211 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Pocono Mountains region surrounding Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania features a diverse range of camping areas within state parks and private campgrounds. Tobyhanna State Park Campground offers lakeside sites with electric hookups and accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabins, operating from April through October. Several miles east, Promised Land State Park provides multiple campground options including Pickerel Point, Deerfield, and Lower Lake campgrounds with varying levels of amenities. Private establishments like Mount Pocono Campground and Hemlock Campground & Cottages supplement the public camping landscape with additional facilities and seasonal availability.
Camping in the Gouldsboro area follows distinct seasonal patterns, with most campgrounds operating from mid-April through mid-October. The Pennsylvania state park campgrounds maintain strict regulations regarding alcohol (generally prohibited), quiet hours, and pet policies. Electric hookups are widely available, though water access points may be limited to central locations rather than individual sites. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during summer months. Terrain varies from lakeside settings to wooded areas with varying degrees of privacy between sites. A visitor noted, "The tent camping area was right along the river, some sites with direct access, some you'd have to walk a little more to the larger access areas."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews throughout the region, with several campgrounds offering direct lake or creek access. Campers highlight the ability to launch kayaks directly from certain sites at Tobyhanna State Park and Promised Land State Park. Bathroom facilities vary significantly across campgrounds, with some visitors noting clean, modern facilities while others mention more rustic options. Wildlife sightings, including deer and various bird species, enhance the camping experience for many visitors. According to one camper, "Being able to wake up lakeside up in the mountain and looking at the view was an experience that I will always treasure!" Families appreciate the recreational opportunities available at many campgrounds, including swimming beaches, fishing, hiking trails, and boat rentals, making the Gouldsboro area suitable for both relaxation-focused and activity-oriented camping trips.
"We were looking for a lakeside campground with a spacious campsite that could comfortably fit two large tents and two vehicles."
"Breathtaking views from nearby trails and nearby Big Pocono State Park. The park staff were very helpful and knowledgeable about nearby trails and best places to get the most out of the views!"
from $24 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Pros: beautiful new bathrooms -private lakeside walk-in sites -beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless -the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked."
"Some sites are right on the lake, just put the kayak on the shore, and you're ready for an early morning paddle."
from $24 - $53 / night
Check Availability"Great location lots of hiking trails right in the park and many more close by"
"Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. "
from $24 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Pocono Campground in the Poconos, Pennsylvania is a very active and fun vacation vacation destination! There are lots of amenities for every family member and the staff is friendly and welcoming."
"Great hiking trail right from the site. Be prepared for walking up and downhill - quite the unexpected workout. Many seasonal sites with friendly people."
from $54 / night
Check Availability"The tent camping area was right along the river, some sites with direct access, some you'd have to walk a little more to the larger access areas."
"Full bathrooms are located behind campsite #15 (clean flushing bathrooms, with motion-sensed lighting, showers, dishwashing sink), but easily accessible from campsites nearby."
"Nice surroundings (though nothing extraordinary). Easy access with a sedan. Cons: most sites are very close to one another with little privacy. Fair amount of road noise."
"Recommend Little Falls Trail. We also explored Conservation Island. Many more trails to explore and not enough time. The surrounding town is small and very cute."
from $26 / night
Check Availability"We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven!"
"There is a steam and some wet areas behind the row of sites we were in. I would probably avoid this section in the summer as the bugs will be bad."
"Love the Campground except our site is near a fairly busy road which takes away from that beautiful tranquility. They have camouflaged it as best they could. Friendly staff. Lots to do."
"Close to Bushkill Falls which we hiked. 👍"
"3 hour drive from NYC, and a wonderful campsite with good weather in the summer - not too hot during the day and nice and cool overnight."
"We stayed in lower lake beechwood site 323. Was decent site only downside was fire pit area was very un-level for camping chairs, otherwise it’s a nice wooded site with privacy."
from $31 - $33 / night
Check Availability
LegendWhat a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
GuideStayed October 14 without reservations because website showed lots of availability. Office was closed (M-F 8-4) so submitted honor system envelope with cash and stayed at Site 041 on Carpenter loop. Shower building was a short walk and was spacious enough. Water temp didn’t quite reach hot but was warm enough.
Electric kept on tripping breaker.
Travelersolid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
GuideSmall campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
ScoutThis clothing-optional campground has a highly toxic, intrusive, and vindictive environment. During my stay, the seasonal permanent residents('perms') subjected me to intense harassment, inappropriate sexual advances, and severe social retaliation/rumor-spreading when those advances were rejected. The situation escalated to the point where an employee had to intervene for my safety. Furthermore, despite management allowing my photo to be taken in costume at a party, I was intentionally blocked from the community group where the photos were posted, leaving me unable to monitor how my image was being used. Avoid this place if you value your privacy, personal boundaries, and safety.
RangerI'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
RangerGorgeous forested area in the Poconos. We stayed on the Rattlesnake Loop which was lovely. Sites not super private but most nestled in trees. The only bummer was that that Campground Loop didn’t have any direct links to the trail network and was far from it. The other Campground Loop was closer to trails and office. Would return!
GuideBooked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
LegendJust a few others here so it is quite peaceful. A one mile walk gets you to the lake. They have a covered pavilion with plenty of picnic tables. My site is large with plenty of trees providing shade. The outhouse is a bit of a walk. Garbage cans are inside it. I haven’t seen a water source but it might be around.
