L
Laurel D.
Traveler
TravelerCamp Swatara
Very family oriented
The sites ard nice, it's run by Mennonites, I believe. Lots of recreation for kids, quiet time respected and a service on Sunday morning. Full hookups for a very reasonable price.
Camping near Cranberry, PA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Cranberry, Pennsylvania range from tent sites and RV hookups to cabins and glamping accommodations across state parks and forests in the Pocono Mountains region. Hickory Run State Park Campground offers sites for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping accommodations approximately 45 miles east of Cranberry. Nearby Locust Lake State Park Campground provides lakeside camping with boat-in access options. The area includes both family-friendly developed campgrounds like Jim Thorpe Camping Resort and more rustic options at Tuscarora State Park, which remains open year-round. Cranberry Run Campground, a family-operated facility, provides group sites accommodating up to 50 people and specialized hike-in sites overlooking a small pond.
Camping seasons generally run from mid-April through October, though weather conditions can significantly impact site usability. Many campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly for summer weekends and holiday periods. Cell service becomes increasingly limited as visitors venture deeper into state forest areas, with one camper noting "we had zero cell service" at Worlds End State Park. Rocky terrain presents challenges for tent campers, with several reviewers recommending specialized tent stakes and extra sleeping pads. Spring rainfall can create flooding and mud issues, particularly at lower elevation sites. As one visitor to Locust Lake observed, "sites became extremely muddy after rain" and creek-adjacent areas experienced "inches of water throughout the entire row of sites."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw throughout the region's campgrounds. Visitors frequently mention the ability to launch kayaks directly from their sites at places like Ricketts Glen, where "we could put our kayaks in the lake right from our camping spot." Site privacy varies considerably across facilities, with some state park campgrounds offering generously spaced sites while private campgrounds tend toward closer quarters. Fall foliage viewing draws significant crowds, with one camper describing the experience as "breathtaking views from nearby trails." Wildlife sightings, including bears, are occasionally reported, though most campgrounds maintain appropriate safety measures with "large dumpsters away from the campsites to dispose of garbage safely."
Best Campgrounds near Cranberry (184)
1. Hickory Run State Park Campground
"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.  "
from $24 - $108 / night
Check Availability2. Locust Lake State Park Campground
"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."
from $24 - $47 / night
Check Availability3. Jim Thorpe Camping Resort
"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."
4. Tuscarora State Park Campground
"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."
from $58 - $80 / night
Check Availability5. Mauch Chunk Lake Park
"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
Check Availability6. Lakewood Park Campground
"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 $62 - $114 / night
Check Availability7. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground
"The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"
"Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty)."
from $24 - $164 / night
Check Availability8. Moyers Grove Campground
"The campsites were clean, adequately spaced and many positioned along side a creek. The bathhouse (hooray) was great. Recently renovated, they were extremely, clean and dry."
"There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes. It was too cool to use the pool while we were visiting but it was clean and well cared-for. "
9. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
from $10 / night
Check Availability10. Bodnarosa Campground
Drive Time
- 36 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr 1 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 5 min from Reading, PA
- 1 hr 5 min from Lebanon, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Cranberry, PA
417 Photos of 184 Cranberry Campgrounds
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Tuscarora State Park Campground
Katie S.
Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Mackenzie B.
Mauch Chunk Lake Park
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Locust Lake State Park Campground
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Recent Reviews near Cranberry, PA
927 Reviews of 184 Cranberry Campgrounds
Stefanie K.TravelerLackawanna State Park Campground
Quiet getaway
The state park is beautiful. The site was very nice. The park itself is very big with many activities available such as boat rentals and a swimming pool. There's also an amphitheatre which hosts specials. During our stay the only activity we made it to was the pool. The main reason we didn't do more was the distance. We have a motorhome so we didn't have additional vehicles to get to and from places. We walked to the park which according to my Fitbit was 1.5 miles away. That doesn't seem too bad until you realize it's mostly hills in both directions! We are a fairly active young family who has no problem with a bit of a walk but after that experience we decided to just spend the remainder of our trip hanging out at our site. It's a good thing we only stayed 2 nights because our 10 year old might've lost his mind with boredom if we stayed longer. Overall, the site we had was great and I'd recommend it. My husband and I may come back for a couples date weekend.
