Promised Land State Park offers various equestrian camping options near Hawley, Pennsylvania. The park encompasses 3,000 acres of woodland terrain at 1,800 feet elevation in the Pocono Mountains. Winter temperatures drop below freezing from December through February, requiring visitors to prepare for cold-weather camping if traveling during these months.
What to do
Paddle on crystal clear lakes: At Pickerel Point Campground, visitors enjoy pristine water recreation. "The lake is crystal clear and the beach is spotless. You absolutely have to bring a kayak/inflatable boat, but if you don't own one, don't worry, you can rent one," notes Debbie W.
Hike to viewpoints: Trails near Stokes State Forest offer varied terrain options. "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," according to Trip Over Life.
Winter recreation: The region provides year-round outdoor activities. Mara S. reports that Pickerel Point Campground remains "open year round. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers. The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing."
What campers like
Private lakeside sites: Many campers value water access for morning views. At Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, "You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife," explains Dan X.
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance makes stays comfortable. "The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers," writes Kelly F. about Pickerel Point Campground, while another visitor noted the "beautiful new bathrooms" as a key advantage.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Keen Lake Resort Campground provides structured activities for children. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," shares Emily Z. Another camper notes, "There is a lot for younger kids to do and the grounds are pet friendly which was a huge plus for us."
What you should know
Equestrian alternatives: Beyond Hemlock Hill, Bear Spring Mountain offers additional horse camping. "There is horses so you will smell them," Kevin T. mentions, confirming the active equestrian use.
Site selection tips: Choose carefully based on your needs. At Pickerel Point Campground, "Site 174 by the road and less private, but prettily overhung by evergreens. All sites have little trails down to the water," according to Alaina Z.
Alcohol restrictions: State parks have varied rules. Nancy L. notes, "The only drawback is no alcohol allowed, but most State Parks are like that I think," regarding Pickerel Point Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity programs: Lackawanna State Park Campground provides structured children's programming. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," describes Janet R.
Consider water proximity: Sites near lakes offer built-in entertainment. "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!" reports Kara L. about Lake Ocquittunk.
Pack for varied weather: The Poconos experience significant temperature changes. Emily Z. shares, "We had a great time despite cold wet weather. Our site was probably one of the worst in the place but we were able to scope out others that we would prefer for our next visit."
Tips from RVers
Check hookup quality: Inspect electrical connections upon arrival. At Lackawanna State Park, one camper noted that "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
Choose site location strategically: At Keen Lake Resort, "We were on the far side of the lake which is not really within walking distance of the beach, pool and store. We knew this going in and were totally OK with it. I seemed less busy where we were as far as cars and people which is what we were looking for."
Accessibility concerns: Some horse campgrounds have size limitations. For equestrian sites in the region, trailer parking accommodates various sizes but not all areas can handle the largest rigs. Call ahead to confirm your specific vehicle can be accommodated.