Poconos camping areas near Hawley sit at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 feet, creating cooler summer nights than surrounding lowlands. The region features several interconnected lakes formed by glacial activity, with campgrounds typically open from April through mid-October. Water temperatures in these lakes remain cool even during summer, often staying in the 60s through June.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Pickerel Point Campground offers direct water access from select sites. "My favorite site does, plus I can launch my kayak right from there!" notes Nancy L., who appreciates the convenience despite alcohol restrictions.
Winter activities: Promised Land State Park remains open year-round with limited winter camping. According to Mara S. at Pickerel Point Campground, "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers. The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing."
Hiking trail variety: Conservation Island offers an educational experience with interpretive signs. Alaina Z. reports, "The Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked," making it accessible for most ability levels. Little Falls Trail provides opportunities for water play during warmer months.
What campers like
Lakeside camping options: Keen Lake Resort Campground provides direct access to water recreation. Shannon C. shares, "We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake."
Family activities: Promised Land State Park offers educational programming throughout summer. John R. at Pickerel Point notes they "stay at Pickerel Point and Deerfield depending on season" and was "pleasantly surprised they have programs for kids." These ranger-led activities typically include wildlife education and crafts.
Bathroom facilities: Lower Lake Campground Northwoods Area maintains clean facilities with amenities not always found at state parks. Angel A. reports, "The bathhouse offers warm showers, 2 dishwashing sinks, and a coin-operated washer and dryer. The facilities are kept very clean."
What you should know
Terrain conditions: The Pines Campground features sites with rocky surfaces. Alaina Z. warns, "chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad!" and notes that fire pits are "very tall. It's difficult to cook over them."
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies throughout the region. Mara S. points out, "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon" when staying at Promised Land State Park during winter months.
Seasonal considerations: Many facilities have limited operations during early and late season. Robert J. recommends Deerfield Campground, noting it has "Easy to get in and out of, nice and shady, big spaces so you were not on top of one another, and nice and quiet."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Promised Land State Park offers structured learning activities for children. Paula R. mentions that normally "The museum and crafts" are available, though some programs may be limited during certain periods.
Beach considerations: Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area provides access to both lake and pool swimming. Emily Z. at Keen Lake notes, "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," giving options for different preferences and weather conditions.
Road quality for activities: Paved roads in some campgrounds make wheeled activities easier. Paula R. appreciates that "the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc..." which provides additional recreation options beyond water and trails.
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Several campgrounds offer full hookups, though amperage varies. Robert J. found sites at Deerfield with "50 AMP and 30 AMP electric. Easy to get in and out of," making it suitable for various RV power requirements.
Site selection strategy: Dog friendly campgrounds near Hawley often have specific loops or areas designated for pets. Angel A. advises, "The pull-through sites don't offer much in the way of privacy, but that's the trade off for convenience" at Lower Lake Campground.
Parking configurations: Secluded Acres Campground offers various site types with differing privacy levels. Luis B. notes, "We saw primitive sites that are ginormous. Also saw RV sites that were very close to each other," suggesting researching specific site numbers when booking pet-friendly camping options near Hawley.
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