177 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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)."
from $24 - $150 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $24 - $95 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $79 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $0 - $17 / night
Check Availability"Campground is based around kids, there’s a lot for them to do!"
from $17 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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!"
from $24 - $43 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $99 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWas my first ever camping trip with a travel trailer. Site was very clean and well maintained and staff was friendly and great to deal with. Pull through sites (section K) was a little tight - maybe that’s the norm, don’t have anything to compare to but some awnings were near the neighboring camper. Overall, awesome experience.
LegendJust a few others here so it is quite peaceful. 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. Garbage cans are inside it. I haven’t seen a water source but it might be around.
GuideI got there late in the afternoon and the place remained busy with people coming and going until well after dark. By 10, it finally settled down and no one bothered me the rest of the night.
RangerWe stayed here during a road trip from CT to WA and back. This was our first dispersed campsites of the trip and we really enjoyed it here. We camped in our van, and we were impressed that there were 2 bathrooms at the camp and more porta potties by the lake. Enjoyed hiking with our pups in this pretty area, and found some geocaches too!
RangerWe booked a cabin at the last minute and were pleasantly surprised that the cabin had heat and electricity! It was very close to the awesome heated bathroom also! We were also able to catch a beautiful sunset! Great camp all around!
RangerWe came here 4th of July weekend, and this is one of the things I love about these sites...they had availability! Our site was very big, and was perfect with sone shade and also lots of sun!
RangerOur travel trailer and our friends' pop up both fit on this site with no problem. The only issue we had is that there is a bit of a ditch that turns to mud after a rain. We were off the beaten path so very little traffic. There was a bathroom with pit toilets down the street. Plenty of places to hike and fish also. We loved it here!
RangerWe came here to ride our ATV's...since it is more than 3 hours from home, we decided to book this spot for the night. We have stayed in a bunch of the DWSF sites. This one was kinda meh. Nearer to the road so traffic at all hours. Picnic table and fire ring, and as always, evidence of people chopping down live trees for firewood. Ugh! We set up our tent and had a nice fire, albeit there was broken glass on the ground. Biting flies worked overtime on us. Not a terrible stay, but we prolly won't book this one again. And these sites are no longer free. As out of state-rs, we paid $21 for one night. Still a good deal.
TravelerOnly 3 sites along this stretch of road, and they're spaced nicely. Lots of tree cover for a nice shady camping spot. Tons of wild life, expect the bear to wander through camp. By far one of my favorite camping spots!
No electric, no water, no dump site, no shower, Vault toilets in walking distance.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dallas, PA is Ricketts Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 68 reviews.
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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