R
Russell A.
Scout
Scout100 Mile View Camping
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!
Camping near Dallas, PA
29 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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The region around Dallas, Pennsylvania offers a mix of established campgrounds spanning from Pennsylvania state parks to private camping facilities. Public land options include Frances Slocum State Park Campground, located within a short drive of Dallas, which provides electric hookups and seasonal camping from April to October. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, known for its waterfalls and lake access, is another popular destination with both tent and RV sites as well as cabin accommodations. Other options in the vicinity include Lackawanna State Park Campground and Moon Lake Recreation Area in the Pinchot State Forest, each with varying levels of amenities.
Camping seasons vary significantly throughout the area, with most state park campgrounds operating from mid-April through mid-October, though some facilities like Worlds End State Park remain open year-round. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer months and holiday weekends. Campgrounds typically offer electric hookups and basic amenities, though water access varies by location. Higher elevation areas experience cooler temperatures even in summer, and facilities may close earlier in the fall due to weather conditions. Cell service can be limited, especially in more remote state forest areas. A visitor commented, "It really does feel like you drive to the end of the world to get to this beautiful park/campground."
Lakefront camping receives consistently positive reviews across several campgrounds in the region. Visitors appreciate the ability to launch kayaks directly from their sites at lakes like Jean at Ricketts Glen and Frances Slocum Lake. The waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park represent a major attraction, with hiking trails connecting to 21 named waterfalls ranging from 11 to 94 feet in height. Mixed-use campgrounds throughout the region accommodate various camping styles, with both tent and RV sites available at most state parks. Several campgrounds also offer cabin options for those seeking more shelter. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, many campers note the importance of selecting sites carefully as size and terrain vary considerably, with some sites being too close to main roads while others offer more privacy.
Best Campgrounds near Dallas (177)
1. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground
"The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"
"Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty)."
10 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $15 - $92 / night
2. Frances Slocum State Park Campground
"Was also an easy back in site as there’s an adjacent road (to parking and the amphitheater) right in front of it. All sites only have electric and only certain allow pets."
"Large, wooded sites, good bathhouse, nice trails close by. A little highway noise, but dark and quiet at night. Very peaceful place."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
3. Hickory Run State Park Campground
"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. "
64 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $72 / night
4. Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest
"A one mile walk gets you to the lake. They have a covered pavilion with plenty of picnic tables. My site is large with plenty of trees providing shade. The outhouse is a bit of a walk."
"There is no electric or water hookup but the trails are nice, it's quiet, and there's a lake to fish. There's also swimming down the Rd at a nearby creek."
3 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $10 / night
5. Lackawanna State Park Campground
"The sites were a little close to each other and where we were in the park was a mixed use area. So we had an RV next to us with the Genny running all day."
"The main reason we didn't do more was the distance. We have a motorhome so we didn't have additional vehicles to get to and from places."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $90 / night
6. Highland Campgrounds
"This campground was very nice and had so much hiking in and around it. They were very helpful with getting us a site since it was so last minute on a holiday weekend Will be visiting again"
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $100 / night
7. Cozy Creek Family Campground
"Campground is based around kids, there’s a lot for them to do!"
Check Availabilityfrom $17 / night
8. Red Rock Mountain Campground
"Close to many family places such as Ricketts Glen and The Red Rock Scoop for ice cream! Love rummaging through the on-site flea market to see what I can find!"
"Quiet hours are not enforced, there were kids running around screaming well after midnight which was annoying because we were waking up for a sunrise hike at Ricketts Glen."
9. Tobyhanna State Park Campground
"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!"
4 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $43 / night
10. Worlds End State Park Campground
"The park has some good trails with amazing views, a beach area and Loyalsock creek. The campsite was a bit cramped and right next to the main road going in and out of the park."
"This is another Pennsylvania state park with excellent recycling facilities."
24 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $62 / night
Drive Time
- 24 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr 7 min from Williamsport, PA
- 1 hr 13 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 19 min from Binghamton, NY
Recent Camping Photos near Dallas, PA
324 Photos of 177 Dallas Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Frances Slocum State Park Campground
Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State ForestJ
Cozy Creek Family Campgroundk
Ricketts Glen State Park Campground
Red Rock Mountain Campground
Thornhurst Tract Roadside Campsites — Pinchot State Forest
Lackawanna State Park CampgroundM
Lehigh Gorge Campground
Wanna Ruf It CampgroundB
Whispering Pines Camping Estates
Hickory Run State Park CampgroundJ
Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Recent Reviews near Dallas, PA
766 Reviews of 177 Dallas Campgrounds
Nancy W.
LegendHickory Run State Park Campground
Peaceful State Park Camping in the Fall
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.
Tony F.
Guide100 Mile View Camping
The best views
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.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Beautiful Falls!
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!
- WWill W.Guide
Lackawanna State Park Campground
Car camping
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.
Roger V.
TravelerBake Oven Knob
solid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
- jjeanne A.Guide
Council Cup Campground
Better than nothing
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.
Daniel C.ScoutHillside Campgrounds
Stay away... Unless you like 70 y/o men acting like high schoolers
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.
Kathy L.
