Cabin camping near Nanticoke, Pennsylvania offers options within the Pocono Mountains region where elevations range from 1,300 to 1,800 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with colorful fall foliage from late September through October and winter snowfall averaging 40-50 inches annually. Most cabin facilities operate from April through October, though select locations provide year-round accommodations.
What to do
Hiking waterfall trails: Ricketts Glen State Park Campground features 44 miles of trails with 22 named waterfalls. "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," notes Lee D.
Boulder field exploration: Hickory Run State Park Campground contains a remarkable boulder field accessible via stone roads. "The boulder field was the highlight of our camping trip. The campground has great playgrounds, several well-marked trails, and functional restrooms and showers," writes Shayna. The field contains boulders of various sizes across a 16-acre area.
Lake activities: Visitors can enjoy non-motorized boating at several parks during summer months. "There is a beautiful lake and plenty of space to bring lunch and have a picnic. One suggestion would be to bring a fishing rod and enjoy casting while the kids run around and play," recommends Maggie A. about Lackawanna State Park.
What campers like
Spacious tent sites: Whispering Pines Camping Estates offers generously sized campsites with natural separation. "The sites were level, clear, and pristine. A small wooded area separated the tinting area from the RV site with a nice little grove of trees between each campsite," explains Sharon B.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses at most campgrounds receive regular maintenance. At Hickory Run State Park, "the bath houses in this loop are non-flush/pit toilets. However, the other camping loops had shower houses and flush toilet restrooms," notes Shirley M. Many cabins provide convenient access to these shared facilities.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings provide opportunities for seeing native species. "We saw deer daily. There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes," writes Becca U. about Moyers Grove Campground. Bears are also present in the region, requiring proper food storage.
What you should know
Seasonal water issues: Water services may be affected by testing results. "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," reports Lee D. from Ricketts Glen.
Site privacy varies: Privacy between cabin and tent sites differs significantly between campgrounds. At Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, "The RVs were parked so close together that none of us could use our awnings. There was a fifth wheel to our left that could just barely get their slideouts extended," notes Donna C.
Limited phone service: Cell coverage can be spotty in mountain areas. "We have Verizon and my work phone is T-Mobile and at most would get 2 bars of LTE but it mostly stayed at 1 so if we weren't connected to the internet or our jetpack our phones were basically useless," explains Charlie & Danielle B. about their stay at Whispering Pines.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "There was a large open field in the loop we camped in with a swing set on it. This was nice for families with children," observes Shirley M. at Hickory Run State Park.
Beach options: Tobyhanna State Park Campground provides swimming areas during summer months. "This state park is just beautiful with a nice lake and beautiful trails. The campground is a bit crowded during peak season without much privacy. But this is the spot to be if you wanna hit up some trails and see some gorgeous views," recommends Vika Z.
Safety considerations: Wildlife awareness is important with children. "We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings," Jennifer D. mentions about Hickory Run. Most parks require all food to be secured in vehicles or cabins when not in use.
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: Electric systems vary between parks. "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained," warns David about Lackawanna State Park. Check amperage requirements before booking.
Leveling needs: Site grading differs significantly between campgrounds. "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling. Not much shade in the full hookup loop, so was happy to have electricity for A/C," mentions James S. about his stay at Ricketts Glen.
Site positioning: At Red Rock Mountain Campground, location matters. "The work that has been done to this campground in the last year alone is amazing. It is so nice to hear families playing games with their new outdoor game area! Cabins, tents, RVs whatever it is it is a great place to stay!" shares Lauren C. Sites along wooded edges often provide more shade.