Camping in the Endless Mountains region around Nanticoke, Pennsylvania offers diverse options from April through October when temperatures typically range from 45-85°F. The area sits at an elevation of approximately 700 feet with the surrounding mountain ranges reaching up to 2,000 feet. Winter campers should prepare for temperatures that frequently drop below freezing, especially in elevated areas where conditions can change rapidly.
What to do
Hiking the D&L Trail: Access this historic trail directly from Mauch Chunk Lake Park, giving easy bike access to Mauch Chunk Lake. "The campground is on a peninsula surrounded by a lake. Very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large," notes Amber M.
Bouldering and exploration: Hickory Run State Park features a unique geological formation. "The Boulder Fields are one of the coolest places I've ever visited, partially because they were so unexpected. Don't twist an ankle, but you can play hide and seek to an extent as there are small depressions in the fields," shares Amber A.
Lake activities: Most parks in the region offer water recreation. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm. I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," explains Lisa S. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Winter recreation: Some yurt accommodations near Nanticoke remain open year-round. "We would love to come back in the winter when they have an ice rink with a warming house," mentions Michael about Lackawanna State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate secluded spots. "We camped at Red Rock as couples. We stayed in primitive tent sites which you had to hike into. They were very private. We enjoyed our stay," says Samantha M. about Red Rock Mountain Campground.
Variety of accommodation options: From tents to yurts near Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, there's something for everyone. "The campground has cabins and yurts, pull in sites for RV's and strictly walk in tent sites. There is a beautiful lake and a very large pool," David G. notes about Lackawanna State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to spot local fauna. "We were warned at check in that there have been a lot of bears in the area but never really thought that we would see one. As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent," Erik M. describes his experience at Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms are a consistent highlight. "Bathhouses are cleaned daily," notes Bonnie T. about Knoebels Campground.
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Bears are common in the region. "Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car," advises Erik M. about Tobyhanna State Park. Food storage regulations are strictly enforced throughout the area.
Site conditions vary significantly: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain. "The tent sites are not very defined, level or rock free. Makes it fun searching for a good position within the site, kinda like roughing it in the actual wild," Dave R. shares about Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
Off-season opportunities: For yurt camping near Nanticoke, Pennsylvania in the off-season, be aware of reservation requirements. "We reserved 3 of 4 yurts for first weekend in June...non peak season. Peak season requires minimum 5 day reservation," explains Mandy F. about Tuscarora State Park.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely by location. "No cell service at all unless you drive up to the top of the mountain," warns Zoltan P. about remote locations in Tuscarora.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programs. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding trails," Janet R. recommends about Lackawanna State Park.
Campground activities: Many sites organize special events. "We started with a trip in the summer because of their candy bar hunt and heated swimming pool. We love decorating the sites and taking the kids trick or treating," Gayle B. shares about Pioneer Campground.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas. "The campground has great playgrounds, several well-marked trails, and functional restrooms and showers," notes Shayna about Hickory Run State Park.
Swimming options: Beaches and pools provide cooling off spots. "The lake was beautiful. Very clean and picturesque and perfect for swimming," Danielle F. says about Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require equipment for leveling. "The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because our site wasn't level and it took hours to get it right," Angie G. mentions about Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
Hookup limitations: Check available services before booking. "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.
Size considerations: Some parks have tight spaces. "The sites in this loop were spacious and more in an open area, but we were along a wooded area which gave us some shade. It was a very quiet weekend for us as our loop was not crowded," Shirley M. reports about Hickory Run State Park.
Winter RV access: For those interested in yurt alternatives during winter camping near Nanticoke, note that most RV sites close seasonally. "Campground is lovely, nice and simple, not too crowded despite being big. Some sites are close to the water, most are not," Amber A. observes about park layouts.
