Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area in Promised Land State Park offers specialized facilities for equestrian campers 50 miles from Mount Bethel. The campground connects directly to bridle paths through northeastern Pennsylvania woodland. Each site includes trailer space, electric hookups, and water access with room for both camping equipment and horses.
What to do
Trail riding through state forests: Stokes State Forest provides extensive riding opportunities with 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles. According to one visitor, "We went in November when a light rain turned into a thunderstorm with hail and sleet! It was certainly an adventure... The area was incredibly peaceful in December."
Kayaking on serene lakes: Spruce Run Recreation Area features a reservoir perfect for water activities. "You can launch your kayak easily from the shore. The sites are large, many have nice mix of sun and shade," notes one camper. The park also offers boat and kayak rentals during peak season.
Wildlife observation: The forests around Mount Bethel provide excellent wildlife viewing. At Mountainview Campground, visitors report impressive encounters: "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
Secluded horse-friendly sites: Horse owners appreciate the dedicated facilities at equestrian campgrounds near Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania. These sites provide ample space for trailers and horses with easy access to riding trails.
Lake access from campsites: Pickerel Point Campground gets high marks for its waterfront sites. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," reports one visitor. Another adds, "I spent the night in the Promised Land State Park at Pickerel Point and it was so pretty and quiet. Mine overlooked the water and had a gorgeous sunset."
Star-gazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution around Mount Bethel makes for excellent night sky viewing. A camper at Camp Starry Night noted, "The best part of this trip was definitely the views. You look out over the field and see the mountains in the background with the river running between them... The stars and moon were absolutely amazing."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many horse camping areas near Mount Bethel operate seasonally. Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area offers year-round options: "Went camping in late October, when a lot of the other parks are closed. Only one section of their camping was still open but the bathrooms and showers had been winterized."
Bear safety requirements: The forests around Mount Bethel are bear country. As one camper at Stokes State Forest points out, "This is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes."
Reservation policies: Equestrian sites fill quickly during prime riding seasons. Some campgrounds have strict arrival policies. At Mountainview Campground, one visitor explained: "I reserved two nights, but the first night we were not going to be able to arrive until after 9. After talking to them, they would not allow us to come late, but did refund the first night."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: When camping with children at equestrian sites, plan for non-horse activities too. Keen Lake Resort Campground offers "a lot for younger kids to do and the grounds are pet friendly. My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake."
Site selection for horse camping families: Choose sites that balance horse needs with family comfort. "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," notes a visitor to Keen Lake.
Bathroom facilities: When bringing children to horse camping areas, bathroom quality matters. A visitor to Stokes State Forest Lake Ocquittunk mentions, "The bathrooms are clean and nicely placed. The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility for horse trailers: RVers with horse trailers should check site specifics before booking. At Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, a visitor noted the versatility: "The Group Campsite was really big. It had 5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables and a real full sized bathroom only 100 yards away."
Leveling challenges: Many horse camping sites have uneven terrain. One camper at Lower Lake Campground noted: "Site was decent, only downside was fire pit area was very un-level for camping chairs, otherwise it's a nice wooded site with privacy."
Hookup availability: Not all equestrian sites offer full hookups. As one RVer explained at Spruce Run Recreation Area: "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV. It's kind of worth it."
Ranger
