Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Benton, PA has a lot to offer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Benton campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Benton, PA. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
Boasting 22 named waterfalls amid old-growth forest and deeply-incised canyons, Rickett’s Glen State Park encompasses more than 13,000 acres around a high bluff known as the Allegheny Front. On top of the bluff, several lakes—Lake Jean being the largest—are the source of the many creeks that tumble down the canyons and create the spectacular falls. The area was mostly logged out in the early 1900s by the landowner, R. Bruce Ricketts, before he decided to preserve the woodlands in the falls’ three glens. Following efforts to turn the area into a national park in the 1930s failed, he began selling the land to the state of Pennsylvania, who turned the area into a state park in 1944. The park is now a year-round destination for camping, hiking, fishing, bird-watching, paddling, skiing and ice climbing. Just an hour’s drive west of Scranton, the campground at Rickett’s Glen offers 120 drive-in campsites in two areas near the shore of Lake Jean. Sites can accommodate trailers and RVs up to 40 feet; some sites are ADA accessible, and a few group camps are available. Hookups are not available, but there is a dump station outside the camping area. Facilities in the campgrounds include restrooms with showers, drinking water, an amphitheater, a trail to the lake’s beach, and a designated dog area. The Big Loop campground also has five deluxe cottages available to rent. In a separate area, there are 10 cabins available, as well as a boat ramp (rentals available) and snack bar. Campsite rates range from $15–$20/night; cabins and cottages range from $60–$115/night. The most popular activity at Rickett’s Glen is to hike through the three waterfall glens. This can be done via several looping trails ranging from 3.4 miles to 7.2 miles. Two trailheads are located above the falls, from the lakes area, and one is located below the falls, from PA Route 118. Other summer activities in the park include paddling and fishing on Lake Jean, or just soaking up the sun at the beach. An onsite naturalist offers guided walks, nature activities and interpretive programs. There are also limited hunting opportunities. If visiting during the winter season, many of the trails are open for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Ice fishing is popular, as is ice climbing on the waterfalls. Check the park’s website for off-season services, accessibility, and ice climbing requirements.
Are you daring enough to hike the Shades of Death Trail? This is just one of the hiking trails available to visitors at Hickory Run State Park. Not to worry though, the trail is not nearly as ominous as its name. Hickory Run was established as a state park in 1945 following a long and storied history of devastation and restoration. The first settlements in the area occurred following the American Revolution, when landowners began building mills on the local creeks. By the mid-1800s, the area was clearcut, then experienced several incidents of fire and flooding. In 1935 the area was purchased by the National Park Service (NPS) for use as a recreation area, and many of the roads, campgrounds and trails were developed. Ten years later, the NPS transferred the land to the state of Pennsylvania for use as a state park. Just 30 miles south of Scranton, Hickory Run State Park is a 16,000-acre natural area in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains. The area features numerous trout streams, boulder fields, wetlands and restored forests. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, from birds to black bears. The park’s large campground features more than 300 tent, trailer and RV sites, as well as a few walk-in sites and camping cottages. Some campsites are ADA accessible. Park facilities include restrooms with showers, drinking water, two playgrounds, amphitheater, fishing pier, dog-walking area, and a camp store. There’s also recycling and dump stations. The Shades of Death and Beach trails are accessible right from the campground. Campsite rates range from $15–$40/night; cabins and cottages range from $38–$105/night. There is no shortage of outdoor play to be enjoyed on your visit to Hickory Run. On warm days, cool off with a dip in Sand Spring Lake, or go wading below Hawk Falls; cast a line for brook and brown trout in Hickory Run or Mud Run; or test your precision at the park’s disc golf course. There are also several geocaches hidden in the park if you’re up for a little treasure hunting. If you’re packing hiking boots, you have 44 miles of trails to wander. Choose from short, family-friendly nature and wildlife-watching trails, to the more strenuous Boulder Field Trail, which traverses a 16.5-acre field of sandstone boulders that predate several of North America’s ice ages. In winter, many of the park’s trails are open for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Turn your Knoebels visit into a family vacation by staying at the Knoebels Park Campground! After a long day of riding, playing, swimming and eating at Knoebel’s, you’ll be just steps away from the crackling campfire and your pillow. Our family campground is tucked away in a quiet forest setting, so you can get away from it all and awake refreshed and ready for more fun! Pitch your tent, park your RV or camper, or stay in one of our rustic log cabins.
