Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area provides specialized camping for horse owners exploring the Poconos. Located in Promised Land State Park, this dedicated equestrian area features electrical and water hookups with trails connecting to over 3,000 acres of rideable terrain. Campsites accommodate both horses and riders with drive-in access for trailers.
What to do
Trail riding from camp: At Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area, riders can access park trails directly from their campsites. "Always a good trip. We have camped here in tents and with our teardrop trailer. All of our experiences have been good," notes David S., who appreciates the clean facilities even when the campground is at capacity.
Lakeside activities: Pickerel Point Campground offers water access from many sites. "Almost every campsite is close to the water. Our site had kayak access and that was a real bonus," explains Aida K. The campground features both swimming areas and fishing opportunities, with many visitors reporting catching sunfish and perch.
Hiking nearby trails: The region offers multiple trail networks ranging from easy lakeside paths to more challenging forest routes. "The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing. The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon," reports Mara S., highlighting that outdoor activities continue year-round at campgrounds like Pickerel Point.
What campers like
Scenic water views: Campers consistently mention the lake visibility as a major draw at Keen Lake Resort Campground. "I stayed on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights. It was SO BEAUTIFUL. We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch," shares Shannon C., who enjoyed paddling to the swimming area daily.
Peaceful atmosphere: Many equestrian campers appreciate the quiet setting of horse-friendly campgrounds. Charlotte D. describes Keen Lake as "beautiful and clean. 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."
Clean facilities: "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground," Emily Z. notes about Keen Lake Resort. This sentiment appears in reviews across several horse campgrounds near Canadensis, with maintenance standards generally high at established equestrian camping areas.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The Poconos experience significant seasonal variations, with winter camping requiring preparation. At Lackawanna State Park, "We stayed in early spring midweek, it was very quiet and exactly the get away we wanted," reports David G., who appreciated the cabins and yurts available as alternatives to tent camping during colder months.
Reservation requirements: Horse campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. Most require advance bookings, especially for equestrian sites with hookups. Weekends typically reach capacity first, while midweek stays offer more availability.
Trail conditions: Rain can affect trail quality significantly, particularly for horseback riding. Many trails in the region feature rocky sections that may become slippery after precipitation. Proper footwear for both humans and horses is recommended when using trails after wet weather.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area provides family-oriented camping with easy access to children's activities. "Hiked 2 short easy trails (Little Falls and the Conservation Nature Loop- which we drove to). Absolutely beautiful! Bathrooms were clean and water was hot in the shower," reports Angie G.
Site selection: For families with young children, proximity to bathrooms may be important. Dawn R. shares insights about Lower Lake Beechwood Area: "We stayed in lower lake beechwood site 323. Was decent site only downside was fire pit area was very un-level for camping chairs, otherwise it's a nice wooded site with privacy. Short walk to bathrooms, showers and lake."
Evening temperature drops: Even in summer, Pocono evenings can be cool. "Not too hot during the day and nice and cool overnight," Daniel G. mentions about Lower Lake campgrounds. Pack additional layers for children, especially for campfire activities after sunset when temperatures can drop 15-20 degrees from daytime highs.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Many equestrian campgrounds offer various hookup options. At Stokes State Forest, RVers should note the differences between campground sections. "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs," advises Douglas P.
Site sizing: RV campers should check site dimensions when booking. "I stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers," reports Cheryl M. about Lackawanna State Park, highlighting the importance of researching specific campground loops for RV compatibility.
Electrical capacity: Some equestrian sites provide 50-amp service while others are limited to 30-amp. Bring appropriate adapters if your horse trailer or RV requires specific power configurations. Older campgrounds may have more limited electrical capacity than newer or recently renovated facilities.
