Ricketts Glen State Park Campground
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
15 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The Pocono Mountain region surrounding Covington, Pennsylvania features numerous established campgrounds with varied amenities and natural settings. Tobyhanna State Park Campground and Promised Land State Park offer lakeside camping environments with multiple distinct camping areas. Most locations accommodate both tent and RV camping, with cabin options available at several parks including Tobyhanna, Keen Lake Resort, and Mount Pocono Campground. The concentration of state park facilities provides consistent amenities while private campgrounds like Hemlock Campground & Cottages offer alternative experiences with similar outdoor access.
Camping season in the Pocono Mountain region typically runs from mid-April through mid-October, with most state park campgrounds opening the second Friday in April and closing the third Sunday in October. Electric hookups are common at many sites, though water hookups vary by location and campground section. The terrain features numerous lakes and forested areas, with hiking trails connecting many camping areas to water recreation opportunities. Visitors should prepare for potential wildlife encounters, particularly black bears, which are active throughout the region. As one camper noted, "Do not leave any food out and dispose of all trash in the appropriate dumpsters. There are black bears in the park."
Lakefront access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with several state parks built around reservoir shorelines. Sites directly adjacent to water tend to book quickly, especially during summer months and weekends. While waterfront sites may lack privacy due to their popularity, they provide convenient access for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The five-mile trail around Tobyhanna Lake receives consistent praise from visitors for its scenic qualities and accessibility. A reviewer mentioned, "The lake is gorgeous and there are nice hiking trails. We rode our mountain bikes around the 5-mile trail around the lake." Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, beaches, and picnic areas complement the camping experience at most developed sites, though campers seeking more solitude may prefer the less developed sections of state forest lands.
"We were looking for a lakeside campground with a spacious campsite that could comfortably fit two large tents and two vehicles."
"Breathtaking views from nearby trails and nearby Big Pocono State Park. The park staff were very helpful and knowledgeable about nearby trails and best places to get the most out of the views!"
Available this weekend
from $20 - $43 / night
"Pros: beautiful new bathrooms -private lakeside walk-in sites -beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless -the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked."
"Some sites are right on the lake, just put the kayak on the shore, and you're ready for an early morning paddle."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $44 / night
"Great location lots of hiking trails right in the park and many more close by"
"Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. "
Available this weekend
from $20 - $72 / night
"I stayed on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights in August 2020. It was SO BEAUTIFUL. We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. "
"We didn’t have a view of the lake, instead we were in someone’s back yard lol. It wasn’t a big deal. The site was well maintained and flat which were the most important."
"Pocono Campground in the Poconos, Pennsylvania is a very active and fun vacation vacation destination! There are lots of amenities for every family member and the staff is friendly and welcoming."
"Great hiking trail right from the site. Be prepared for walking up and downhill - quite the unexpected workout. Many seasonal sites with friendly people."
from $54 / night
"Nice surroundings (though nothing extraordinary). Easy access with a sedan. Cons: most sites are very close to one another with little privacy. Fair amount of road noise."
"Recommend Little Falls Trail. We also explored Conservation Island. Many more trails to explore and not enough time. The surrounding town is small and very cute."
from $22 / night
"3 hour drive from NYC, and a wonderful campsite with good weather in the summer - not too hot during the day and nice and cool overnight."
"We stayed in lower lake beechwood site 323. Was decent site only downside was fire pit area was very un-level for camping chairs, otherwise it’s a nice wooded site with privacy."
from $27 - $29 / night
"Lot of things to do around, from enjoying a day at the lake beach, to hiking on one of numerous hike ng trails, to dining in one of the nearby spots. Highly recommend."
"Access points to several trails are very near the campground. As with all PA state parks, alcohol is prohibited."
from $29 - $43 / night
"There's a small trail called Little Falls Trail, that helped us get close to nature. Well maintained area. Although there were scares of Bears but we didn't find any to our luck."
"Spent 5 days at Promised Land- we were in the Lower Lake section and had a loop and bathhouse to ourselves once the weekend was over! The camp hosts were friendly. Lots of trails to go on."
from $20 - $29 / night












Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
Stayed October 14 without reservations because website showed lots of availability. Office was closed (M-F 8-4) so submitted honor system envelope with cash and stayed at Site 041 on Carpenter loop. Shower building was a short walk and was spacious enough. Water temp didn’t quite reach hot but was warm enough.
Electric kept on tripping breaker.
solid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
This clothing-optional campground has a highly toxic, intrusive, and vindictive environment. During my stay, the seasonal permanent residents('perms') subjected me to intense harassment, inappropriate sexual advances, and severe social retaliation/rumor-spreading when those advances were rejected. The situation escalated to the point where an employee had to intervene for my safety. Furthermore, despite management allowing my photo to be taken in costume at a party, I was intentionally blocked from the community group where the photos were posted, leaving me unable to monitor how my image was being used. Avoid this place if you value your privacy, personal boundaries, and safety.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Covington, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Covington, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 213 campgrounds and RV parks near Covington, PA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Covington, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Covington, PA is Tobyhanna State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 27 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Covington, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Covington, PA.
What parks are near Covington, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Covington, PA that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River.
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