Glamping and camping near Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania offer contrasting experiences in the heavily forested Delaware River region at elevations ranging from 450 to 1,800 feet above sea level. The area receives an average of 45 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush woodlands and diverse wildlife habitats. Summer temperatures typically range from 65°F to 85°F with cooler mountain nights requiring extra layers even during warmer months.
What to Do
Hiking AT segments: Access the Appalachian Trail directly from High Point State Park Campground with routes connecting to scenic overlooks and multiple state parks. "I passed through mid-day and moved on to cover more distance but I would have been happy to spend the night," notes one hiker about the trail shelter options.
Wolf preserve visits: Camp Taylor Campground offers discounted tours of the on-site Lakota Wolf Preserve where visitors can observe and learn about wolves. "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite," shares a camper who hiked to Mt. Tammany from the site.
Evening stargazing: Summer night skies reveal impressive star displays, especially at elevated campsites away from light pollution. "We intended to use our telescope at night" mentions one reviewer of High Point State Park, though "the weather was overcast so we weren't able to" during their stay.
Paddleboating and kayaking: Swartswood State Park Campground provides watercraft rentals for exploring its lake. "The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing. There are several trail hikes that you can do from the campsite," writes a camper who enjoyed water activities during their stay.
What Campers Like
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal sites, select heated accommodations remain available during colder months. "Rented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021. I favored Cabin 8, the kitchen and bathroom were separated from the main room," notes a visitor to Stokes State Forest.
Diverse site settings: Great Divide Campground features terrain variations providing different camping experiences. "Great family run campground. Owners are a blast. Most sites are level. Some areas are a little steeper than I would like to set up on, but that's me. Nice small lake with boats to use," describes one visitor.
Group camping facilities: Multiple campgrounds accommodate larger gatherings with specialized areas. "The group campsites are big enough for the amount of people you can have, have picnic benches, a fire ring, a composting outhouse toilet just for the site, and one of those flat charcoal 'grills'," reports a camper at High Point State Park.
Wildlife encounters: The region hosts diverse forest animals including bears. "Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning—gave us more of an energy boost after a sleepless night than our coffee!" recounts a Swartswood State Park camper.
What You Should Know
Site privacy varies significantly: Shotwell in Stokes State Forest provides more secluded options. "Nice private campground, the address listed is a little confusing as it stops randomly on RT 206, so kind of hard to find at night," warns a visitor who appreciated the isolation but had difficulty locating the entrance.
Reservation requirements: Advanced booking becomes essential during summer months, especially for luxury glamping options near Dingmans Ferry. "Due to cooler temps there were really no bugs to complain about while camping," mentions a camper who made a last-minute trip in shoulder season when availability improves.
Noise levels fluctuate: Some campgrounds strictly enforce quiet hours while others allow more social atmosphere. "Unlike many other campgrounds we've been to, they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night, so you can have an actual peaceful and quiet night around the campfire," notes a Camp Taylor visitor.
Bear safety protocols: All camping areas require proper food storage due to active black bear populations. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided," advises a Stokes State Forest camper.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Otter Lake Camp Resort offers numerous child-oriented activities and facilities. "Otter lake has every amenity imaginable super clean swimming beach beautiful lake with boat rentals available. Tons of activities for kids and adults. Indoor pool with 2 hot tubs even a dry sauna," describes a family visitor.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "The site was very kid and pet friendly, outfitted with both a pet and children's playground," mentions a Delaware Water Gap KOA visitor who appreciated the family amenities.
Family-sized sites: Look for locations with sufficient space for multiple tents. "Campsites are nice and large, can hold multiple tents. They request the purchase of another site if you have more than two tents, but then you can put all tents on one site and cook and hang out in the other," explains a Camp Taylor visitor.
Weekend activities: Scheduled events often occur on weekends, particularly at larger facilities. "Lots of weekend activities. We took one afternoon to visit the High Point Monument, which was lovely," shares a Stokes State Forest camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Delaware Water Gap KOA offers varied site types with different grades. "Sites are very close together. A dead spruce tree on our site had been spray painted green to make it appear alive. The upgraded patio site was nice and came with furniture, a grill and a beautiful fire pit area," reports an RV visitor.
Limited full hookup options: Not all campgrounds provide complete utilities. "We got in with no reservation, which was great. It's in the same park as the high point, also great. The sites are varied, some have tent platforms, it's just off the AT, but we have a trailer and the 'trailer' sites aren't level. Showers are at the day use area, from 10-5:30, no trailer dump," details a High Point State Park visitor.
Seasonal availability: Most luxury glamping near Dingmans Ferry operates April through October. "We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven!" shares a seasonal RVer enjoying one of the few year-round options.
Cell service concerns: Signal strength varies significantly. "A big HOWEVER, though: the cell service for most providers is practically non-existent. I understand this is not the park's fault and some would say that this is 'real' camping," notes a Timothy Lake South visitor.
