Limited equestrian camping facilities are available near Valley Cottage, New York. Stokes State Forest, located about 60 miles west in Branchville, New Jersey, offers camping with nearby trails that may be suitable for horses, though the campground data does not indicate dedicated horse corrals or equestrian-specific amenities. The forest features tent sites, RV spots, and cabins with picnic tables and fire rings. The sites are well-spaced with good privacy, providing reasonable room for camping equipment. Bathrooms with showers and toilets are maintained throughout the camping areas. The campground is situated near a small lake that some visitors find underwhelming for recreation but adds to the natural setting.
The trail network in Stokes State Forest includes hiking paths that connect to the larger park system. Campground access roads accommodate vehicles pulling trailers, though reviews do not specifically mention horse trailer parking logistics. Water access is available throughout the campground for basic needs. Visitors note the campground stays relatively quiet even when full, with generously sized, shady sites surrounded by vegetation providing a feeling of seclusion. The rolling hills and bald-top mountains create scenic riding possibilities in the region. The forest is open year-round, allowing for extended season equestrian activities, though riders should check with park authorities regarding specific horse regulations, trail access, and any seasonal restrictions before planning a trip.
$145 - $180 / night
"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."
$7 - $55 / night
"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"
"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."
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.
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!
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.
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.
Equestrian camping options near Valley Cottage, New York remain limited, though several state forests in neighboring New Jersey provide alternatives. The region sits along the western Hudson Valley with elevations ranging from 100 to 1,200 feet across forested hills and valleys. Camping conditions vary seasonally, with humid summers reaching the mid-80s and winters dropping below freezing.
Hiking opportunities: At Stokes State Forest, there's extensive trail access with varying difficulty levels. "We went in November when there was a light rain that turned into a thunderstorm with hail and sleet! It was certainly an adventure," notes W.L., describing the diverse weather conditions you might encounter.
Lake activities: While not extensive, water recreation is available. At Ocquittunk, campers mention the small lake provides fishing opportunities. "Enjoyed some fishing and hiking within walking distance from the site," reports Vito M., though another camper noted the lake was "much smaller then I expected and a rather underwhelming."
City exploration: For campers wanting urban adventure, Jersey City's Liberty Harbor RV Park offers unique city access. "Having a view of Lady Liberty out your window is priceless," says Joe R. The park sits near public transportation options that take you directly into Manhattan.
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention the spacing at Stokes State Forest campgrounds. "Individual sites were generously sized, shady, and relatively private thanks to the vegetation," reports Harry H., noting that the sites felt secluded even when the campground was busy.
Large, versatile campsites: Lake Ocquittunk offers spacious sites accommodating different camping styles. "I set up a hammock and a 1 person tent... there's room for a camper but sparse," mentions Ray C., while another camper stated, "The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake."
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance receives positive mentions. "The bathrooms are clean and nicely placed," notes Catherine S. about Ocquittunk. Another visitor at Stokes mentioned, "Bathrooms and shower were all single stall and very clean, only a 5 min walk from our site."
Horse accommodations: While dedicated equestrian facilities are limited near Valley Cottage, nearby state forests permit horses on certain trails. No campgrounds in the immediate area offer dedicated horse corrals, though some have space for horse trailers in parking areas.
Different campground options: Steam Mill Camping Area provides a more primitive experience. "Steam Mill Camping Area is tucked out the of the way and is the most primitive. It is the smallest of the campgrounds with 27 sites only suitable for tents or small trailers/campervans," explains one reviewer.
Wildlife considerations: Proper preparation for local wildlife is essential. "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 Trip Over Life about Stokes State Forest.
Cabin options: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides a convenient base for family city exploration. "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," reports Emily L., adding "We brought scooters & had a great stay!"
Lake-facing sites: Request waterfront sites when available. "We 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!" explains Kara L. about her Lake Ocquittunk experience.
Covered picnic areas: Common shelters provide weather protection. "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," notes Ethan K. about Lake Ocquittunk.
Urban camping access: Liberty Harbor Marina and RV Park offers urban proximity but with limitations. "This is a pricey park, but options are limited. As in almost non existent. This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore," explains Joe R., noting it's essentially "a gravel parking lot, with water and electricity."
Site selection strategy: Choose locations carefully based on your needs. "If you are looking for more secluded campsites try to get 13 or 14 as they seem to sick back more. Sites 8-11 are adjacent to the road and in peak times probably have a fair about of foot and vehicle traffic," advises Josh S. about his Stokes Forest experience.
Access considerations: RVers should note limitations at some campgrounds. "Easy access with our 32 foot RV pulling our Jeep," reports Kevin A. about Liberty Harbor, though another visitor mentioned "the area itself was under a ton of construction when we drove in, which meant for difficult to navigate roads."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Valley Cottage, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Valley Cottage, NY is Liberty Harbor RV Park with a 3.8-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Valley Cottage, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Valley Cottage, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
