Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area at Promised Land State Park caters specifically to equestrian campers. The facility includes dedicated sites for those traveling with horses, offering full hookups with electric, water, and sanitary services. The camping area features paved roads for easy trailer access and maintains clean bathroom facilities even during peak occupancy periods. Sites accommodate both tent and RV camping with space for horse trailers and include standard amenities like picnic tables and fire rings.
What to do
Lake activities: At Pickerel Point Campground, visitors can enjoy multiple water recreation options. The clear lake water provides excellent opportunities for fishing, swimming, and paddling. According to Nancy L., "My favorite site does [allow pets], plus I can launch my kayak right from there!" Some campsites allow direct water access, making it convenient to enjoy the lake throughout your stay.
Winter recreation: Promised Land State Park remains open year-round with seasonal activities. Mara S. from Pickerel Point Campground notes, "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."
Hiking and nature observation: The park system around Pocono Pines offers extensive trail networks. Dawn R. from Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area says, "This park is large and has many different campgrounds... Short walk to bathrooms, showers and lake. Though had to drive to park and beaches." For more challenging terrain, Stokes State Forest offers varied elevation trails about an hour's drive away.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Many campers appreciate the direct lake access available at certain sites. Kelly F. reports, "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail." This combination of water views and nearby trail access makes these sites particularly desirable.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness consistently ranks high in visitor feedback. According to Maze M., the Lower Lake Campground experience was "Enjoyable and relaxing" and "despite the constant rain, it was quiet and peaceful. You could only ever hear the wildlife. The RV pads were spaced put perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit."
Privacy between sites: At Keen Lake Resort Campground, the layout provides good separation between campsites. Charlotte D. notes, "This family run Campground is beautiful and clean. 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. Very beautiful area."
What you should know
Seasonal water access: Water availability varies by season at some park facilities. During winter months, Pickerel Point maintains electric hookups, but as Mara S. explains, water access becomes limited to "Spigot close by." Plan accordingly if visiting during colder months.
Terrain considerations: Some camping areas have uneven or rocky grounds. Alaina Z. mentions that at certain Pickerel Point sites, you'll find "chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad!" This is particularly important for tent campers to ensure comfortable sleep.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be inconsistent throughout the region. While staying at Lackawanna State Park Campground, David notes, "Cell service covers the area, if you care. And no gas boats are allowed on the lake (cool!)." However, other campgrounds may have limited or no service.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly areas: Some campgrounds offer paved roads perfect for children's activities. Paula R. shares her experience: "Loved camping on Pickerel Point. Kids had a great time! Bathrooms could be cleaned more often but relatively clean... Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc."
Educational programs: Seasonal activities for children are available at select locations. John R. recommends Pickerel Point noting, "We stay at Pickerel Point and Deerfield depending on season. No complaints and was pleasantly surprised they have programs for kids. Can never go wrong here."
Playground access: For families with younger children, Mountainview Campground provides recreation facilities. Christina H. notes the campground has "A playground for kids" among its amenities, making it suitable for families with children who need physical activities beyond hiking and water recreation.
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: Check electrical capacity at older campgrounds. One RVer at Lackawanna State Park reported, "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained." This is particularly important for larger rigs with multiple electrical needs.
Site selection strategy: For optimal camping experience, research specific sites before booking. Dawn R. advises, "This park is large and has many different campgrounds. 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."
Winter camping considerations: Some campgrounds in the Pocono Pines area offer year-round accessibility for RVs. According to Michael from Stokes State Forest, "We would love to come back in the winter when they have an ice rink with a warming house." However, expect limited water hookups and prepare to use central spigots during winter camping.