$59 - $160 / night
Traveler
Good Campground to visit the amusement park. Electrical hookup was a bit far from the camper, so bring an extension cord. Good atmosphere will be back, the kids had a blast.
Guide
5 miles from I-81, quiet and clean! Wait for breakfast at the restaurant
Scout
Sad place multiple no functional area basketball court with no balls, floating ride "missing parts" no coffee at the store, no milk either, some staff nasty and rude. No cable no wifi this place has extra fees and charges for everything river front is tiny slippery maybe 8ft wide walk. Pictures are a stretch from reality.
Legend
This is an amazing state park that has something for everyone. There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding trails. There are several campgrounds, with tremendous variety for every camping style. There are standard car camping tent sites, RV sites, and yurts and camper cabins. For those who like more rustic options, there are hike-in sites that are beautiful and not far from the parking area. The campsites are nestled in a deep shady mature forest, and peaceful and quiet due to the wooded aspect and spacing of sites (at least for me, in September in a hike-in site not far from the regular campground). It is nice to have such a fine camping and outdoor recreation opportunity within an easy drive of the city of Clarks Summit, so probably a great weekend getaway for local folks, but a wonderful stopover for anyone on a road trip through northern PA as it is not far off Interstate 81. I was there only one day, but would like to be back to explore the trails!
Traveler
This campground is definitely designed for young families. I booked last minute and had to make do with a primitive site which was downhill and a little bumpy. However, there are extremely nice bathrooms and a ton of things to do if you have children like playground, arcade and activities. It’s nice how close it is to downtown Jim Thorpe but it was a little too close together and family oriented for me as someone who travels only with young adults.
Traveler
I’ve stayed here a couple times with groups. I believe it is a great spot to go with people who haven’t camped much before. It has flat tent spaces, generally clean bathrooms, and access to tons of things to do on the campground and nearby.
Guide
❤️😊We would like to thank Hickory for letting us stay their peace fully it was our first camping trip in a 🚎RV travel trailer our first RV purchase you made our stay amazing I loved the environment our favorite spot is the beach trail 🏞️💦right their you can let yourself go and meditate with mother nature 🌍 so amazing hickory has alot to offer you just have to seek it . 🌞 Our favorite spot guess where 😜stay tuned for more The Outsider's 💋🇵🇷🇺🇲
ScoutThe area is beautiful and I would like to stay in the winter when many of the activities are available and it is warmer. I am just learning about using a travel trailer and the staff was of great assistance. They were easy to reach and were genuinely interested in my stay and plans. They have a dog park which my dog loved.
Scout
Peaceful little campground five minutes from Ricketts Glen State Park. Accommodating and friendly hosts, clean bath house and firewood for sale on site.
GuideWe had a great camp spot! We stayed 2 nights and it was actually the more secluded camp site. I do see however that there are definitely cramped camping sites. The staff were friendly and there were flushable toilets. The location was so great because it’s just right above Jim Thorpe!
LegendNice state park. Wooded campgrounds. Nice sites. Boating and fishing.
GuidePretty good State park. Convenient to Scranton. The bathhouse was adequate and clean. Site was paved but not really level and layout was odd, fire ring and table were on drivers side. Didn’t use facilities but Lake looke nice
Scout
Looks cute from the outside but once you get in you are immediately disappointed. The cabin had a smell, a wrinkly floor, and was very dark. There is a lack of any shelf or cabinets and only minimal hooks to put your things. Even the TV was on the dining table and you can't use the remote from the bed either. We used the table benches and top of fireplace to place our stuff. We also had no AC. The signs on the wall said make sure you turn off the AC, but no AC. Our friends stayed in cabin 6 and it was so cute, bright, and had AC. Our other friend stayed in 2 and it was much better than ours as well. 3 was better too.
