Kunkletown sits at the base of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, where campers experience moderate summer temperatures averaging 78°F during peak season. The area features over 150 miles of interconnected hiking trails with direct access to several sections of the Appalachian Trail. Winter camping continues at select locations where temperatures typically drop to the mid-20s at night.
What to do
Boulder field exploration: Hickory Run State Park features a 16-acre boulder field with rocks ranging from small cobbles to 26-foot boulders. "This area is so beautiful. A ton to explore and a huge frisbee golf course," notes Sarah L. from Hickory Run State Park Campground. The boulder field formed during the last ice age approximately 20,000 years ago.
Wolf watching tours: Visitors can take guided tours at the Lakota Wolf Preserve adjacent to Camp Taylor Campground. "You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," explains Julie F. The sanctuary offers educational programs twice daily on weekends.
Paddle sports: Mauch Chunk Lake provides calm waters ideal for beginners. "Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone. We set up the tent, kayaked on the lake, cooked up some dinner, watched a strawberry super moon rise over the lake," shares Emma T. from Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Mountain biking: Blue Mountain Resort features dedicated downhill trails with bike rentals available on-site. "If you choose adventure this is the place for you, ride the ski lifts up to the top of the mountain then you get to bike down it, they have rental bikes available or bring your own," notes Lois from Blue Mountain RV and Camping Resort.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Pocono Point offers tent-only areas away from RV sections. "My favorite spots are the tent-only sites along the creek. They are peaceful and separate from the RV area. If you want a really private area head up to their hilltop sites which are tent-only and have lots of space with a decent view," shares Asher K. from Pocono Point.
Immaculate facilities: Many campgrounds maintain extremely clean facilities. "The camp store had good hours and is stocked to high heaven; you could come here with just the clothes on your back and buy everything you need for a very comfortable stay," reports Bridget D. about Hickory Run State Park Campground.
Lakeside camping: Several parks offer direct waterfront sites. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm. I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," describes Lisa S. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Close proximity to town: Jim Thorpe Camping Resort provides easy access to dining and shopping. "The secret it packs is the great town in which it shares its name. You are 5 minutes from the wonderful town of Jim Thorpe," explains Dave R. from Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. "We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings," mentions Jennifer D. about Hickory Run. Another camper, Erik M., confirms: "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."
Noise levels: Campground noise varies significantly between weekdays and weekends. "During the week it is very quiet. There is a general store on site, an arcade, a pool, bathrooms with clean showers," notes Jessica W. At Mauch Chunk, a camper warns: "We visited in the summer on a weekend when it was full. The campsites are too close to each other and we were surrounded by very loud campers."
Reservation timing: Most glamping close to Kunkletown, Pennsylvania requires booking 6-9 months in advance for peak summer weekends. Many campgrounds close between late October and early April, though some luxury glamping operations maintain winter operations with heated accommodations.
Challenging terrain: Some campgrounds feature uneven sites. "Many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters," advises Amber M. about camping at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Families with young children should consider campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Camp Taylor Campground, "This campground is lovely. Very wooded. Some sites are more private than others but all have a wooded and private feel. It's GREAT for kids. A nice playground with tons of kids running all over," reports Kathy G.
Lake swimming: Several parks offer supervised swimming areas. "The lake is nearby and doesn't get crowded. There's a separate shore for kayaks and canoes to enter the lake," explains Marlaina M. about Tobyhanna State Park.
Interactive activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled programs. "Stonybrook RV Resort provides weekend activities during summer months with themed weekends and craft sessions for children under 12," states a recent visitor.
Camp store conveniences: Some locations have well-stocked stores for forgotten items. "The store is cute and has just about anything that you need," notes a Camp Taylor visitor. This prevents trips to distant stores when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require additional equipment for setting up. "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," reports Angie G. about Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
Electric options: Check amperage compatibility before booking. "Stonybrook RV Resort has nice and level side to side sites. Their pool looked very nice although we did not use it. This may be our new go to for quick little getaways!" shares Jonathan F.
Tight maneuvering: Large rigs face challenges at some locations. "Very tightly packed but a cool campground. We had a small pop up trailer with available hookups. Bathrooms were great! Showers clean," notes Christina L. about Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
Site selection: Research individual site dimensions before booking. "Our site was way too small even though we gave the length and width of our rig ahead of time. We were always looking for a place to park our tow because we had no extra space in front or back," advises one RVer.
