Campers visiting Covington, Pennsylvania encounter diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 feet throughout the surrounding Pocono region. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March, while summer camping season brings average daytime temperatures of 75-85°F. Most campgrounds maintain quiet hours from 9 PM to 7 AM, with rangers regularly patrolling to enforce camping regulations.
What to do
Hiking trails for all abilities: Promised Land State Park offers numerous well-marked trails with varying difficulty levels. "The Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked," notes a visitor to Pickerel Point Campground. The trail system connects multiple camping areas to water features.
Kayaking and paddling: Bring your own watercraft or rent at several locations. At Keen Lake Resort Campground, "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. It was awesome."
Wildlife observation: The region supports diverse wildlife including deer, raccoons, and birds of prey. At Lower Lake Campground, one camper reported: "Lots of trails to go on. Swimming at the beach. Kayak rentals. Eagle watching. Blueberry picking! Totally recommend."
Frisbee golf: Several parks maintain courses for this increasingly popular activity. A Hickory Run State Park visitor commented, "This area is so beautiful. A ton to explore and a huge frisbee golf course."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain exceptional cleanliness standards. At Mount Pocono Campground, "Cleanest campground bathouse I've ever used! Great hiking trail right from the site. Be prepared for walking up and downhill - quite the unexpected workout."
Lakefront sites: Premium waterfront sites provide direct water access. A visitor to Pickerel Point mentioned, "I spent the night in the Promised Land State Park at Pickerel Point and it was so pretty and quiet... Mine overlooked the water and had a gorgeous sunset. There was a beach nearby that was an excellent place to gaze at the stars."
Dog-friendly options: Most campgrounds offer designated pet-friendly loops or sites. As one Keen Lake camper noted, "This is a great place to bring an RV. Great for families. It would be a great place to camp with extended family. Pet friendly. They have a beach for swimming with your dogs."
Spacious sites: Site sizes vary significantly between campgrounds and specific loops. At Hemlock Campground & Cottages, "Spaces are, clean well maintained, and nice sized. Nothing too big not too small. Bathhouse is always clean."
What you should know
Bear activity: Black bears remain active throughout the Pocono Mountain region. A camper at Hickory Run State Park Campground advised, "Nice and clean and lots of trails. We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings."
Variable site conditions: Some sites offer better tent placement than others. A camper at Pickerel Point noted, "Chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad! Sites have nice sizable fire pits, but they are very tall. It's difficult to cook over them."
Limited cell reception: Connectivity varies widely by location and carrier. At Promised Land State Park, a visitor reported, "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon."
Portable toilet maintenance: In more remote camping loops, facilities receive less frequent attention. One camper at Lower Lake Campground mentioned, "Bathrooms were clean and hot showers (no quarters needed). Though I was disappointed in the porta-john cleaning."
Tips for camping with families
Activity programs: Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities throughout the summer season. A visitor to Keen Lake Resort Campground shared, "My boys absolutely love it and always have something to do. They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!"
Safe biking roads: Look for campgrounds with paved roads for younger riders. One parent at Promised Land State Park's Pickerel Point shared, "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc... We will definitely be back."
Indoor recreation options: Useful during rainy days. At Mount Pocono Campground, a visitor noted, "The game room has pool tables, ping pong, arcade games, library, gym, and so much more! The location is lovely and you are surrounded by the forests of the Poconos."
Swimming options: Many campgrounds provide both lake and pool swimming areas. A Keen Lake visitor reported, "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake."
Tips from RVers
Variable hookup availability: Different loops within the same park often offer different utility levels. At Lower Lake Campground Northwoods Area, "Big sites with 30 amp service available for RVs and trailers. Each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with an adjustable grate. The pull-through sites don't offer much in the way of privacy, but that's the trade off for convenience."
Uneven terrain in some areas: Be prepared to level your RV at many campgrounds. One camper at Deerfield Campground noted, "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."
Washing facilities: Several campgrounds provide dishwashing stations and laundry facilities. A Northwoods camper mentioned, "The bathhouse offers warm showers, 2 dishwashing sinks, and a coin-operated washer and dryer. The facilities are kept very clean."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. At Pickerel Point, a visitor advised, "Great lake camping...Tent-Cabin. Watch the local roads for potholes."
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