In addition they would not honor a AAA discount due to already paying, what?!
LegendStopped at Lackawanna on our way to Vermont... good overnight spot!
Legend
Cute campground with RV and creekside tent sites near Lehigh Gap. The staff here was incredibly friendly and helpful and they have a well cared for site. My favorite spots are the tent-only sites along the creek. They are peaceful and separate from the RV area. The only downside is they do not have potable water in that area and the bathroom is a portapotty. However, you can head up the hill to the main part of the campground and use the bathrooms they have available there. If you want a really private area head up to their hilltop sites which are tent-only and have lots of space with a decent view. If you are staying here I definitely recommend heading down the road a short way and hiking on the AT from the Lehigh nature center.
Legend
A single-level open-sided AT shelter near the Lehigh Gap trailhead. The shelter itself is well maintained and has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers. There is also a spring nearby for filling up water. Out front of the shelter is a very large campfire ring though there was a mess of junk around it when we were there. If you are planning on tent camping there isn’t really any flat area to set up around the shelter so you might want to keep moving to one of the next sites. The shelter itself can be found fairly soon after the split with the bypass trail and is down the mountain so both are protected from bad weather but also don’t have much of a view. If the weather is good I recommend planning to stay up on top of the mountain at one of the more scenic campsites.
Guide
The host makes you feel like family
Guide
Love this park
ScoutThis is now are new campground we will be going back to. The lots were large and the staff was so accommodating! Everyone in the campground was family friendly, kind, and welcoming.
They do now have new staff running it which is allowing for new updates (one including the pool)
If you have children this is deff the spot for you, my kids played for hours with a lot of the full time children who were kind and respectful. Highly recommend!
GuideGreat for families or solo
Legend
Saraj here from The Dyrt confirming that this is an official Tentrr site. They’ve been in business since 2015 and are a trusted partner of The Dyrt.
Legend
Saraj here from The Dyrt confirming that this is an official Tentrr site. They’ve been in business since 2015 and are a trusted partner of The Dyrt.
TravelerMy experience here was most enjoyable. I stayed in a yurt for the first time and it was also my first time camping since my teenage years. The yurt was most comfortable and the park is beautiful in the spring. Went hiking and was sure to bring my camera along. Got some beautiful shots too. Would highly recommend visiting and/or camping here!
TravelerWe went on a last-minute trip from Philly in what I think was opening weekend (April). We wanted to hike with toddlers, so that took up most of our Saturday. Main Ranger Station was really nice. We hope to come back and see more of the campground itself and try additional hikes. We took the short drive to Hawk Falls Trail and also completed the Orchard Trail Loop. Bathrooms with showers were just what we needed and easy to walk to, shared between our pet-friendly loop and another loop. Good sinks for cleaning dishes.
Stayed at 199 on the pet-friendly 165-228 loop. Lots of people walking dogs. Very varied length of campsites and privacy. Many around the inside of loops, especially right at the bathrooms would have been pretty tight, or possibly good if you were reserving a couple in a row. Would have been nice to have a big tree between ours and site 195, but there was some distance.
Check out was 3pm, which is awesome!
Ranger
This RV park was nice. They are expanding and upgrading sites. They do have a pool, but it’s not open yet. Quiet time was no problem. Everyone was respectful and nice. Spots are not small, but they’re not huge either.
TravelerThe bathroom facilities were clean, the hiking in the area was gorgeous and pet friendly and I’m looking forward to going back
Traveler
Took my family for the weekend so we could go to Knoebels. Between the shuttle and the people there, I had a very easy time getting to and from the park. I have a huge camper and was able to get around easily.
Camping near Benton, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping around Benton, PA, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, swimming, or just relaxing, there's something for every camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Benton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Benton, PA is Ricketts Glen State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 67 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Benton, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 glamping camping locations near Benton, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
