Camping near Hazleton, Pennsylvania provides access to over 40 miles of hiking trails spread across the region's state parks and recreation areas. The elevation in this part of northeastern Pennsylvania ranges from 1,600 to 2,100 feet, creating varied terrain for camping and outdoor activities. Most campgrounds in the area open in mid-April and close by late October, with average summer temperatures reaching 80°F during day and dropping to 60°F at night.
What to do
Boulder field exploration: At Hickory Run State Park Campground, visitors can explore the unusual boulder field natural formation. According to a camper: "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown."
Waterfalls hiking: Ricketts Glen State Park Campground features 22 named waterfalls along its trail system. A visitor notes: "The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike."
Paddling and fishing: Several campgrounds provide lake access for various water activities. A camper at Locust Lake State Park Campground shared: "Me and my 10yo visited Locust Lake on our road trip for my Northeast speaking tour. We both loved it! We're both really big water rats and couldn't wait to get the kayaks into the water."
White water rafting: The Lehigh River offers seasonal rafting opportunities. A visitor to Whitewater Challengers noted: "Rafting on the Lehigh with whitewater challengers was amazing. The campground is definitely great for Girl Scout or school groups, but if you are looking for a peaceful campground look elsewhere."
What campers like
Natural settings: Campsites often feature wooded surroundings with opportunities to view wildlife. A camper at Moyers Grove Campground reported: "The sites were a nice size and were well shaded. The campground was quiet and peaceful. We saw deer daily. There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes."
Swimming opportunities: Many campgrounds include lake beaches for swimming during summer months. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, a camper mentioned: "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!"
Trail access: Direct trail connections from campsites provide convenient outdoor access. A visitor to Jim Thorpe Camping Resort explained: "A major pro is access to the Switchback Trail from the campground. A wonderfully scenic trail."
Upgraded bathrooms: Recently renovated facilities enhance the camping experience. A camper at Moyers Grove Campground appreciated: "The bathhouse (hooray) was great. Recently renovated, they were extremely clean and dry."
What you should know
Cell service varies widely: Network coverage is inconsistent across campgrounds near Hazleton. A visitor at Ricketts Glen observed: "Site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other. Also no service (Verizon)."
Bear precautions required: Bears inhabit the region, necessitating proper food storage. A camper at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort warned: "We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings."
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. For Ricketts Glen, a camper advised: "Since we had a reservation, we received a phone call in advance of our stay letting us know about this."
Site topography challenges: Uneven terrain can create leveling issues for RVs and tents. As one camper at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort noted: "The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because our site wasn't level and it took hours to get it right. After that... we had the best time!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. A visitor to Mauch Chunk Lake Park shared: "Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach. Beach area was nice."
Bike-friendly paths: Paved trails provide safe cycling routes for younger riders. A camper noted: "Convenient paved walking path all around the lake, swimming lake with beach, nice playground for kids."
Educational opportunities: Park visitor centers offer learning experiences. A Hickory Run visitor commented: "The visitors center boasts the most modern updates and a truly lovely interactive museum displaying the history and current wildlife of the park."
Waterfall safety: When visiting waterfall areas with children, exercise caution on trails. A hiker advised: "The hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained!"
Tips from RVers
Water hose requirements: Some campgrounds have distant water hookups. A camper at Moyers Grove warned: "Make sure you have a LONG water hose. We actually had to buy a 50 foot hose in the camp store to accommodate the distance to the spigot."
Site selection for RVs: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. A visitor at Lakewood Park Campground recommended: "Our site(#74) was plenty big enough for our 45' motorhome and Jeep plus lots of room to spread out."
Road grade considerations: Access roads to some campgrounds have steep grades. Another visitor to Lakewood Park cautioned: "Traveling to this campground requires driving several steep grades(8+%). Do your best, drive slowly, and stay focused."
Electric hookup availability: Power availability varies between campgrounds and loops. A camper at Ricketts Glen stated: "There are no hookups at all in the park. The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected."
