The Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River region encompasses numerous campground options spanning both New York and Pennsylvania sides of the Delaware River. Established campgrounds like Skinners Falls Campground and Soaring Eagle Campground provide waterfront access directly on the Delaware River, while facilities such as Honesdale-Poconos KOA offer more developed camping experiences with modern amenities. Most locations accommodate tent camping, with several sites also supporting RVs. Cabin options exist at select campgrounds including Keen Lake Resort, Happy Days Campground, and Soaring Eagle. The area's mixed-use campgrounds typically operate seasonally from spring through mid-October.
Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when riverfront campsites fill quickly. Most campgrounds maintain seasonal operations with limited availability outside the peak period from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "Beautiful, spacious, waterfront sites available. Lean-to sites also. Love it here, though the staff can be cantankerous and hard to deal with," noted one camper about Skinners Falls Campground. Water-based recreation represents a primary draw, with several facilities offering equipment rentals for tubing, kayaking, and rafting on the Delaware River. Road access varies between campgrounds, with most being accessible by standard vehicles, though visitors should check specific site requirements before arrival.
Riverfront camping consistently receives high ratings from visitors across multiple campgrounds. Areas like Narrowsburg Campground and Skinners Falls feature sites with direct river access, making them particularly appealing for fishing and water activities. According to one visitor, "This campground was nice they offered river activities (for purchase) tubing, kayaking, rafting. They had a small camp store and friendly staff." Most campgrounds maintain basic facilities including restrooms, showers, and trash disposal. Weekends during summer months can become crowded and potentially noisy at popular riverside locations. Some visitors note significant differences between weekday and weekend experiences, with weekdays offering considerably more solitude. Several campgrounds feature wooded sites providing natural shade, while others emphasize open riverfront locations with scenic views of the Delaware.
"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."
"This camp site is conveniently located by the river. Which is really the only reason it gets 4 stars."
$20 - $160 / night
"great river based location(Delaware River) bathhouse was very clean, very rustic, sites are huge, plenty of room for 2+ family campers… I know this controversial, but having Wi-Fi would be great esp when"
"It is great family camp ground with amenities that are helpful to parents and new campers such as restrooms, showers, camp shop, canoe/kayak/tube rentals and designated drive in sites with fire ring and"
"Enjoyed walking the trails and wooded area but sprained my right ankle. So I was laid up for a few hours before I left."
"We liked this site and the one next to it the best out of all of the sites."
"The doors allow for someone to pop their head over from the outside which unfortunately happened during our stay. My kids were too afraid to shower in there after that.. Otherwise I’d give 5 stars"
$20 - $48 / night
"SO many weekenders from New York and New Jersey being so loud, littering, and highly disrespectful to others and the land. Quite a shame. If you’re reading this and offended, be the change!!"
"Pros: beautiful new bathrooms -private lakeside walk-in sites -beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless -the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked."
"Great access to the beaverkill. It’s perfect for a quick getaway."
"We were right next to a small brook, and falling asleep to the sound of the water behind our tent was amazing. Everyone we met was super friendly. We will definitely be back!"
"As close to nature as possible with modern conveniences still nearby. Terri and her gang do a great job of running her Dad's adventure."
GuideTwo night stay, large loud parties make it hard to enjoy but once most of them left it was nice to walk down to the river. Bath house with toilets and showers, not all lights working. No swimming access but boat access and trails for hiking.
ScoutWe reserved for a day. Very bad service. The river is super dirty and they did not even clean the trash cans. Besides, the fire ring has no grill cooking grate, so if you don’t bring your own NO GRILLING. Ryan was the person in front that took care of us, he was rude, my kids felt weird because he was not welcoming at all. Also, we try to ask for a partial refund since we did not felt comfortable since the beginning, and they said NO. We have experience camping, but this one was simply THE WORST. We lost the money but we won’t put our kids in a difficult situation. Thanks.
ScoutWe stay at a lot of Jellystone parks so have become accustomed to the park layouts and activities. This one was well maintained with clean facilities. Some things like the mini golf and fire pits needed maintenance. The pools were nice but get very busy later in the day. The sites up on the hills are nice but beware, it’s a hill! There is little to no WiFi or cell service or it gets easily bogged down, so be ready for that. Food was basic but good. Some activities like bingo were a bit chaotic and there were a lot of ground hornets around the jumping pillows. Would totally go again.
ScoutLove this campground along with the owners. They have taken good care of the property and do a wonderful job with making sure you are enjoying your time.
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.
ScoutStayed for a quick weekday overnight at a primitive site—fine spot overall. Pros: Restrooms and showers clean and in working order. Pet-friendly. Nice surroundings (though nothing extraordinary). Easy access with a sedan. Cons: most sites are very close to one another with little privacy. Fair amount of road noise. Quiet hours didn’t seem to be enforced—some folks playing music until midnight.
