14 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area in Promised Land State Park stands out among horse-friendly campgrounds near Lake Harmony. This camping area is specifically designed to accommodate equestrian campers with spacious sites that allow horses alongside tents and RVs. The campground features electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities for human campers while providing appropriate space for horses. The bathrooms remain clean even when the campground reaches full capacity, making it comfortable for longer stays. Most sites include standard amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, though campers should note that sites are relatively close together, offering limited privacy compared to more remote camping options.
Located approximately three hours from New York City, Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area connects to multiple nature trails throughout Promised Land State Park's extensive grounds. Horse owners can access several short, easy hiking paths including Little Falls and the Conservation Nature Loop. The park environment remains peaceful and serene, especially during off-peak seasons, with wildlife sightings common throughout the area. Firewood is not sold within the state park, so equestrians should plan to bring their own or purchase from vendors in nearby towns. While the park maintains clean facilities year-round, riders should be aware that weekend crowds, particularly from New York and New Jersey, can significantly impact the tranquility of the camping experience during peak summer months.
"3 hour drive from NYC, and a wonderful campsite with good weather in the summer - not too hot during the day and nice and cool overnight."
"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."
from $27 - $29 / night
Check Availability"I stayed on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights in August 2020. It was SO BEAUTIFUL. We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. "
"We didn’t have a view of the lake, instead we were in someone’s back yard lol. It wasn’t a big deal. The site was well maintained and flat which were the most important."
"Good hiking trails were just a short walk away from our campsite. Would definitely go back again."
"No water but directly across from facilities with basin sinks outside for cleaning dishes, etc. Each yurt has a huge deck, 2 picnic tables and fire pit."
from $49 - $90 / night
Check Availability"There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding trails."
"The sites were a little close to each other and where we were in the park was a mixed use area. So we had an RV next to us with the Genny running all day."
from $20 - $90 / night
Check Availability"We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. 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."
"* Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash
- There are outhouses scattered around, or if"
from $7 - $55 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availability"We were kindly escorted to our site (a nice refreshing change from having to wander around to find the sites ourselves), which was the one farthest away from the entrance."
"Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day! Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!"
"If you're there in the summer, I'd recommend taking a kayak around the lake and filling it with wild blueberries. Lots of hiking options as well."
"The Appalachian Trail crosses through here also."
from $5 - $75 / night
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GuideStayed October 14 without reservations because website showed lots of availability. Office was closed (M-F 8-4) so submitted honor system envelope with cash and stayed at Site 041 on Carpenter loop. Shower building was a short walk and was spacious enough. Water temp didn’t quite reach hot but was warm enough.
Electric kept on tripping breaker.
TravelerThe state park is beautiful. The site was very nice. The park itself is very big with many activities available such as boat rentals and a swimming pool. There's also an amphitheatre which hosts specials. During our stay the only activity we made it to was the pool. The main reason we didn't do more was the distance. We have a motorhome so we didn't have additional vehicles to get to and from places. We walked to the park which according to my Fitbit was 1.5 miles away. That doesn't seem too bad until you realize it's mostly hills in both directions! We are a fairly active young family who has no problem with a bit of a walk but after that experience we decided to just spend the remainder of our trip hanging out at our site. It's a good thing we only stayed 2 nights because our 10 year old might've lost his mind with boredom if we stayed longer. Overall, the site we had was great and I'd recommend it. My husband and I may come back for a couples date weekend.
RangerI've visited the MOC a bunch of times, and have taken training classes here also. There are campsites for tent camping, cabin stays where you can rent a whole cabin or rent a bunk in a cabin with others. There is a store as well as food options. It's a great place to visit whether you grab a meal, a bunk, or just take a hike. The Appalachian Trail crosses through here also.
TravelerWe’re here for the Rock, Ribs, and Ridges festival and what a great experience! Make sure to bring a 50’ power cord as the hook ups are grouped together on telephone poles rather than at each individual site. As far as I know camping is only available during select events.
GuideWe stayed at a tent platform site in Shotwell camping area. The platforms could use a little maintenance as there were a few tie down hooks that were missing or corroded. The campsites are close around this loop that includes lean-tos, but not so close that you are bothered by your neighbors normal sounds. The bathroom is close and clean. There is a bear box at each campsite which gave peace of mind. Firewood is available for sale at the park office. The staff there is very welcoming. Great Jersey getaway with gorgeous hiking trails.
GuideStayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers. Nice play area for kids, water craft rentals, nice lake. Plenty of picnic areas for day trips.
GuideThere are four campgrounds that are all pretty different, we stayed at Shotwell across from the pond. For the most part, each campsite has its own porta potty or it shared with a couple other sites. At the entrance of the campground, there is a bathhouse with running water, bathrooms, and potable water. We stayed in one of the RV areas across the pond. It was peaceful to hear the frogs chirping at night, but definitely didn’t think about how many more bugs the pond would bring, probably wouldn’t stay at that specific spot again even though it’s really pretty. Most of the campsites were very rocky, but you can find some that have a little bit of grass. We came on a Friday night. Everyone was up pretty late, but was not crazy loud. The rest of the weekend it seemed like everyone’s simmered down. The campground was full of mostly families. If you wanted to shower, you would have to head to the group campsite not too far but you need to drive. We don’t typically expect to have a campgrounds with a ton of amenities. Potable water and a toilet is really all we need. Overall, it was a great time gorgeous park. Also took a few pictures of the cabins in Shotwell. I wouldn’t personally rent one, but I guess if your winter camping it has a little fireplace and will keep you dry and somewhat warm.
