The Delaware River region near Matamoras, Pennsylvania sits at approximately 400-600 feet elevation with dramatic seasonal temperature swings from below freezing winters to humid 80°F+ summers. The area's camping season typically runs from early April through late October, with some campgrounds offering limited winter availability. Campers should prepare for frequent summer afternoon thunderstorms that can temporarily raise water levels on the Delaware.
What to do
Tubing adventures: At Kittatinny Campground, campers recommend booking the river recreation packages that include equipment. "My college friends go here each year to meet up and we have so much fun. The group sites are great and perfect for our 30-50 people. Definitely go for the rafting/tubing package, it was the best part of the trip!"
Hiking to waterfalls: Multiple trails near Dingmans Campground lead to impressive cascades within short driving distance. "Waterfall in pic was a 5 min drive from the campground and then a 40 min hike. Worth it!" Visitors regularly mention Dingman's Falls and Raymondskill Falls as accessible natural attractions.
Wildlife viewing: The forested campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for bird and animal watching. The river corridors particularly attract diverse species. "Saw tons of bald eagles flying near the site and while paddles birds playing and baby geese with their mommas!" according to one Namanock Island camper.
Stargazing: Limited light pollution in more secluded camping areas creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing. During new moon phases, the stars are exceptionally visible from lakeside sites at Ocquittunk where one camper noted, "The views of the lake are nice, very peaceful" - perfect for evening stargazing.
What campers like
Island camping: For experienced paddlers, Namanock Island offers a rare opportunity to camp on the Delaware River itself. "My partner and I hit this campground up during the era of Covid and it was a cool place to stay. The location was on POINT!! Definitely a beautiful place to stroll along and enjoy the wilderness." Note that these primitive sites require watercraft access and limit stays to one night.
Lake views: Many sites at Ocquittunk provide direct water views. "We stayed at site #T007 is was a short walk from the car to the site, but so worth it for many reasons. The site itself is huge and we were able to position our tent facing the lake, it was beautiful!" The campground maintains a balance between water access and woodland privacy.
Fire towers: Hiking opportunities near the campsites include trails to fire towers with regional vistas. At High Point State Park, one camper reported, "You can drive to High Point monument that is 1803 feet above sea level and you get a spectacular panorama view. There are hiking trails and fresh water for kayaking."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities despite their natural settings. "The bathrooms / showers are the cleanest we've ever seen at any campground. They are newly built or refurbished and spotless," according to a visitor to Dingmans Campground.
What you should know
Campsite noise varies significantly: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours strictly while others allow more activity. "Busy campground no quiet time loud music till 3 in the morning. Very clean, workers very friendly and helpful but after dark no one around." This review from Kittatinny Campground contrasts with the more peaceful environment at other sites.
Weekend vs. weekday experiences: Occupancy patterns affect campground atmosphere dramatically. "Best to stay during the week. Average at best but better during the week. Can get really overcrowded on summer weekends sometimes. On holiday weekends it looks like a refugee camp." This advice applies to most campsites near Matamoras, Pennsylvania.
River water levels fluctuate: For campers planning water activities, water levels vary based on recent rainfall and release schedules from upstream dams. "Spring time trips can find the water levels much higher and swifter making it more difficult to arrive safely, or dry," notes one regular Namanock Island visitor.
Reservation timing: For most popular sites, especially those along water, securing reservations months in advance is necessary for summer weekends. At High Point State Park Campground, one camper noted they "got in with no reservation, which was great" - but this experience is increasingly rare during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds offer opportunities for children to interact with farm animals. At Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool." These features provide built-in entertainment for younger campers.
Recreational options: Campgrounds offer varying levels of programmed activities for children. "This place was so fun for the entire family, it wasn't that busy, so we didn't really have to worry all the time about the kids getting ran over! The park ranger person came through and gave the kids cool posters, and just made it a very fun place for all the kids."
Safety considerations: For families camping near water, supervision requirements vary by location. Several campgrounds have shallow entry points to water, while others have steeper banks requiring closer monitoring. At Stokes State Forest, visitors appreciate that "you can camp right next to the river and it has a great view" while maintaining safe access for children.
Space for activities: Look for campgrounds with open field areas for games and group activities. One camper at Oakland Valley Campground appreciated that "Middle level has open field with bathrooms with sinks and running water. There is water and electric on the sites at the middle level."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many RV sites in the mountainous terrain require leveling equipment. "We had to try 2 different spots bc some of them are VERY un level," noted one camper at Deerpark, while another at Oakland Valley mentioned "sites were a bit difficult to back into and unlevel."
Highway proximity considerations: The closest RV campsite to Matamoras is Tri-State RV Park, which offers convenience but with tradeoffs. "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot. Restrooms are clean. Not much else to say about this CG, is just a parking lot with hookups."
Service delivery options: Some campgrounds offer convenient amenities for RVers. "They deliver wood and ice to your site which is super convenient," reported a camper at Deerpark. This service is particularly helpful for RVers who have already set up their site and don't want to relocate to gather supplies.
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds in the region have limitations for larger RVs. "The RV sites for a bigger camper are tight squeezes. If you are not comfortable with lots of tight turns I would not recommend for you!" advised one camper about Dingmans Campground, reflecting a common situation in the region's more wooded camping areas.
