Cabins near Kingston, Pennsylvania offer rustic lodging in the Pocono Mountains, where elevations reach 1,500-2,300 feet. Many park cabins remain open through late fall when overnight temperatures can drop below freezing. State parks in the region typically receive 45-50 inches of annual precipitation, creating lush forests around cabin sites.
What to do
Hiking at boulder fields: Hickory Run State Park features unique geological formations for exploration. "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 one visitor to Hickory Run State Park Campground.
Waterfall viewing: The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen showcases multiple cascades in a single hike. "The hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained! And the hike back up was again steep but maintained! And you got different falls to look at both ways," explains a camper at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground.
Kayaking on protected lakes: Several parks offer water activities with no gas-powered boats. "The lake is crystal clear and the beach is spotless. You absolutely have to bring a kayak/inflatable boat, but if you don't own one, don't worry, you can rent one," recommends a visitor to Pickerel Point Campground.
What campers like
Cabin privacy levels: While some cabin areas offer seclusion, others provide community spaces. "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," reports a camper at Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many cabins place visitors near animal habitats. "We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings," notes one camper about Hickory Run State Park. Another visitor to Tobyhanna State Park mentioned, "We were on the lookout for bear, but only saw 3 deer."
Lakeside settings: Some cabins offer direct water access. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," says a visitor to Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park.
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Parks enforce strict food storage regulations. "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," warns a Tobyhanna State Park visitor.
Water quality concerns: Some parks experience seasonal water issues. "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth," reports a visitor to Ricketts Glen State Park.
Alcohol restrictions vary: Some parks strictly prohibit alcohol while others permit it. "Alcohol is strictly forbidden– we were warned that if a ranger saw any alcohol outside of our vehicle, we would be cited," notes one Ricketts Glen visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer play areas for children. "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," mentions a camper at Hickory Run State Park.
Educational programs: Many parks run seasonal activities for kids. "I was pleasantly surprised they have programs for kids. Can never go wrong here," writes a visitor to Pickerel Point Campground.
Swimming options: Lakes and pools provide water recreation. "The kids had a great time! Bathrooms could be cleaned more often but relatively clean. Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc," shares a visitor to Pickerel Point Campground.
Tips from RVers
Utility hookup availability: Full hookup sites with sewer connections are limited. "We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. The sites in this loop were spacious and more in an open area," notes a camper at Highland Campgrounds.
Water hose length requirements: Some parks position water spigots at a distance from sites. "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," advises a visitor to Moyers Grove Campground.
Quiet hours enforcement: State parks implement varying noise regulations. "Quiet hours are 9 pm–8 am, which is more restrictive than other state parks, however, some did not observe these quiet hours," reports a visitor to Ricketts Glen State Park.
