Glamping near Mehoopany, Pennsylvania offers elevated camping experiences in northeastern Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains region. The area sits at elevations ranging from 600-2,300 feet, creating varied camping microclimates across Lackawanna, Wyoming, and Sullivan counties. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing while summer camping season brings daytime highs around 80°F with cool evenings in the 50s.
What to do
Hike the Boulder Field: At Hickory Run State Park Campground, explore this natural phenomenon. "The Boulder Field was the highlight of our camping trip. The campground has great playgrounds, several well-marked trails, and functional (if dirty and rustic) restrooms and showers," writes Shayna.
Kayak peaceful waters: Glide across the water at Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground. "The lakeside spots are gorgeous and the private dock is great when you have kids that love to fish. If you are looking for a place to disconnect for a few days this is it," notes Tracey.
Explore multiple state parks: Many glamping options provide convenient access to several parks. "Camp is close to World's End state park, Ricketts Glen, and numerous overlooks and plenty of hiking, biking and the best swimming hole on the Loyalsock creek! No mud just clear mountain water," explains David S. of Camp Kit Adin Outfitters.
Winter activities: While many campgrounds close seasonally, some areas maintain winter access. "We would love to come back in the winter when they have an ice rink with a warming house," shares Michael about Lackawanna State Park's off-season offerings.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Site layout affects overall experience. "The tent sites were right behind the athletic field where they did activities the weekend we were there. The tent sites were the most wooded and cozy site we have camped in all year. So much room for tents/hammocks. Trees galore," writes Katye M. about Pine Cradle Lake.
Swimming options: Keen Lake Resort Campground provides multiple water recreation areas. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake. The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground," explains Emily Z.
Seasonal events: Pioneer Campground offers special weekend programming. "We started with a trip in the summer because of their candy bar hunt and heated swimming pool. We found out about their Halloween activities and have been back several times. We love decorating the sites and taking the kids trick or treating," shares Gayle B.
Pet-friendly options: Many locations accommodate four-legged companions. "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. It was a very quiet weekend for us as our loop was not crowded," notes Shirley M. about Hickory Run's pet-friendly section.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Tobyhanna State Park Campground receives mixed reviews on facilities. "Bathrooms were clean enough, and they have coin op laundry which could be nice for families. They only had one utility sink to clean dishes, and the faucet was a poorly working motion sensor- time consuming and annoying," reports Emilie D.
Site layout considerations: Many campgrounds have distinct sections with different feels. "The sites themselves are well kept and have a big fire pit and picnic table. I would suggest getting there while it is still light out, there is plenty of room on the roads to get your rig around the campground, but there are lots of trees and it gets a little hard sometimes to see where the road is vs a site," advises Gregory L. about Pioneer Campground.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly. "If you are looking for a place to disconnect for a few days this is it. There is very very little cell reception and only wifi if you pay for it," mentions Tracey about Pine Cradle Lake.
Seasonal water issues: Water systems sometimes face challenges. "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth," explains Lee D. about Ricketts Glen.
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak benefits: Visit during weekdays when possible. "We went in early spring midweek, it was very quiet and exactly the get away we wanted," notes David G. about Lackawanna State Park Campground.
Private shower facilities: Some locations offer family-friendly bathroom setups. "The restrooms were fantastic, the buildings held two complete rooms with a toilet sink and shower in each. It's the only shower camping this year my 4yr old wasn't afraid of because we had the whole room to ourselves," shares Katye M. about Pine Cradle Lake.
Wildlife awareness: Be prepared for local fauna. "We were warned at check in that there have been a lot of bears in the area but never really thought that we would see one. 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," warns Erik M. about Tobyhanna.
Diverse accommodation options: Many sites offer various glamping structures. "This is an amazing state park that has something for everyone. There are standard car camping tent sites, RV sites, and yurts and camper cabins. For those who like more rustic options, there are hike-in sites that are beautiful and not far from the parking area," explains Janet R. about Lackawanna State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Red Rock Mountain Campground provides convenient access to popular attractions. "Small Privately Owned Campground Minutes from Ricketts Glen. This campground takes you back in time. There are all these tiny little outdated but cute cottages and a bath house," describes Casey L.
Leveling considerations: Prepare for uneven terrain. "The sites are a bit larger than average and are pretty level, but make sure to bring leveling blocks," advises Gregory L. about Pioneer Campground.
Hookup reliability: Check electrical capacity before arrival. "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained," cautions David about Lackawanna State Park.
Waste management: Some campgrounds offer additional services. "I don't believe most sites have a sewer connection, and there is only one dump station, but the owner John was going around pumping people out Sunday morning when the line to the dump station was long," notes Gregory L. about Pioneer Campground.
