Canadensis camping sites sit in the heart of Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains at around 1,200 feet elevation, where the region's humid continental climate delivers four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, while winters see averages of 15-35°F with significant snowfall that affects seasonal campground operations and access to outdoor activities.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls and falls trails: Promised Land State Park's trail system offers access to several waterfalls and streams. "The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail. The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers," notes Kelly F. of Pickerel Point Campground.
Wolf preserve visits: Camp Taylor Campground provides unique access to a wolf sanctuary. "You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," shares Julie F., who particularly enjoyed this unusual wildlife experience.
Boulder field exploration: About 30 minutes from Canadensis, Hickory Run State Park Campground features a remarkable boulder field. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," writes Mike M. This natural phenomenon consists of large rock formations spread across several acres.
Lake and water activities: Fishing, kayaking, and swimming opportunities exist throughout the area. "The lake is crystal clear and the beach is spotless. You absolutely have to bring a kayak/inflatable boat, but if you don't own one, don't worry, you can rent one," advises Debbie W. about the water at Pickerel Point.
What campers like
Wooded campsite privacy: At Mountain Vista Campground, campers appreciate the natural setting. "Our site was a good size and the facilities were clean," notes Teresa. The campground maintains wooded sites that offer a sense of seclusion without being too remote.
Seasonal programming: Many campgrounds organize activities throughout their operating seasons. "They had a schedule for events all weekend. We were there for July 4th weekend," shares Nick L. about Mount Pocono Campground's programming, which includes holiday-specific events.
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal operations, some facilities remain open year-round. "We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake Camp Resort for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven! The other campers are friendly and welcoming, the views are breathtaking," writes Melody, highlighting the less crowded winter camping experience.
Lakeside sites: Sites with direct water access rank among the most requested. "My favorite site does, plus I can launch my kayak right from there!" explains Nancy L. about her preferred spot at Pickerel Point Campground, showing how water access enhances the camping experience.
What you should know
Bears are common: Wildlife encounters require proper preparation. "Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car. As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent," warns Erik M. at Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
Varying bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality differs significantly between campgrounds and even within the same park. "Certain sites have latrines, but they also have beautiful, fully updated showers and restrooms available," explains Bridget D. about Hickory Run State Park.
Road conditions: Access roads to many campgrounds can be challenging. "Careful on the roads to the campsite, they're a bit on the bumpy side. Defo smaller roads than your usual ones. We have a minivan so we had to take our time on all the pot holes," advises Christine N. about Worthington State Forest.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon," mentions Mara S. about winter camping at Pickerel Point, an important consideration for those needing to stay connected.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity matters: When booking sites with children, consider location relative to play areas. "Our camp site was great (52), backed onto a wooded area and a big playground was directly in front of us, which worked out perfectly since we have school age kids," recommends Penny C. from her stay at Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA.
Look for organized kids' activities: Several campgrounds offer structured programming for children. "We did the gas saver program for the second time this June and invited lots of friends and family up and everyone had a blast! Lots of great memories made!" shares J.K. about Mountain Vista's family-friendly environment.
Check for bike-friendly areas: Paved roads in campgrounds make a big difference for kids. "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc... We will definitely be back," notes Paula R. about Pickerel Point Campground's layout.
Consider the swimming options: Different properties offer various water features. "They have a huge swimming pool and a toddler's pool," explains Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure about Mount Pocono Campground, while other sites offer lake swimming instead.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: At Deerfield Campground, site topography can impact setup. "The sites are on top of each other and it was very full on a Saturday night. But neighbors were nice and the bathrooms were very clean," shares Imke R., highlighting the mixed experience of close sites but good facilities.
Winter camping hookups: For cold weather RV camping, check available utilities. "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," describes Mara S. about winter camping at Pickerel Point.
Site spacing variations: Site dimensions vary significantly. "We had a water/electric site that was big and very level. The lake is large and the water is clear," notes one camper at Otter Lake Camp Resort, emphasizing the importance of researching specific site dimensions before booking.
Full hookup availability: Many campers prefer sites with complete utility connections. "We had full hookup (20/30/50 amp, water & sewer). There's no cable but we were able to pickup about 6 channels with our digital antenna," reports Debbie W. about Pickerel Point, useful information for those requiring comprehensive hookups.
