Camp Swatara
Very family oriented
The sites ard nice, it's run by Mennonites, I believe. Lots of recreation for kids, quiet time respected and a service on Sunday morning. Full hookups for a very reasonable price.
192 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Established campgrounds around Hazleton, Pennsylvania provide a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations within the scenic northeastern Pennsylvania region. Hickory Run State Park Campground, located 20 miles east of Hazleton, offers tent, RV, and cabin camping in a forested setting. Tuscarora State Park, situated southwest of the city, features year-round camping with cabin and yurt options. Several campgrounds in the area feature electrical hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables, with most sites being reservable through park reservation systems or private management.
The camping season for most developed campgrounds near Hazleton typically runs from April through October, with Tuscarora State Park remaining open year-round. Sites often fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays, requiring advance reservations. Many campgrounds have limited or no cell service, particularly in more remote areas. The terrain around Hazleton varies from relatively flat campground areas to more challenging mountainous settings. According to one camper's experience at Tuscarora: "Off the beaten path in the middle of 'pennsyl-tucky'. No cell service at all unless you drive up to the top of the mountain. It is free to camp at one of the spots but you must call the respective ranger station ahead of time."
Mixed-use campgrounds near Hazleton cater to various camping preferences, from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots. Locust Lake State Park Campground and Mauch Chunk Lake Park both provide boat access and waterfront camping options, enhancing recreational opportunities for visitors. Campground reviews frequently highlight the natural surroundings and relative tranquility of the area. At Lakewood Park Campground, campers appreciate the "beautiful and fun" atmosphere with a "nice lake" that's "perfect for fishing." Family-oriented campgrounds like Jim Thorpe Camping Resort offer additional amenities such as showers, trash service, and on-site markets, making them suitable for longer stays or campers seeking more conveniences during their outdoor experience.
"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 - $108 / night
Check Availability"We had lake front access to put kayaks in and fish which was awesome. Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach. Beach area was nice."
"Had a site close to the lake. Many sites (including mine) were not level. The sites sizes were a bit small and i would book during peak season. I would definitely return again off season."
from $24 - $47 / night
Check Availability"Makes it fun searching for a good position within the site, kinda like roughing it in the actual wild... so not really a complaint. Sites are not very private or secluded."
"The sites were fine and I liked the location. Next to the creek where you can fish trout (don’t forget to buy a license). About 3 miles stroll along the creek to Jim Thorpe."
"Good hiking trails were just a short walk away from our campsite. Would definitely go back again."
"No water but directly across from facilities with basin sinks outside for cleaning dishes, etc. Each yurt has a huge deck, 2 picnic tables and fire pit."
from $58 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."
"Beautiful lake beach and canoe and kayak rentals. There’s much to explore in the town Jim Thorpe and beautiful hiking close by."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"They are in the process of adding lots more sites up away from the lake in the woods plus 2 bath houses. The sites along the lake are great, but be aware most of them are seasonal."
"You’re not allowed to swim in the lake although you’re allowed to use floats. The area has not much to do unless you would like the state park, which is close by."
from $62 - $114 / night
Check Availability"The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"
"Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty)."
from $24 - $164 / night
Check Availability"The campsites were clean, adequately spaced and many positioned along side a creek. The bathhouse (hooray) was great. Recently renovated, they were extremely, clean and dry."
"There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes. It was too cool to use the pool while we were visiting but it was clean and well cared-for. "
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Paved road and hard packed gravel for a short distance to get to the camp site. We made it up there no problem motorcycles."
from $40 - $50 / night
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The sites ard nice, it's run by Mennonites, I believe. Lots of recreation for kids, quiet time respected and a service on Sunday morning. Full hookups for a very reasonable price.
The state park is beautiful. The site was very nice. The park itself is very big with many activities available such as boat rentals and a swimming pool. There's also an amphitheatre which hosts specials. During our stay the only activity we made it to was the pool. The main reason we didn't do more was the distance. We have a motorhome so we didn't have additional vehicles to get to and from places. We walked to the park which according to my Fitbit was 1.5 miles away. That doesn't seem too bad until you realize it's mostly hills in both directions! We are a fairly active young family who has no problem with a bit of a walk but after that experience we decided to just spend the remainder of our trip hanging out at our site. It's a good thing we only stayed 2 nights because our 10 year old might've lost his mind with boredom if we stayed longer. Overall, the site we had was great and I'd recommend it. My husband and I may come back for a couples date weekend.
