Camping in northeastern Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains region offers visitors a true four-season experience. Abington sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F and winter lows often below freezing. Fall camping brings spectacular foliage viewing from mid-September through October, while spring campers can expect muddy conditions during the April thaw.
What to do
Paddle the waters: At Promised Land State Park, the lake provides excellent kayaking opportunities right from some campsites. "I can launch my kayak right from there!" notes camper Nancy L. The park's Pickerel Point section features crystal-clear water perfect for paddling exploration.
Hike to waterfalls: Ricketts Glen State Park offers an exceptional network of trails featuring 22 named waterfalls. "We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike. The trails are very well marked," shares Lee D., who visited the park in 2019.
Winter camping: Several state parks in the region maintain year-round operations. Tobyhanna State Park welcomes winter campers with heated facilities. As Shirley M. describes it: "Great place to do nothing," making it perfect for those seeking a quiet cold-weather retreat. Winter activities include ice fishing at Promised Land State Park and snowshoeing on multiple trail systems.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Keen Lake Resort Campground offers premium lakeside camping with direct water access. "We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake," notes Shannon C., highlighting the convenient water access.
Clean facilities: Pickerel Point at Promised Land State Park maintains exceptionally clean bathhouses. According to Kelly F., "The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers," while another camper praised the "beautiful new bathrooms" at the lakeside walk-in sites. Most campgrounds in the region offer updated shower facilities, though some primitive camping areas may only have vault toilets.
Wildlife viewing: The region's forests support abundant wildlife, including black bears. At Tobyhanna State Park, camper Erik M. reports: "We were warned at check in that there have been a lot of bears in the area but never really thought that we would see one. As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent." Always secure food properly when camping in bear country.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Frances Slocum State Park Campground, site conditions vary significantly. "This campground is beautiful and has great cell service (Verizon). Bath houses are okay, showers are button showers and are freezing come prepared. The site we stayed on was a swamp! It was terrible," warns Erin M., emphasizing the importance of researching individual sites.
Seasonal considerations: Most state parks in the region operate from mid-April through mid-October, with limited winter camping available. Spring brings wet conditions, especially in low-lying areas. Alaina Z. notes some sites have "chunky bluestone gravel," recommending campers "bring a sleeping pad" for comfort.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer months and fall foliage season. Weekend sites often fill months in advance at popular parks like Hickory Run and Ricketts Glen, while weekday availability remains better, particularly in spring and early fall.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Clayton Park RV Escape provides numerous amenities specifically for families. David R. describes it as an "excellent family quiet area" with "pool boats, hike, relax" opportunities all within the campground boundaries.
Educational opportunities: Lackawanna State Park offers nature programs throughout summer months. At Tobyhanna State Park, "They have a few hiking trails we didn't get to do, also have a horse shoe pit volleyball ball area and a little play area in the camping area," according to Erik M., showing the variety of on-site activities available.
Beach access: Many campgrounds in the region feature swimming beaches for children. At Keen Lake Resort, Paula R. notes: "Kids had a great time!" while at Pickerel Point campground, another camper described the beach as "spotless" with "crystal clear" water, making it ideal for family swimming.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Highland Campgrounds provides full-service RV sites with modern amenities. Jennifer R. describes it as a "Great all around campground" with "great prices and deals" and notes the office is "clean and a combined country store with fresh produce in the outdoor fridge."
Pull-through options: Cozy Creek Family Campground offers convenient pull-through sites for easier setup. April L. notes, "The pull through sites worked well for us, however next time we'd ask for one with a concrete patio." These sites allow for quicker setup and departure, especially important for travelers just passing through.
Utility reliability: Pay attention to electrical capacity when booking. At some older campgrounds, services may be limited. Always check amperage availability for your specific camping unit requirements before booking, as not all parks offer 50-amp service throughout all camping loops.
Ranger
