks and SUP at the main office. Highly recommend Stokes.
RangerI would definitely recommend this campsite to anyone wanting a beautiful, remote setting, but with all of the conveniences that the campgrounds offer. Anyone from a beginner to an expert would enjoy Stokes. Whether it be just a short, relaxing weekend trip or an adventure-packed week long trip, this place has the potential to be whatever you make it.
Pros:
Has the perfect balance of feeling secluded without feeling completely alone in the middle of nowhere; the campsite we were specifically on was just far enough to be remote-feeling and fully private with trees surrounding it
Cute little pond right on the campgrounds
Our site had a fire ring, a picnic table, and a large sturdy pole with a hook for your lantern/mesh dry bag/etc
Even, rocky, yet soft enough ground to sleep on, many trees available for hammock camping
There was a huge, nasty storm one night that we stayed there, with terrible downpour and flash flood warnings, our site was elevated and did not get flooded
A lot of firewood and kindling in the area to be gathered, or you can buy firewood right from the office
Lots of stuff to do in the area for nature-lovers and outdoors-enthusiasts (Hiking trails, fishing/fly-fishing, sightseeing, mountain-biking, kayaking/paddle-boarding (rentals in the area if you do not own), hunting, swimming, horseback riding, waterfall-hunting, bird/wildlife watching (there are hawks, rabbits, owls, deer, toads, snakes, turtles, frogs, foxes, bats, salamanders, many interesting bugs, beavers, and bears in the area, you never know what you will see), lots of beautiful brooks and streams throughout the entire park, many awesome remote areas to set up your hammock and relax) Whoever said that there wasn't much to do here is just either not an outdoors person or straight up lying!
Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash
There are outhouses scattered around, or if you are really needing a clean restroom where you can wash your hands, the park office's restroom is always open and very clean
Can be buggy at night time however, I was pleasantly surprised to have experienced zero mosquito bites and ZERO ticks on ourselves and even our dog (however she did have a leech on her from playing in the brook all day). We moderately used bug spray on ourselves and the dog had her flea and tick topical on.
Beautiful view of the stars on a clear night (Which can be breathtaking especially to city folk or those that cannot see stars from their homes)
Cons:
Can hear the traffic from 206, but generally gets much quieter at night
Campsites are close enough that you may occasionally hear other groups if they are being very loud (We were next to a group campsite that had a very noisy party crowd, but could really only hear them at their loudest, and we weren't bothered)
Tent sites are located just off the dirt road where people travel to get to their sites, which means other campers' cars will occasionally pass right through your area. If this bothers you, be sure to book a site as far back as possible. Ex: Site T137 should have no vehicle traffic but your own and is the most remote of that area
Water fill stations can be a bit busy at certain times
Our fire ring rack was bent, but luckily we came prepared with our own rack to place on top of it and it worked out
Lots of poison ivy in the area, if you are not immune to it be very mindful of where you are stepping!
Our neighbor warned us that they got a flat tire after arriving at their campsite, and after searching their site found a bunch of nails almost intentionally thrown about. It's not the park's fault and the rangers were made aware of it. Carefully check your site after arriving for anything out of place and report to the office if necessary to keep these campsites safe and enjoyable.
Points of interest nearby the campsite:
Big Flat Brook - A beautiful babbling brook that runs all throughout the area. Has great fly fishing for stocked rainbow trout. Access to the brook was only a short but beautiful hike north from our site through some thistle fields and woodlands.
Buttermilk falls (Tallest waterfall in NJ), Tillman Ravine, Dingmans Ferry/Falls, and my personal favorite, Silver Spray Falls - Multiple gorgeous waterfalls and ravines just waiting to be explored, all within ~15-20 min by car. I definitely recommend checking them out while you are camping here especially if you live far away from the area.
Sunrise Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain - Catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset on top of Sunrise Mountain, which is a pleasant, scenic car ride directly to the top where there is a small parking lot, a smelly outhouse, and a nice picnic table area with a great view. Rattlesnake Mountain is a part of the Appalachian Trail and is somewhat barren towards the top which makes for excellent views. Like its name, it's not uncommon to see many snakes in the area, rattlesnakes tend to hang out on the top and sunbathe on the rocks. Keep your pets on a leash and have a stick handy just in case, however, they will leave you alone if you keep your distance.
Lake Ashroe, Stony Lake, Lake Ocquittunk - Many lakes for multiple activities in the area such as fishing (trout stocked waters), kayaking, swimming (Stony lake has a beach area with lifeguards, restrooms, and picnic areas. Check their website for more info.)
Horseback riding - A few great horseback riding places nearby, some offering trail rides through the beautiful park.
Appalachian Trail - The widely-known Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only trail in the world, that runs all the way from Maine to Georgia goes right through this area. You may run into very interesting people from all over who are thru-hiking the AT.
PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR VISIT. LEAVE NO TRACE. KEEP OUR PARKS BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.
