Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area in Promised Land State Park offers specialized accommodations for equestrian camping near Westbrookville, New York. Located in the Pocono Mountains at approximately 1,800 feet elevation, this region experiences cool evening temperatures even in summer months, making it ideal for trail riding. The area contains a network of bridle trails through mixed hardwood forests with numerous stream crossings.
What to do
Trail riding on designated routes: Access multiple bridle trails directly from Stokes State Forest. "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 one visitor who enjoyed exploring the extensive trail system.
Kayaking on pristine lakes: Rent watercraft or bring your own to experience multiple lakes in the area. At Pickerel Point Campground, "our site had kayak access and that was a real bonus. It is a spotless facility. Even in August it was not crowded," according to one regular visitor.
Winter activities: Unlike some campgrounds, many horse-friendly facilities remain open year-round. "We stayed at site 11 on Lake Ocquittunk. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents," reports a camper who visited during cooler months when "due to cooler temps there were really no bugs."
What campers like
Private sites with good spacing: Many horse-friendly campgrounds feature larger sites designed for trailers. At Keen Lake Resort Campground, "the RV sites are spaced out nicely. There are plenty of things to do; paddle boats, row boats, swimming pool, snack bar/campstore, activities, etc."
Natural features for wildlife viewing: Campers report seeing diverse wildlife throughout the region. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," shares a visitor who enjoyed the scenic surroundings.
Heated facilities during cooler months: Some equestrian campgrounds maintain year-round operations with appropriate facilities. According to one winter camper at Promised Land State Park, "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage can be spotty throughout horse camping areas. One camper noted, "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon" when staying at a campground in the region during winter months.
Terrain considerations: Many sites feature rocky terrain that requires preparation. At Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, a visitor observed the "only downside was fire pit area was very un-level for camping chairs, otherwise it's a nice wooded site with privacy."
Seasonal variations: Weather conditions change dramatically across seasons. "Went tent camping for 3 nights, easy to get to, bathrooms were clean and so was the site. 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."
Tips for camping with families
Dual water activities: Families appreciate options for water recreation. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," shares a visitor to Keen Lake Resort Campground, adding "This is a great place for families. It would be a great place to camp with extended family."
Structured activities: Many parks offer organized events for children. A visitor notes, "They have an overabundance amount of activities scheduled for campers. You are able to camp in tents in the activity field or lakeside."
Biking-friendly roadways: Look for campgrounds with paved roads for younger riders. One parent mentioned, "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc... We will definitely be back."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: Choose locations with appropriate hookups and space. 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."
Seasonal hookup availability: Water connections may be winterized during colder months. "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 one RVer who visited during warmer weather.
Levelness for larger rigs: Some sites require additional preparation for larger trailers. A visitor to Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area noted, "The RV pads were spaced put perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit. 10/10 would visit again."
