Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area offers specialized camping for horseback riders near Otisville, New York. Located within Promised Land State Park in Pennsylvania, this equestrian camping area sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation in the Pocono Mountains. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer days typically range from 70-85°F with cooler evenings, making it comfortable for both horses and riders year-round.
What to do
Trail riding access: Trail access from Hemlock Hill connects to Promised Land State Park's extensive network with routes for various riding abilities. At Stokes State Forest, similar riding opportunities exist with "21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail."
Lake activities: Many equestrian campers enjoy combining riding with water recreation. At Keen Lake Resort Campground, "You are able to camp in tents in the activity field or lakeside. We rented a canoe out a couple times during our stay." This provides riders and their families additional recreation options after trail rides.
Seasonal considerations: Plan your equestrian camping trips according to weather patterns. One camper at Pickerel Point notes, "Kids had a great time! The road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc." Similar paved areas near equestrian camping sites allow for multiple recreation options when not riding.
What campers like
Site layout: Equestrian campers appreciate dedicated spaces for both camping equipment and horse trailers. At Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, "Sites were a good size and not on top of each other. Firewood was available in the area. But not much for stores so pack everything in before."
Water features: Many riders value access to water for both humans and horses. At Pickerel Point Campground, "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail. The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers."
Cleanliness: Horse owners consistently mention bathroom cleanliness as important after dusty trail rides. One camper noted, "Bathrooms were 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. The views of the lake are nice, very peaceful."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Horse camping sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. At Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, "The Group Campsite was really big. It had 5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables and a real full sized bathroom only 100 yards away."
Terrain conditions: Equestrian campers should prepare for variable terrain. One camper reported, "Each site comes with a fire ring and picnic table. Only select sites allow dogs. Park staff were super friendly and helpful. The park and surrounding forest have lots of hiking and multiple lakes."
Wildlife awareness: The region has diverse wildlife that horse owners should prepare for. A camper at Stokes State Forest noted, "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes."
Tips for camping with families
Accommodation options: Families seeking equestrian camping near Otisville can choose from various setups. At Stokes State Forest, one camper shared, "Sussex county is beautiful. Stokes is such a peaceful campground! We stay in the cabins. It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family. A must see campground."
Kid-friendly activities: Plan complementary activities for children when not riding. At Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms, "I think this would be great for a family who are just starting to get interested in camping and would like to experience it first without making a large investment into buying your own equipment."
Safety considerations: Establish clear rules for children around horses and camping areas. A family at Keen Lake noted, "My kids love going here and I also enjoy coming knowing I can relax and not worry about them."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Many equestrian camping areas offer partial or full hookups. At Pickerel Point, "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 selection: Choose RV sites that accommodate both your vehicle and horse trailer. One RVer mentioned, "We stayed at site 11 on Lake Ocquittunk. 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."
Accessibility: Consider road conditions when bringing an RV to equestrian camping areas. A camper noted, "Great lake camping...Tent-Cabin. Watch the local roads for potholes."