Camping near Kingsley, Pennsylvania sits at approximately 1,700 feet above sea level in the northern Pocono region. Winter temperatures can drop below 20°F with significant snowfall, while humidity levels in summer typically range between 60-80%. Several campgrounds in the area remain accessible in colder months, with Montrose Campground offering year-round sites equipped with electrical service to handle winter camping needs.
What to do
Hiking old-growth forests: At Salt Springs State Park Campground, campers can explore ancient hemlock groves. "The special aspect of this park are the hiking trails through old growth hemlock forest, said to be the largest hemlocks in Pennsylvania. The trout stream also cascades through some some waterfalls, and there are gorges with unique geology," notes Janet R.
Water recreation options: Multiple lakes provide fishing and boating opportunities within a 20-minute drive of Kingsley. "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," shares Shannon C. about her experience at Keen Lake.
Off-season activities: Winter camping offers unique experiences with fewer crowds. Montrose Campground visitor Carol M. explains: "They are open all year with some winter sites available. They have all sites available from tent right up to 50 amp full hook-ups."
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Camping areas receive regular upkeep with updated amenities. "This campground was beautifully taken care of. Each campsite had plenty of space to drive up to without being right on top of the other campers. The site we were at was on top of a hill and an easy walk to the bath house, which was the cleanest and nicest one I had ever seen at a campground," reports Mary M. about Montrose Campground.
Swimming options: Lakes and pools provide cooling spots during summer months. At Lackawanna State Park, Cheryl M. appreciated the "nice play area for kids, water craft rentals, nice lake. Plenty of picnic areas for day trips."
Secluded tent sites: Primitive camping locations offer more privacy than RV areas. Oh! Pear Orchards provides a unique streamside experience where "campsites next to a beautiful stream, the best fire pits, quiet and peaceful, just enough shade to stay cool, magical setting, firewood easily accessible," according to Heather T.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. David noted about Lackawanna State Park Campground: "There is no privacy at the campsites; they're all very small and packed tight. Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
Access road conditions: Rural locations may have rough entry roads. April L. mentions about Cozy Creek: "The road in (Vacation lane) is dirt, rough and narrow. There is presently no gate as well so the public can just drive in."
Bathroom distances: At some parks, facilities can be far from campsites. A Salt Springs visitor notes, "The bathrooms are very far from the sites and it was visible where some people had relieved themselves in the bushes. There is no potable water anywhere so bring some."
Tips for camping with families
Activity schedules: Many campgrounds organize planned events for kids. "There are planned activities almost every weekend during the 'season'," says Carol about Montrose, while Mike H. shares about Keen Lake Resort Campground: "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!"
Swimming areas: Some locations have designated kid-friendly water zones. As one visitor described: "The kids had fun riding bikes on the road, which was off the main road. The bugs were better than I would have anticipated next to the lake."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment. Guy M. notes about Lackawanna, "The Lake looked nice though we didn't use it. The roads all around were great for motorcycles and Scranton was very close for all your needs."
Tips from RVers
Site sizing and terrain: Level sites can be scarce in the hilly terrain. According to Harry L. at Cozy Creek Family Campground: "The pull through sites worked well for us, however next time we'd ask for one with a concrete patio. A pretty drive into the Scranton area. Many pretty tent sites right on the creek."
Full hookup options: Several locations now offer complete utility connections. Cheryl M. stayed in the "fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers."
Off-season availability: Winter camping requires special preparation but provides quiet experiences. "We only stayed here one weekend when one of our usual Halloween camping spots was already booked... Pull through site was spacious and easy to get to- though ours was not very wooded," reports Gayle B. about Shore Forest Campground.
