The Pocono Mountains region surrounding Mountain Top, Pennsylvania sits at elevations between 1,300 and 2,300 feet, creating a cooler microclimate than nearby lowlands. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during day, dropping to 50-65°F at night, making extra layers essential for comfortable glamping and camping experiences. During peak seasons, advance reservations are often required at least 3-4 months ahead for premium sites.
What to do
Hiking around waterfalls: The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground takes you past 22 named waterfalls on a moderate 4-mile loop hike. "The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) 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."
Boulder field exploration: The unique geological formations at Hickory Run State Park Campground feature a 16-acre field of boulders for scrambling and exploration. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown." The boulder field is accessible via a scenic stone road drive through forested areas.
Lakeside activities: Several area campgrounds offer dedicated lake access for swimming, fishing, and paddling. "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
Secluded forest settings: Tuscarora State Park Campground offers glamping yurts set among dense forest. "We reserved 3 of 4 yurts for first weekend in June...non peak season. Peak season requires minimum 5 day reservation, I believe. Yurts have 2 sets of bunk beds with one set having full size mattress on bottom. Yurts have heat and fans. Full size refrigerator, stove and microwave."
Campground cleanliness: Visitors consistently rate the bathhouses and facilities highly. "The bathhouse was clean but not adequate for 73 sites. The campground was about ¾ full and there was often a wait in the bathroom. Showers looked reasonable but I did not use them." Most Mountain Top glamping locations feature modern bathrooms with hot showers, though peak weekend usage may result in wait times.
Large camping sites: Many campgrounds provide spacious sites with natural buffers. "A group of us stayed here over Memorial Day weekend. The sites were super spacious and private. There was enough room for a full overlanding setup, three vehicles, a hammock, two dogs and a two person tent with plenty of room to spare."
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience periodic water issues requiring campers to bring drinking water. "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth."
Scout