It's a nice park but it's daytime only there's no camping here
Picked the nicest days of the week. Got here and the carousel, Ferris wheel, restaurant, and ice cream shoppe are closed. They are apparently only open 2 days a week, maybe 3. I would have just went down the road to the KOA had I not known this.
Stayed for a quick weekday overnight at a primitive site—fine spot overall. Pros: Restrooms and showers clean and in working order. Pet-friendly. 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. Quiet hours didn’t seem to be enforced—some folks playing music until midnight.
We were looking for a lakeside campground with a spacious campsite that could comfortably fit two large tents and two vehicles. We chose Tobyhanna State Park, and it turned out to be absolutely wonderful.
We stayed at Site 113, which had plenty of space on the right side of the campsite for two large tents, with enough room to park two vehicles as well. While the campsites are fairly close to one another, most visitors come here to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, and everyone seemed very respectful of each other’s privacy.
Just a one-minute walk from our campsite, there was a very clean restroom, hot showers, and a laundry facility. Right next to it, there was a volleyball court, as well as easy access to the lake with a boat launch and great spots for fishing.
On our very first day, the park rangers warned us that bears sometimes visit the campground, so they recommended storing all food in the car overnight. We followed their advice and had no issues.
Overall, I would give Tobyhanna State Park a perfect 10 out of 10. We had an amazing experience and will definitely be coming back!
Check in was a Doozy. I have never treated like that....and my friend that checked in an hour earlier got the same attitude. I have also never been to a state Park that wanted me to check in every time I drive past the station. And to top it off, anyone could park at the visitors parking lot and come through at any time. Second night, I swear drone or someone was on our site in the middle of the night. Flashed Twice. Scared at that point. Only one car at a site. Never actually saw a ranger drive through
The staff is the GREATEST. They are knowledgeable and helpful. The grounds are clean. The shower rooms are clean and large. Laundry room is perfect. They have pull-thrus, back ins and tent sites. Dog stations are placed throughout the park. The campers are also the friendliest. You can always tell the condition of the camp by the quality of the people staying there.. everyone was respectful, courteous and friendly. We stayed in July, 2026 and would DEFINITELY stay again next time we are thru PA.
We had a great campsite 038, mainly because we booked the site right next to the restroom and hoped no one would reserve the one closest to it, which ended up being the case. The neighboring campsite on the other side also became vacant, so we had plenty of privacy. Otherwise, the sites would have felt a bit cramped. The beach is about a 5-minute walk through the woods. I highly recommend taking a walk there after dark to look at the stars. It’s absolutely worth it. Shower location only near the beach and be ready to pay for it with quarters The restroom is very close from our site and clean, but it’s surrounded by trees, so it’s well hidden and never felt like a disturbance. Our site was much more secluded than most of the others. I would also recommend site 032, as it seemed even more private. Verizon barely had any service, except early in the morning and late in the evening. T-Mobile worked much better. Overall, it’s a nice campground with a beautiful lake. We really enjoyed spending time kayaking, and if you don’t have your own kayak, you can rent one there
Camping near Hazleton, Pennsylvania provides access to over 40 miles of hiking trails spread across the region's state parks and recreation areas. The elevation in this part of northeastern Pennsylvania ranges from 1,600 to 2,100 feet, creating varied terrain for camping and outdoor activities. Most campgrounds in the area open in mid-April and close by late October, with average summer temperatures reaching 80°F during day and dropping to 60°F at night.
Boulder field exploration: At Hickory Run State Park Campground, visitors can explore the unusual boulder field natural formation. According to a camper: "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown."
Waterfalls hiking: Ricketts Glen State Park Campground features 22 named waterfalls along its trail system. A visitor notes: "The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike."
Paddling and fishing: Several campgrounds provide lake access for various water activities. A camper at Locust Lake State Park Campground shared: "Me and my 10yo visited Locust Lake on our road trip for my Northeast speaking tour. We both loved it! We're both really big water rats and couldn't wait to get the kayaks into the water."
White water rafting: The Lehigh River offers seasonal rafting opportunities. A visitor to Whitewater Challengers noted: "Rafting on the Lehigh with whitewater challengers was amazing. The campground is definitely great for Girl Scout or school groups, but if you are looking for a peaceful campground look elsewhere."
