Camping near Damascus, Pennsylvania centers around the upper Delaware River basin at approximately 900-1,100 feet elevation. The region's camping season typically spans from April through October, with summer high temperatures averaging 78-85°F. Most sites close during winter months due to freezing temperatures and snowfall, though select campgrounds like Honesdale - Poconos KOA remain open year-round for off-season camping opportunities.
What to do
River activities: The Delaware River provides exceptional recreation opportunities. Skinners Falls Campground offers equipment rentals directly on site. "People are great very well taken care of. Stay the whole season last year and will be camping there again," noted one camper about their extended stay at Keen Lake Resort Campground.
Fishing access: Multiple campgrounds offer direct river or lake fishing opportunities. "Got a camp site right on the Delaware River. Was able to fish, swim rent tubes and kayaks. What was also great was firewood delivery and the campgrounds are dog friendly," shared a visitor at Skinners Falls.
Local attractions: The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts hosts summer concerts near several campgrounds. A camper at Happy Days Campground mentioned, "We stayed here both times while attending a concert at Bethel performing arts. The camp store is small but sufficient for your basic needs."
What campers like
Spacious riverfront sites: Many campgrounds feature generously sized waterfront locations. A visitor to Soaring Eagle Campground and the Inn at Kellam's Bridge noted, "Sites are huge, plenty of room for 2+ family campers."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground. *The showers are coin operated," reported one Keen Lake visitor.
Access to paddling: Kayaking and canoeing opportunities abound throughout the region. A Soaring Eagle camper described it as "Great river based location(Delaware River) bathhouse was very clean, very rustic, sites are huge, plenty of room for 2+ family campers."
What you should know
Weekday vs weekend experiences: Weekdays offer quieter camping experiences compared to busier weekends. A camper at Narrowsburg Campground cautioned, "This felt like a music festival. Loud (REALLY) loud music playing till 4am. Fireworks so close to campsites that car alarms were going off."
Site selection matters: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy and amenities. "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," noted a Keen Lake visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall camping offers different experiences than peak summer. A camper at Roscoe Campsites commented, "Only ever been during mid week and the place is empty which is nice. The general store isn't always open which can get annoying at times."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Choose campgrounds with specific children's activities. A visitor to Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park shared, "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc... We will definitely be back."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer beach areas or swimming pools. "The kids had a great time! Bathrooms could be cleaned more often but relatively clean. The museum and crafts were closed due to Covid so that was a bummer but we found other things to do," noted a Pickerel Point camper.
Safety considerations: Some riverside campgrounds require extra supervision. A Keen Lake visitor mentioned, "My kids absolutely love it and always have something to do. They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service sites can be limited, so reserve early. An RVer at Honesdale-Poconos KOA advised, "The KOA campgrounds are always extremely well maintained with all the amenities we want. Love the KOA patio sites, worth the few extra dollars."
Site leveling: Some campgrounds have more level sites than others. A visitor to Roscoe Campsites noted, "Right on the Beaverkill River, it's quiet, clean, gorgeous, brand new cabins and concrete pads. Fisherman's heaven."
RV site privacy: Site separation varies significantly between campgrounds. "This family run Campground is beautiful and clean. The RV sites are spaced out nicely. There are plenty of things to do; paddle boats, row boats, swimming pool, snack bar/ campstore, activities, etc," observed one Keen Lake camper.
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