Camping opportunities near Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania extend throughout the Pocono Mountains region at elevations ranging from 1,600 to 2,300 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal temperature variations with summer highs typically in the 70s-80s°F and overnight lows that can drop into the 50s even during peak season. Most campgrounds maintain operation from mid-April through October, with limited winter camping available at select locations.
Fishing access options: Multiple lakes in the Promised Land State Park system provide fishing opportunities for bass, pickerel, and panfish. At Pickerel Point Campground, campers can fish directly from their sites. "My favorite site does, plus I can launch my kayak right from there!" notes camper Nancy L.
Wildlife observation: The forests surrounding campsites near Gouldsboro contain diverse wildlife. Hickory Run State Park campers report frequent animal sightings. According to Jennifer D., "We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings." The area hosts deer, birds, and occasional black bears.
Boulder field exploration: Located approximately 25 miles southwest of Gouldsboro, Hickory Run State Park features a unique geological formation. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all!" states Mike M. The boulder field covers 16 acres and requires careful footing when traversing.
Mountain hiking: The Delaware Water Gap region offers hiking trails with elevation changes ranging from beginner to moderate difficulty. Fransheska A. from Worthington State Forest Campground reports, "Plenty of beautiful trails with lots of wildlife! If you enjoy kayaking or canoeing they have sites which have river access right from your site."
Lake swimming access: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with beaches. At Otter Lake Camp Resort, the water quality receives consistent praise. Camper Erik M. describes "super clean swimming beach beautiful lake with boat rentals available." Swimming areas typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.
Private waterfront sites: Select campgrounds offer campsites positioned directly along lakes or the Delaware River. A visitor to Promised Land State Park noted, "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail. The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers."
Modern bathhouse facilities: Campgrounds like Mount Pocono Campground maintain well-serviced restrooms. Rennie S. notes it has the "Cleanest campground bathouse I've ever used!" Most facilities include hot showers, with some locations offering family bathrooms.
Wooded privacy between sites: The natural forest setting provides screening at many campgrounds. At Lower Lake Campground, visitor Maze M. describes the experience: "Despite the constant rain, it was quiet and peaceful. You could only ever hear the wildlife. The RV pads were spaced out perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit."
Bear country precautions: The Gouldsboro area has an active black bear population requiring proper food storage. At Tobyhanna State Park Campground, Erik M. cautions, "As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent. Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car."
Site terrain variations: Campground topography can present challenges depending on location. At Mountain Vista Campground, sites are "set on a hillside, the campground has three levels." Water runoff can be an issue during heavy rain at some locations, particularly those on slopes.
Limited cell service: Mobile coverage varies significantly throughout the region. At Pickerel Point Campground, Mara S. reports, "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon." Consider downloading offline maps before arrival.
Seasonal water limitations: Most state park campgrounds winterize water systems by mid-October. Tiffany K. experienced this at Lower Lake Campground: "Went camping in late October, when a lot of the other parks are closed. Only one section of their camping was still open but the bathrooms and showers had been winterized."
Children's programming: Several campgrounds provide organized activities for younger campers. Hemlock Campground & Cottages offers "many activities incl. playground, games, karaoke, bingo nights etc." according to Claus B., making it a good option for families seeking structured entertainment.
Multiple recreation options: Family-friendly campgrounds provide diverse activities within walking distance. At Otter Lake Camp Resort, facilities include "2 pools, hot tub, sauna, lake beach and swimming" plus "organized activities like softball, archery and ceramics for kiddos," reports Barbara M.
Playground accessibility: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Luis B. notes that Hemlock Campground has "a park for kids to play in. It's not a very big place, but if you really want to rest and be at peace, then this is a place to camp at."
Educational opportunities: Nature programs operate seasonally at several state parks. Paula R. at Pickerel Point mentions, "The museum and crafts were closed due to Covid so that was a bummer but we found other things to do. Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc."
Electric service reliability: Most campgrounds near Gouldsboro offer 30-amp service, with limited 50-amp availability. At Deerfield Campground, Becca U. notes, "There are several different camping areas within the park. Some areas are pet friendly while others are not. Some sites have hookups while others are primitive."
Road conditions: Access roads to campgrounds may present challenges for larger rigs. Mountain Vista Campground requires navigating hilly terrain, while Hemlock Campground visitors mention seasonal mud issues. Laura Z. reports, "Unfortunately, it was a giant mud pit when we were there. The spots and road are not paved or have gravel."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide sewer hookups at individual sites. Many rely on central dump stations with limited capacity, potentially causing delays during busy checkout periods. Bring portable waste tanks if staying multiple days at non-sewer sites.
Site dimensions: RV sites vary significantly in size and layout. At Hemlock Campground, Kevin K. reports, "The campground owner saw this review and contacted us within an hour to offer to fix the water issue or let us change sites." Request specific site dimensions when booking to ensure compatibility with your rig.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gouldsboro, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gouldsboro, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 211 campgrounds and RV parks near Gouldsboro, PA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gouldsboro, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gouldsboro, PA is Tobyhanna State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 27 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gouldsboro, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Gouldsboro, PA.
What parks are near Gouldsboro, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Gouldsboro, PA that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River.
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