Motorhome and RV camping near Dalton, Pennsylvania provides access to the northeastern Pennsylvania highlands where elevations range from 700 to 1,200 feet. The region features numerous waterways including Lackawanna Lake, Keen Lake, and Frances Slocum Lake, with camping options spanning from mid-April through mid-October. Surrounding forests consist primarily of oak, maple, and pine with scattered clearings for campgrounds in the rolling terrain.
What to do
Hiking trails at Lackawanna: Several well-maintained trails circle the lake with variable difficulty levels. "Nice hiking trails! We went in early spring midweek, it was very quiet and exactly the get away we wanted," notes a visitor at Lackawanna State Park Campground.
Paddling opportunities: Most lakes in the region restrict motorized boats, creating ideal conditions for kayaking and canoeing. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake. We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch," shares a camper at Keen Lake Resort Campground.
Mountain biking: Blue Mountain Resort offers downhill mountain biking with a lift service during summer months. "You can ride the ski lifts up to the top of the mountain then you get to bike down it, they have rental bikes available or bring your own," explains a visitor.
What campers like
Lakeside camping: Direct water access from campsites receives high praise. "We stayed on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights. It was SO BEAUTIFUL. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake. It was awesome," explains one Keen Lake Resort visitor.
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds offer larger-than-average sites. "Sites are huge, plenty of room for 2+ family campers," reports a visitor at Soaring Eagle Campground, while another notes, "The sites are larger than most campgrounds and well spaced out."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness stands out in reviews. "The campground and bathrooms were very clean," states a reviewer at Frances Slocum State Park Campground, with another visitor adding, "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding: Some tent sites can be problematic after heavy rain. "The site we stayed on was a swamp! It was terrible. Plenty of other great sites but several butt up against standing water which is nasty," cautions a Frances Slocum camper.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely across the region. "Cell service for most providers is practically non-existent. I understand this is not the park's fault and some would say this is 'real' camping," explains a visitor at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South.
Winter camping limitations: Most campgrounds close October through April. Thousand Trails Scotrun remains open year-round, though with limited services. "We came in at end of season, so pretty much everything seems closed. But, it's a beautiful campground," notes a fall visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Multiple swimming areas provide family entertainment. At Cozy Creek Family Campground, a visitor notes: "Campground is based around kids, there's a lot for them to do! My son and I camp here every year. Great fishing, clean facilities and friendly, super helpful staff."
Organized activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events. "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day," explains a Keen Lake Resort camper.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather can change quickly, especially during summer thunderstorms. "I ended up arriving 25 minutes late. I drove through 45 minutes of heavy thunderstorms," reports a Cozy Creek visitor, describing the challenge of navigating campground roads after heavy rain.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. "The road in (Vacation lane) is dirt, rough and narrow," warns an RVer at Cozy Creek, suggesting larger rigs may have difficulty on some approach roads.
Site selection priorities: For larger RVs, securing an appropriate site matters. "We were given a terrific site, though sites are kinda close together but it was fairly quiet even though it was full," notes an RVer at Clayton Park RV Escape, which receives consistent praise for being "well run, well staffed" with "excellent" facilities.
Water pressure variations: Water systems can deliver unexpectedly high pressure. "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi," cautions an RV camper, suggesting pressure regulators are essential equipment when camping near Dalton.
