Camping around Blakeslee sits at an elevation of approximately 1,500 feet in the Pocono Mountains, experiencing cool evenings even in summer months when temperatures can drop into the 50s. The area's mixed hardwood forests create distinct seasonal camping experiences, with fall bringing vibrant foliage colors and spring offering wildflower displays along trails. Most campgrounds in this region remain open from April through October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Boulder hopping adventures: Visit the unique geological formation at Hickory Run State Park where visitors can explore 16 acres of exposed boulder field. "The Boulder Fields are one of the coolest places I've ever visited, partially because they were so unexpected. Don't twist an ankle, but you can play hide and seek to an extent as there are small depressions in the fields," notes Amber A. from Hickory Run State Park Campground.
Lake activities: Tobyhanna State Park offers fishing, swimming, and paddling opportunities on its lake. "You can swim in the lake in the summer or do a 5-mile hike around the lake along well-marked walk paths. The hike should last 1.5 to 2 hours for the average person," explains J K. from Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
Trail exploration: Access hiking trails directly from campgrounds for day hikes with pets. "We took a drive on 2 afternoons on a stone road through the woods to see the Boulder Field. It was a beautiful drive. We were on the lookout for bear, but only saw 3 deer," says Shirley M. from Hickory Run State Park Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and facilities. "The bathhouse is always clean and has hot water available at all times. The whole place and the spots are always clean," writes Luis B. about Hemlock Campground & Cottages.
Lake views and access: Waterfront camping spots provide direct lake access. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail. The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers," says Kelly F. about Pickerel Point Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers value the peaceful settings. "Hooting owls and fall foliage. This was a very peaceful night in the woods. The office staff was helpful with info about the camp and surrounding area. The bathroom and showers were clean and adequate," reports Jen from Hickory Run State Park Campground.
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Bear activity requires proper food storage and vigilance. "Just stayed 2 nights with my 7 yrs. old daughter we had a blast. As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent. Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car," warns Erik M. from Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
Varying site privacy levels: Site layout and spacing differs significantly between campgrounds and loops. "Scenic and spacious. Large camping areas that can fit two cars onsite and include picnic tables, some even with water and electric hookups. The bathrooms are large and well kept," shares Marlaina M. about Tobyhanna State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate April through October only. "We start our tent camping season here in late April every year. The spots have definitely been updated and made larger if you ask me," notes Luis B. regarding Hemlock Campground & Cottages.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Check campground event calendars for family programming. "Our favorite family campground! They have a ton of great activities from kids carnival, craft beer tastings, farmers market, bingo...the list goes on! Their pool and kiddie splash pad is well kept," advises J K. about Mountain Vista Campground.
Campsite selection for convenience: Choose sites near bathrooms when camping with children. "We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. The sites in this loop were spacious and more in an open area, but we were along a wooded area which gave us some shade," describes Shirley M. of her experience at Hickory Run.
Pack for temperature swings: Even summer nights can be chilly in the mountains. "Bring a sleeping pad! Sites have nice sizable fire pits, but they are very tall," recommends Alaina Z. about Pickerel Point Campground's facilities and terrain.
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. "This was our first trip with our new to us jayco. We stayed in site 20. Easy to back in. Didn't need leveling blocks as our site was nice and level," shares Angela from Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited at some campgrounds, especially state parks. "We camped during Memorial Day weekend and had a blast, even in the rain! Sites were small so not a ton of privacy. Everything was clean and neat and we felt very comfortable," notes Jojo P. about Mountain Vista Campground.
Cell service quality: Coverage varies significantly between locations. "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon," mentions Mara S. about her stay at Pickerel Point Campground, which is important information for RVers who may need connectivity for work.
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