Ricketts Glen State Park Campground
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
10 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The Schuylkill County area around Middleport, Pennsylvania features several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, including Locust Lake State Park and Tuscarora State Park. These campgrounds accommodate diverse camping preferences with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals throughout the region. Locust Lake State Park Campground provides waterfront camping with electric hookups and pet-friendly sites, while nearby Rosemount Camping Resort offers nearly 400 sites ranging from tent camping to cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in the area maintain moderate to high ratings from visitors who appreciate the mix of wooded settings and water access.
Camping in this region operates primarily from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Locust Lake State Park Campground operates from mid-April to mid-October, while other private campgrounds like Jim Thorpe Camping Resort and Appalachian Camping Resort follow similar seasonal schedules. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer months. Site conditions vary significantly, with numerous visitors noting uneven terrain at state park campgrounds. One camper observed that "most sites had a slope but there were some level sites. Many sites were not level front to back," highlighting the importance of proper equipment for leveling at certain locations.
Waterfront access represents a major draw throughout the region, with Locust Lake State Park providing opportunities for fishing, swimming, kayaking and canoeing. The paved walking path around Locust Lake receives consistent praise from visitors who enjoy the flat, accessible terrain for walking and biking. Campers frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere at most established campgrounds. "Great campground for young families/first time campers. On the smaller side, a nice bike loop, opportunities to fish, swim (a small sand beach) or kayak within a small vicinity," noted one visitor. While state park campgrounds provide more rustic experiences with basic amenities, private campgrounds in the area typically offer more extensive hookups and facilities including sewer connections, showers, and camp stores selling essentials and firewood.
"We had lake front access to put kayaks in and fish which was awesome. Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach. Beach area was nice."
"Had a site close to the lake. Many sites (including mine) were not level. The sites sizes were a bit small and i would book during peak season. I would definitely return again off season."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $43 / night
"According to hikers on the AT, this is what they call Pennsylvania, as they hike through this section of the state. And Blue Rocks Campground doesn't dissapoint."
"Blue Rocks family campground is close to I78 however it is still off the beaten path. It is very peaceful to camp here as you have different types of environments."
"Good hiking trails were just a short walk away from our campsite. Would definitely go back again."
"No water but directly across from facilities with basin sinks outside for cleaning dishes, etc. Each yurt has a huge deck, 2 picnic tables and fire pit."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $49 - $90 / night
"They are in the process of adding lots more sites up away from the lake in the woods plus 2 bath houses. The sites along the lake are great, but be aware most of them are seasonal."
"You’re not allowed to swim in the lake although you’re allowed to use floats. The area has not much to do unless you would like the state park, which is close by."
from $65 - $97 / night
"Great location lots of hiking trails right in the park and many more close by"
"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. "
Available this weekend
from $20 - $72 / night
"Makes it fun searching for a good position within the site, kinda like roughing it in the actual wild... so not really a complaint. Sites are not very private or secluded."
"The sites were fine and I liked the location. Next to the creek where you can fish trout (don’t forget to buy a license). About 3 miles stroll along the creek to Jim Thorpe."
"You will get you exercise walking to the pond, pool, capstone or basketball courts. The playground was luckily right across from us up on the hill. They also have a Frisbee golf course on site."
"This campground had been let go with poor management for many years, HOWEVER the new management and staff have really turned it around!!"
"It was a nice size and was in a good location - near the ponds, pool, office, and bathhouse - but was still quiet! There were scheduled activities for kids and adults."
"We started our trip Friday afternoon, we pulled into the campground and they had a table set up outside to “check in.” We did not wait in a mile long line to park and go into the office."
"Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."
"Beautiful lake beach and canoe and kayak rentals. There’s much to explore in the town Jim Thorpe and beautiful hiking close by."
from $20 / night
"occasionally stocked), badminton, horseshoes, golf cart friendly, A large pavilion with a large flatscreen display and community firepit is there for general use or for rental, There is wifi by store and surrounding"












Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
Easy access to Lancaster and Pennsylvania Dutch areas. Friendly, welcoming staff and plenty of colorful trees in the autumn. The only RV park in the area that is open year round.
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
solid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
i mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
Camping opportunities near Middleport, Pennsylvania range from waterfront to wooded experiences at elevations between 800-1,500 feet throughout the region. Summer temperatures average 80-85°F during peak season, while spring and fall camping brings cooler 55-70°F days with potential frost overnight in October. Winter camping options remain limited with most facilities closing after the fall foliage season.
