Stephen R.
Guide
GuideRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
Camping near Kingston, PA
29 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Camping options in the Kingston area of Pennsylvania include several state parks with developed campgrounds offering a variety of amenities. Frances Slocum State Park, located about 10 miles west of Kingston, provides electric hookups for RVs and tent camping areas with seasonal availability from April through October. Within 25 miles of Kingston, campers can access additional established campgrounds including Ricketts Glen State Park, Lackawanna State Park, and the Moon Lake Recreation Area in Pinchot State Forest, each offering different accommodation types ranging from primitive tent sites to RV spots with utilities.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping experiences in the region. Most state park campgrounds operate from the second Friday in April through the third Sunday in October, though Ricketts Glen State Park remains open year-round. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when sites fill quickly. Electric hookups are common at most developed campgrounds, though water hookups and dump stations vary by location. Some campgrounds have restrictions on alcohol consumption, and pet-friendly sites may be limited to designated areas. A camper noted, "Cleanest campground I have been to. Great in-between spot to Worlds End State Park and Ricketts Glen."
The diverse landscape surrounding Kingston provides varied camping experiences. Waterfront camping opportunities exist at several parks including Frances Slocum and Lackawanna, where lakes support fishing, boating, and kayaking. Campers frequently mention the recreational opportunities available at these locations. One visitor remarked, "We really liked the lake and the pool. The sites have electricity and water nearby." Campground amenities differ significantly across the region—some like Moon Lake Recreation Area offer more primitive experiences with basic facilities, while others provide modern bathhouses, showers, and recreational facilities. Site spacing can be an issue during peak season, with some campers reporting that Frances Slocum's sites are "packed in together tightly," though others praise the "large, wooded sites" with "good bathhouse, nice trails close by" and appreciate the peaceful setting.
Best Campgrounds near Kingston (193)
1. Hickory Run State Park Campground
"Great location lots of hiking trails right in the park and many more close by"
"Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. "
61 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $72 / night
2. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground
"The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"
"Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty)."
10 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $15 - $92 / night
3. Frances Slocum State Park Campground
"Was also an easy back in site as there’s an adjacent road (to parking and the amphitheater) right in front of it. All sites only have electric and only certain allow pets."
"Large, wooded sites, good bathhouse, nice trails close by. A little highway noise, but dark and quiet at night. Very peaceful place."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
4. Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest
"A one mile walk gets you to the lake. They have a covered pavilion with plenty of picnic tables. My site is large with plenty of trees providing shade. The outhouse is a bit of a walk."
"There is no electric or water hookup but the trails are nice, it's quiet, and there's a lake to fish. There's also swimming down the Rd at a nearby creek."
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $10 / night
5. Lackawanna State Park Campground
"The sites were a little close to each other and where we were in the park was a mixed use area. So we had an RV next to us with the Genny running all day."
"The main reason we didn't do more was the distance. We have a motorhome so we didn't have additional vehicles to get to and from places."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $90 / night
6. Tobyhanna State Park Campground
"We were looking for a lakeside campground with a spacious campsite that could comfortably fit two large tents and two vehicles."
"Breathtaking views from nearby trails and nearby Big Pocono State Park. The park staff were very helpful and knowledgeable about nearby trails and best places to get the most out of the views!"
4 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $43 / night
7. Highland Campgrounds
"This campground was very nice and had so much hiking in and around it. They were very helpful with getting us a site since it was so last minute on a holiday weekend Will be visiting again"
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $100 / night
8. Lehigh Gorge Campground
"Bathrooms were close by and as clean as you can expect when camping. I’d certainly go back."
"We are in a transient site which doesn't have much shade and it is close to the main road (although separated by some trees and brush). The campers and campground are very quiet. "
9. Moyers Grove Campground
"The campsites were clean, adequately spaced and many positioned along side a creek. The bathhouse (hooray) was great. Recently renovated, they were extremely, clean and dry."
"There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes. It was too cool to use the pool while we were visiting but it was clean and well cared-for. "
10. Cozy Creek Family Campground
"Campground is based around kids, there’s a lot for them to do!"
Check Availabilityfrom $17 / night
Drive Time
- 18 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr 7 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 13 min from Binghamton, NY
- 1 hr 17 min from Williamsport, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Kingston, PA
394 Photos of 193 Kingston Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Frances Slocum State Park Campground
Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State ForestJ
Thornhurst Tract Roadside Campsites — Pinchot State Forest
Lehigh Gorge Campground
Hickory Run State Park CampgroundK
Cozy Creek Family Campgroundk
Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Red Rock Mountain Campground
Ricketts Glen State Park CampgroundD
Lackawanna State Park Campground
Whispering Pines Camping Estates
Wanna Ruf It CampgroundB
Recent Reviews near Kingston, PA
905 Reviews of 193 Kingston Campgrounds
- RRussell A.
Scout100 Mile View Camping
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
Nancy W.
LegendHickory Run State Park Campground
Peaceful State Park Camping in the Fall
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
Tony F.Guide100 Mile View Camping
The best views
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Beautiful Falls!
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
- WWill W.Guide
Lackawanna State Park Campground
Car camping
Stayed October 14 without reservations because website showed lots of availability. Office was closed (M-F 8-4) so submitted honor system envelope with cash and stayed at Site 041 on Carpenter loop. Shower building was a short walk and was spacious enough. Water temp didn’t quite reach hot but was warm enough.
Electric kept on tripping breaker.
Roger V.