GuideWe stayed at site #T007 is 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!
GuideThis is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig. Pluses, minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, liberty Science center. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!
GuideStokes State Forest is a beautiful park with a lot of different trails to check out, though some of them are difficult to access due to parking. The camping areas are split between two different entrances. If you’re in Lake Ocquitunk, like I was, you don’t enter at the main entrance, you have to go past the main entrance about another mile on rt. 15 N. and enter by the YMCA. All the other camping areas are near the main entrance by the forest office. The campsites themselves are a little too close together in some spots with little coverage or privacy. There is a day parking area which is only accessible going through the main entrance by the forest office— if you visit during the week park entrance is free, but on the weekend fees can be a bit steep. I wasn’t super happy with my campsite as I wasn’t able to physically have my car on the site like I thought. I had to park in a small lot above my campsite and carry my belongings down a short slope to the site. I like to car-camp so this was a bit of a let down having my car separate from my actual campsite.
The bathrooms were nice and had flush toilets, but the showers were out of service during my time. Bathrooms are extremely spaced out so you will have to walk a far distance unless you strategically choose a site next to one. I drove through the other campsite and only saw 1 set of bathrooms that had toilets and showers per campground, not including the outhouses I saw for those in the small cabins.
Horseback riders can explore various trail systems throughout Promised Land State Park in Pennsylvania, approximately 35 miles from Chester, New York. The park maintains designated equestrian camping areas with specialized facilities for horses and their owners. Temperatures in this region typically range from 20-85°F depending on season, with humid summers and cold winters.
Trail riding access: At Stokes State Forest, riders find extensive trail networks. "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," notes a visitor who explored the area.
Lake activities: Campers can enjoy water recreation at Pickerel Point Campground where one visitor mentioned, "My favorite site does, plus I can launch my kayak right from there!" Another camper added, "The lake is crystal clear and the beach is spotless. You absolutely have to bring a kayak/inflatable boat, but if you don't own one, don't worry, you can rent one."
Hiking options: Multiple difficulty levels exist across the region's parks. At Mohican Outdoor Center, a camper observed, "Lots of hiking options as well. Tent sites are either on the ground have wooden platforms." For shorter hikes, "We hiked the Tillman Ravine trail (tip: make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery)."
Privacy between sites: At Stokes State Forest, campers appreciate the spacing. "We stayed at site 11 on Lake Ocquittunk. If you are looking for more secluded campsites try to get 13 or 14 as they seem to sick back more," shared one visitor who enjoyed the solitude.
Equestrian facilities: Horse owners value the specialized amenities at Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area. "We have camped here in tents and with our teardrop trailer. All of our experiences have been good. Clean bathrooms are essential and even when the large campground is full the bathrooms have been clean," noted a satisfied camper.
Scenic water views: Many sites offer direct lake access. "We stayed at site #T007 is 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!" reported a camper at Ocquittunk.
Seasonal availability: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. "We camped at the Steam Mill Camping Area in Stokes State Forest in our campervan over a chilly autumn weekend," shared one visitor, while another noted at Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, "We collected our own firewood as there is none for sale in the state park."
Wildlife awareness: The region has active wildlife. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," cautions a camper who visited Stokes State Forest.
Site terrain varies: Many horse campgrounds near Chester, New York have uneven ground. A visitor to Lower Lake Beechwood Area observed, "Was decent site only downside was fire pit area was very un-level for camping chairs, otherwise it's a nice wooded site with privacy." At Pickerel Point, another noted, "chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad!"
Off-peak visits: For quieter experiences with children, timing matters. "We went to Stokes for a one nighter to test out my new truck tent. While making reservations it said almost all sites were full but upon arrival the vast majority of sites were empty which made for a quiet/relaxing night," shared a visitor.
Kid-friendly activities: Camp Mohican Outdoor Center offers water recreation options. "You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife. If you're there in the summer, I'd recommend taking a kayak around the lake and filling it with wild blueberries."
Cabin options: For families who prefer not to tent camp, several parks offer cabin accommodations. "We stay in the cabins. It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family. A must see campground," recommended a visitor to Stokes State Forest.
Hookup availability: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides convenient facilities. "The sites had electric and water and were in a fenced off section of the marina parking area. It was a little loud with city noises, but exactly what we expected being so close. Staff was great. Easy access with our 32 foot RV pulling our Jeep."
Site selection strategy: RVers recommend researching specific sites before booking. "We stayed in lower lake beechwood site 323. Was decent site only downside was fire pit area was very un-level for camping chairs, otherwise it's a nice wooded site with privacy. Short walk to bathrooms, showers and lake."
Winter preparation: Horse camping areas often operate year-round but with limitations. "Went camping in late October, when a lot of the other parks are closed. Only one section of their camping was still open but the bathrooms and showers had been winterized," noted a visitor to Beechwood Area, while another mentioned, "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Chester, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Chester, NY is Stokes State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Chester, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Chester, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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