Explore boulder fields: The boulder field at Blue Rocks Family Campground offers a unique geological experience. "Our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time. primitive but fun!" reports Terri S. The campground provides easy access to these natural rock formations that fascinate visitors of all ages.
Paddle on Tuscarora Lake: Kayaking and paddle boarding opportunities abound at Tuscarora State Park Campground, where water activities remain a primary draw. "Beautiful lake surrounded by trails and includes beach area and playground. Also each yurt comes with a moor skip to keep kayaks, paddleboards or canoes at lake," notes Mandy F. The lake features clear, clean water with convenient launches.
Hike accessible trails: Multiple trail systems connect throughout the region, with Mauch Chunk Lake Park offering both lakeside and woodland paths. "The campsites were adequate size. The campground is very close to lots of outdoor attractions and fun in the Jim Thorpe and Blue Mountain area," shares Danielle F. Many trails feature moderate terrain suitable for families.
Clean facilities: Lakewood Park Campground maintains exceptional cleanliness standards throughout their grounds. "Checkin was quick and no fuss. Friendly staff, grounds look well taken care of. The pond is a very nice amenity," reports Paul B. The newer bathhouse facilities receive consistent praise from visitors.
Fall season camping: Locust Lake State Park Campground shines during autumn with colorful foliage and comfortable temperatures. "PA is beautiful in the fall. Nice campground with some trails and access to Pottsville - for the best brewery tour ever - Yeungling! Check out the Jim Thorpe fall fest and Hershey Park," recommends Melanie Z. Fall weekends book quickly at most campgrounds.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and streams provide fishing throughout the camping season. "I went there with my son and a friend. We did some kayaking and fishing, it was good! We went in July, and it did rain some," shares Paul J. about his experience at Locust Lake. Most waters contain bass, trout, and panfish species with state fishing regulations applying.
Site conditions vary: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. At Hickory Run State Park 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. It was a very quiet weekend for us as our loop was not crowded," notes Shirley M. Bringing leveling blocks proves essential at most campgrounds.
Limited cell service: Connectivity ranges from spotty to nonexistent at several campgrounds. "I absolutely love camping here! If you want to be disconnected, literally because there is no cell service, then this is the place for you," explains Jen R. about Tuscarora State Park. Download maps and information before arrival.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds follow similar April-October schedules, with weather determining exact opening and closing dates. "Open from the 2nd week of April until the 3rd week of October, weather permitting," states John B. regarding Rosemount Camping Resort. Shoulder season camping requires additional preparation for temperature fluctuations.
Look for playgrounds: Family-friendly facilities enhance camping experiences with children. "Great campground for families or solo," mentions Ange S. about Tuscarora State Park. Multiple campgrounds feature playground equipment, sports facilities and organized activities during summer months.
Reserve waterfront sites early: Prime lakefront locations book months ahead, especially for summer weekends. "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," shares Emma T. about Jim Thorpe Camping Resort. Most waterfront sites carry premium pricing.
Consider organized activities: Several campgrounds schedule regular events for children and adults. "My family and I just stayed here for a long weekend over the Labor Day holiday. Appalachian is one of the absolute best campgrounds I have ever stayed at. The campground had numerous activities set up all throughout the day and there was something for everyone," reports Melissa Y.
Check site dimensions carefully: RV sites vary considerably in size, levelness and accessibility. "Beware: these sites are not travel trailer friendly. We booked two nights but upon arriving, we realized that there was no way to fit our trailer (only 25 ft). Trees were growing up in all the sites that were available and most of the ones without trees in the way were pointing in the wrong direction for backing into and NONE were level," warns Chelsea B. about challenges at Locust Lake.
Consider Mauch Chunk for paddle access: RVers who enjoy water sports appreciate direct lake access. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm. I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," notes Lisa S. Most lakefront sites accommodate smaller trailers and campers.
Investigate hookup options: Water and electric availability changes by campground and loop. "Great place. No water hook up. No sewer hook up. Just electric at certain sites. Convenient paved walking path all around the lake, swimming lake with beach, nice playground for kids," explains Brandon W. about Locust Lake State Park Campground facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Middleport, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Middleport, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 174 campgrounds and RV parks near Middleport, PA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Middleport, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Middleport, PA is Locust Lake State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 32 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Middleport, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Middleport, PA.
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