Camping sites near Cresco, Pennsylvania offer multiple options within Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, which has an average elevation of 1,800 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the region sit among oak, maple, and hemlock forests that provide natural shade during summer when temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during daytime hours. Water temperatures at lake beaches remain quite cool even in July, rarely exceeding 68-70°F.
What to do
Kayaking on calm waters: At Pickerel Point Campground, visitors can launch kayaks directly from their campsites. "I can launch my kayak right from there! The only drawback is no alcohol allowed, but most State Parks are like that I think," notes camper Nancy L. The crystal-clear lake water makes for excellent paddling conditions.
Hiking mountain trails: The trails at Tobyhanna State Park Campground offer scenic walks around the lake. "You can swim in the lake in the summer or do a 5-mile hike around the lake along well-marked walk paths," explains reviewer J K. The average hiking time for the lake loop is about 1.5-2 hours for most hikers.
Swimming in natural settings: Swimming options range from lake beaches to pools. "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," reports Debbie W. about her experience at Pickerel Point.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Some camping areas offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities. "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite," explains Dina S. about her stay at Camp Taylor Campground.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural settings at Camp Taylor Campground. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private. Once you have backed into the spot and leveled out it's a good time," says Julie F. Most sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and at least partial shade.
Family-friendly amenities: Otter Lake Camp Resort receives high marks for its recreational options. "Beautiful Lake with fishing & boating, pools indoor and outdoor, great playgrounds, great biking even a trail around the like, lots of activities planned," writes Nicole S. The resort offers organized activities like softball, archery, and ceramics.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness varies between campgrounds, with some receiving exceptional reviews. "This campground is huge, lots of sites to choose from. There is a big lake you can fish from, kayak, bring your own boat and even swim from when it's warm out," notes Tiffany S. about Otter Lake Camp Resort.
Accessibility to hiking trails: Proximity to hiking opportunities ranks highly with campers. "We hiked to Mt. Tammany from the campsite for the best view in NJ (9 miles round trip)," shares Dina S. Many campgrounds connect directly to trail networks or are within short driving distance of major trails.
What you should know
Site terrain varies widely: Campsites in the region have different ground surfaces. At Worthington State Forest Campground, "The spots are huge, and mostly private. When we go camping we don't want to be right up against our neighbors and at worthington we pretty much had our own little island," reports Fransheska A.
Seasonal water issues: Early in the camping season, some facilities have water system challenges. "Careful on the roads to the campsite, they're a bit on the bumpy side. Defo smaller roads than your usual ones," notes Christine N. about Worthington State Forest Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in the region, requiring food storage precautions. "Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car. Camp sites were nice most had plenty of trees for privacy but were still kind of close," advises Erik M. from his experience at Tobyhanna State Park.
Varying levels of privacy: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," shares Kelly F. about Pickerel Point Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near recreation areas if traveling with children. "It's a great spot if you have kids because they have many different activities(pool/arcade games/movie nights/ and more)," recommends Kylie R. at Mountain Vista Campground.
Swimming options: Facilities with swimming areas provide important recreation for children. "Kids had a great time! Bathrooms could be cleaned more often but relatively clean. Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc," shares Paula R. about her family's experience at Pickerel Point.
Organized activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events for younger campers. "We've tried to camp at least one weekend a month from spring through fall and try different places, but we always come back to Mountain Vista! The staff is friendly and helpful and they have a ton of great activities from kids carnival, craft beer tastings, farmers market, bingo," explains J K.
Spacious sites for play: Sites with room for children to play safely make family camping more enjoyable. "The tent sites are all very close to the lake, especially the tent sites. The facilities are modern, basic, and clean," notes Harry H. about Worthington State Forest Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness considerations: Many campgrounds in the Poconos have uneven terrain. At Hickory Run State Park Campground, "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," explains Shirley M.
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are limited at some locations. "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," notes Kelly F. about her RV site at Pickerel Point.
Winter access options: Some campgrounds remain open year-round for RVers. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," shares Mara S. about Pickerel Point Campground.
Road access challenges: RVers should note access road conditions. "If you're looking for a place to crash with your camper for the weekend this is the spot for you. The driveway is a little hairy- steep with crushed stone on top of pavement. Which led to some tire slippage on the way up with our setup," cautions Corey P. about Cranberry Run Campground.