TSWX3475 B.TravelerShikellamy State Park Campground
Shikallamy Marina
It's a nice park but it's daytime only there's no camping here
- Patrick Z.
ScoutTwin Grove RV Resort
Nothing open
Picked the nicest days of the week. Got here and the carousel, Ferris wheel, restaurant, and ice cream shoppe are closed. They are apparently only open 2 days a week, maybe 3. I would have just went down the road to the KOA had I not known this.
- DDaniel O.Scout
Deerfield Campground — Promised Land State Park
Nice for a quick stopover
Stayed for a quick weekday overnight at a primitive site—fine spot overall. Pros: Restrooms and showers clean and in working order. Pet-friendly. Nice surroundings (though nothing extraordinary). Easy access with a sedan. Cons: most sites are very close to one another with little privacy. Fair amount of road noise. Quiet hours didn’t seem to be enforced—some folks playing music until midnight.
- AAnastasia M.Traveler
Tobyhanna State Park Campground
Awesome lakeside camping 🤩
We were looking for a lakeside campground with a spacious campsite that could comfortably fit two large tents and two vehicles. We chose Tobyhanna State Park, and it turned out to be absolutely wonderful.
We stayed at Site 113, which had plenty of space on the right side of the campsite for two large tents, with enough room to park two vehicles as well. While the campsites are fairly close to one another, most visitors come here to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, and everyone seemed very respectful of each other’s privacy.
Just a one-minute walk from our campsite, there was a very clean restroom, hot showers, and a laundry facility. Right next to it, there was a volleyball court, as well as easy access to the lake with a boat launch and great spots for fishing.
On our very first day, the park rangers warned us that bears sometimes visit the campground, so they recommended storing all food in the car overnight. We followed their advice and had no issues.
Overall, I would give Tobyhanna State Park a perfect 10 out of 10. We had an amazing experience and will definitely be coming back!
MsTrailBlazer 🏔.
RangerLocust Lake State Park Campground
Probably won't be back
Check in was a Doozy. I have never treated like that....and my friend that checked in an hour earlier got the same attitude. I have also never been to a state Park that wanted me to check in every time I drive past the station. And to top it off, anyone could park at the visitors parking lot and come through at any time. Second night, I swear drone or someone was on our site in the middle of the night. Flashed Twice. Scared at that point. Only one car at a site. Never actually saw a ranger drive through
- JJohn S.Scout
Quakerwoods Campground
Great place. Friendliest people
The staff is the GREATEST. They are knowledgeable and helpful. The grounds are clean. The shower rooms are clean and large. Laundry room is perfect. They have pull-thrus, back ins and tent sites. Dog stations are placed throughout the park. The campers are also the friendliest. You can always tell the condition of the camp by the quality of the people staying there.. everyone was respectful, courteous and friendly. We stayed in July, 2026 and would DEFINITELY stay again next time we are thru PA.
- MMaybe I.
GuideThe Pines Campground — Promised Land State Park
Good place
We had a great campsite 038, mainly because we booked the site right next to the restroom and hoped no one would reserve the one closest to it, which ended up being the case. The neighboring campsite on the other side also became vacant, so we had plenty of privacy. Otherwise, the sites would have felt a bit cramped. The beach is about a 5-minute walk through the woods. I highly recommend taking a walk there after dark to look at the stars. It’s absolutely worth it. Shower location only near the beach and be ready to pay for it with quarters The restroom is very close from our site and clean, but it’s surrounded by trees, so it’s well hidden and never felt like a disturbance. Our site was much more secluded than most of the others. I would also recommend site 032, as it seemed even more private. Verizon barely had any service, except early in the morning and late in the evening. T-Mobile worked much better. Overall, it’s a nice campground with a beautiful lake. We really enjoyed spending time kayaking, and if you don’t have your own kayak, you can rent one there
Guide to Cranberry
Dispersed camping options near Cranberry, Pennsylvania range across state park lands within the Pocono Mountains. Most public camping areas remain closed from mid-October through early April due to winter conditions and freezing temperatures. Campgrounds at higher elevations in the region experience nighttime temperatures that can drop into the 40s even during summer months, requiring adequate sleeping gear for comfort.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, visitors can explore the 22 named waterfalls located throughout the park. As one camper noted, "The biggest draw to this state park is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike. The trails are very well marked."
