Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area offers dedicated facilities for equestrian camping near Blakeslee, Pennsylvania. Located in Promised Land State Park at 1,500 feet elevation, this specialized campground provides horse-friendly amenities in a forested setting. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer averages 75-85°F with moderate humidity—creating variable conditions for riders throughout the seasons.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Access multiple bridle paths from Stokes State Forest where visitors can explore diverse terrain. "We stayed at site 11 on Lake Ocquittunk... After packing up we drove down the road and were able to get in a nice 5 mile hike up to the fire tower," notes Josh S.
Fishing access: The lakes at Tuscarora State Park Campground offer fishing opportunities within a short drive. One visitor mentioned, "The main attraction for this park is their lake, which you can swim in, fish, kayak or drop in a boat."
Wildlife observation: The forested areas around Promised Land State Park provide habitat for diverse wildlife. At Mountain View Campground, a camper reported, "Shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!"
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Keen Lake Resort Campground receives praise for its well-designed sites. One reviewer noted, "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: Bathroom cleanliness remains consistent across campgrounds in the region. At Mountainview Campground, a visitor reported, "The bathrooms were clean. Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day!"
Natural separation between sites: Many campsites feature wooded surroundings providing privacy. A camper at Mountain View described their experience: "Our site was fully private (could not see or hear neighbors). Beautifully secluded and quiet. Pretty rare for campgrounds in NJ."
What you should know
Weather preparation: The mountain elevation brings variable conditions. At Lackawanna State Park Campground, one camper noted, "This is an amazing state park that has something for everyone. There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails."
Limited shopping options: Pack necessary supplies before arrival. A reviewer at Beechwood Area mentioned, "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."
Reservation requirements: Campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. For Keen Lake, one visitor advised: "Plenty of open field as well as wooded areas. I would mostly recommend it for primitive camping, however, campsites with running water and electricity are available."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Pickerel Point Campground offers engaging programs. "Loved camping on Pickerel Point. Kids had a great time! Bathrooms could be cleaned more often but relatively clean. The museum and crafts were closed due to Covid so that was a bummer but we found other things to do," shared Paula R.
Swimming options: Lake access provides recreational opportunities. A camper at Keen Lake Resort explained, "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake. The store has a huge selection of necessities, so no need to worry about forgetting things."
Educational programs: State parks offer learning experiences for children. At Lackawanna State Park, one visitor described, "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for level sites with adequate space. At Beechwood Area, one RVer noted, "I stayed at the Beechwood location at the Promised Land state park and despite the constant rain, it was quiet and peaceful. You could only ever hear the wildlife. The RV pads were spaced put perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit."
Full hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer complete services. A camper at Pickerel Point stated, "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."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain. At Mountain View, a reviewer cautioned, "The drive to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle."
