The Pocono Mountains region surrounding Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania sits at elevations between 1,300-1,800 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than nearby urban areas. The landscape features mixed hardwood forests with hemlock, oak, and maple trees surrounding numerous lakes and streams. Most RV sites near Lake Ariel remain open from late April through mid-October, closing during winter months when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing access points: Clayton Park RV Escape provides direct lake access for fishing, with one visitor noting the area has "great river based location" with "sites [that] are huge, plenty of room for 2+ family campers." Some campgrounds have designated fishing areas for guests.
Kayaking and canoeing: Soaring Eagle Campground offers rentals for water activities, with a reviewer mentioning it's "great for fisherman, hikers also great for tubing down the Delaware or canoeing." The Delaware River provides calm waters suitable for beginners.
Hiking trails: Nearby state parks and forests offer trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. One camper at Blue Mountain noted, "There were endless activities from hiking to mountain biking. We visited in fall so we had the entire place to ourselves."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer larger-than-average sites. A visitor to Soaring Eagle Campground mentioned, "The sites are larger than most campgrounds and well spaced out. I have been there on busy holiday weekends where it was full but still peaceful and private."
Clean facilities: Keen Lake Resort Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance, with one camper stating, "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground" though noting "The showers are coin operated."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Multiple campgrounds offer structured activities for children. A reviewer at Keen Lake shared, "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!"
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close during winter months. A visitor to Thousand Trails Scotrun mentioned, "We came in at end of season, so pretty much everything seems closed. But, it's a beautiful campground."
Variable cell service: Coverage can be inconsistent throughout the region. A guest at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South noted, "Cell service is ok. Verizon is 25 down 10 up. Tmobile is unusable."
Site selection matters: Locations vary significantly in terrain and amenities. One camper at Keen Lake advised, "Get a site on the lake" and "If you don't want to drive during your stay, camp on the side w/ the beach and pool."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Keen Lake Resort Campground offers scheduled recreation options throughout the day. A camper shared, "This place is perfect for families, beginners, adventurers, and fisherman alike. They have an overabundance amount of activities scheduled for campers."
Swimming options: Many local campgrounds have both pools and natural swimming areas. A visitor described their experience: "The kids had fun riding bikes on the road, which was off the main road. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake."
Playground access: Facilities for children vary between campgrounds. A visitor to Mountain Top RV Park reported, "They have a small playground that would be better suited for older children, and there's also a nice lounge room with games, a pool table, a tv and puzzles/board games."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: RV sites near Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania typically accommodate rigs up to 40 feet, though some locations have limitations. A camper at Tri-State RV Park noted, "Lots of pull through sites" making it "Perfect for an overnight stop."
Hookup quality: Water pressure can vary significantly between campgrounds. One RVer at Timothy Lake South mentioned, "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi."
Terrain considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. A visitor to Mountain Top RV Park advised, "If you're booking, it may be best to book on the upper levels because the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain."
