Best Campgrounds near Dalton, PA
Dalton, Pennsylvania provides access to diverse camping options across northeastern Pennsylvania, with established campgrounds like Highland Campgrounds within town limits and Lackawanna State Park Campground approximately 15 miles south. The camping landscape includes tent sites, RV facilities with full hookups, and cabin accommodations across various state parks and private operations. Mixed-use campgrounds predominate in the area, with Keen Lake Resort Campground and Cozy Creek Family Campground offering multiple accommodation types including glamping and yurt options alongside traditional tent and RV sites.
Seasonal operation varies significantly across camping areas, with most state park campgrounds operating from mid-April through mid-October. Highland Campgrounds operates April through October, while Cozy Creek Family Campground remains open year-round, providing winter camping opportunities. Campground reservations are recommended, particularly during summer weekends when lakefront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, with varying amenities including showers, sanitary dump stations, and water hookups. Several state parks prohibit alcohol consumption while private campgrounds typically allow it. A visitor noted, "The campground was clean but very packed with RVs, tents are set up by the road on the outskirts of the camp."
State park campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their cleanliness and natural settings, with Ricketts Glen State Park Campground earning high marks for its proximity to 22 waterfalls accessible via hiking trails. Waterfront sites are particularly valued across the region, with several campgrounds offering lake access for fishing, swimming and boating. Frances Slocum State Park Campground features "large, wooded sites, good bathhouse, nice trails close by" according to one camper. Developed campgrounds in the area typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and clean bathhouses. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region, with proper food storage recommended due to local bear activity. Campers note that sites vary significantly in size and privacy levels, with some campgrounds offering more secluded wooded sites while others feature more open layouts with less separation between campsites.
