The Pocono Mountains region surrounding Lake Harmony sits at approximately 1,700 feet elevation with temperate summer averages of 80°F and winter lows often below freezing. Visitors seeking camping sites near Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania will find rocky, forested terrain with many lakes and streams throughout the region. Campgrounds typically fill quickly on holiday weekends, especially those with water access sites.
What to do
Hiking trails and waterfalls: Hickory Run State Park Campground offers numerous trails within minutes of Lake Harmony. One visitor noted, "The trails we hiked - Hawk Falls and Shades of Death trails - where were rated 'more difficult' were not bad to hike at all. We hiked both with your 2 large dogs. Both of these trails had a creek and waterfalls."
Wildlife viewing: Worthington State Forest Campground in nearby New Jersey provides unique wildlife opportunities. A camper mentioned, "This was a very pleasant stay with beautiful views and privacy. We especially enjoied seeing the wolves-- it was really neat and definetly a draw to the area (you can hike from the campsite to the preserve)."
Biking on dedicated paths: Jim Thorpe Camping Resort offers immediate trail access. According to one camper, "A major pro is access to the Switchback Trail from the campground. A wonderfully scenic trail."
Boating and fishing: Tobyhanna State Park Campground features a lake for multiple water activities. A camper shared, "There's a separate shore for kayaks and canoes to enter the lake. We even got to see an eagles' nest near our campsite."
What campers like
Direct water access: Many campgrounds offer sites with direct lake or river access. At Pickerel Point Campground, a camper reported, "Almost every campsite is close to the water. Our site had kayak access and that was a real bonus."
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds prioritize natural separation. At Worthington State Forest, visitors appreciate that "The spots are huge, and mostly private. When we go camping we don't want to be right up against our neighbors and at worthington we pretty much had our own little island."
Clean facilities: Mount Pocono Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. One camper stated, "Cleanest campground bathouse I've ever used! Great hiking trail right from the site."
Family activities: Many campgrounds offer structured entertainment. A visitor to Hemlock Campground & Cottages shared, "Family friendly campground with many activities incl. playground, games, karaoke, bingo nights etc."
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters are common in the Poconos. At Tobyhanna State Park, a camper warned, "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."
Variable bathroom quality: Facilities differ between loops at some campgrounds. At Hickory Run, a visitor noted, "The inner loops have nice bathrooms. We were in the outer loop far from the rest of the campground and they only had ports potties and hand sanitizer."
Site surfaces: Many tent sites have gravel surfaces. At Peaceful Woodlands Campground, a camper shared, "The one we had was cramped between the picnic table, fire ring, 6 person tent and the car. We have a Subaru Outback, I don't want to think how cramped it would have been if we had a large pick-up or full size SUV."
Weather considerations: Spring conditions can be challenging. At Hemlock Campground, a visitor reported, "Unfortunately, it was a giant mud pit when we were there. The spots and road are not paved or have gravel."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with organized activities: Many Pocono campgrounds run scheduled programs. A visitor to Mountain Vista Campground reported, "They have a ton of great activities from kids carnival, craft beer tastings, farmers market, bingo...the list goes on!"
Look for paved roads for bikes: Some campgrounds offer better terrain for children's activities. A camper at Pickerel Point noted, "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds feature learning experiences. At Hickory Run State Park, a visitor mentioned, "The visitors center boasts the most modern updates and a truly lovely interactive museum displaying the history and current wildlife of the park."
Plan for varied weather: Temperature swings can occur even in summer. A visitor to Jim Thorpe Camping Resort shared, "It was chilly in the mornings and evenings and warm and sunny during the day. Perfect fall weather."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require significant setup work. A visitor to Jim Thorpe Camping Resort cautioned, "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."
Electric service varies: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. A Mountain Vista camper noted, "The tent sites all have water & electric, and have a picnic table and fire ring. The sites are fully shaded."
Space constraints: Larger RVs may struggle at certain campgrounds. One Jim Thorpe visitor observed, "The RVs were parked so close together that none of us could use our awnings. There was a fifth wheel to our left that could just barely get their slideouts extended."
Payment policies: Some campgrounds have specific requirements. A Mountain Vista camper advised, "Be aware that the campground doesn't have credit card facilities, but does have an ATM in the store if absolutely necessary."
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