Equestrian camping near Milford, Pennsylvania offers direct access to the Pocono Mountains region, where elevations range from 350 to 1,800 feet. Located approximately 30 miles east of Scranton, this area receives 45-50 inches of precipitation annually. The region features a mixed hardwood forest ecosystem with hemlock stands interspersed throughout the campgrounds, creating natural barriers between campsites.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: The trail network at Stokes State Forest extends through diverse terrain and connects to the Appalachian Trail. "There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail. Pick up a hiking map at the park office or download the Avenza Maps app," notes one visitor.
Water activities: The lakes at Pickerel Point Campground offer multiple options for recreation. "The lake is crystal clear and the beach is spotless. You absolutely have to bring a kayak/inflatable boat, but if you don't own one, don't worry, you can rent one," shares one camper.
Scenic hiking: Short, accessible trails accommodate various skill levels. "We hiked 2 short easy trails (Little Falls and the Conservation Nature Loop- which we drove to). Absolutely beautiful!" reports a visitor at Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, noting that these trails can be enjoyed by hikers and equestrians alike.
What campers like
Lakeside camping opportunities: Sites at many campgrounds offer direct water access. "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," remarks a visitor at Pickerel Point.
Clean facilities: Despite high usage during peak seasons, many campgrounds maintain high standards. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground," notes a camper at Keen Lake Resort Campground, which is located 28 miles northwest of Milford.
Privacy between sites: Many equestrian-focused campgrounds feature natural spacing. "Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform," reports a visitor at Stokes State Forest, which provides similar site amenities to the equestrian areas.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal variation. A camper at Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area advises: "First trip of the season and we were amazed. Not crowded this time of year, serene, and perfect weather. We collected our own firewood as there is none for sale in the state park."
Limited services: Some amenities may be unavailable in off-seasons. "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. The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon," notes a winter visitor to Pickerel Point.
Reservation requirements: Equestrian sites fill quickly during prime seasons. The limited number of dedicated equestrian-focused sites means advance planning is essential, especially for horse owners requiring specialized accommodations.
Tips for camping with families
Activity programming: Some parks offer organized events. "We didn't have a ton of privacy but you'll have space for your stuff. The store has a huge selection of necessities, so no need to worry about forgetting things," mentions a Keen Lake visitor who camped with children.
Swimming options: Multiple water access points accommodate different preferences. "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," reports a family staying at Pickerel Point Campground.
Educational opportunities: Camp Mohican Outdoor Center provides unique nature programs. "We hosted group camping trips here for years. The lodge has bathrooms and a small store. You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife," explains a group leader.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choosing the right campsite matters for larger rigs. "The campgrounds were just okay. If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs," advises an RVer who stayed at Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Hookup options: Full-service sites offer different amenities. "We camped in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers," notes a visitor at Lackawanna State Park, describing accommodations similar to those found at equestrian-focused campgrounds near Milford.
Parking configurations: Site layouts vary significantly between campgrounds. "There is a beautiful lake and a very large pool. We went in early spring midweek, it was very quiet and exactly the get away we wanted," reports an RVer at Lackawanna State Park, noting that both pull-in and back-in sites are available.
