Stephen R.
Guide
GuideRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
Camping near Dalton, PA
24 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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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.
Best Campgrounds near Dalton (175)
1. 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 $20 - $90 / night
2. Keen Lake Resort Campground
"I stayed on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights in August 2020. It was SO BEAUTIFUL. We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. "
"We didn’t have a view of the lake, instead we were in someone’s back yard lol. It wasn’t a big deal. The site was well maintained and flat which were the most important."
3. 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
4. Cozy Creek Family Campground
"Campground is based around kids, there’s a lot for them to do!"
Check Availabilityfrom $17 / night
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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. "
61 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $72 / night
8. Shore Forest Campground
9. Stony MT Family Campground
10. Clayton Park RV Escape
Drive Time
- 17 min from Scranton, PA
- 50 min from Binghamton, NY
- 1 hr 26 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 38 min from Elmira, NY
Recent Camping Photos near Dalton, PA
359 Photos of 175 Dalton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
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Recent Reviews near Dalton, PA
751 Reviews of 175 Dalton Campgrounds
- RRussell A.
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!
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.
- 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 Dalton
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Dalton, PA?
What camping is available near Dalton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Dalton, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 175 campgrounds and RV parks near Dalton, PA and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Dalton, PA?
Which is the most popular campground near Dalton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dalton, PA is Lackawanna State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dalton, PA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dalton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Dalton, PA.
What parks are near Dalton, PA?
What parks are near Dalton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Dalton, PA that allow camping, notably Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
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