Promised Land State Park features an equestrian camping area located 45 miles east of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill section offers dedicated trail access for riders with nearby bridle paths connecting to over 50 miles of riding trails. Sites accommodate both horse trailers and camping equipment with direct access to forest trails and water sources for horses during the main season from April through October.
What to do
Kayak fishing at Lackawanna State Park: The 198-acre lake at Lackawanna State Park Campground provides excellent fishing opportunities with boat rentals available. "The lake is nice, but there is no privacy at the campsites; they're all very small and packed tight. Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained," notes David, highlighting the park's watercraft options while mentioning electrical limitations.
Explore hiking trails during cooler weather: The mountain terrain offers varied hiking options across different skill levels. "Nice hiking trails!" reports Annette M. about Lackawanna State Park trails, which connect to longer routes throughout the region. Trails range from flat paths suitable for beginners to steeper sections with moderate elevation gain.
Scenic paddling on Promised Land lakes: Pickerel Point Campground provides direct water access from many sites. "I spent the night in the Promised Land State Park at Pickerel Point and it was so pretty and quiet. There was a bathroom with flush toilets nearby and the campsites were well spaced apart. Mine overlooked the water and had a gorgeous sunset," explains Carolyn M., describing the paddling access and campsite layout.
What campers like
Full hookup availability in newer loops: The updated camping areas provide modern amenities for extended stays. "Stayed 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," shares Cheryl M. about Lackawanna State Park, emphasizing the quality of newer facilities.
Winter camping options: Some parks remain open year-round for cold-weather camping experiences. "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. about Promised Land State Park, noting the winter accommodations with heated facilities.
Equestrian facilities with trail access: Beyond Hemlock Hill, the region offers other horse-friendly camping destinations. "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. about Lower Lake Campground, which connects to equestrian trails.
What you should know
Reservation requirements for equestrian sites: Horse campgrounds near Wilkes-Barre require advance booking, particularly during peak season. Most equestrian camping areas fill quickly from May through September.
Campsite privacy varies significantly: Site layouts differ across campgrounds with some offering more seclusion than others. "The sites were a little close to each other, but we don't mind. We'd be somewhere else if isolation was what we wanted," explains David S. about Lower Lake Campground.
Firewood availability: Most parks require campers to purchase firewood locally rather than bringing it from home. "We collected our own firewood as there is none for sale in the state park. We thought that was going to be a problem but we were okay with it!" shares Angie G. about her experience at Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with structured activities: Some parks offer organized programs for different age groups. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," notes Emily Z. about Keen Lake Resort Campground, adding that "This is a great place to bring an RV. Great for families. It would be a great place to camp with extended family."
Consider tent platforms for rainy conditions: Wooden platforms keep tents elevated and dry during wet weather. "Tent sites are either on the ground have wooden platforms. Cabins come in various sizes," explains Dan X. about camping options at Camp Mohican Outdoor Center.
Evaluate bathroom proximity: With children, bathroom access becomes an important consideration. "Short walk to bathrooms, showers and lake. Though had to drive to park and beaches," notes Dawn R. about Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, providing practical insight about facility distances.
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: RV sites vary in size and levelness across campgrounds. "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. The swimming beach looked nice. They do have boat rental. Our site and the others we saw were nicely shaded," reports Amy V. about Lackawanna State Park.
Electric reliability issues: Some parks have older electrical systems that may not support higher amperage needs. "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 Lackawanna State Park, providing important information for RVers with higher power requirements.
Seasonal availability of full hookups: Water and sewer connections may be winterized during colder months. Year-round campers should verify which utilities remain available off-season as many parks disconnect water to prevent freezing.
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