Lackawanna State Park Campground features spacious tent sites and a 198-acre lake for recreation near Dalton, Pennsylvania. Several loops for camping offer varied levels of seclusion and amenities, with a new full-hookup loop that includes larger, well-maintained sites. The park's elevation at approximately 1,200 feet provides cooler summer temperatures than surrounding areas, making it a popular destination during hot weather months when reservations are essential.
What to do
Hiking trails: Lackawanna State Park offers numerous hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. One visitor noted, "There is an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails. There are several campgrounds, with tremendous variety for every camping style" at Lackawanna State Park Campground. These trails wind through mature forests and around the lake.
Fishing: The lakes at many campgrounds provide excellent fishing opportunities. At Keen Lake Resort Campground, visitors appreciate the designated fishing areas. As one camper mentioned, "The kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch. All in all, we had a great time and plan to go back next year."
Water activities: Beyond swimming, many glamping sites near Dalton offer kayaking and paddle boating. A visitor to Secluded Acres Campground shared, "Overall a good stay if you aren't using a traditional tent, plus they have a lot of activities like fishing and kayaking." Rental equipment is typically available on-site at most locations.
What campers like
Lake access: Proximity to water is highly valued by campers in the Dalton area. A visitor to Secluded Acres Campground mentioned, "An area of the lake is to swim and the other to fish in. Catch and release only. Lots of trees for great shade. Very peaceful and calm atmosphere."
Wildlife viewing: The wooded surroundings provide opportunities to observe local fauna. According to a camper at Tobyhanna State Park, "We even got to see an eagles' nest near our campsite." Deer sightings are also common at many campgrounds in the region.
Clean facilities: Many glamping locations near Dalton maintain excellent facilities. At Ponderosa Pines Campground, a visitor noted it was "Well kept and peaceful. They have some entertainment, but nothing rowdy. Very nice people that are working hard on bringing it back to its former splendor."
What you should know
Bear awareness: Several campgrounds in the area have active bear populations. At Tobyhanna State Park, a camper warned, "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: Campsite quality varies significantly even within the same campground. One visitor to Ricketts Glen State Park Campground observed, "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. It was a very quiet weekend for us as our loop was not crowded."
Reservation timing: For glamping in Dalton, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas, book well in advance during peak season. Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially for premium sites and cabins. Holiday weekends often book 6-9 months in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. At Honesdale-Poconos KOA, a visitor mentioned, "Activities for the kids like movies (it was Moana), a pool, mini golf and a bounce area. We had a fantastic first camping experience for the kids (and dogs)."
Educational opportunities: Hickory Run State Park Campground provides learning experiences for children. According to a reviewer, "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails."
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Lackawanna State Park, a camper noted, "There is a huge open field in the loop we camped in with a swing set on it. This was nice for families with children."
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality: Check the electrical capacity before booking. At Lackawanna State Park, one camper reported, "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 spacing: RV sites vary significantly in size and proximity to neighbors. A visitor to Honesdale-Poconos KOA recommended, "Love the KOA patio sites, worth the few extra dollars. Quiet and peaceful mid week."
Maneuverability: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger rigs. A guest at Oneida Campground noted, "It is not very RV friendly as it can be challenging parking and setting up an RV. Being that I am now an RV owner, it is a bit challenging to navigate the campground."
