Pocono Mountain State Park camping provides a cooler climate than surrounding areas, with elevations averaging 1,800 feet. The region's unique glacial geology created the lakes and ponds that dot the landscape. Summer temperatures typically range 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby cities, making yurt camping in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania particularly comfortable during July and August.
What to do
Hiking near waterfalls: Several campgrounds offer direct access to waterfall trails. At Hickory Run State Park Campground, "We hiked both with your 2 large dogs. Both of these trails had a creek and waterfalls," notes one reviewer who found the Hawk Falls and Shades of Death trails less difficult than advertised.
Wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to observe native wildlife in their natural habitat. "We saw wild turkeys and deer in the morning," reports one camper at Camp Taylor Campground. For a more structured wildlife experience, "The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located on the camp and offers discounted tours for campers."
Winter recreation: While most Pocono glamping sites close seasonally, winter visitors can find accommodations. Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South remains open with "Simple Campground - nice lay out albeit as with many campgrounds, the spaces are quite close together. With a sparse population in the winter, it made for a great spot for a work stay."
What campers like
Fishing opportunities: The numerous lakes provide excellent fishing spots. At Tobyhanna State Park Campground, "Sites are right on the lake. The bathrooms aren't the greatest but overall it's a beautiful place," notes one visitor who appreciated the lakeside access.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. A visitor to Mount Pocono Campground shared, "Cleanest campground bathouse I've ever used! Great hiking trail right from the site." The attention to cleanliness extends beyond bathrooms with "The whole place is very pleasant, quiet, wooded, well-landscaped, and cared for."
Evening atmosphere: The quieter nighttime environment allows for relaxation. At Camp Taylor Campground, "unlike many other campgrounds we've been to, they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night, so you can have an actual peaceful and quiet night around the campfire." Some campers even report hearing wolves howl in the distance.
What you should know
Bear country awareness: Bears are active in the Pocono Mountains. "Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car," advises a Tobyhanna State Park visitor who encountered a bear while setting up their tent. Many campgrounds require proper food storage.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA, "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."
Seasonal operation: Most Mount Pocono yurt accommodations operate from April through October. Stokes State Forest has more year-round options: "We stayed in Cabin #008. The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When selecting sites, consider proximity to play areas. At Delaware Water Gap KOA, one family found that "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."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities. Otter Lake Camp Resort provides "a big lake you can fish from, kayak, bring your own boat and even swim from when it's warm out." Another visitor noted they have "Pools indoor and outdoor" plus "Great playgrounds."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds schedule regular events. At Otter Lake, campers enjoy "organized activities like softball, archery and ceramics for kiddos." Delaware Water Gap KOA offers similar programming: "We were there for July 4th weekend. They had a schedule for events all weekend."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For RVs, finding level sites with adequate hookups is essential. At Timothy Lake South, "Sites are long but narrow. Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi." RV campers should bring pressure regulators.
Seasonal alternatives: For cooler weather, alternative accommodations like yurts in Mount Pocono provide climate control systems. As one camper at Stokes State Forest noted, "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic." Most include wood stoves that "definitely heat the room up nicely."
Utility considerations: Water and electric hookups vary between campgrounds. One RVer at Tobyhanna State Park reported, "Scenic and spacious. Large camping areas that can fit two cars onsite and include picnic tables, some even with water and electric hookups."
