Lower Lake Campground's Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area in Promised Land State Park provides camping facilities specifically for riders with horses. The equestrian campground features electric hookups with both fifty-amp and thirty-amp service, water hookups, and sewer connections for RV camping. Campsite amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, and reservable spots to ensure availability. The grounds maintain clean toilet facilities and showers for campers after trail riding. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, though riders should note the campground is not designed for big rigs. Promised Land State Park permits pets at the campground, allowing campers to bring dogs alongside their horses.
The equestrian area connects to park riding trails that wind through the forested landscape of northeastern Pennsylvania. Riders can access trail networks directly from the campground without hauling horses to separate trailheads. The park maintains trails suitable for various skill levels, from novice to experienced riders. Campers must make advance reservations through the Pennsylvania state park reservation system, especially during peak seasons when equestrian sites fill quickly. The campground enforces quiet hours and standard fire safety regulations for all visitors. Hemlock Hill's location within Promised Land State Park offers riders a convenient base camp for exploring the park's extensive trail system while providing necessary amenities for both horses and their owners.
"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."
"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
"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
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $90 / night
"Went here with some friends who had never been outside NYC before. They were absolutely blown away. For me, it was a nice site but not exceptional. Bring or rent a kayak!"
"I drove to NYC for a business trip and ended up driving 1 and a half hour to reach this place. I always carry a tent in the back of my trunk and decided to go camping."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 - $40 / night
from $25 / night
"We stayed at site #T007 is was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons."
"The caping set up was nice and I enjoyed the proximity to available hikes in the area. The ‘lake’ however, was kind of a disappointment."
"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
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.
Equestrian camping near Milanville, Pennsylvania offers riders access to forested trails in the Poconos region at elevations between 1,200-1,800 feet. The area experiences average summer temperatures around 75°F, with cooler evenings in the 50s. Fall brings vibrant foliage and temperatures ranging from 40-60°F, providing comfortable conditions for trail riding throughout much of the year.
Paddle on crystal-clear waters: Keen Lake Resort Campground features a lake suitable for kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming. "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. It was awesome," notes Shannon C., who gave the campground five stars.
Explore hiking trails: Promised Land State Park's extensive trail network extends beyond the equestrian area with options for all skill levels. "We hiked 2 short easy trails (Little Falls and the Conservation Nature Loop- which we drove to). Absolutely beautiful!" shares Angie G. from Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area.
Wildlife viewing: Stokes State Forest provides opportunities to spot local wildlife while hiking or at campsites. "There is a lot to do in the area and plenty of kids for my daughter to meet," writes Will D., who appreciates the natural surroundings.
Lakeside sites: Pickerel Point Campground offers premium waterfront locations. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," says Kelly F., highlighting the accessibility of both water and trails.
Clean facilities: Lackawanna State Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "The state park is very neat and well manicured. Bathrooms were fairly nice," notes Guy M., who visited while motorcycle camping.
Quiet environment: Tent campers appreciate the peaceful setting at many parks. "Hemlock Hill's location within Promised Land State Park offers riders a convenient base camp for exploring the park's extensive trail system while providing necessary amenities for both horses and their owners," according to visitor reviews.
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds operate with limited facilities during off-season. "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," reports Mara S. from Pickerel Point Campground during an early spring visit.
Reservation requirements: Bear Spring Mountain and other popular equestrian campgrounds fill quickly during peak riding seasons. "This campsite isn't the best but is still good. There is horses so you will smell them," mentions Kevin T., providing context for those considering horse camping.
Terrain variations: Campsite surfaces differ across locations. "Chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad!" advises Alaina Z. from Pickerel Point Campground, noting the importance of proper equipment.
Kid-friendly activities: Stokes State Forest offers programming designed for younger visitors. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," shares Emily Z. from Keen Lake Resort Campground, highlighting water recreation options.
Cabin options: For families not equipped for tent camping with horses, consider rental cabins. "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend," notes W.L. who stayed at Stokes State Forest.
Spacing considerations: Some campgrounds offer more room than others. "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. from Keen Lake Resort Campground.
Hookup availability: Keen Lake Resort Campground provides various utility connections. "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," comments Emily Z., suggesting advance research of specific sites.
Road conditions: Access routes may present challenges for larger rigs. "Watch the local roads for potholes," warns Tommy M. from Pickerel Point Campground, an important consideration when hauling horse trailers.
Site selection strategy: RV campers should research specific sites. "This is a great place to bring an RV. It would be a great place to camp with extended family," suggests Emily Z., who appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere at Keen Lake Resort Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Milanville, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Milanville, PA is Keen Lake Resort Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Milanville, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Milanville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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