Natural settings: Campsites often feature wooded surroundings with opportunities to view wildlife. A camper at Moyers Grove Campground reported: "The sites were a nice size and were well shaded. The campground was quiet and peaceful. We saw deer daily. There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes."
Swimming opportunities: Many campgrounds include lake beaches for swimming during summer months. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, a camper mentioned: "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!"
Trail access: Direct trail connections from campsites provide convenient outdoor access. A visitor to Jim Thorpe Camping Resort explained: "A major pro is access to the Switchback Trail from the campground. A wonderfully scenic trail."
Upgraded bathrooms: Recently renovated facilities enhance the camping experience. A camper at Moyers Grove Campground appreciated: "The bathhouse (hooray) was great. Recently renovated, they were extremely clean and dry."
Cell service varies widely: Network coverage is inconsistent across campgrounds near Hazleton. A visitor at Ricketts Glen observed: "Site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other. Also no service (Verizon)."
Bear precautions required: Bears inhabit the region, necessitating proper food storage. A camper at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort warned: "We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings."
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. For Ricketts Glen, a camper advised: "Since we had a reservation, we received a phone call in advance of our stay letting us know about this."
Site topography challenges: Uneven terrain can create leveling issues for RVs and tents. As one camper at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort noted: "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. After that... we had the best time!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. A visitor to Mauch Chunk Lake Park shared: "Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach. Beach area was nice."
Bike-friendly paths: Paved trails provide safe cycling routes for younger riders. A camper noted: "Convenient paved walking path all around the lake, swimming lake with beach, nice playground for kids."
Educational opportunities: Park visitor centers offer learning experiences. A Hickory Run visitor commented: "The visitors center boasts the most modern updates and a truly lovely interactive museum displaying the history and current wildlife of the park."
Waterfall safety: When visiting waterfall areas with children, exercise caution on trails. A hiker advised: "The hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained!"
Water hose requirements: Some campgrounds have distant water hookups. A camper at Moyers Grove warned: "Make sure you have a LONG water hose. We actually had to buy a 50 foot hose in the camp store to accommodate the distance to the spigot."
Site selection for RVs: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. A visitor at Lakewood Park Campground recommended: "Our site(#74) was plenty big enough for our 45' motorhome and Jeep plus lots of room to spread out."
Road grade considerations: Access roads to some campgrounds have steep grades. Another visitor to Lakewood Park cautioned: "Traveling to this campground requires driving several steep grades(8+%). Do your best, drive slowly, and stay focused."
Electric hookup availability: Power availability varies between campgrounds and loops. A camper at Ricketts Glen stated: "There are no hookups at all in the park. The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find campgrounds near Hazleton, PA?
The Hazleton area offers several camping options within driving distance. Tuscarora State Park Campground near Barnesville is one of the closest options, offering drive-in sites with toilet facilities. For those willing to drive a bit further, Ricketts Glen State Park Campground provides excellent camping with access to the park's famous 22 waterfalls along well-marked trails. Other options include Hickory Run State Park near White Haven, Blue Rocks Family Campground, and Sandy Valley Campground. For overnight parking options closer to town, some travelers utilize designated retail locations for quick stays when passing through the area.
What amenities are available at camping sites around Hazleton?
Camping sites around Hazleton offer varied amenities depending on the type of campground. Mount Pocono Campground provides extensive facilities including a huge swimming pool, toddler pool, and an on-site store stocked with camping essentials. Blue Rocks Family Campground offers wooded sites situated in rolling hills just below the Appalachian Trail. Most established campgrounds in the region provide fire pits, picnic tables, and bathroom facilities. Private campgrounds typically offer more amenities like swimming pools, game areas, and camp stores, while state parks generally provide more basic facilities with the benefit of immediate access to natural attractions and hiking trails.
Are there any state parks with camping options near Hazleton?
Yes, several state parks with camping facilities are within reasonable driving distance of Hazleton. Worlds End State Park Campground offers camping with access to hiking trails, scenic views, a beach area, and Loyalsock Creek. Sites vary in size and are available for reservation. Hickory Run State Park Campground near White Haven is another option with drive-in and walk-in sites, restroom facilities, and is big-rig friendly. Other state park options include Tuscarora State Park near Barnesville and Ricketts Glen State Park, which is famous for its waterfall trails. Most state park campgrounds in Pennsylvania require reservations, especially during peak seasons.
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