Mount Bethel sits at approximately 450 feet elevation in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains region, where summer temperatures average 75-85°F and winter can drop to 15-20°F. The area's dense woodlands create natural barriers between campsites at most campgrounds, with several offering yurt accommodations for campers seeking alternatives to tents or cabins in the varied terrain.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Jenny Jump State Forest offers multiple hiking paths directly from campsites, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "This place was great, they allow dogs and had hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground. It's also close to other local hikes like Mt. Tammany," notes Fransheska A. from Jenny Jump State Forest.
Wolf preserve tours: Camp Taylor Campground provides access to the Lakota Wolf Preserve with scheduled tours for campers. "You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," says Julie F. from Camp Taylor Campground.
Fishing and boating: Spruce Run Recreation Area offers multiple waterfront campsites with direct reservoir access. "You can launch your kayak easily from the shore. The sites are large, many have nice mix of sun and shade," explains Ruette W. from Spruce Run Recreation Area.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Mountainview Campground provides secluded camping spots under mature trees. "Our site was fully private (could not see or hear neighbors). Beautifully secluded and quiet. Pretty rare for campgrounds in NJ," writes Christina H. from Mountainview Campground.
Clean facilities: Despite being rustic, many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms. "Bathrooms were standard, compost toilets. The showers were free and generally quite hot," notes Seth K. about Jenny Jump State Forest.
Yurt camping options: Several Mount Bethel area campgrounds offer yurt accommodations as alternatives to traditional tent camping. Great Divide Campground features yurts among their lodging options. "This is a beautiful campground with much to do around the grounds themselves. They had live music which was actually really good! A reggae band," mentions Julie from Great Divide Campground.
What you should know
Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways. "You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," advises Jules T. about Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Limited cell service: Reception can be spotty throughout the region. "The cell service for most providers is practically non-existent. I understand this is not the park's fault and some would say that this is 'real' camping," explains Jim G. about Timothy Lake South.
Reservation requirements: Particularly during summer months, advance booking is necessary. "We spent Mother's Day weekend. Staff is friendly campsite is very clean. Seasonal in good condition. Sites a bit uneven - but large," reports Rebecca G. from Triple Brook Camping Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Delaware Water Gap KOA offers dedicated play areas for children. "The whole scene was exactly what I love about camping, a nice little remote campground in the mountains. A playground for kids," notes Christina H. from Delaware Water Gap KOA.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds have swimming areas, though water quality varies. "The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in. The bathrooms/showers are clean and well maintained," shares Kathy G. about Camp Taylor Campground.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled programs. "A nice small lake for swimming and boating. Clean Bathrooms. We walked to the point at Mt Tammany for a great view of the river," says Jean T. about Camp Taylor Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Some campgrounds have limited space between sites. "Sites are kinda close together but it was fairly quiet even though it was full," explains Mary H. about Timothy Lake South.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "Check-in was quick and easy in spite of Covid precautions. This is a first-come, first-serve park in the Thousand Trails system so we had to drive around looking for a spot," advises Jim G. about Timothy Lake South.
Water pressure considerations: Water systems vary between campgrounds. "Our camp site was great (52), backed onto a wooded area and a big playground was directly in front of us, which worked out perfectly since we have school age kids," reports Penny C. about Delaware Water Gap KOA.