TravelerStokes is my go-to state park for unplugging and enjoying time with my family. We brought our son (23 months at time of visit) on his first camping trip this past September. He loved every minute of it.
Site T07 in Lake Ocquittunk is gorgeous and one of the few relatively secluded sites in the campground. You need to carry your gear down a narrow, rocky path that's a little steep near the road, but it's manageable. There's also a graded path into the site adjacent to a neighboring site, but you should check with those campers if they are ok with you cutting through to use it. (We opted not to disturb our neighbors and take the slope.)
I thought I would be able to launch my kayak from site 7 since it's waterfront, but there are a lot of huge rocks in the water that prevent you from getting out into the lake. We had to find a different launch spot. That was probably the biggest disappointment for us.
Still, I love site 7 and it's absolutely worth the privacy and the views every morning.
GuideStokes State Forest is a beautiful park with a lot of different trails to check out, though some of them are difficult to access due to parking. The camping areas are split between two different entrances. If you’re in Lake Ocquitunk, like I was, you don’t enter at the main entrance, you have to go past the main entrance about another mile on rt. 15 N. and enter by the YMCA. All the other camping areas are near the main entrance by the forest office. The campsites themselves are a little too close together in some spots with little coverage or privacy. There is a day parking area which is only accessible going through the main entrance by the forest office— if you visit during the week park entrance is free, but on the weekend fees can be a bit steep. I wasn’t super happy with my campsite as I wasn’t able to physically have my car on the site like I thought. I had to park in a small lot above my campsite and carry my belongings down a short slope to the site. I like to car-camp so this was a bit of a let down having my car separate from my actual campsite.
The bathrooms were nice and had flush toilets, but the showers were out of service during my time. Bathrooms are extremely spaced out so you will have to walk a far distance unless you strategically choose a site next to one. I drove through the other campsite and only saw 1 set of bathrooms that had toilets and showers per campground, not including the outhouses I saw for those in the small cabins.
Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area allows horse owners to access trails directly from their campsites during spring through fall seasons. This camping area, located within Promised Land State Park, connects to trail networks suitable for both beginner and experienced riders. Winter restrictions limit equestrian access from November through March due to snow conditions and trail maintenance.
Trail riding near water bodies: At Pickerel Point Campground, riders can access multiple water views. "The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail. The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers," notes Kelly F., highlighting the combination of riding opportunities and comfort amenities.
Winter activities for non-riders: While many horse campgrounds near Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania close for riders during winter, some remain open for other activities. "This was my second visit in the cold months. 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," shares Mara S. about winter options.
Day-use riding: For those not staying overnight with horses, Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area offers alternative options. "Hiked 2 short easy trails (Little Falls and the Conservation Nature Loop- which we drove to). Absolutely beautiful!" reports Angie G., describing trails accessible to both hikers and riders during daytime hours.
Quick water access: Equestrian campers appreciate sites with water proximity. "Almost every campsite is close to the water. Our site had kayak access and that was a real bonus. It is a spotless facility. Evan in August it was not crowded," mentions Aida K., noting the combination of horse facilities with water recreation options.
Non-equestrian camping options: For groups with both riders and non-riders, Keen Lake Resort Campground provides alternatives. "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.," explains Charlotte D., describing facilities for campers who aren't focused on horseback riding.
Evening wildlife viewing: After trail rides, campers enjoy wildlife observation. "We've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here. Only 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!" recounts Christina H. from Mountainview Campground, describing the natural surroundings.
Site surface conditions: Equestrian sites have specific ground preparation worth noting. "Chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad! Sites have nice sizable fire pits, but they are very tall. It's difficult to cook over them," advises Alaina Z., providing practical insights about site features.
Weather preparedness: The mountain location creates specific camping conditions. "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," shares Emily Z., suggesting how to identify better options for future stays.
Firewood regulations: Lackawanna State Park Campground and other horse-friendly areas have specific firewood rules. "We collected our own firewood as there is none for sale in the state park. We thought that was going to be a problem but we were okay with it!" notes a camper, addressing a concern for visitors planning overnight stays with horses.
Horse-watching opportunities: Children enjoy observing horses even without riding. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake. This is a great place to bring an RV. Great for families. It would be a great place to camp with extended family," suggests Emily Z., highlighting multi-generational appeal.
Educational programs: Some equestrian areas offer learning activities. "Can never go wrong here. Was pleasantly surprised they have programs for kids," explains John R., noting organized activities that supplement the horse camping experience.
Campsite selection for horse families: Stokes State Forest offers relevant insights for families with horses. "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. Site came with bear proof bin for garbage and fire ring," reports E.M.V., describing features useful for families bringing multiple horses.
Site limitations for horse trailers: RVers with horse trailers need specific sites. "We stayed in the Pickerel Point of the park. 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. All of the sites were spacious," advises Debbie W., discussing the hookup options available.
Seasonal considerations for RV horse campers: "The RV pads were spaced out perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit. 10/10 would visit again," notes Maze M., describing the spacing that accommodates both RV and horse needs in appropriate seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lake Harmony, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lake Harmony, PA is Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area — Promised Land State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lake Harmony, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Lake Harmony, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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