Equestrian camping near Wurtsboro, New York offers access to diverse terrain across the Catskills and Poconos regions. The area sits between 1,200-1,800 feet elevation in the foothills, creating moderate temperature variations between seasons. Trail systems connect through state forests and parks with mixed hardwood forests providing natural shade during summer months when temperatures typically range from 60-85°F.
What to do
Hiking scenic trails: At Stokes State Forest, hikers can explore 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles. "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 recommends the Tillman Ravine trail.
Paddling and fishing: Keen Lake Resort Campground provides water activities on their large lake. "We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake," shares a camper. The lake is also known for fishing opportunities with one visitor reporting, "The kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch."
Wildlife watching: The region hosts diverse wildlife including beavers. At Lake Ocquittunk in Stokes State Forest, campers report, "It was peaceful to hear the frogs chirping at night." Another visitor at Mohican Outdoor Center mentions, "plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife" around Catfish Pond.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Pickerel Point Campground offers lakeside camping with direct water access. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper," one reviewer shares. Another camper adds, "Mine overlooked the water and had a gorgeous sunset. There was a beach nearby that was an excellent place to gaze at the stars."
Clean facilities: North-South Lake Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," notes one camper. Another mentions the "clean and well run campground with beautiful lakes and surrounded by trails."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer room to spread out. At Stokes State Forest, one camper describes their experience: "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."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The region experiences seasonal variations. Winter camping is available at some locations like Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, but facilities may be limited. "Went camping in late October, when a lot of the other parks are closed. Only one section of their camping was still open but the bathrooms and showers had been winterized," reports one visitor.
Wildlife precautions: Bears are present in the region. "This is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," warns a Stokes State Forest camper.
Cell reception: Coverage varies throughout the area. One visitor to Promised Land State Park notes, "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon."
Limited supplies: Some parks have minimal services. A visitor to Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area advises, "Firewood was available in the area. But not much for stores so pack everything in before."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Structured programs are available at some locations. "We stay in the cabins. It's great to have the small kitchen when camping with the family," mentions a visitor at Stokes State Forest. Keen Lake offers extensive programming with one camper noting, "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!"
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Paved roads at Promised Land State Park make it ideal for children on bikes. "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc..." reports one visitor to Pickerel Point.
Swimming options: Multiple water access points exist for cooling off. A Keen Lake visitor shares, "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Research specific sites before booking. At Keen Lake Resort Campground, one RVer advises, "We were able to scope out others that we would prefer for our next visit. We didn't have a view of the lake, instead we were in someone's back yard lol. Most of the sites seem to be on the smaller size when compared to other campgrounds we've been too."
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary between campgrounds and sections. "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," shares a camper at Pickerel Point.
Leveling challenges: Some areas have uneven terrain. A Lower Lake Beechwood Area visitor notes, "Was decent site only downside was fire pit area was very un-level for camping chairs."
