Pocono Mountain camping sites cluster around Lehighton, Pennsylvania at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,500 feet. The area receives moderate rainfall year-round with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. Most campgrounds in this region remain open from April through late October.
What to do
Explore boulder fields: The Hickory Run State Park boulder field features a unique glacial formation where visitors can carefully navigate across stones of various sizes. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," notes Mike M. at Hickory Run State Park Campground.
Hike the Appalachian Trail: Access points to the AT are located near several Lehighton area campgrounds. "It's right at the base of one of the most popular hiking trail, The Pinnacle. It's nestled in the woods and is very rustic," explains Darrien K. about Blue Rocks Family Campground.
Creek access fishing: Multiple campgrounds offer streamside sites for easy fishing access. At Lizard Creek Campground, campers can enjoy "biking, fishing, playground, pool and volleyball. Owner seemed very nice, had a nice small store, with some camping needs," according to Bryce S.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards despite rustic settings. "The bathhouses in this loop are non-flush/pit toilets. However, the other camping loops had shower houses and flush toilet restrooms," reports Shirley M. about her experience at Hickory Run State Park Campground.
Creekside tent sites: Tent campers particularly appreciate waterfront access. "My favorite spots are the tent-only sites along the creek. They are peaceful and separate from the RV area," shares Asher K. about Pocono Point.
Lake activities: Several campgrounds feature lake access for swimming and boating. "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!" mentions Annette M. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park. Another camper, Emma T., adds, "We set up the tent, kayaked on the lake, cooked up some dinner, watched a strawberry super moon rise over the lake."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many Lehighton area campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring extra setup time. "Our site was way to 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," reports Donna C. about her experience at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
Pet fees vary: While most campgrounds around Lehighton offer pet friendly camping options, additional charges apply at some locations. At Pocono Point, one visitor noted, "All for rates that are ridiculous, including $10/night per pet. Never heard of paying for pets at a campground."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. The Stonybrook RV Resort provides extended season accommodations, with Jamie S. sharing, "We stayed here during the winter January-February no activities going on. It does offer beautiful views especially covered in snow."
Tips for camping with families
Playground quality: When traveling with children, compare playground facilities across campgrounds. "Locust Lake State Park has convenient paved walking path all around the lake, swimming lake with beach, nice playground for kids," according to Brandon W., though he notes bathrooms can be "absolutely horrendous."
Shallow creek play: Creekside campsites provide natural entertainment for children. At Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, Jessica W. mentions, "The mauch chunk stream runs through the back of the campground. The D&L trail also runs at the back of the campground, giving great bike access to mauch chunk lake."
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity occurs throughout the Poconos region requiring proper food storage. Jennifer D. from Hickory Run State Park notes, "We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Many state parks have electric-only sites without water or sewer connections. At Locust Lake State Park, Brandon W. confirms, "No water hook up. No sewer hook up. Just electric at certain sites."
Site selection matters: RVers should research specific site dimensions and access before booking. "Sites are HUGE and each one has full hook up," Jackie F. reports about Pocono Point, while at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, Christina L. found sites to be "very tightly packed."
Off-season flexibility: Several campgrounds offer winter camping with fewer amenities. Tori from Stonybrook RV Resort shares, "Nice campground, very very level site. But beyond the pool there wasn't much to do. Although, this might be due to the fact we visited during the week instead of the weekend where it seems they have a lot of events."
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