TravelerWe were looking for a lakeside campground with a spacious campsite that could comfortably fit two large tents and two vehicles. We chose Tobyhanna State Park, and it turned out to be absolutely wonderful.
We stayed at Site 113, which had plenty of space on the right side of the campsite for two large tents, with enough room to park two vehicles as well. While the campsites are fairly close to one another, most visitors come here to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, and everyone seemed very respectful of each other’s privacy.
Just a one-minute walk from our campsite, there was a very clean restroom, hot showers, and a laundry facility. Right next to it, there was a volleyball court, as well as easy access to the lake with a boat launch and great spots for fishing.
On our very first day, the park rangers warned us that bears sometimes visit the campground, so they recommended storing all food in the car overnight. We followed their advice and had no issues.
Overall, I would give Tobyhanna State Park a perfect 10 out of 10. We had an amazing experience and will definitely be coming back!
TravelerWe were looking for a campsite on our way up north and we’re so happy to find this one. While it is a commercial site. It is located in the woods. It has full hook up and portable water at the site. We couldn’t be happier with a warm welcome we received late at night and the cleanliness of the bathrooms and each site. I would highly recommend this campsite.
The Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River spans 73.4 miles between New York and Pennsylvania, with water temperatures averaging 50-70°F during the main camping season. Riverside campsites offer direct access to Class I-II rapids suitable for novice to intermediate paddlers, while forested sites provide natural shade during summer months when temperatures can reach the mid-80s.
River fishing: Try fly fishing at Soaring Eagle Campground, where the Delaware River is known for its trout and smallmouth bass. "Great river based location (Delaware River)... GREAT fishing river, though the riverfront the camp sits on isn't the best in terms of depth or activity. A short drive down the road in either direction will put you in much better locations for angling," notes one visitor.
Kayaking and canoeing: Bring your own or rent from Roscoe Campsites, where you'll have access to both calm waters and gentle rapids. A camper shares: "It appeared there were additional activities we could have partaken in - kayaks, paddle boards, canoes available for rent onsite - though with how shallow the river was, I would have been pretty nervous to take a tumble out of a kayak or paddle board."
Swimming: Cool off at Keen Lake Resort Campground which offers both lake swimming and a pool. According to one visitor: "Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake. It was awesome... The kids had fun riding bikes on the road, which was off the main road."
Spacious riverfront sites: Campers appreciate the generous sites at Narrowsburg Campground which offers prime Delaware River access. "Nice and clean, right on the water. Spread out just enough to feel like we had good privacy," notes a recent visitor.
Family-friendly amenities: Honesdale-Poconos KOA earns high marks for its diverse offerings. "Activities for the kids like movies (it was Moana), a pool, mini golf and a bounce area. We had a fantastic first camping experience for the kids (and dogs)," reports one family. "The bathrooms and showers, every time we went in, were spotless."
Natural surroundings: The wooded sites at Happy Days Campground provide a peaceful atmosphere with mature trees. A camper mentions: "Although a small rustic campground it is beautiful and shady. Also quiet even at night after seeing dead and co at the performing art center."
Weekday vs. weekend differences: Many Upper Delaware campgrounds transform on weekends. During peak summer season, some sites can become crowded and noisy. Consider planning for weekdays when possible for a more peaceful experience.
Varying site quality: Research specific site numbers before booking at Roscoe Campsites. "The 'tent sites' are VERY close together, and there is nothing separating them. If you're looking for quiet seclusion, don't even remotely consider this spot as an option," warns one visitor. "The ground is worn over and very rocky. If you visit, bring incredibly thick sleeping pads or air mattresses if you want to sleep semi-comfortably."
Weather considerations: River levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting water activities. Spring brings higher, faster water while late summer may see shallow sections, impacting paddling and tubing experiences.
Look for campgrounds with organized activities: "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," notes a Keen Lake visitor. "There is a lot for younger kids to do and the grounds are pet friendly which was a huge plus for us."
Consider the bathroom facilities: Parents appreciate clean, accessible facilities. At Pickerel Point Campground, "bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers." Another visitor adds, "Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers."
Book ahead for lakeside sites: Waterfront sites fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," shares a Pickerel Point camper.
Site leveling: Check campground reviews for information about pad quality. At Happy Days Campground, a camper notes: "We stayed at Happy Days from Friday to Monday with our 21 foot travel trailer. Site P6. Pretty level site."
Hook-up availability: Pickerel Point Campground offers various options. "We had full hookups (20/30/50 amp, water & sewer). There's no cable but we were able to pickup about 6 channels with our digital antenna," reports one RVer. "All of the sites were spacious."
Consider seasonal limitations: Some Upper Delaware campgrounds have reduced services outside summer. "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by," notes a Pickerel Point visitor about off-season camping. "The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River?
According to TheDyrt.com, Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River offers a wide range of camping options, with 213 campgrounds and RV parks near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River is Keen Lake Resort Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River.
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