Camping spots near Lords Valley, Pennsylvania offer access to both forest and water recreation in the Pocono Mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 feet. The region typically sees warm summers with daytime highs around 80°F and cool evenings in the 50s, while spring and fall camping means temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night. Winter camping is available at select sites but requires preparation for temperatures that can drop well below freezing.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Several campgrounds provide access to waterfall trails within short driving distance. At Dingmans Campground, "Waterfall in pic was a 5 min drive from the campground and then a 40 min hike. Worth it!" notes one camper. The Delaware Water Gap area features numerous cascades ranging from 20 to over 100 feet tall.
Kayaking and water recreation: Lakes and rivers offer paddling opportunities directly from some sites. Near Pickerel Point Campground, "I spent the night in the Promised Land State Park at Pickerel Point and it was so pretty and quiet... Mine overlooked the water and had a gorgeous sunset. There was a beach nearby that was an excellent place to gaze at the stars," shares a reviewer who enjoyed the water access.
Winter activities: Unlike many regional campgrounds that close seasonally, some sites remain operational year-round. At Pickerel Point, one winter camper reports, "This was my second visit in the cold months. 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."
What campers like
Secluded island camping: For those seeking a unique experience, Namanock Island within Delaware Water Gap offers boat-access primitive sites. "The area was quiet and peaceful, and areas with waterfalls and great views were easily accessible," notes one camper. The island requires paddling about 4 miles down the Delaware River from Milford Beach.
Varied campground atmospheres: Different campgrounds offer distinct experiences based on location and setup. At Lower Lake Campground Rhododendron Area, campers appreciate the lake access: "Spent 5 days at Promised Land- we were in the Lower Lake section and had a loop and bathhouse to ourselves once the weekend was over! Lots of trails to go on. Swimming at the beach. Kayak rentals. Eagle watching. Blueberry picking!"
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife observation opportunities. One camper at Namanock Island describes, "Clear streams and lake. Stunning overall... Did a small part of the Appalachian trail while there (about 15 miles)." Many reviewers mention spotting eagles, deer, and occasionally bears throughout the camping areas near Lords Valley.
What you should know
Campsite spacing varies widely: Some areas offer more privacy than others. At Stokes State Forest, "There are four campgrounds that are all pretty different, we stayed at Shotwell across from the pond. For the most part, each campsite has its own porta potty or it shared with a couple other sites." Stokes offers four distinct camping areas with different levels of seclusion.
Site terrain challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven, rocky sites that require preparation. At Lower Lake Campground Rhododendron Area, one camper notes, "Site was clean and easy to locate. Depending on your site choice, there are campsites that are WAY too close together for my preference, then some that were adequately spaced and foliage offered some privacy."
Bear precautions required: The Pocono region is bear country. At The Pines Campground, a reviewer explains, "During the July stay, there were reports of young orphaned bear cubs in the campsite area and we were asked to stow our food safely in a vehicle... The camp host kindly accommodated storage of our food and supplies overnight for as long as we stayed."
Tips for camping with families
Educational programming: Several state parks offer nature education opportunities. A camper at Deerfield Campground shares, "This park is large and has many different campgrounds... Though had to drive to park and beaches. Would go back again and might try to stay in Pickerel point campground instead." Programs often run weekends during peak season.
Beach access considerations: Swimming areas vary in quality and accessibility. At Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, "Nice clean SP campground. Popped in randomly during cross-country trip and was good for our purposes. Nice folks at the next site which were relatively small and close together but was pleasant enough for a quick stay."
Tent platform availability: Some sites offer raised platforms that improve comfort in wet conditions. At Stokes State Forest, a camper explains, "We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."
Tips from RVers
Uneven sites: Many campgrounds in the region require significant leveling. At The Pines Campground, a visitor noted, "Stayed in a spot without water hook up. All spigots to fill camper with water were situated just off main driving lanes resulting in a lot of congestion of cars behind us when attempting to fill tanks." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended for RVs at most sites.
Water hookup limitations: Many campgrounds offer electric but not water at individual sites. As one RVer at Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area shares, "I stayed at the Beechwood location at the Promised Land state park and despite the constant rain, it was quiet and peaceful. You could only ever hear the wildlife. The RV pads were spaced put perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit."
Dump station congestion: During peak checkout times, lines can form at sanitation facilities. At Lower Lake Campground Northwoods Area, a reviewer points out, "Big sites with 30 amp service available for RVs and trailers. Each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with an adjustable grate. The pull-through sites don't offer much in the way of privacy, but that's the trade off for convenience."