TravelerBake Oven Knob
solid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
- jjeanne A.Guide
Council Cup Campground
Better than nothing
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
Daniel C.ScoutHillside Campgrounds
Stay away... Unless you like 70 y/o men acting like high schoolers
This clothing-optional campground has a highly toxic, intrusive, and vindictive environment. During my stay, the seasonal permanent residents('perms') subjected me to intense harassment, inappropriate sexual advances, and severe social retaliation/rumor-spreading when those advances were rejected. The situation escalated to the point where an employee had to intervene for my safety. Furthermore, despite management allowing my photo to be taken in costume at a party, I was intentionally blocked from the community group where the photos were posted, leaving me unable to monitor how my image was being used. Avoid this place if you value your privacy, personal boundaries, and safety.
Guide to Kingston
Dispersed camping opportunities exist across Pinchot State Forest near Kingston, Pennsylvania, alongside established campgrounds at several state parks. The forest covers 50,000 acres with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,300 feet. Most state park campgrounds operate seasonally, but Pinchot State Forest offers year-round primitive camping that requires proper waste disposal and adherence to leave-no-trace principles.
What to do
Boulder field exploration: Hickory Run State Park, located 30 miles from Kingston, features a remarkable 16-acre boulder field composed of red sandstone rocks. "The Boulder Fields are one of the coolest places I've ever visited, partially because they were so unexpected. Don't twist an ankle, but you can play hide and seek to an extent as there are small depressions in the fields," notes a visitor to Hickory Run State Park Campground.
Waterfall hiking: The falls trail at Ricketts Glen State Park showcases 22 named waterfalls within a moderate hiking distance. "The biggest draw to this state park is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike. The trails are very well marked," reports a camper at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground.
Mountain biking: The trail system at Moon Lake Recreation Area offers technical routes through forested terrain. A regular visitor notes, "Absolutely love Moon Lake. Place has some of the best mountain bike trails in northeast PA. Camping is primitive but has spots big enough for RVs."
What campers like
Large, wooded sites: Many campers praise the spacious sites at Hickory Run State Park. "The sites are large and many are somewhat private in terms of visual barriers. Some bathrooms are latrines, but they also have beautiful, fully updated showers and restrooms available," mentions a satisfied camper.
Lake access for fishing: Lackawanna State Park offers shoreline fishing opportunities from dawn to dusk. A regular visitor mentions, "The park has great hiking spots, a local pool, and a lake that you can rent boats or kayak on!" Another adds, "A nice lake where you can rent boats or tie up your own right on the lake near the campground. Just the right size lake for kayaking."
Clean facilities: Lackawanna State Park Campground maintains well-kept shower buildings and restrooms. One visitor specifically noted, "Recently renovated, they were extremely clean and dry," while discussing bathroom facilities in the area.
What you should know
Bear precautions: Multiple campgrounds in the Kingston region have active bear populations. At Tobyhanna State Park Campground, a camper warns: "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. Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. "We were given a terrific tent site. The park was very neat and well manicured. Bathrooms were fairly nice, but no TP mid day," notes a motorcycle camper at one location.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly across campgrounds. A visitor to Moyers Grove Campground reports, "Be advised that there was no cell service or internet for AT&T users. Verizon did have some service. Also, there is no cable and our antennae was unable to pick up any TV channels."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Hickory Run, "There is a large open field in the loop we camped in with a swing set on it. This was nice for families with children," says a camper.
Swimming options: Most of the best places to camp near Kingston, Pennsylvania include water recreation. "We really liked the lake and the pool. The sites have electricity and water nearby," mentions a family that visited the area.
Safe biking areas: Cozy Creek Family Campground provides areas where children can ride safely. A visitor notes, "Campground is based around kids, there's a lot for them to do!" However, another visitor cautions about the entry road: "The road in is dirt, rough and narrow."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Many campgrounds require some adjustment for comfortable parking. A visitor to Ricketts Glen noted, "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling. Not much shade in the full hookup loop, so was happy to have electricity for A/C."
Water hookup distances: At some locations, connections can be far from parking spots. A visitor to Moyers Grove cautions, "Make sure you have a LONG water hose. We actually had to buy a 50 foot hose in the camp store to accommodate the distance to the spigot."
Electric reliability: Older campgrounds may have power limitations. At Highland Campgrounds, there are "nice sites with full hookups for RVs" according to visitors, though details on amperage can vary across campgrounds in the Kingston region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best family-friendly camping options in Kingston, Ontario?
What are the best family-friendly camping options in Kingston, Ontario?
Several excellent family-friendly options exist around Kingston. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground offers a gated environment with water and electric hookups, creating a secure space for families. Blue Rocks Family Campground provides a beautiful natural setting with RV sites nestled in woods and rolling hills. Families also appreciate the amenities at places like Ricketts Glen State Park, where children can enjoy hiking to numerous waterfalls. The best family campgrounds offer a mix of natural beauty, activities for different ages, and essential facilities like clean restrooms.
Are there campsites with swimming pools in Kingston, Ontario?
Are there campsites with swimming pools in Kingston, Ontario?
Mount Pocono Campground offers an excellent swimming experience with a huge swimming pool and a separate toddler pool for younger campers. This facility stands out for its family-friendly water amenities. While natural swimming options exist at many campgrounds in the region, proper swimming pools are less common. Most Kingston area campgrounds typically feature natural swimming areas like beaches, lakes or creeks rather than constructed pools.
What camping is available near Kingston, PA?
What camping is available near Kingston, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kingston, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 193 campgrounds and RV parks near Kingston, PA and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Kingston, PA?
Which is the most popular campground near Kingston, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kingston, PA is Hickory Run State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 62 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kingston, PA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kingston, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Kingston, PA.
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