Nestled in northeastern Pennsylvania's Luzerne County, the Kingston area sits at approximately 550 feet elevation with thick deciduous forests dominating the landscape. The camping season typically runs April through October with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during the day. Winter camping options are limited primarily to heated cabins and yurts, with most tent camping areas closing after the fall color season.
What to do
Hiking the waterfalls trail: At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, visitors can explore the Falls Trail system. "A typical PA State Park campground. Nice enough, but awesome location. Make sure you check out the falls!" notes Rachel B. The 7.2-mile Falls Trail loop showcases 22 named waterfalls, with the tallest dropping 94 feet.
Exploring boulder fields: A distinctive geological feature awaits at Hickory Run State Park Campground. As Mike M. explains, "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown." The boulder field covers 16.5 acres and was formed during the last ice age.
Water recreation: Lake activities are available at multiple parks. "We were in the outer loop far from the rest of the campground and they only had ports potties and hand sanitizer. I wish we had been on the inner loop for the bathrooms, but we had a huge tent site that fit 4 tents on it. Hike to the waterfall, it is beautiful," shares Sarah L. about Hickory Run.
What campers like
Private tent sites: Some parks offer more secluded camping spots. At Red Rock Mountain Campground, "We camped at Red Rock as couples. We stayed in primitive tent sites which you had to hike into. They were very private. We enjoyed our stay," reports Samantha M. These walk-in sites require carrying gear 50-150 yards from parking.
Year-round accommodations: While many campgrounds close for winter, options exist for off-season camping. "Campground has cabins and yurts, pull in sites for RV's and strictly walk in tent sites. There is a beautiful lake and a very large pool. We went in early spring midweek, it was very quiet and exactly the get away we wanted," explains David G. about Lackawanna State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The region's forests support diverse wildlife. "Even though this jacket was 2 or 3 sizes too big for me, I was able to adjust the cuffs on the sleeves as well as the hood to give me a better fit. I stayed dry!" notes Shirley M., who also mentioned, "We took a drive on 2 afternoons on a stone road through the woods to see the Boulder Field. It was a beautiful drive. We were on the lookout for bear, but only saw 3 deer."
What you should know
Bear awareness: Bear activity varies by season and location. At Tobyhanna State Park Campground, Erik M. 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."
Site quality varies: Within the same park, site amenities can differ significantly. "We stayed in the large loop, which is a peninsula on Lake Jean. Many of the sites have lake views. The bathhouse was clean but not adequate for 73 sites," reports Lee D., noting that "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered."
Seasonal water restrictions: Water quality testing may impact available amenities. According to Lee D., "Since we had a reservation, we received a phone call in advance of our stay letting us know about this." Carrying extra water is recommended during mid-to-late summer camping trips.
Tips for camping with families
Look for interactive amenities: Some campgrounds offer specialized family facilities. "This state park is just beautiful with a nice lake and beautiful trails. The campground is a bit crowded during peak season without much privacy. But this is the spot to be if you wanna hit up some trails and see some gorgeous views," explains Vika Z. about Ricketts Glen.
Plan for rainy days: Weather in the Poconos can change quickly. "We stayed one night when it happened to rain all evening. So, we stayed inside our camper. We did take a short walk around both camping loops in lighter rain. The swimming beach looked nice," shares Amy V. about Lackawanna State Park.
Consider glamping options near Kingston, Pennsylvania: For families new to camping, glamping offers comfort with nature. Luxury tent options have been expanding at several parks. "Ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers. Nice play area for kids, water craft rentals, nice lake. Plenty of picnic areas for day trips," notes Cheryl M. about Lackawanna.
Tips from RVers
Book early for premium sites: Waterfront RV sites fill quickly. "We were right on the lake. 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," explains Shirley M., adding that "It was a very quiet weekend for us as our loop was not crowded."
Be prepared for unlevel sites: Many campgrounds require leveling equipment. "The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because our site wasn't level and it took hours to get it right. After that... we had the best time!! Tons of trails and creeks. So much fun!!" shares Angie G. about Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
Check hookup availability: Full hookup sites are limited at some parks. "The tent sites are not very defined, level or rock free. Makes it fun searching for a good position within the site, kinda like roughing it in the actual wild," notes Dave R., who adds "Overall I would and plan on returning" to Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
