4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Stokes State Forest features multiple campgrounds with horse-friendly accommodations near Tuxedo Park, New York. The forest's camping areas include Ocquittunk and Steam Mill, both offering spacious sites suitable for campers with horses. While specific horse corrals aren't listed in the amenities, the campgrounds accommodate trailers with ample parking space and access to bridle trails. Sites include fire rings with cooking grates, picnic tables, and many are situated near water sources beneficial for equestrians. Sites are well-spaced with generous sizing, allowing room for both camping equipment and horse management. The campground terrain features rolling hills and wooded areas providing natural shade and privacy between campsites. Sites along the lake at Ocquittunk provide direct water access.
The extensive trail system throughout Stokes State Forest connects to over 63 miles of marked trails, including 12 miles of the Appalachian Trail, offering diverse riding opportunities. Trails vary in difficulty with options suitable for different riding experience levels. Water crossings are available at several points along the trails, allowing horses to drink and cool off during rides. The forest's terrain includes rolling hills, bald-top mountains, and stream crossings, creating varied riding experiences. Trailheads are accessible from the camping areas, enabling direct access to riding routes without trailering. The forested setting provides natural terrain challenges and scenic views from locations like Sunrise Mountain. Proper food storage is essential as this is bear country, and riders should be aware of seasonal considerations including ticks and occasional rattlesnake presence in warmer months.
"We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."
"* Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash
- There are outhouses scattered around, or if"
from $7 - $55 / night
Check Availability"We stayed at site #T007 is was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons."
"The caping set up was nice and I enjoyed the proximity to available hikes in the area. The ‘lake’ however, was kind of a disappointment."
"Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City."
"Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability"If you're there in the summer, I'd recommend taking a kayak around the lake and filling it with wild blueberries. Lots of hiking options as well."
from $5 - $75 / night
Check Availability
RangerVery plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!
ScoutThere is only a small place for tents. Mostly people go there with campers. Not your typical campground. Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly.
TravelerEnjoyed a great weekend at Stokes State Forest. We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents. Site came with bear proof bin for garbage and fire ring. Very comfortable site, quiet but still with plenty of amenities. Bathrooms and shower were all single stall and very clean, only a 5 min walk from our site. Two water sources nearby as well. We didn’t have direct views of the lake, but were within a minute walk to some quiet views of the lake. Also the location is amazing; there are trail heads near the campsites and longer trails, including access to the Appalachian Trail within a short 10-15 minute drive. You can also rent kayaks and SUP at the main office. Highly recommend Stokes.
RangerI would definitely recommend this campsite to anyone wanting a beautiful, remote setting, but with all of the conveniences that the campgrounds offer. Anyone from a beginner to an expert would enjoy Stokes. Whether it be just a short, relaxing weekend trip or an adventure-packed week long trip, this place has the potential to be whatever you make it.
Pros:
Has the perfect balance of feeling secluded without feeling completely alone in the middle of nowhere; the campsite we were specifically on was just far enough to be remote-feeling and fully private with trees surrounding it
Cute little pond right on the campgrounds
Our site had a fire ring, a picnic table, and a large sturdy pole with a hook for your lantern/mesh dry bag/etc
Even, rocky, yet soft enough ground to sleep on, many trees available for hammock camping
There was a huge, nasty storm one night that we stayed there, with terrible downpour and flash flood warnings, our site was elevated and did not get flooded
A lot of firewood and kindling in the area to be gathered, or you can buy firewood right from the office
Lots of stuff to do in the area for nature-lovers and outdoors-enthusiasts (Hiking trails, fishing/fly-fishing, sightseeing, mountain-biking, kayaking/paddle-boarding (rentals in the area if you do not own), hunting, swimming, horseback riding, waterfall-hunting, bird/wildlife watching (there are hawks, rabbits, owls, deer, toads, snakes, turtles, frogs, foxes, bats, salamanders, many interesting bugs, beavers, and bears in the area, you never know what you will see), lots of beautiful brooks and streams throughout the entire park, many awesome remote areas to set up your hammock and relax) Whoever said that there wasn't much to do here is just either not an outdoors person or straight up lying!
Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash
There are outhouses scattered around, or if you are really needing a clean restroom where you can wash your hands, the park office's restroom is always open and very clean
Can be buggy at night time however, I was pleasantly surprised to have experienced zero mosquito bites and ZERO ticks on ourselves and even our dog (however she did have a leech on her from playing in the brook all day). We moderately used bug spray on ourselves and the dog had her flea and tick topical on.
