Camping cabins near Cresco, Pennsylvania range from rustic to modern accommodations nestled within the Pocono Mountains, which sit at elevations between 1,300-1,800 feet. The region's humid continental climate brings warm summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season from June through August. Winter camping is limited at most campgrounds, with several closing from late October until April due to snowfall that averages 50 inches annually.
What to do
Hiking to scenic viewpoints: At Hickory Run State Park Campground, campers can explore 44 miles of trails ranging from easy to difficult. "Great hikes accessible from campground!! Clean, great camp store, dog friendly loop," reports Christa I. The Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark, is accessible via a scenic drive through the woods.
Wolf preserve tours: Camp Taylor Campground offers a unique wildlife experience with the Lakota Wolf Preserve located on the property. "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," notes Julie F. Tours leave from the campground twice daily on weekends.
Kayaking and fishing: Lakefront sites at Pickerel Point Campground allow for water activities right from your site. "My favorite site does, plus I can launch my kayak right from there!" shares Nancy L. The crystal-clear lake supports fishing, with some campers mentioning they've caught bass and panfish.
Winter activities: For those seeking off-season cabin camping, Tobyhanna State Park remains open for winter recreation. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers. The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing," explains Mara S.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Mountain Vista Campground features shady sites that campers appreciate for their natural setting. "Our site was roomy and serene! Shady, lots to do, clean!" reports Dina M. The wooded environment provides natural separation between many sites.
Swimming options: At Otter Lake Camp Resort, campers enjoy multiple water amenities. "There is a big lake you can fish from, kayak, bring your own boat and even swim from when it's warm out. There are some sites right against the lake where you can fish right there," shares Tiffany S. The resort also offers both indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
Wildlife sightings: Campers at Hickory Run often report wildlife encounters. "We were on the lookout for bear, but only saw 3 deer," notes one reviewer. Camp Taylor Campground provides opportunities to see wild turkeys and deer in the morning according to Julie F.
Year-round access: Some cabin rentals remain open during winter months. "We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven! The views are breathtaking, the walk around the lake is great, and the facilities are super clean," says Melody.
What you should know
Bear presence: Multiple campgrounds in the Pocono region have active bear populations. At Tobyhanna State Park Campground, campers are warned to be vigilant. "We were warned at check in that there have been a lot of bears in the area but never really thought that we would see one. 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," advises Erik M.
Cell service limitations: Reception varies widely between campgrounds and carriers. At Timothy Lake South, one camper reports: "The cell service for most providers is practically non-existent. I understand this is not the park's fault and some would say that this is 'real' camping—try telling that to the two millennials that were staying with us." Similarly, Mara S. notes about Pickerel Point: "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon."
Reservation timing: During peak season (June-August), cabin availability becomes extremely limited. Many campgrounds recommend booking 6-11 months in advance, especially for holiday weekends. For last-minute trips, Mount Pocono Campground sometimes has availability: "We called late without a reservation and they were so accommodating - very good customer service!" reports M.S.
Rustic facilities at some locations: Bathrooms and facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Hickory Run State Park, "Some bathrooms are latrines, but they also have beautiful, fully updated showers and restrooms available," according to Bridget D. Campers should research facility types before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mount Pocono Campground offers excellent facilities for children. "This is a nice campground with a pool. Our site was a good size and the facilities were clean. My kids explored the playground and found it sufficient," shares Ashley O. The campground also features a game room with pool tables and arcade games.
Organized activities: Many resorts offer scheduled events for kids. At Mountain Vista Campground, one camper notes: "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 as are the rest of the facilities."
Cabin selection for families: When booking Pocono cabin camping with children, consider proximity to bathrooms and noise levels. At Tobyhanna State Park, "We were warned at check in that there have been a lot of bears in the area... Camp sites were nice most had plenty of trees for privacy but were still kind of close. Pet sites looked to have more space," reports Erik M.
Biking opportunities: Paved roads at some campgrounds provide safe biking for children. At Otter Lake Camp Resort, one camper notes: "Great biking even a trail around the lake," though they caution that "security was so annoying about riding bikes after a certain time."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Timothy Lake South, site selection requires some planning. "This is a first-come, first-serve park in the Thousand Trails system so we had to drive around looking for a spot. The check-in process alerted us to the sites that had issues such as no water or cable (there were 5 or 6 of them). No issues navigating my 32' coach through the roads," shares Jim G.
Water pressure considerations: RVers at Timothy Lake South note significant water pressure variations: "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi," warns Don C., suggesting the need for a regulator.
Hookup reliability: When booking cabin rentals or RV sites near Cresco, verify the hookup types. At Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA, "The upgraded patio site was nice and came with furniture, a grill and a beautiful fire pit area," notes April L., though they caution that sites can be close together.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require additional leveling equipment. At Cranberry Run Campground, sites are described as "all rocky and many on steep inclines" by one reviewer, suggesting campers bring appropriate leveling blocks.