RangerHickory Run State Park Campground
Beautiful forest
Gorgeous forested area in the Poconos. We stayed on the Rattlesnake Loop which was lovely. Sites not super private but most nestled in trees. The only bummer was that that Campground Loop didn’t have any direct links to the trail network and was far from it. The other Campground Loop was closer to trails and office. Would return!
Guide to Dallas
The camping sites near Dallas, Pennsylvania range in elevation from 800 to 2,300 feet with varied terrain throughout the Pocono Mountain region and Endless Mountains. Temperature swings can be significant even in summer months, with evening temperatures dropping 15-25 degrees below daytime highs. Most primitive camping areas in nearby state forests require visitors to pack out all trash as facilities are limited.
What to do
Waterfall hiking in Ricketts Glen: The Falls Trail system features varying degrees of difficulty with rock scrambling required in some sections. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground offers access to numerous falls. "The hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained," notes Anne P.
Boulder field exploration: The boulder field at Hickory Run State Park Campground provides a unique geological feature to explore. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," reports Mike M. The fields contain small depressions where visitors can explore.
Paddling opportunities: Several lakes in the region offer calm waters for kayaking and canoeing. "A nice lake where you can rent boats or tie up your own right on the lake near the campground. Just the right size lake for kayaking," shares Cynthia P. about Frances Slocum State Park.
What campers like
Mountain biking trails: The networks of trails through state forests provide technical riding options. "Place has some of the best mountain bike trails in northeast pa," mentions Daniel F. about Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground. These trails connect to larger trail systems throughout Pinchot State Forest.
Tent sites along water: Creekside camping allows for the soothing sounds of running water. "The tent sites are right on the creek. The grounds, the little store/coffee shop and the facilities were pristine," writes Louis P. about Cozy Creek Family Campground, noting the proximity to water.
Primitive hiking access: Walk-in tent sites provide more seclusion than drive-up options. "We stayed in primitive tent sites which you had to hike into. They were very private," reports Samantha M. about Red Rock Mountain Campground. These secluded sites typically require carrying gear 100-300 feet from parking areas.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across the region with many areas having no service. "No cell service, which is refreshing. The sound of the creek nearby is really soothing," notes Katy R. about Worlds End State Park Campground. Download maps and information before arrival.
Wildlife precautions: The region has an active black bear population requiring proper food storage. "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 Tobyhanna State Park.
Shower conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds with some offering limited or no shower access. "Showers looked reasonable but I did not use them," explains one camper. Button-operated showers at Frances Slocum State Park drew comments: "Bath houses are okay, showers are button showers and are freezing come prepared."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "There is a large open field in the loop we camped in with a swing set on it. This was nice for families with children," writes a reviewer about Hickory Run State Park. Most playgrounds are centralized rather than distributed throughout camping loops.
Swimming options: Lakes and pools provide swimming opportunities during summer months. Lackawanna State Park Campground features both lake access and a pool facility. "Nice hiking trails! The park has great hiking spots, a local pool, and a lake that you can rent boats or kayak on!!" exclaims Lexi.
Educational programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities for children. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," explains Janet R. about Lackawanna State Park, highlighting the structured learning opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Many campgrounds have variable site sizing that affects privacy. "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," notes a reviewer about Tobyhanna State Park's pet-friendly section. Electric sites are typically more exposed than primitive areas.
Full hookup availability: Limited full-hookup sites require advance booking. Highland Campgrounds offers complete services. "Nice place to camp," reports Dale R., with the campground providing water, electric and sewer connections throughout the main camping area.
Pull-through access: Some larger campgrounds accommodate easier parking for bigger rigs. "Nice level sites easy to back in rv and set up," shares John T. about Frances Slocum State Park, noting the accessibility for recreational vehicles without difficult maneuvering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there cabin camping options available near Dallas?
Are there cabin camping options available near Dallas?
Yes, several campgrounds near Dallas offer cabin accommodations for those seeking more comfort than tent camping. Mount Pocono Campground in the Poconos provides cabin options alongside excellent amenities including a huge swimming pool, toddler pool, and on-site store. It's family-friendly with activities for all ages. Promised Land State Park also offers cabin rentals with beautiful lakeside settings. The park features newly renovated bathrooms and scenic trails including the Conservation Walk. When booking cabins near Dallas, make reservations well in advance, especially during summer and fall weekends when availability becomes limited.
What are the best campgrounds near Dallas for weekend getaways?
What are the best campgrounds near Dallas for weekend getaways?
For weekend getaways near Dallas, Ricketts Glen State Park Campground offers an exceptional experience with 22 spectacular waterfalls accessible via well-marked hiking trails. The four-mile moderate hike showcases 18 waterfalls, with an option to extend to seven miles to see all 22. Another excellent option is Worlds End State Park Campground, which features beautiful trails with amazing views and access to Loyalsock Creek. While some campsites are close to the main road, the park provides a true wilderness feel with numerous recreational opportunities. Both parks offer drive-in sites and essential amenities, making them perfect for weekend escapes from Dallas.
What camping is available near Dallas, PA?
What camping is available near Dallas, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Dallas, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 177 campgrounds and RV parks near Dallas, PA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Dallas, PA?
Which is the most popular campground near Dallas, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dallas, PA is Ricketts Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 69 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dallas, PA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dallas, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Dallas, PA.
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