Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area in Promised Land State Park offers specialized camping facilities for horse owners. Located in Greentown, Pennsylvania, this campground provides electric hookups, water access, and sewer connections specifically designed for equestrian visitors. The campsites accommodate both tents and RVs with adequate space for horse trailers. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed in the amenities, the equestrian area is specifically designated for camping with horses. The campground maintains a perfect 5-star rating from visitors who appreciate the well-maintained grounds and proximity to riding trails. The state park features picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom facilities with showers for campers with horses. Sites are available by reservation only.
Bridle trails throughout Promised Land State Park connect directly to the Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area, allowing riders convenient access to woodland paths. The campground's location provides strategic access to the surrounding forest trail system, making it ideal for day rides without trailering. Hemlock Hill's layout accommodates horse trailers with pull-through sites and adequate parking. The campground enforces standard state park regulations regarding horse management, including proper waste disposal and tied animals. Weather conditions affect trail accessibility, particularly during spring thaw when some paths may be temporarily closed to prevent damage. Riders should check with park rangers about current trail conditions before planning extended rides. Nearby water sources provide convenient watering opportunities for horses after trail riding.
"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 $31 - $33 / 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
"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."
from $29 / 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
"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."
"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 next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $90 / 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
"Park employees and park police drive around through the day. Some big groups of campers got a little rowdy at night. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting."
"The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day."
"We were kindly escorted to our site (a nice refreshing change from having to wander around to find the sites ourselves), which was the one farthest away from the entrance."
"Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day! Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!"
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.
Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area offers specialized camping facilities for horse owners in the wooded terrain of northeastern Pennsylvania. Located at 1,500 feet elevation in the Pocono Mountains region, this equestrian camping area experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with summer highs averaging 78°F and evening temperatures dropping into the 50s even in July. Riders can access approximately 26 miles of bridle paths directly from the campground.
Lakeside paddling: At Pickerel Point Campground, campers can launch kayaks directly from waterfront sites. "I spent the night in the Promised Land State Park at Pickerel Point and it was so pretty and quiet... Mine overlooked the water and had a gorgeous sunset. There was a beach nearby that was an excellent place to gaze at the stars," reports Carolyn M.
Trail hiking: The conservation walk on Pickerel Point island provides an accessible nature experience. "The Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked," notes Alaina Z. Families can also explore the Little Falls trail which connects to other hiking routes throughout the park system.
Lake swimming: During summer months, the swimming areas at lower lake provide relief from heat. "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 Debbie W.
Full-season access: Unlike many regional campgrounds that close for winter, Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area remains operational year-round. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," mentions Mara S., who appreciates the winter camping options including ice fishing opportunities.
Spacious campsites: Sites in the Beechwood area provide adequate room between neighbors. "Sites were a good size and not on top of each other. Firewood was available in the area," notes Siobhan D. This layout creates a more peaceful camping experience compared to more densely arranged campgrounds.
Environmental education: "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," shares Angie G., who enjoyed hiking the nature trails. The park offers guided nature programs during peak seasons.
Equestrian facilities: Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area receives positive feedback from campers with and without horses. "Always a good trip. 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," reports David S.
Cell service limitations: Some areas within the park have spotty coverage. "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon," mentions Mara S. about her stay at Pickerel Point. Visitors should download maps and information before arrival.
Campsite surfaces: Some sites feature stone surfaces rather than soil or grass. "Chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad!" advises Alaina Z. This affects ground tent comfort but doesn't impact RV or trailer campers.
Kids' activities: Keen Lake Resort Campground offers structured programming for children. "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!" shares Mike H. This provides entertainment options during rainy days or between trail rides.
Biking-friendly areas: Paved roads in certain areas make bicycle riding safer for children. "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc..." notes Paula R. Families should bring bikes for children to explore between riding sessions.
Water safety: When camping with young children near Lower Lake, select sites away from steep shorelines. "We stayed in site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," suggests Kelly F., highlighting family-friendly sites with water views but safe distances.
Site selection strategy: At Lackawanna State Park Campground, RVers recommend the newer loops. "Stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers," shares Cheryl M. These sites accommodate larger rigs more effectively than older campground sections.
Electric reliability: Check amperage requirements before booking. "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained," warns David about certain sites at Lackawanna State Park. Horse campgrounds near Skytop, Pennsylvania often have upgraded electrical systems for equestrian camper needs.
Winter camping considerations: When visiting during cold months, verify which facilities remain operational. "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by," notes a winter visitor. RV campers should prepare for freezing temperatures with appropriate water system management when visiting equestrian camping areas near Skytop during off-season periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Skytop, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Skytop, PA is Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area — Promised Land State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Skytop, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Skytop, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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