Best Campgrounds near Lake Ariel, PA
The Pocono Mountains region surrounding Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania features several established campgrounds with diverse accommodation options. Keen Lake Resort Campground in nearby Waymart provides tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping facilities with lake access. Clayton Park RV Escape in Lake Ariel itself offers riverside camping with full hookups for RVs and tent sites. The area is characterized by forested terrain with multiple lakes and streams, creating opportunities for waterfront camping experiences within a 20-mile radius of Lake Ariel, including Promised Land State Park and Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
Most campgrounds in the Lake Ariel region operate seasonally from April through mid-October, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary facilities are standard at developed sites, while more rustic options may have limited amenities. Promised Land State Park features multiple camping areas including Lower Lake Campground with Beechwood, Northwoods, and Rhododendron sections, each offering different levels of privacy and access. Winter closures affect most campgrounds, though some areas remain accessible for day use. A visitor noted that "sites have nice sizable fire pits, but they are very tall. It's difficult to cook over them, and sitting around the campfire in the evening is a much less visually appealing experience."
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Lake Ariel area, with several campgrounds offering direct lake or river access. Campers particularly value the ability to launch kayaks and canoes directly from their sites. Pickerel Point Campground at Promised Land State Park features private lakeside walk-in sites where visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, including beaver sightings. Tobyhanna State Park Campground provides lakeside sites with mountain views that campers describe as "an experience that I will always treasure." Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours beginning at 9 PM, and several prohibit alcohol consumption. Sites with electric hookups are common throughout the region, though primitive camping options with fewer amenities are also available for those seeking a more rustic experience.
