The Pocono Mountains around Henryville sit at elevations between 1,300 and 2,300 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions with temperature drops of 15-20 degrees during nighttime hours even in summer. Campsites in this region feature predominantly rocky terrain across campgrounds, requiring preparation for tent stakes and appropriate footwear. Most campgrounds remain accessible from Interstate 80, providing relatively easy access despite the mountainous setting.
What to do
Wolf preserve tours: 15-minute drive from Henryville. Camp Taylor Campground offers discounted tours of the Lakota Wolf Preserve for campers. "There is a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," notes Julie F. The preserve conducts tours twice daily on weekends.
Boulder field exploration: 40-minute drive. The geological formations at Hickory Run State Park Campground provide unusual hiking terrain. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," explains Mike M. The boulder field covers 16 acres and features rocks dating back to the last ice age.
Fishing opportunities: On-site at multiple locations. Mountain lakes and streams provide fishing options throughout the area. "Large dog park. 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. Pool, tennis. Sauna, pond for fishing (catch & release)," shares Joyce B. about Mountain Vista Campground.
What campers like
Wooded sites: Natural shade and privacy. Many pet-friendly campgrounds feature tree coverage that creates natural boundaries. "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. It was a very quiet weekend for us as our loop was not crowded," shares Shirley M. at Hickory Run State Park.
Water access: Direct launch points. Pickerel Point Campground offers lakefront sites ideal for water-based activities. "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," Kelly F. mentions. Many sites include direct water access for paddling with pets.
Quiet environment: Enforced quiet hours. Mount Pocono Campground maintains a peaceful atmosphere for all campers. "The whole place is very pleasant, quiet, wooded, well-landscaped, and cared for. Bathhouse, rec area, pools, playground, outdoor seating areas are all very nice and enjoyable," according to M.S. This makes it suitable for campers with noise-sensitive dogs.
What you should know
Winter accessibility: Limited options. While many campgrounds close seasonally, a few remain operational. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," reports Mara S. about Pickerel Point Campground. "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon."
Bear activity: Food storage requirements. All campgrounds in the area enforce strict food storage protocols. "Just stayed 2 nights with my 7 yrs. old daughter we had a blast. Everyone was very nice camp host and DCNR were very helpful. We were warned at check in that there have been a lot of bears in the area but never really thought that we would see one. As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent," warns Erik M. at Tobyhanna State Park.
Campsite variations: Research site specifics. Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA has significant site differences. "The campground had many different types of sites. Some were big and socially distanced like the one we had. But some were extremely small and very close to the next camper. Some were in the woods and some were practically on the main road," Carol N. explains. "I would not have been happy with some of those sites."
Tips for camping with families
On-site activities: Multiple recreation options. Otter Lake Camp Resort offers extensive family programming. "Beautiful Lake with fishing & boating, pools indoor and outdoor, great playgrounds, great biking even a trail around the like, lots of activities planned, awesome store stocked well," notes Nicole S. The resort maintains both water-based and land activities.
Shaded play areas: Protection from summer heat. Many campgrounds feature tree cover over playgrounds. "All the sites were spacious. The only complaint I had (which really isn't a real complaint) was that the grass needed cutting as it was pretty long and uncomfortable to walk through. Pickerel point is the most action packed part of the park. LOTS of kids and people enjoying themselves," Debbie W. shares about Promised Land State Park.
Dog-friendly hiking trails: Various difficulty levels. "Camp Taylor Campground is located on the Delaware Water Gap Mtn. There are miles of hiking trails and direct access to the Appalachian Tr.," Jean T. explains. Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Henryville connect to trail networks suitable for various ability levels, though rocky terrain requires appropriate footwear for both humans and pets.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Prioritize space and privacy. At dog-friendly campgrounds, look for end sites or those with natural barriers. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private. Once you have backed into the spot and leveled out it's a good time," Julie F. mentions about Camp Taylor Campground. Corner sites typically provide more space for pets.
Water pressure variability: Use regulators. Water systems at campgrounds can deliver inconsistent pressure. "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi," Don C. notes about Timothy Lake South. RVers should bring pressure regulators to protect their water systems, especially at mountain campgrounds where gravity affects water delivery.
Road condition awareness: Steep entry points. Some dog-friendly campgrounds feature challenging access roads. "The driveway is a little hairy - steep with crushed stone on top of pavement. Which led to some tire slippage on the way up with our setup," warns Corey P. about Cranberry Run Campground. RVers should research approach roads before booking, particularly with larger rigs.
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