Northeastern Pennsylvania camping sites near Dalton offer direct access to the Poconos mountain region with elevations ranging from 950 to 1,300 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Several campgrounds remain open beyond traditional summer seasons, with winter temperatures dropping below freezing.
What to do
Lake activities: swimming and boating: At Lackawanna State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy both lakefront recreation and a swimming pool. "There is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," notes Janet R., who visited in September. The park offers boat rental options for those without their own watercraft.
Hiking to waterfalls: The 22 waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground provide a popular attraction within driving distance of Dalton. "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. The trails are very well marked," explains Lee D. The falls trail requires appropriate footwear as sections can be steep and slippery.
Winter recreation: While most state parks close camping operations in October, winter visitors can experience unique seasonal activities. Tobyhanna State Park offers winter recreation including "an ice rink with a warming house," according to Michael, who mentions this amenity as a reason to return during colder months.
What campers like
Private, shaded sites: Many campers appreciate the woodland settings available at several campgrounds. At Frances Slocum State Park Campground, Jackie F. notes, "We had site 44 in the Stony Point loop and it was by far the largest campsite on the property. We had a thick covered wooded area to our right and a huge grassy area to the left."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and grounds frequently appear in positive reviews. At Highland Campgrounds in Dalton, "Office is clean and a combined country store with fresh produce in the outdoor fridge and bug spray and essentials in the office area," reports Jennifer R., who also notes the "vintage" recreational facilities.
Family-friendly environments: Many campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. According to Mike H., Keen Lake Resort Campground offers "activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day! The security is great and patrol to make sure quiet hours are quiet to be courteous to other campers that want quiet time."
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper precautions in this region. At Tobyhanna State Park, Erik M. reports, "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."
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation between sites. At Cozy Creek Family Campground, "the tent sites are right on the creek," notes Louis P., while April L. observes the drawbacks of location: "The seasonals that seem to be there year round are all pipeline workers. So their diesel trucks start up around 6am."
Water conditions: Lake and creek water quality can vary. Jackie F. cautions about Frances Slocum State Park, "DO NOT take your pups to the water. There is a weird bacteria or algae currently growing in the lake, it's completely visible. There are advisories around about it too."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Jennifer R. notes that Highland Campgrounds offers a "playground [that] is also older but also gives off the vintage look with some of the older, older swings and sit spin."
Structured activities: Organized programs can keep children engaged. At Keen Lake Resort Campground, Samantha S. reports, "This place is perfect for families, beginners, adventurers, and fisherman alike. They have an overabundance amount of activities scheduled for campers."
Beach areas for children: Lakefront swimming areas provide cooling options during summer months. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," shares Emily Z. about Keen Lake, which also features "a beach for swimming with your dogs."
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: Electrical service quality varies between campgrounds. At Lackawanna State Park, one camper noted that "two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
Site size and privacy: RV sites range from spacious to tight depending on location. Charlotte D. says of Keen Lake Resort Campground, "The RV sites are spaced out nicely," while Emily Z. provides a more nuanced view: "You won't have a ton of privacy but you'll have space for your stuff."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry and exit routes. According to Gayle B., "A little difficult to get out of the campground though. We basically had to wait in line for 20 minutes while a couple people in front of us were trying to get out of their sites."
