The Pocono Mountains camping region near Blakeslee sits at elevations between 1,300-2,000 feet, creating a microclimate that's typically 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. This elevation difference becomes particularly noticeable during summer months when campers can escape higher temperatures in nearby urban areas. Late spring through early fall offers the most reliable camping conditions, with summer high temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F.
What to do
Kayaking opportunities: Tobyhanna State Park provides access to a scenic lake where visitors can launch their own kayaks or canoes. "There's a separate shore for kayaks and canoes to enter the lake. We even got to see an eagles' nest near our campsite," noted a visitor to Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
Hiking the boulder fields: A unique geological feature near Blakeslee, the boulder fields provide an unusual hiking experience. "The boulder field was the highlight of our camping trip," wrote a camper at Hickory Run State Park. Another visitor to Hickory Run described it as "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown."
Waterfall exploration: Multiple hiking trails lead to waterfalls within a 30-minute drive of Blakeslee. "We hiked both with your 2 large dogs," mentioned one camper at Hickory Run State Park Campground about the Hawk Falls and Shades of Death trails. "Both of these trails had a creek and waterfalls."
Mountain biking: The region offers trails suitable for various skill levels. The D&L Trail runs at the back of Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, "giving great bike access to mauch chunk lake," according to one reviewer who stayed at the campground.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Bear sightings occur regularly throughout the Poconos. "As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent," reported a camper at Tobyhanna State Park Campground. The reviewer advises: "Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car."
Lake swimming: Several campgrounds offer lake access with designated swimming areas. At Promised Land State Park, "The lake is crystal clear and the beach is spotless. You absolutely have to bring a kayak/inflatable boat, but if you don't own one, don't worry, you can rent one," according to a visitor at Pickerel Point Campground.
Campground facilities: Many campgrounds maintain clean facilities even during peak season. "Bathhouse, rec area, pools, playground, outdoor seating areas are all very nice and enjoyable," wrote one visitor to Mount Pocono Campground. Another camper at Worthington State Forest Campground noted: "The facilities were clean, stocked, and warm."
Large, private sites: Some campgrounds offer more spacious campsites. "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," mentioned a visitor to Peaceful Woodlands Campground about their pet-friendly loop experience.
What you should know
Site terrain variability: Campsite conditions vary significantly across the region. "Chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad!" advised a camper at Pickerel Point in Promised Land State Park. At Mount Pocono Campground, a reviewer noted the sites are "Set on a hillside, the campground has three levels."
Weather considerations: Temperature swings can occur rapidly in the higher elevation areas. "It was chilly in the mornings and evenings and warm and sunny during the day. Perfect fall weather," reported a camper at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited off-season availability. One camper at Promised Land State Park noted it's "open year round" and that "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers."
Cell service variability: Signal strength varies widely across the region. A visitor to Promised Land State Park mentioned: "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon." Some campgrounds offer Wi-Fi to compensate for limited cellular coverage.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Tobyhanna State Park, a reviewer mentioned there was "a large dog park. Love the Campground except our site is near a fairly busy road which takes away from that beautiful tranquility."
Pool availability: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools separate from natural water features. "There is a huge swimming pool and a toddler's pool," reported a visitor at Mountain Vista Campground. The campground also features "tennis, sauna, pond for fishing (catch & release)," noted another camper.
Family-friendly activities: Organized events cater to children during peak season. "They have many different activities (pool/arcade games/movie nights/ and more)," wrote a visitor to Mountain Vista Campground. At Hemlock Campground & Cottages, a camper enjoyed "Karaoke, ceramics, tie dye, etc…all part of the campground."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer learning experiences for children. "The visitors center boasts the most modern updates and a truly lovely interactive museum displaying the history and current wildlife of the park," noted a visitor to Hickory Run State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites can be found at several campgrounds, but advance reservations are essential. "We had full hookups (20/30/50 amp, water & sewer). There's no cable but we were able to pickup about 6 channels with our digital antenna," shared a camper at Pickerel Point in Promised Land State Park.
Site levelness: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. "The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because our site wasn't level and it took hours to get it right," reported a visitor at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort. Another camper at the same location noted, "Our site was way to small even though we gave the length and width of our rig ahead of time."
RV restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger recreational vehicles. Some have site-specific restrictions, so checking in advance is important. "They have site-specific restrictions, so checking in advance is important. "Sites are not very defined, level or rock free," noted one camper at Jim Thorpe about the tent areas, indicating variable terrain throughout the campground.
Ranger