Beautiful view of the stars on a clear night (Which can be breathtaking especially to city folk or those that cannot see stars from their homes)
Cons:
Can hear the traffic from 206, but generally gets much quieter at night
Campsites are close enough that you may occasionally hear other groups if they are being very loud (We were next to a group campsite that had a very noisy party crowd, but could really only hear them at their loudest, and we weren't bothered)
Tent sites are located just off the dirt road where people travel to get to their sites, which means other campers' cars will occasionally pass right through your area. If this bothers you, be sure to book a site as far back as possible. Ex: Site T137 should have no vehicle traffic but your own and is the most remote of that area
Water fill stations can be a bit busy at certain times
Our fire ring rack was bent, but luckily we came prepared with our own rack to place on top of it and it worked out
Lots of poison ivy in the area, if you are not immune to it be very mindful of where you are stepping!
Our neighbor warned us that they got a flat tire after arriving at their campsite, and after searching their site found a bunch of nails almost intentionally thrown about. It's not the park's fault and the rangers were made aware of it. Carefully check your site after arriving for anything out of place and report to the office if necessary to keep these campsites safe and enjoyable.
Points of interest nearby the campsite:
Big Flat Brook - A beautiful babbling brook that runs all throughout the area. Has great fly fishing for stocked rainbow trout. Access to the brook was only a short but beautiful hike north from our site through some thistle fields and woodlands.
Buttermilk falls (Tallest waterfall in NJ), Tillman Ravine, Dingmans Ferry/Falls, and my personal favorite, Silver Spray Falls - Multiple gorgeous waterfalls and ravines just waiting to be explored, all within ~15-20 min by car. I definitely recommend checking them out while you are camping here especially if you live far away from the area.
Sunrise Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain - Catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset on top of Sunrise Mountain, which is a pleasant, scenic car ride directly to the top where there is a small parking lot, a smelly outhouse, and a nice picnic table area with a great view. Rattlesnake Mountain is a part of the Appalachian Trail and is somewhat barren towards the top which makes for excellent views. Like its name, it's not uncommon to see many snakes in the area, rattlesnakes tend to hang out on the top and sunbathe on the rocks. Keep your pets on a leash and have a stick handy just in case, however, they will leave you alone if you keep your distance.
Lake Ashroe, Stony Lake, Lake Ocquittunk - Many lakes for multiple activities in the area such as fishing (trout stocked waters), kayaking, swimming (Stony lake has a beach area with lifeguards, restrooms, and picnic areas. Check their website for more info.)
Horseback riding - A few great horseback riding places nearby, some offering trail rides through the beautiful park.
Appalachian Trail - The widely-known Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only trail in the world, that runs all the way from Maine to Georgia goes right through this area. You may run into very interesting people from all over who are thru-hiking the AT.
PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR VISIT. LEAVE NO TRACE. KEEP OUR PARKS BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.
GuideThis is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig. Pluses, minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, liberty Science center. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!
GuideWe stayed at site #T007 is was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons. The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake, it was beautiful!
GuideStokes State Forest is a beautiful park with a lot of different trails to check out, though some of them are difficult to access due to parking. The camping areas are split between two different entrances. If you’re in Lake Ocquitunk, like I was, you don’t enter at the main entrance, you have to go past the main entrance about another mile on rt. 15 N. and enter by the YMCA. All the other camping areas are near the main entrance by the forest office. The campsites themselves are a little too close together in some spots with little coverage or privacy. There is a day parking area which is only accessible going through the main entrance by the forest office— if you visit during the week park entrance is free, but on the weekend fees can be a bit steep. I wasn’t super happy with my campsite as I wasn’t able to physically have my car on the site like I thought. I had to park in a small lot above my campsite and carry my belongings down a short slope to the site. I like to car-camp so this was a bit of a let down having my car separate from my actual campsite.
The bathrooms were nice and had flush toilets, but the showers were out of service during my time. Bathrooms are extremely spaced out so you will have to walk a far distance unless you strategically choose a site next to one. I drove through the other campsite and only saw 1 set of bathrooms that had toilets and showers per campground, not including the outhouses I saw for those in the small cabins.
