Equestrian camping near Monticello, New York provides riders convenient access to trail systems throughout the Pocono and Catskill regions. Located approximately 50 miles southeast of Lower Lake Campground's Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area, Monticello serves as a gateway to northeastern Pennsylvania's horse-friendly facilities. Winter temperatures in the region often drop below freezing, while summer highs typically reach 80-85°F, creating variable camping conditions across seasons.
What to do
Trail riding from campsites: At Stokes State Forest, riders can access 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles. "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 hiked the Tillman Ravine trail.
Lake activities: Keen Lake Resort Campground offers multiple water-based options for when riders want a break from the saddle. "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," shares a camper who stayed at a lakeside electric/water site.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes and streams throughout the region provide fishing for various species. At Stokes State Forest's Steam Mill Camping Area, "The kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch," according to a camper who appreciated the fishing access directly from their site.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Pickerel Point Campground earns consistent praise for maintenance. "The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers," reports a visitor who stayed at site 100. This makes it comfortable for riders after a long day on horseback.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the spacing at many regional campgrounds. At Ocquittunk, "The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites," notes a visitor who found the setup conducive to a peaceful experience.
Winter camping options: Unlike many campgrounds that close seasonally, some facilities remain open year-round. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," reports a winter visitor to Pickerel Point Campground.
What you should know
Site selection impacts experience: Choosing the right campsite location makes a difference. At Bear Spring Mountain, "There are two areas for camping, check out both though one smells kind of like a barn," advises a visitor, referring to the equestrian area.
Wildlife considerations: The region requires proper wildlife management. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," warns a camper from Stokes State Forest.
Seasonal variations: Weather impacts camping comfort significantly. "Due to cooler temps there were really no bugs to complain about while camping," notes a September visitor to Stokes State Forest, while summer visitors often mention insects near water.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies by provider and location. At Pickerel Point, "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon," reports a camper who visited during winter.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area provides accessible recreation for children. "Hiked 2 short easy trails (Little Falls and the Conservation Nature Loop- which we drove to). Absolutely beautiful!" shares a family who found the park's trails manageable for all ages.
Bike-friendly roads: Some campgrounds offer safer cycling areas for children. At Keen Lake Resort Campground, "The kids had fun riding bikes on the road, which was off the main road," reports a parent who appreciated the protected riding area.
Camp programming: Many parks offer organized activities for younger visitors. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," notes a family at Keen Lake, while another mentions, "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!"
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require proper planning. "We stayed in Pickerel Point and Deerfield depending on season," explains a regular visitor, indicating the importance of selecting camping areas based on seasonal conditions when traveling with children.
RV tips
Site levelness considerations: At Beechwood Area, campers note the importance of checking site details. "Only downside was fire pit area was very un-level for camping chairs, otherwise it's a nice wooded site with privacy," advises a visitor at site 323.
Full hookup availability: For equestrian travelers with living-quarters trailers, several parks offer complete services. "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," reports an RVer at Pickerel Point.
Space for horse trailers: Some sites accommodate both camping units and horse trailers better than others. "The RV pads were spaced put perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit," notes a visitor to Beechwood Area, where the layout accommodates larger vehicles.
Winter camping facilities: For off-season equestrians, winterized facilities matter. "When a lot of the other parks are closed... the bathrooms and showers had been winterized," reports an October visitor to Beechwood Area, suggesting checking seasonal facility status when planning cold-weather trips with horses.
Legend
