The Pocono Mountains region surrounding Hardyston, New Jersey sits at elevations between 500-1800 feet, creating varied terrain for RV camping. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing from December through February, requiring campers to prepare for seasonal facility closures. Several campgrounds remain open year-round with varying services based on weather conditions and seasonal maintenance schedules.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Multiple hiking options exist within a short drive of camping areas. "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot. Restrooms are clean," notes Michael H. about Tri-State RV Park, which provides a central base for regional trail access.
Seasonal activities: Fall camping offers color viewing from September through mid-November. "Very nice and clean. Too hot today, will check it out tonight. Nice pool, this is a good family campground for kids. It large with nice size sites," writes Ron H. about Skyway Camping Resort, which operates seasonally May through mid-October.
Urban exploration: Some campgrounds provide direct access to New York City attractions. "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else," explains Keith and Tia S. about Liberty Harbor RV Park, where city transportation connects directly to Manhattan attractions.
What campers like
Full-service amenities: Many campgrounds offer complete hookups for extended stays. "The investment in new 50amp wiring, upgraded sewer systems, and newer water lines provided convenient camping experience," Jason G. mentions about Mountain Top RV Park, where recent infrastructure improvements have enhanced utility connections.
Access to water features: Several campgrounds incorporate waterfront areas or pools. "Safe, clean, and right on the Delaware River. Groceries and Home Depot close buy if you need to restock," states Dave B. when reviewing Tri-State RV Park, highlighting the riverside location that provides fishing access and water views.
Quiet locations: Despite proximity to urban areas, some campgrounds maintain peaceful settings. "Simple Campground - nice lay out albeit as with many campgrounds, the spaces are quite close together. With a sparse population in the winter, it made for a great spot for a work stay," reports JL about Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South, noting the reduced occupancy during off-peak times.
What you should know
Site spacing variations: Many campgrounds feature tight spacing between sites. "Sites kind of level and very close. Power and water, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump," reports Keith and Tia S. about Liberty Harbor RV Park, reflecting the space limitations common near urban areas.
Seasonal availability: Operating seasons vary significantly between parks. "We came in at end of season, so pretty much everything seems closed. But, it's a beautiful campground and the part of PA is great too," notes Kasey M. regarding Thousand Trails Scotrun, which remains open year-round but with reduced services in winter.
Utility reliability: Water pressure and electrical service quality differ between locations. "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi. Cell service is ok. Verizon is 25 down 10 up. Tmobile is unusable," Don C. points out about Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South, highlighting the need to monitor high water pressure.
Tips for camping with families
Animal interactions: Several parks feature farm animals or wildlife viewing opportunities. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," observes Faith D. about Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, where animal encounters provide educational experiences for children.
Playground access: Family-oriented campgrounds maintain play areas for different age groups. "My kids explored the playground and found it sufficient," shares Ashley O. about Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South, indicating basic play facilities for younger campers.
Activity planning: Seasonal programming varies widely between parks. "There were some organized activities which was nice, not as much as a Jellystone Park," Janelle G. notes about Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, suggesting families should research scheduled activities before arrival.
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Some RV parks require careful driving through narrow access roads. "Ext 53. Straight at the light. Drive all the way down to the end of the road," advises BENdejo about Tri-State RV Park, providing specific directions for larger vehicles.
Site selection strategy: When parks allow site selection, early arrival improves options. "It's a find your own site park. Some are a bit narrow, but I found a nice pull thru," shares Brett L. about Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South, suggesting the benefits of arriving earlier in the day.
Connectivity issues: Cell service and internet access vary significantly throughout the region. "Cell service is awful for AT&T and our T-Mobile gateway. Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity," warns Nick E. about Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South, indicating the need for backup communication options.
