Promised Land State Park includes multiple camping areas near Cochecton, New York, with Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area designed specifically for horse owners. The equestrian facilities sit within the larger state park system at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet, providing moderate temperatures even during summer months. Trail networks connect directly from campsites into the surrounding Pocono Mountains wilderness.
What to do
Paddle on the lake: Keen Lake Resort Campground offers various watercraft options for exploring their large lake. "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. It was awesome," shares Shannon C. who stayed at Keen Lake Resort Campground.
Hike mountain trails: The trail systems surrounding equestrian camping areas provide access to varied terrain. At Stokes State Forest, "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 Trip Over Life, who recommends picking up a hiking map at the park office.
Wildlife observation: The forested areas around Cochecton support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. At Pickerel Point Campground, Alaina Z. notes, "beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless," adding that "the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained amenities near Cochecton. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground," writes Emily Z. about Keen Lake Resort Campground, adding that "the store has a huge selection of necessities, so no need to worry about forgetting things."
Waterfront sites: Lakeside camping spots rank among the most popular in the region. Carolyn M. from Stokes State Forest describes, "I spent the night in the Promised Land State Park at Pickerel Point and it was so pretty and quiet... Mine overlooked the water and had a gorgeous sunset. There was a beach nearby that was an excellent place to gaze at the stars."
Peaceful environment: The region's remote setting creates quiet camping conditions. At Promised Land State Park's Beechwood location, Maze M. reports, "despite the constant rain, it was quiet and peaceful. You could only ever hear the wildlife. The RV pads were spaced out perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Due to popularity, advance booking is essential for equestrian sites near Cochecton. At Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, Daniel G. notes it can get "a little crowded and you can overhear everyone around you," despite being "~3 hour drive from NYC, and a wonderful campsite with good weather in the summer."
Weather considerations: The Pochecton area experiences variable conditions. "We had a great time despite cold wet weather. 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," shares Emily Z. about Keen Lake, suggesting campers research specific sites before booking.
Supply planning: Limited shopping options mean advance preparation is necessary. Siobhan D. advises about Beechwood Area, "Firewood was available in the area. But not much for stores so pack everything in before."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep children engaged throughout their stay. Mike H. from Keen Lake Resort Campground shares, "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day! The security is great and patrol to make sure quiet hours are quiet to be courteous to other campers that want quiet time."
Safe swimming areas: Designated swimming locations provide monitored water recreation. "The kids had fun riding bikes on the road, which was off the main road. The bugs were better than I would have anticipated next to the lake," notes Shannon C., adding that her "kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch."
Educational opportunities: Nature programs enhance the equestrian camping experience. Paula R. at Pickerel Point mentions, "Kids had a great time! Bathrooms could be cleaned more often but relatively clean. The museum and crafts were closed due to Covid so that was a bummer but we found other things to do. Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose RV sites based on accessibility needs and amenities. At Lackawanna State Park Campground, cheryl M. recommends the "fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers."
Hookup reliability: Electrical systems vary between campgrounds near Cochecton. David notes at Lackawanna State Park, "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
Water access considerations: When camping with horses, proximity to water sources matters. Harry L. reports about his site, "We were there over 4th of July so the pool was pretty full during the weekend so we decided to utilize the lake for those days and enjoyed the pool during the week once some of the weekenders left."
Legend
