Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area in Promised Land State Park provides essential facilities for horse camping near Shohola, Pennsylvania. This dedicated section of the park accommodates tent and RV camping with electric hookups and water connections available. Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire ring with fires permitted throughout the camping area. The campground features showers, flush toilets, and a sanitary dump station for RVs. Sites remain relatively close together with limited privacy between neighboring campers. Park regulations prohibit alcohol consumption within the campground boundaries. Reservations are required and can be made online through the Pennsylvania state park reservation system.
Connected bridle trails extend from the Hemlock Hill area into the broader network of Promised Land State Park's trail system. Horse owners should note that while the campground accommodates equestrian visitors, there are no dedicated horse corrals available on site. Riders must bring their own portable corrals or tie-out systems for securing horses overnight. Trail access from the campground provides opportunities for day rides through the surrounding state forest. The nearby village of Greentown offers limited services including basic supplies. Most horse campers bring all necessary feed, water containers, and portable fencing equipment. Water access points throughout the park allow for watering horses, though visitors should confirm seasonal availability before arrival. The campground typically operates from spring through fall, with precise opening dates dependent on weather conditions.
"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
"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."
"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."
"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
"There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding 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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $90 / night
"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
"Went here with some friends who had never been outside NYC before. They were absolutely blown away. For me, it was a nice site but not exceptional. Bring or rent a kayak!"
"I drove to NYC for a business trip and ended up driving 1 and a half hour to reach this place. I always carry a tent in the back of my trunk and decided to go camping."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 - $40 / night
"This location was about an hour and a half away from our home so it was far enough to feel like we were getting away but close enough that we could be home quickly in case of an emergency since we decided"
from $125 / 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.
TravelerWe’re here for the Rock, Ribs, and Ridges festival and what a great experience! Make sure to bring a 50’ power cord as the hook ups are grouped together on telephone poles rather than at each individual site. As far as I know camping is only available during select events.
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.
Promised Land State Park sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation in the Pocono Mountains near Shohola, Pennsylvania. The park contains two lakes surrounded by a mixed oak and maple forest, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Winter camping options remain limited across the region with most facilities closing by mid-October, though some year-round cabins exist at specific locations.
Kayaking on lakes: Promised Land State Park offers multiple watercraft options with easy access points around Lower Lake. A visitor notes, "We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake" from Keen Lake Resort Campground.
Fishing for multiple species: The lakes and streams in the Shohola region support various fish populations. "The kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch" at Keen Lake Resort Campground. During winter, ice fishing becomes popular where permitted, as one camper observed at Pickerel Point: "The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing."
Hiking varied terrain: Trail systems connect throughout the region with options for different skill levels. At Stokes State Forest, "There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail." One visitor recommends: "Hiking the Tillman Ravine trail (tip: make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery)."
Lake views from campsites: Many campgrounds offer direct water access or views. A visitor to Pickerel Point Campground stated, "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail." Sites positioned along water allow for both scenic appeal and practical access.
Off-season tranquility: Camping during shoulder seasons provides more solitude. A camper at Stokes State Forest observed, "Due to cooler temps there were really no bugs to complain about while camping." Another noted, "The area was incredibly peaceful in December with many cabin reservations abandoned due to rain in the forecast."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain good restroom standards. A visitor to Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area reported, "Bathrooms were clean and water was hot in the shower." Another camper at Ocquittunk noted, "The bathrooms are clean and nicely placed. The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table."
Water access considerations: Some waterfront sites require planning. At Keen Lake, a visitor advised, "If you don't want to drive during your stay, camp on the side with the beach and pool." Those staying at other locations may need to use their vehicles to reach swimming areas or boat launches.
Site variations within parks: Campgrounds often contain multiple distinct areas with different features. A camper at Lackawanna State Park mentioned, "We stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers." Research specific loops before booking.
Bear precautions required: The region has active black bear populations. At Stokes State Forest, a reviewer emphasized, "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided." Campers must bring appropriate containers or storage systems for food items.
Alcohol restrictions: Several state parks prohibit alcohol consumption. A camper at Pickerel Point noted, "The only drawback is no alcohol allowed, but most State Parks are like that I think." Check regulations before arrival as private campgrounds may have different policies.
Tent platform advantages: Some sites include elevated platforms that improve camping comfort. At Bear Spring Mountain, a visitor reported, "Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform." These platforms keep tents dry during wet conditions.
Swimming options: Multiple swimming areas exist throughout the region. A camper at Pickerel Point mentioned, "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."
Education programs: Several parks offer organized activities. A visitor to Keen Lake reported, "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!" Another at Promised Land State Park noted, "Was pleasantly surprised they have programs for kids."
Kid-friendly biking: Paved roads in some campgrounds accommodate beginner cyclists. A camper at Pickerel Point commented, "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc."
Electrical service quality: Power hookups vary between campgrounds. A visitor to Lackawanna State Park warned, "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained." Check service ratings before arrival if running multiple appliances.
Site spacing concerns: RV sites may offer limited privacy at certain campgrounds. One camper noted, "There is no privacy at the campsites; they're all very small and packed tight." For more separation, a visitor to Beechwood Area recommended, "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."
Horse camping specifics: For equestrian camping near Shohola, Pennsylvania, the Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area provides dedicated facilities with electric hookups. Connected bridle trails extend from this area into the broader network of trails. A camper noted, "We have camped here in tents and with our teardrop trailer. All of our experiences have been good."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Shohola, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Shohola, PA is Stokes State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Shohola, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Shohola, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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