Equestrian camping near Palmerton, Pennsylvania offers dedicated facilities for riders and their horses within the Pocono Mountains region. Located at about 1,250 feet elevation, this area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winters dipping to 20-30°F. The terrain consists of rolling hills with mixed hardwood forests and several glacial lakes, creating diverse riding environments for equestrians.
What to Do
Trail riding at Promised Land State Park: Equestrian campers can access over 50 miles of trails connecting to the surrounding Delaware State Forest. "We have camped here in tents and with our teardrop trailer. All of our experiences have been good. Clean bathrooms are essential and even when the large campground is full the bathrooms have been clean," notes a visitor to Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area.
Fishing in glacial lakes: Multiple fishing opportunities exist in the region's natural lakes. At Pickerel Point Campground, "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail. The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers," reports one camper.
Wildlife observation: The region supports diverse wildlife including black bears, white-tailed deer, and various bird species. "Off the beaten path in the middle of 'pennsyl-tucky'. No cell service at all unless you drive up to the top of the mountain... No noise pollution. No light pollution... Found a couple of large black rat snakes near our campsite," explains a camper at Tuscarora State Park.
What Campers Like
Spacious sites for horse trailers: Many equestrians appreciate the well-designed layout at horse-friendly campgrounds. "I have camped here on many occasions for Over ten years, beginning when I only had a tent. Then with a camper van, and now an RV. I love the water views, The sites are large, many have nice mix of sun and shade," writes a regular visitor to Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and showers receive positive mentions. At Beechwood Area, campers report "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."
Natural surroundings: The wooded environment creates a sense of seclusion. A camper at Mountainview Campground noted, "The campground was very quiet and peaceful. The owners were very friendly. The spot was spacious and comfortable. The bathrooms were clean. Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day!"
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons (May-October). "We stayed in Loop C, which is the only dog friendly loop in the campground, on sites 35, 37, 39,& 40. Thankfully, a short walk to the bathroom facilities for us tent campers," reports a visitor to French Creek State Park.
Weather considerations: The mountain location means temperature swings, even in summer. "~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," notes a Beechwood Area camper.
Trail conditions: Recent rainfall can create muddy paths, so check conditions before riding. "Bridle paths extend through wooded terrain with varied elevation changes, providing diverse riding experiences for equestrians of different skill levels," according to park reports.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly activities: Several parks offer educational programs during summer months. At French Creek State Park, "We also checked out the other loops for future use and found Loop A to have very spacious, less rocky sites, however, there was little shrubbery between each site, making them less private than the sites in Loop C."
Swimming options: Lakes provide supervised swimming areas at many parks. "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. Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc."
Safety considerations: Keep food secured due to wildlife presence. "There are bear in the region so be weary with your food. No noise pollution. No light pollution. No large towns anywhere near here all towns with very minimal population," warns a Tuscarora camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: Choose sites with adequate parking space for both RV and horse trailer. At Mountainview Campground, "We were able to just drive right up into our site and make ourselves at home for the day. The drive to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle."
Electric service: Verify amperage availability when booking for equestrian camping. At Pickerel Point, "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."
Water access: Plan for limited hookups at some horse-friendly sites. "Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning. Not including the bathroom situation, the only con to this campground is it's proximity to the highway. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," notes a Spruce Run visitor.
Ranger
