Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area serves riders seeking equestrian camping at Promised Land State Park, located 10 miles east of Greentown. The trails connect directly to forest paths suitable for horseback exploration throughout the 3,000-acre park. Winter temperatures can drop to 40°F at night, while summer daytime highs typically reach 80°F.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Promised Land State Park offers riders access to multiple trail connections directly from Lower Lake Campground Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area. "Always a good trip. We have camped here in tents and with our teardrop trailer. All of our experiences have been good," notes David S. The equestrian area allows riders to explore without needing to trailer horses between riding locations.
Waterfront activities: Spend time at Lackawanna State Park's swimming beach when not riding horses. "The swimming beach looked nice. They do have boat rental. Our site and the others we saw were nicely shaded," reports Amy V. The park features a 198-acre lake surrounded by picnic areas suitable for day trips.
Winter recreation: For off-season equestrian camping, Promised Land State Park Pickerel Point Campground remains open 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 visited during ice fishing season.
What campers like
Full hookup sites: The newer camping loops at Lackawanna State Park Campground provide all necessary utilities for horse trailers and RVs. "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 vehicles commonly used for transporting horses.
Privacy between sites: Camp Starry Night offers more secluded alternatives to the state park campgrounds for those seeking privacy after trail rides. "We were a little disappointed at how close the neighboring structures were however that was behind the tents and didn't impede the magnificent view looking out to the front of the campsite," reports Jen R., noting the balance between accessibility and seclusion.
Lakeside camping: Keen Lake Resort provides waterfront sites within driving distance of horse trails. "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," says Shannon C., highlighting opportunities for multi-activity vacations combining riding and water recreation.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Many horse campgrounds near Wyoming, Pennsylvania operate on restricted schedules. Tuscarora State Park Campground allows camping year-round but with limited winter amenities. "This park has no tent camping. They offer cabins and yurts, but have no sites for people to set up tents," explains Tiffany K., outlining accommodation options during different seasons.
Alcohol restrictions: State parks prohibit alcohol consumption. "The only drawback is no alcohol allowed, but most State Parks are like that I think," mentions Nancy L. about Pickerel Point. This regulation applies to all Pennsylvania state park horse camping areas.
Reservation requirements: Equestrian sites fill quickly during peak season. "Loved camping on Pickerel Point. Kids had a great time! Bathrooms could be cleaned more often but relatively clean," notes Paula R., who secured a reservation for a family camping trip despite high demand.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Keen Lake Resort Campground provides structured activities for children when not horseback riding. "My family has been going there for years and finally decided that this was our final place and made it our seasonal camping place 3 years ago. My boys absolutely love it and always have something to do. They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day," shares Mike H.
Bathroom facilities: Clean restrooms rank high for family horse camping. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground. *The showers are coin operated," explains Emily Z. about Keen Lake Resort, detailing infrastructure important for families with children.
Paved paths for kids: Pickerel Point features accessible routes for children. "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc... We will definitely be back," reports Paula R., highlighting the benefit for families with both horses and children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Horse trailer parking requires specific site considerations at Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area. "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," advises Dawn R., recommending site inspection before setup.
Cell service: Communication challenges exist in remote equestrian areas. "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon," notes Mara S. about camping in Promised Land State Park. This limitation affects GPS navigation and emergency communications when horseback riding in remote areas.
Electric access: Most equestrian sites provide electrical hookups for horse-related equipment. "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," explains William R., describing the reliable infrastructure important for RVers with horses.
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