Near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, camping options sit among the Pocono Mountains at elevations from 400-1600 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Campsites typically feature varying terrain with both wooded and open field options available within a 30-mile radius.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing on site: At Tuscarora State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy water activities without leaving the campground. "I mostly stayed at a cabin on the lake here, which was incredible. Dogs are welcome, as long as you clean up after them. Hiking through was good fun, and actually sort of clean," notes Joycel Y.
Explore hiking trails: French Creek State Park offers numerous hiking trails for various skill levels. "Lots of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds (perfect for our kids), the bathrooms were well maintained," shares Katie M., who visited with her family.
Swimming in natural waters: While there aren't dedicated horse campgrounds near Jim Thorpe, visitors can enjoy swimming at Pickerel Point Campground. "Loved camping on Pickerel Point. Kids had a great time! The road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc," reports Paula R.
Visit historical sites: The area offers several historical destinations within short driving distance. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site sits adjacent to French Creek State Park. Ellen C. mentions, "French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Mountainview Campground receives praise for site size and privacy. "The campground was very quiet and peaceful. The owners were very friendly. The spot was spacious and comfortable," says Jami, while Christina H. adds, "The property is well kept and campsites are a good distance from each other."
Natural lake views: Campers at Spruce Run Recreation Area enjoy waterfront camping. Ruette W. explains, "I love the water views. The sites are large, many have nice mix of sun and shade. You can launch your kayak easily from the shore." Jules T. confirms, "Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning."
Pet-friendly options: While equestrian camping facilities aren't available near Jim Thorpe, dog owners appreciate Lackawanna State Park Campground. "We stayed in Loop C before. This is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved," shares Ranger Jen.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. At Tuscarora State Park, Mandy F. notes, "Restrooms and showers are a hop, skip and jump from yurts and well maintained."
What you should know
No dedicated horse camping: Despite searching for equestrian facilities near Jim Thorpe, no campgrounds with horse-specific amenities were found. Campers seeking stables would need to explore private farms or ranches outside the standard campground network.
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities can differ significantly between campgrounds and seasons. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, Jules T. warns, "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting... for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall."
Alcohol policies differ: State parks typically prohibit alcohol consumption. Cheryl K. at French Creek State Park notes, "Since this is a State Park there is no alcohol allowed. The Park Rangers drive by regularly."
Cell service fluctuates: Coverage can be unreliable, especially in more remote areas. Mara S. reports from Promised Land State Park, "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. At French Creek State Park Campground, Jen R. mentions, "There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line."
Consider yurts for comfort: For families new to camping or wanting more amenities, Tuscarora State Park offers alternatives to tent camping. "Yurts have 2 sets of bunk beds with one set having full size mattress on bottom. Yurts have heat and fans. Full size refrigerator, stove and microwave," reports Mandy F.
Choose sites carefully for tent size: Some campgrounds have limited flat areas for larger family tents. Ellen C. cautions about French Creek State Park, "Many of the sites surrounding ours were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent so keep this in mind if you have a large family sized tent."
Check for educational programs: Some parks offer nature activities for kids. Paula R. mentions at Pickerel Point, "The museum and crafts were closed due to Covid so that was a bummer but we found other things to do."
Tips for RVers
Reserve full hookup sites early: Limited full-service sites are available in the region. At Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area, Maze M. confirms, "The RV pads were spaced put perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit."
Watch for low-hanging branches: Tree canopy can cause access issues for taller vehicles. Douglas P. warns about Spruce Run, "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs."
Check electrical reliability: Some older campgrounds may have power limitations. David at Lackawanna State Park Campground reports, "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
Consider seasonal availability: Not all facilities remain open year-round. Frank J. shares about Spruce Run, "Reasonable cost from NJ state website. I paid $41 for 2 days," noting this mid-week July visit offered good value.
