1 campground with availability this weekend
Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area in Promised Land State Park provides specific facilities for horse camping near Scranton, Pennsylvania. This campground offers tent and RV sites with electric hookups, water connections, and sewer hookups suitable for equestrian visitors. Horse owners will find the campground equipped with fire rings, picnic tables, and access to modern restrooms with showers. The equestrian-focused area accommodates both riders and their animals with dedicated spaces designed for horse trailers. Reservations are required for the campground, which maintains a pet-friendly policy that extends to equestrian visitors. Trails surrounding the campground provide direct riding opportunities for campers who bring their horses.
Located approximately 35 miles southeast of Scranton, this horse-friendly camping area connects to the extensive trail system within Promised Land State Park. Equestrians have access to multiple riding routes that wind through the forested landscape, offering varied terrain suitable for different experience levels. The campground's location provides convenient access to trailer parking areas designed specifically for horse owners. Campers with horses should note that while the equestrian area includes essential amenities like water hookups and sanitary facilities, riders must bring their own feed and supplies. The campground receives positive reviews from horse enthusiasts who appreciate the well-maintained grounds and accessible trail connections. The park's policies require that horses remain in designated areas when not actively on 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."
"Convenient to Scranton. The bathhouse was adequate and clean. Site was paved but not really level and layout was odd, fire ring and table were on drivers side."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $90 / night
"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."
"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
from $25 / night
"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
"Good hiking trails were just a short walk away from our campsite. Would definitely go back again."
"No water but directly across from facilities with basin sinks outside for cleaning dishes, etc. Each yurt has a huge deck, 2 picnic tables and fire pit."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $49 - $90 / 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.
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.
TravelerKeen lake is the most cleanest friendliest family environment campsite you will ever find. Beautiful lake great fishing. Activities all day long for the children. Great general store that has everything in it that is open from sun up to sundown. The nachos and ice cream are the best. Super friendly staff. It's big they have tent sites right along the lake the lake is huge there's so much I could say but I would run out of room. I started coming here when I was four and I am now 46 years old and it is just the best place ever. It will always have a special place in our heart. Look forward every year to coming here no matter what age my kids are they all have a blast. From tent sites to RVs to cottages to glamping you name it they have it highly recommend it. Recently went camping to somewhere a little bit closer to home and it's nothing compared to here. It's like comparing Macy's to Walmart. You will never regret coming here. So pack your family up and have a great time.
Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area offers specialized facilities for horse camping in the Poconos region, 35 miles southeast of Scranton. The campground connects to trail systems throughout Promised Land State Park, with multiple riding routes that accommodate various skill levels. Sites include electric hookups with 30/50 amp service, water connections, sewer hookups, and designated trailer spaces.
Ride forest trails: The extensive trail network at Promised Land State Park allows equestrians to explore varied terrain. "This is an amazing state park that has something for everyone. There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding trails," notes Janet R.
Lakeside activities: Enjoy the water at nearby lakes when not riding. At Lackawanna State Park, "the swimming beach looked nice. They do have boat rental. Our site and the others we saw were nicely shaded," mentions Amy V. The park offers multiple water recreation options just 30 minutes from Scranton.
Seasonal recreation: Winter visits offer different experiences for equestrian campers. "The park's policies require that horses remain in designated areas when not actively on trails," but nearby recreation areas provide additional activities. One visitor to the region mentions, "We would love to come back in the winter when they have an ice rink with a warming house."
Clean facilities: Equestrian campers appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. At Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, "Bathrooms were clean and so was the site. Sites were a good size and not on top of each other," according to Siobhan D. This standard extends to many campgrounds in the region.
Spacious sites: Horse campers require extra space, and nearby campgrounds deliver. "We stayed in site 157. Accessible via a path from the designated parking space to the site about 2 minute walk. Lakeside, but visibility not great due to vegetation. All sites have little trails down to the water," notes a visitor to Pickerel Point Campground.
Trail access: Direct access to riding trails ranks high among equestrian campers. "We camp here several times a year and have never had a bad experience. Camp host is always most helpful and the park is always clean and well maintained. Great pool, lake, hiking etc.," says William R. about nearby recreation areas.
Trailer parking regulations: Horse trailers must use designated parking areas. "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," reports Dawn R.
Seasonal availability: Most equestrian campsites operate seasonally. Keen Lake Resort operates "Apr 26 - Oct 14," while Lackawanna State Park runs from "2nd Fri April to 3rd Sun October." Winter visits require different arrangements.
Supply requirements: Bring all necessary horse supplies. "Firewood was available in the area. But not much for stores so pack everything in before," advises Siobhan D. Horse feed and specialized equipment aren't available on site.
Educational opportunities: Children can learn about horses and nature. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding trails. There are several campgrounds, with tremendous variety for every camping style," explains Janet R.
Weather considerations: Plan for variable weather when bringing children. "We stayed one night when it happened to rain all evening. So, we stayed inside our camper. We did take a short walk around both camping loops in lighter rain," shares Amy V., demonstrating the importance of having backup activities.
Proximity to recreational alternatives: Stokes State Forest offers additional options within driving distance. "Rented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021. I favored Cabin 8, the kitchen and bathroom were separated from the main room," notes W.L., highlighting alternatives when camping with horses isn't suitable for all family members.
Hookup availability: RV sites with equestrian access provide necessary amenities. "Stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers," reports Cheryl M. about nearby camping facilities.
Site selection: Choose sites with adequate space for both RV and horse equipment. "I stayed at the Beechwood location at the Promised Land state park and despite the constant rain, it was quiet and peaceful. The RV pads were spaced put perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit," says Maze M.
Vehicle access considerations: Some roads to equestrian campgrounds present challenges. "The campground's location provides convenient access to trailer parking areas designed specifically for horse owners," but access routes may have limitations. A visitor notes, "Look forward to visiting again in the sun for a longer period."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best trails for horse camping near Scranton?
The best horse camping option near Scranton is Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area at Promised Land State Park. This dedicated equestrian camping area provides spacious sites designed specifically for horse trailers, with direct access to extensive trail networks. Another excellent choice is Stokes State Forest, about an hour's drive from Scranton, featuring both camping facilities and extensive trail systems suitable for horses, with varying terrain through beautiful northeastern woodland.
Where can I go horseback riding near Scranton, PA?
Lackawanna State Park Campground offers an extensive network of horse riding trails just minutes from Scranton. The park features well-maintained trails winding through diverse terrain with scenic views of the lake and surrounding woodlands. For another excellent option, try Promised Land State Park which has designated equestrian trails that connect to larger trail networks in the Delaware State Forest, providing varied difficulty levels for both novice and experienced riders.
Are there guided horse tours available in Scranton?
While Scranton itself has limited guided horse tour options, Keen Lake Resort Campground about 30 minutes from Scranton occasionally offers guided horseback riding experiences for guests during summer months. For more reliable guided tours, check Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms in the greater Scranton area, which provides structured riding experiences with trained guides who can accommodate various skill levels. Call ahead to confirm current availability, as tour schedules may vary seasonally and advance reservations are typically required.
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