LegendThe caping set up was nice and I enjoyed the proximity to available hikes in the area. The ‘lake’ however, was kind of a disappointment. It was much smaller then I expected and a rather underwhelming. Of the camping options in Stokes State Forest, Lake Oqcuittunk and Steamill were each a bit closer to High Point which offers more hiking options. Each campsite was set up with a picnic table and a fire ring. One big positive was the covered picnic area which was a nice place to bring food and eat and hang out during the day to get out of the sun.
TravelerBasicly a parking lot, but the location can't be beat. 2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten. Jersey city has a lot of restaurants and bars walking distance. Wonderful state park, liberty park, a bike ride ride away. Our experience was very good.
They also have a clean laundry room on site.
Stokes State Forest cabins provide rustic accommodations for visitors seeking equestrian camping near Tuxedo Park, New York. Located at elevations between 400-1,653 feet in northwest New Jersey, the forest experiences seasonal changes with moderate summers and cold winters. Four campground areas offer varying degrees of privacy and amenities, with campsites set among rolling hills and wooded terrain.
Kayaking and paddling: Ocquittunk campground in Stokes State Forest provides access to the calm waters of Lake Ocquittunk where visitors can fish or paddle. One camper at Ocquittunk noted, "We enjoyed some fishing and hiking within walking distance from the site," while others appreciate the peaceful lake views from their sites.
Hiking to viewpoints: Trails lead to elevated viewpoints including Sunrise Mountain and the fire tower. A reviewer at Stokes State Forest mentioned, "After packing up we drove down the road and were able to get in a nice 5 mile hike up to the fire tower," while another noted hiking the "Tillman Ravine trail" and recommending making "the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery."
Water activities: Swimming and cooling off are popular during warmer months. One visitor to Camp Mohican Outdoor Center shared, "You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- 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."
Cabin accommodations: The rustic cabins offer convenient amenities for those not tent camping at equestrian campgrounds near Tuxedo Park. A camper at Stokes State Forest reported, "We stay in the cabins. It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family," while another detailed, "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic... features a bunk bed and two twins, a table with benches, two Adirondack chairs, a wood stove set into a fireplace."
Spacious sites: Campsites offer ample room for equipment and comfortable camping. One visitor to Ocquittunk described their site as "huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake," while another noted, "The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites."
Natural setting: The forest environment provides peaceful camping with natural features. A camper observed, "This park feels very PA to us with rolling hills, bald-top mountains to climb (some with fire towers), and lots of water to explore," while another mentioned their site was "a beautiful mossy bank, next to a river and a lake."
Site conditions: Many sites have rocky terrain and may require careful tent placement. A reviewer at Steam Mill Campground noted it "is the most primitive. It is the smallest of the campgrounds with 27 sites only suitable for tents or small trailers/campervans... Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform. Many sites are a bit rocky."
Wildlife awareness: Proper precautions are necessary when staying in this bear-active region. Campers consistently mention, "This is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided," and warn that "The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes."
Campground options: Different camping areas offer varying levels of amenities and privacy. One visitor explained, "There are four campgrounds that are all pretty different," while another noted Steam Mill "is tucked out the of the way and is the most primitive... No pets or alcohol allowed."
Cabin options for convenience: Families may prefer cabins for additional comfort and shelter. A reviewer at Camp Mohican Outdoor Center shared, "Cabins come in various sizes," and another camper mentioned the practicality: "The cabin features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend."
Water activities for kids: Lake access provides swimming and paddling opportunities for children. One camper noted, "You can also drive or hike to Sunset Mountain Scenic Overlook for a view of High Point Monument," giving families options for day trips.
Group camping areas: Larger family gatherings can utilize dedicated group sites. A visitor described, "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."
Limited hookups: RV campers should prepare for basic services with few full hookups at the horse-friendly campgrounds near Tuxedo Park. A reviewer at Shotwell campground mentioned, "We stayed in one of the RV areas across the pond. It was peaceful to hear the frogs chirping at night, but definitely didn't think about how many more bugs the pond would bring."
Trailer size limitations: Some campgrounds can only accommodate smaller rigs. A camper noted Steam Mill is "only suitable for tents or small trailers/campervans," while other areas can handle slightly larger units.
Consider seasonal timing: RVers report varying experiences depending on when they visit. One camper shared, "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," suggesting mid-week or off-season visits may provide more space and privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Tuxedo Park, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Tuxedo Park, NY is Stokes State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Tuxedo Park, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Tuxedo Park, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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