The Pocono Mountain region near Dallas, Pennsylvania offers terrain ranging from 1,300 to 2,200 feet elevation with a mix of hardwood forests and mountain streams. Camping options span from state parks with electrical hookups to private campgrounds with waterfront sites. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during day and 55-65°F at night.
What to do
Mountain biking at Moon Lake Recreation Area: The primitive campsites provide direct trail access to some of the region's best mountain biking paths. "Absolutely love Moon Lake. Place has some of the best mountain bike trails in northeast pa. Camping is primitive but has spots big enough for RVs," notes Daniel F.
Waterfall viewing at Ricketts Glen: Hikers can explore 22 named waterfalls along the Falls Trail system. "The biggest draw to this state park is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike," shares Lee D. from Ricketts Glen State Park Campground.
Swimming and boating at Tobyhanna State Park: The park offers a swimming beach and boat rentals on the lake. "Scenic state park with a lake. You can swim in the lake in the summer or do a 5-mile hike around the lake along well-marked walk paths," reports J.K. from Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
What campers like
Stream access for cooling off: Many pet-friendly sites offer creek access. "We had a primitive site, waterfront. It was a great spot," says katheryn H. from Cozy Creek Family Campground. The sites along the creek provide natural water access during hot weather.
Clean facilities: State parks maintain well-serviced restrooms and shower buildings. "This is the third Pennsylvania state park we have stayed at recently and all get A+ for the bathhouses. Very clean, heated, and the showers appear to be in good condition," explains Lee D. about Worlds End State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers can spot native wildlife from their sites. "We even got to see an eagles' nest near our campsite," notes Marlaina M. about her stay at Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
What you should know
Bear safety practices: The Pocono region has a high black bear population. "Everyone was very nice camp host and DCNR were very helpful. We were warned at check in that there have been a lot of bears in the area. 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," warns Erik M.
Site selection considerations: Campground layouts vary significantly. "The sites vary in size quite a bit and this happened to be one of the largest ones, made for a larger camper/motor home but also had a mulched area for tents which was nice," explains Ally S. about Worlds End State Park Campground.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty or no cell coverage. "No cell service (Verizon)," reports T.K. about Ricketts Glen. This provides a digital detox opportunity but requires advance planning for navigation and emergency contact methods.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Dallas include play facilities. "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," shares Shirley M. about Hickory Run.
Swimming options: Both lakes and creeks offer swimming opportunities. "We were in the outer loop far from the rest of the campground... Hike to the waterfall, it is beautiful," recommends Sarah L. about Hickory Run State Park Campground.
Educational programs: State parks often offer ranger-led activities. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," notes Janet R. about Lackawanna State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require significant leveling. "Nice level sites easy to back in rv and set up," reports John T. about Frances Slocum State Park Campground, indicating sites that minimize setup time.
Electric reliability concerns: Older campgrounds may have electrical issues. "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained," cautions David about Lackawanna State Park.
Campground accessibility: Some campground roads present challenges. "The road in (Vacation lane) is dirt, rough and narrow," notes April L. about Cozy Creek, informing RVers about potential access issues.