Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area offers dedicated facilities for horse riders visiting the Promised Land State Park region. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,500 feet in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, the area features cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, typically 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby cities. The equestrian area connects to trail networks that extend through mixed hardwood forests, providing access routes for riders of varying experience levels.
What to do
Horseback trail riding: The equestrian area at Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area connects to numerous riding trails. As one regular visitor notes, "We have camped here in tents and with our teardrop trailer. All of our experiences have been good."
Paddling on lakes: Promised Land State Park has multiple lakes for paddling activities. At Pickerel Point Campground, campers can access the water directly from some sites. One visitor explains, "Almost every campsite is close to the water. Our site had kayak access and that was a real bonus."
Hiking trail exploration: The region offers extensive trail networks. At Stokes State Forest, a camper reports, "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."
What campers like
Lake views from campsites: Many sites provide direct water views. One camper at Pickerel Point notes, "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail."
Clean facilities: Despite high usage in season, most campgrounds maintain clean facilities. At Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, a visitor states, "Bathrooms were clean and so was the site. Sites were a good size and not on top of each other."
Wildlife observation: The forests and lakes host diverse wildlife. At Stokes State Forest, a camper mentions, "The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," highlighting the need for awareness while appreciating nature.
Year-round access: Some campgrounds remain open through winter. A Beechwood Area visitor notes, "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers."
What you should know
Site conditions vary: While many sites are well-maintained, terrain can be challenging. A visitor to Ocquittunk observed, "The bathrooms are clean and nicely placed. The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites."
Limited connectivity: Cell service can be unreliable. One camper noted, "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon."
Weather preparation: The mountain location means temperature fluctuations. A Pickerel Point camper preparing for cooler temperatures mentions, "The cabins look very nice inside," suggesting they can be a good alternative when temperatures drop.
Alcohol restrictions: Most state parks prohibit alcohol. One camper notes, "The only drawback is no alcohol allowed, but most State Parks are like that I think."
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: Some parks offer programs specifically for children. At Pickerel Point, a visitor noted, "Was pleasantly surprised they have programs for kids. Can never go wrong here."
Beach activities: Multiple swimming areas are available for children. A Beechwood Area camper shared, "I stayed at the Beechwood location at the Promised Land state park and despite the constant rain, it was quiet and peaceful."
Biking opportunities: Paved roads in some campgrounds make biking easy for children. One visitor to Pickerel Point mentioned, "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc... We will definitely be back."
Wildlife education: Teach children about local wildlife safely. At Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, a camper observed, "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups are available at specific sites. A camper at Pickerel Point reports, "We had full hookups (20/30/50 amp, water & sewer). There's no cable but we were able to pickup about 6 channels with our digital antenna."
Site spacing: RV sites typically provide adequate room. A visitor to Beechwood Area noted, "The RV pads were spaced out perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit."
Antenna reception: Digital TV reception is possible despite the mountain location. A visitor mentioned getting "about 6 channels with our digital antenna."
Advance reservations: Book early for prime RV sites with hookups, especially during summer months. Many campers recommend reservations, particularly for holiday weekends when campgrounds reach capacity.
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