Fishing access: Multiple camping sites near Cranberry, Pennsylvania offer direct water access. At Locust Lake State Park Campground, campers appreciate the fishing opportunities with one visitor sharing, "Some camp sites are along the lake or along the small creek, all are very wooded. They sell ice cream (and firewood, etc.) on site in the summer but it's bring your own boat."
Paddleboarding: Watersports enthusiasts can enjoy calm waters at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, where one reviewer emphasized the accessibility: "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm. You are in beautiful Jim Thorpe that has white water rafting in town, plus great restaurants and bars. I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear."
What campers like
Natural privacy: Jim Thorpe Camping Resort receives positive feedback for its natural setting, with campers noting the "great bike access to Mauch Chunk lake" and that "a major pro is access to the Switchback Trail from the campground. A wonderfully scenic trail."
Wildlife encounters: Visitors to Hickory Run State Park Campground frequently mention wildlife sightings. According to one review, "we were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings." Another camper pointed out, "We took a drive on 2 afternoons on a stone road through the woods to see the Boulder Field. It was a beautiful drive. We were on the lookout for bear, but only saw 3 deer."
Camping during non-peak seasons: Fall camping draws visitors seeking seasonal color changes. A camper at Locust Lake shared, "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."
What you should know
Weather impacts: Significant rainfall affects camping experiences throughout the Pocono region. At Locust Lake, one camper reported: "We had 3 families and sites (2 campers & 1 tent) all sites were decent sizes. 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. Only downside to our trip was poured every night and one whole day."
Bathroom facilities: Facilities vary widely across camping sites near Cranberry, Pennsylvania. A camper at Mauch Chunk Lake Park noted: "Our site was for the most part clean, the fire pit was so full of ash and trash and giant rocks that we had to clean ourselves right when we arrived. Bathrooms were decently clean."
Connectivity: Cell phone service varies dramatically across campgrounds in the region. At Moyers Grove Campground, a visitor warned: "Be advised that there was no cell service or internet for AT&T users. (Verizon did have some service.) Also, there is no cable and our antennae was unable to pick up any TV channels."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection priorities: Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center offers organized entertainment that appeals to families with children. A visitor mentioned, "The campground is definitely great for Girl Scout or school groups, but if you are looking for a peaceful campground look elsewhere. There was a movie shown at night, as well as music played late into the night."
Water recreation options: Lakes provide swimming and boating opportunities that appeal to families with children. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, a first-time camper described their experience: "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, went to bed, woke up to make some breakfast and then we were off to go rafting on the Lehigh river 10 minutes away."
Children's play facilities: Playground access varies between campgrounds. One camper at Tuscarora State Park explained: "There is a playground for kids to play in that is well maintained. There are hiking trails in the back side of the park, from the main entrance."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Lakewood Park Campground receives positive reviews for site design, with one camper noting: "Our site(#74) was plenty big enough for our 45' motorhome and Jeep plus lots of room to spread out. The park is relatively new. Everything is clean and in great working order."
Water hookup distances: At Moyers Grove Campground, RVers should prepare for unusual hookup arrangements, with one camper warning: "Make sure you have a LONG water hose. We actually had to buy a 50 foot hose in the camp store to accommodate the distance to the spigot."
Road access considerations: Access roads present challenges for larger vehicles in some locations. A reviewer at Lakewood Park mentioned: "Traveling to this campground requires driving several steep grades(8+%). Do your best, drive slowly, and stay focused."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cranberry, PA?
What camping is available near Cranberry, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cranberry, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 184 campgrounds and RV parks near Cranberry, PA and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cranberry, PA?
Which is the most popular campground near Cranberry, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cranberry, PA is Hickory Run State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 60 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cranberry, PA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cranberry, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Cranberry, PA.
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