Arcadian Pastures Equine provides primitive horse camping approximately 40 miles west of Selkirk in rural upstate New York. Trail riders can access multiple riding paths directly from the facility throughout the surrounding countryside. The campground requires reservations for overnight equestrian stays and maintains a no-pets policy to ensure a calm environment for horses. Most visitors bring their own portable corrals or use highlines since permanent equine facilities are limited.
What to do
Trail riding exploration: Access bridle paths directly from North-South Lake Campground and connect to the Catskill Escarpment trail system. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot," notes Brittany W., highlighting the proximity to natural attractions.
Swimming and water activities: Cool off after riding at the lakes and beach areas. At Moreau Lake State Park, visitors appreciate the water access. "Nice sandy beach with lifeguard hours," reports Amber A., who adds that "most sites aren't right along the lake but it's still so close."
Winter trail adventures: Several equestrian areas maintain seasonal access for cold-weather riding. Robert L. notes that at Moreau Lake State Park Campground, "Hiking trails become nice XC skiing trails," indicating year-round recreational possibilities.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many horse camping areas provide secluded spots for equestrians. "I love the spacious campsites. It's very woodsy between sites, so it seems very private," says Michi P. about camping at Moreau Lake State Park, which offers similar separation to what riders find at Arcadian Pastures.
Stream-side camping: Waterfront locations enhance the camping experience. At Betty Brook Camp, Robert B. appreciates that "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," providing natural water access for both campers and potentially horses.
Easy trail access: Direct connections to riding paths rate highly among equestrian campers. Chris D. recalls his experiences at North-South Lake Campground: "I've recently started going there again with my own family... Camping, swimming, hiking, boating, biking, this place has it all."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian facilities require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. Country Campsites maintains similar policies to Artisan Hill Farm & Studio, requiring reservations for all overnight stays with horses.
Facility limitations: Prepare for primitive conditions at many horse camping areas. Peter notes about Betty Brook Camp: "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts trail conditions significantly in this region. Nancy K. observes that Moreau Lake State Park offers "Nicely treed sites and cabins with a pretty lake. Hiking, biking, swimming, boat/canoe/paddleboard rentals," but availability varies seasonally.
Tips for camping with families
Scout appropriate riding areas: Not all trails suit young or inexperienced riders. Jessica W. recommends North-South Lake: "A lot of the hiking nearby is also relatively easy and includes the newly opened (as of 2016) viewing platform for Kaasterskill falls, which is minutes down the road from the campground."
Avoid holiday weekends: Horse camping areas become crowded during peak times. Robert L. warns about Moreau Lake State Park Campground: "Campground and swimming area becomes very crowded, especially on holiday weekend due to proximity to I-87 and number of downstate tourists that frequent the park."
Pack extra supplies: Remote equestrian camping requires thorough preparation. Nancy W. notes: "This is dry camping so there are no hook-ups but there are restrooms and shower. Both were clean but the shower fluctuated between lukewarm, hot, and warm during my shower."
Tips from RVers
Trailer parking logistics: Plan carefully when bringing horse trailers and RVs together. Nancy W. cautions about tight spaces: "Our campsite was spacious but required some maneuvering to avoid scraping trees with our RV. Campsites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites."
Generator policies: Check noise regulations before arriving. Nancy W. advises: "Generators are allowed but not too many people were using them. The few other campers around that used them were mindful of quiet hours."
Access considerations: Some equestrian areas have challenging approaches. Peter reports about Betty Brook Camp: "It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road. There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away. It's a small town, with just a gas station store."
