Honesdale, Pennsylvania sits at an elevation of 946 feet in the Upper Delaware River watershed where the Lackawaxen River flows through town. Located in the northern Pocono Mountains, the region experiences distinct seasons with winter temperatures averaging 15-30°F and summer temperatures reaching 70-85°F. Camping areas near Honesdale feature predominantly hardwood forests with oak, maple and pine providing natural shade at most locations.
What to Do
Paddling and water activities: Soaring Eagle Campground offers direct Delaware River access for fishing, tubing and canoeing. One visitor notes, "Nice campground right on the Delaware river great for fisherman, hikers also great for tubing down the Delaware or canoeing."
Lake swimming: Visitors at Keen Lake Resort Campground enjoy multiple water recreation options. A camper shared: "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."
Hiking trails: State parks surrounding Honesdale offer trail systems suitable for various skill levels. One camper at Lower Lake Campground stated: "Hiked 2 short easy trails (Little Falls and the Conservation Nature Loop- which we drove to). Absolutely beautiful!"
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds near Honesdale provide larger sites than typically found at more commercialized campgrounds. At Soaring Eagle Campground, one camper explained: "Sites are huge, plenty of room for 2+ family campers" while another mentioned the campground "still manages to maintain a more remote and rustic feel by preserving the trees, stream and riverfront property in a natural state without concrete pads or driveways."
Clean facilities: Clayton Park RV Escape receives consistent positive comments about maintenance. A reviewer simply stated it's "A well run, well staffed, facilities are excellent." Another camper who experienced an issue mentioned, "Even though I had a boo boo, they were very forgiving, after I explained that I had a brand new RV and it had an issue with my black water tank."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Campgrounds throughout the region cater well to families. One Keen Lake visitor shared: "My family has been going there for years and finally decided that this was our final place and made it our seasonal camping place 3 years ago. My boys absolutely love it and always have something to do."
What You Should Know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close between mid-October and May. Clayton Park RV Escape operates from May 1 to October 15, and Keen Lake is available from April 26 to October 14, making advance planning essential for spring and fall visits.
Variable cell coverage: Signal strength differs significantly between providers. A visitor at Timothy Lake South reported: "Cell service is ok. Verizon is 25 down 10 up. Tmobile is unusable."
Firewood availability: Campgrounds have different policies regarding collection versus purchasing firewood. Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area camper shared: "We collected our own firewood as there is none for sale in the state park. We thought that was going to be a problem but we were okay with it!"
Tips for Camping with Families
Activity programs: Select campgrounds offer structured recreation. At Keen Lake, a parent reported: "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!"
Swimming options: Facilities with swimming areas provide alternatives to hiking. One Keen Lake visitor mentioned: "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake."
Playground access: Mountain Top RV Park offers play facilities for various age groups. A visitor noted: "They have a small playground that would be better suited for older children, and there's also a nice lounge room with games, a pool table, a tv and puzzles/board games."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When selecting sites, consider specific RV needs. At Timothy Lake South, a camper advised: "Sites are long but narrow. Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi."
Winter options: Limited rv campgrounds near Honesdale, Pennsylvania remain open year-round. At Tri-State RV Park, a winter camper shared: "Open during the winter. Easy on, easy off. Lots of pull through sites. Next to grocery store. CLEAN bathrooms, showers, laundry."
Highway proximity: Some rv parks prioritize accessibility over tranquility. A Tri-State RV Park visitor cautioned: "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot. Restrooms are clean. Not much else to say about this CG, is just a parking lot with hookups."
