Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area spans 70,000 acres with steep ridges and forested valleys along a 40-mile stretch of the Middle Delaware River. Most RV camping options lie outside park boundaries in surrounding communities of eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. Overnight temperatures often drop below 50°F even in summer months, requiring campers to pack accordingly.
What to do
Riverside activities: Soaring Eagle Campground offers direct Delaware River access for fishing, canoeing, or tubing. "Nice campground right on the Delaware river great for fisherman, hikers also great for tubing down the Delaware or canoeing," notes one visitor who appreciated the quiet atmosphere during June before school vacation.
Mountain biking trails: At Blue Mountain RV and Camping Resort, visitors can ride ski lifts to the mountaintop then bike down designated trails. "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," reports a camper who enjoyed the adventure options.
Seasonal foliage viewing: Fall colors transform the region from mid-September through October. "We came in at end of season, so pretty much everything seems closed. But, it's a beautiful campground and the part of PA is great too," mentions a visitor to Thousand Trails Scotrun who specifically visited for fall foliage viewing.
What campers like
Farm animals: Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort maintains a small petting area with various animals. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," writes one camper. Another mentions, "There were some organized activities which was nice, not as much as a Jellystone Park. Plenty to occupy the kids. Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)."
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the generous site dimensions at Soaring Eagle Campground. "Sites are huge, plenty of room for 2+ family campers," notes one reviewer. Another long-time visitor explains, "The sites are larger than most campgrounds and well spaced out. I have been there on busy holiday weekends where it was full but still peaceful and private."
Natural setting: Timothy Lake North offers secluded camping options despite maintenance issues. "We were able to find a site that was out of the way and felt like we were the only ones there. Nice trails leading out our door," shares a visitor who appreciated the isolation despite the campground's overall condition.
What you should know
Cell service challenges: Connectivity varies dramatically by carrier and location. "Definitely a beautiful campground. Staff are great and responsive. Cell service is awful for AT&T and our T-Mobile gateway. Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity," reports a Timothy Lake South camper.
Highway noise considerations: Tri-State RV Park sits adjacent to major highways. "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot," explains one camper. Another notes, "highway noise, not pretty / not in nature, close spots, no privacy," highlighting the tradeoff between convenience and atmosphere.
Variable site conditions: Site quality fluctuates significantly between and within campgrounds. "When you arrive we were surprised at how many seasonal campsites there were. We came on a holiday weekend and thought it would be rowdy and loud. So far, nice and quiet," shares a Timothy Lake South visitor, indicating expectations don't always match reality.
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Mountain Top RV Park offers recreational facilities beyond standard campgrounds. "They have a small playground that would be better suited for older children, and there's also a nice lounge room with games, a pool table, a tv and puzzles/board games," notes a winter visitor.
Activity planning: Scheduled events vary widely by season and campground. "This is a great place to take a family for that weekend camping experience," observes a Timothy Lake South visitor. Another camper at Pleasant Acres Farm notes, "Lots of seasonals and lots of cabins, many RV sites I think all with full hookups. Good family fun though! Plenty to occupy the kids."
Budget considerations: Some campgrounds charge additional fees for amenities. "I was not able to get WiFi even though I paid for it. We had to park near the office to get it to work. Kind of a pain to not be able to use the booster for all our devices in the rig," mentions a Timothy Lake South visitor, suggesting families budget for service inconsistencies.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many RV sites near Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area require significant leveling. "You have to drive the wrong way in the campground because of the low hanging trees the correct direction," warns a Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort visitor, noting site preparation challenges.
Off-season availability: Several campgrounds operate year-round despite regional winters. "Open during the winter. Easy on, easy off. Lots of pull through sites," explains a Tri-State RV Park visitor who appreciated the winter accessibility when other options were closed. Another notes, "This is a point to point camp on the freeway. Easy on and off on I-84. Great place to pull in for the night if you are traveling."
Utility reliability: Water pressure varies significantly between campgrounds. "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi," cautions a Timothy Lake South camper who recommended bringing pressure regulators. The campground also features "good power and water" according to another reviewer, making it suitable for extended stays despite narrow sites.
