Camping options around Lake Harmony cater to diverse preferences in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains region at an elevation of 1,500 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping season. Winter camping remains available at select sites where temperatures can drop below freezing between December and February.
What to do
Boulder field exploration: At Hickory Run State Park, the unique geological formation attracts visitors year-round. "The Boulder Fields are one of the coolest places I've ever visited, partially because they were so unexpected. Don't twist an ankle, but you can play hide and seek to an extent as there are small depressions in the fields," notes Amber A. at Hickory Run State Park Campground.
Lake activities: Mauch Chunk Lake offers excellent water recreation with rental options. "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, went to bed, woke up to make some breakfast and then we were off to go rafting on the Lehigh river 10 minutes away," shares Emma T. at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Trail hiking: Numerous hiking options provide exercise and scenery. "Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. 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. about their hiking experience.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. "The bathhouse, rec area, pools, playground, outdoor seating areas are all very nice and enjoyable. Would definitely come again!" notes M.S. at Mount Pocono Campground. This campground stands out for cleanliness despite high visitor numbers.
Wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to observe local animals. "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," writes Shirley M. about their experience watching for wildlife.
Waterfront sites: Many campers prefer lakeside camping spots for the views and access. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm. You are in beautiful Jim Thorpe that has white water rafting in town, plus great restaurants and bars. I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," says Lisa S. at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
What you should know
Site sizes vary significantly: Some campgrounds have more spacious sites than others. "The sites were spacious. The campgroung was very qiiet, and all of the facilities were very clean and well maintainined. The only downside was that my Sprint Cell servie was very good in this area," reports Dave B. at Mountain Vista Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping experiences throughout the year. "This was our first visit to Hickory Run State Park & we loved it. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. Even though it was a very hot weekend and our site was in an open area, we had a nice breeze and shade from the wooded area behind our site," explains Shirley M.
Reservation requirements: Popular dog friendly campgrounds near Lake Harmony book quickly. "This was our first trip with our new to us jayco. We stayed in site 20. Easy to back in. Didn't need leveling blocks as our site was nice and level. Stayed Thursday through Sunday," notes Angela at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, highlighting the importance of securing specific sites in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Scheduled events keep children engaged at many campgrounds. "This is a nice campground with a pool. Our site was a good size and the facilities were clean. There is a camp store which was loaded with anything you may need from grocery items, equipment, pans, and toys," states Teresa at Mountain Vista Campground.
Water features: Lakes and pools provide cooling recreation during summer months. "We walked around the reservoir on a lovely path and enjoyed the nicely-cared-for amenities. The bullfrogs made joyful sounds, but we were hoping to be more rustic and further from other people," mentions Gretchen R. at Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
Space requirements: Consider site dimensions when bringing multiple tents or equipment. "This campground allowed tent camping during the crazy time of COVID-19. The tent area was very nice, ours was at the top so the walk was a bit steep getting back up to camp from the bathroom, but the 2 sites we had were very nice. There were 5 of us so all tents went on one site and the kitchen and hang out area were on the other," explains Karralee B. at Peaceful Woodlands Campground.
Tips from RVers
Leveling needs: Check site descriptions for leveling requirements. "Very tightly packed but a cool campground. We had a small pop up trailer with available hookups. They also have cabins. This was mainly a seasonal campground. Bathrooms were great! Showers clean," notes Christina L. about Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
Hook-up availability: Electrical and water connections vary by site and campground. "This state park Is only 20 minutes from home and we love spending time there. Almost every campsite is close to the water. Our site had kayak access and that was a real bonus. It is a spotless facility. Evan in August it was not crowded," shares Aida K. about Pickerel Point Campground.
Site access: Consider vehicle size when booking at dog friendly campgrounds near Lake Harmony. "This area is so beautiful. a ton to explore and a huge frisbee golf course. 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," says Sarah L. about the varying facilities at Hickory Run State Park.
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