The Delaware River region near Milanville offers diverse camping options across Pennsylvania and New York state lines. Sites range from primitive riverfront spots to established campgrounds with full hookups. Most facilities operate from late April through mid-October, with limited winter camping options in certain locations.
What to do
River activities: At Soaring Eagle Campground, the Delaware River provides excellent fishing, tubing, and paddling opportunities. One visitor notes, "Great campground right on the Delaware river great for fisherman, hikers also great for tubing down the Delaware or canoeing."
Lake recreation: The lakes at Keen Lake Resort Campground offer alternatives to river activities. A camper shared, "We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake."
Hiking trails: Promised Land State Park features several well-marked trails for day hiking. A visitor recommends "the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked." Multiple trails provide varying difficulty levels suitable for different experience levels.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Narrowsburg Campground offers riverside camping with good site separation. A camper mentioned the area is "nice and clean, right on the water. Spread out just enough to feel like we had good privacy."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities, particularly during weekdays. At Pickerel Point, campers appreciate "beautiful new bathrooms" and "very beautiful and quiet" surroundings that create a peaceful camping atmosphere.
Family activities: Honesdale-Poconos KOA provides structured entertainment options. One visitor shared, "Activities for the kids like movies (it was Moana), a pool, mini golf and a bounce area. We had a fantastic first camping experience for the kids (and dogs)."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: River conditions vary significantly throughout camping season. Early spring brings higher water levels while late summer might have low flow. Water temperature remains cool even in summer months.
Weekend crowds: Skinners Falls Campground experiences heavy weekend usage. A regular visitor advises, "Avoid the summer weekends and holidays at all cost if you are looking for some old school camping."
Noise levels: Some riverside campgrounds permit music and gatherings. Reviews indicate variable enforcement of quiet hours. Midweek camping typically offers a more serene experience than weekends or holidays.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, particularly for summer weekends. Holiday weekends often book months ahead, especially for waterfront sites.
Tips for camping with families
Lake options: Keen Lake Resort offers child-friendly swimming areas. A camper reported, "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake." The campground also provides structured activities for different age groups.
Playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. Happy Days Campground includes "an old school playground for kids, volleyball court" alongside other recreational facilities.
Nature programs: Pickerel Point Campground offers educational activities when available. A visitor mentioned, "The museum and crafts were closed due to Covid so that was a bummer but we found other things to do. Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc."
Campsite selection: For families with small children, selecting sites away from water edges provides additional safety. Campsites near bathroom facilities reduce nighttime walks for younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some riverside campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. Check specific site dimensions before booking.
Hookup availability: Water and electric hookups vary by campground. One RVer at Soaring Eagle noted, "Great campground with amenities that are helpful to parents and new campers such as restrooms, showers, camp shop, canoe/kayak/tube rentals and designated drive in sites with fire ring and table."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds may be narrow or contain sharp turns. One visitor warned to "watch the local roads for potholes" when traveling to camping areas.
Dump stations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping facilities. Plan accordingly for longer stays or verify locations of nearby dump stations.
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