Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area in Promised Land State Park provides specialized facilities for equestrians near Tafton, Pennsylvania. The equestrian camping area features electric hookups with 30-amp and 50-amp service, water connections, and sewer hookups for RVs. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring where campers can enjoy meals and evening fires. The campground maintains clean bathroom facilities with showers, essential for longer stays. Sites are spaced with adequate room for horse trailers, though some visitors note the camping areas can become crowded during peak season. The park's bathrooms remain clean even when the campground reaches full capacity.
Trails throughout Promised Land State Park connect to the equestrian camping area, offering varied terrain for riders. The Conservation Walk on the nearby island provides a short, well-marked route suitable for beginners. Horse owners should note that while the campground accommodates equestrians, there are no dedicated horse corrals mentioned in the facilities list. Visitors should bring appropriate equipment for securing their horses overnight. The park is accessible year-round, though amenities may be limited during winter months. Some sites require reservation, particularly during summer weekends when the campground frequently reaches capacity. The surrounding forest and multiple lakes offer scenic views and opportunities for riders to explore beyond the immediate camping area.
"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
"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
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
"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.
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 facilities for horseback riders in Promised Land State Park. The camping area includes full RV hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections. Each designated site accommodates both camping equipment and horse trailers. Trails connect directly to the camping area, allowing riders to access different terrain throughout the park. The area has maintained shower facilities and bathrooms, making it practical for extended stays with horses.
Kayak on Promised Land Lake: Pickerel Point in Promised Land State Park sits adjacent to crystal clear waters suitable for paddling. "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," notes Debbie W. from Pickerel Point Campground.
Explore hiking routes: The Conservation Walk offers an accessible trail option near the equestrian camping areas. "The Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked," according to Alaina Z., who recommends this particular path for beginners or those looking for a quick nature experience.
Ice fishing opportunities: For winter visitors to equestrian camping near Tafton, Pennsylvania, seasonal activities continue. "The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing. The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon," reports Mara S., highlighting Promised Land State Park's year-round recreational options.
Direct lake access: Many sites at Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area offer water proximity. "Short walk to bathrooms, showers and lake. Though had to drive to park and beaches," explains Dawn R., who appreciates the convenience but notes some amenities require transportation.
Wooded privacy: The camping areas maintain natural vegetation between sites. "Sites were a good size and not on top of each other. Firewood was available in the area," writes Siobhan D., who found the separation between campsites sufficient for a comfortable experience.
Weather conditions: The regional climate offers comfortable temperatures for horse camping. "Not too hot during the day and nice and cool overnight," reports Daniel G., noting the temperature variations make outdoor activities with horses more comfortable than in hotter regions.
No alcohol allowed: State parks in the region maintain strict alcohol policies. "The only drawback is no alcohol allowed, but most State Parks are like that I think," notes Nancy L. from Pickerel Point Campground.
Water availability varies: During colder months, water access may be limited. "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by," explains Mara S., describing winter camping conditions at Promised Land State Park.
Rocky terrain: Some camping areas have uneven ground that can affect comfort. "Chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad," advises Alaina Z., highlighting terrain challenges that horse owners should consider when setting up camp.
Store supplies beforehand: Limited shopping options exist near the camping areas. "Not much for stores so pack everything in before," recommends Siobhan D., emphasizing the need for advance preparation when planning equestrian camping stays.
Kid-friendly amenities: Keen Lake Resort Campground offers multiple water features popular with families. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," shares Emily Z., noting the variety of swimming options available for children at this family-oriented facility near Tafton.
Paved roads for activities: Some campgrounds feature improved surfaces that benefit younger riders. "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc," comments Paula R., highlighting infrastructure advantages for families with children.
Seasonal programming: Organized activities run throughout the camping season. "Can never go wrong here. Was pleasantly surprised they have programs for kids," says John R., mentioning the structured recreational opportunities available for younger visitors.
Electric reliability concerns: Older electrical systems may have limitations in some parks. "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained," cautions David from Lackawanna State Park Campground, highlighting potential power issues for larger RVs with multiple systems.
Site selection strategy: For equestrian campers with RVs, location within campgrounds matters. "If you don't want to drive during your stay, camp on the side with the beach and pool," advises Emily Z., emphasizing the importance of strategically choosing sites relative to amenities.
Campsite dimensions: RV sites vary significantly in size throughout the region. "The RV sites are spaced out nicely," reports Charlotte D., confirming adequate room for standard setups at Keen Lake Resort Campground near the Tafton area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Tafton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Tafton, PA is Keen Lake Resort Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Tafton, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Tafton, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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