Campgrounds near Nanticoke, Pennsylvania cluster around the Susquehanna River region at elevations of 700-1,200 feet with four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures range from 70-85°F with increased humidity, while spring and fall bring moderate temperatures ideal for hiking. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that frequently drop below freezing, especially at higher elevations.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, 22 named waterfalls can be explored on a connected trail system. "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."
Mountain biking: Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground features newly built mountain biking trails maintained by local enthusiasts. "Absolutely love Moon Lake. Place has some of the best mountain bike trails in northeast pa. Camping is primitive but has spots big enough for RVs."
Lake activities: Locust Lake State Park Campground offers fishing, kayaking, and a swimming beach accessible by foot from most campsites. "We had 3 families and sites (2 campers & 1 tent) all sites were decent sizes. We had lake front access to put kayaks in and fish which was awesome. Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach."
Visit historical sites: Jim Thorpe town is just 5 minutes from Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, offering historical buildings and cultural attractions. "The secret it packs is the great town in which it shares its name. You are 5 minutes from the wonderful town of Jim Thrope."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Hickory Run State Park Campground offers secluded camping areas within forest settings. "The sites are large and many are somewhat private in terms of visual barriers. Some bathrooms are latrines, but they also have beautiful, fully updated showers and restrooms available."
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the maintained bathhouses at Moyers Grove Campground. "The bathhouse was cleaned frequently. The campground is mostly seasonal campers and they were very welcoming."
Pet friendly accommodations: Most campgrounds near Nanticoke welcome pets with specific designated areas. At Hickory Run, one camper noted, "Clean, great camp store, dog friendly loop, great hikes accessible from campground!!"
Campground stores: Red Rock Mountain Campground provides on-site necessities just minutes from popular hiking areas. "Peaceful little campground five minutes from Ricketts Glen State Park. Accommodating and friendly hosts, clean bath house and firewood for sale on site."
What you should know
Seasonal water restrictions: Lake water quality varies throughout camping season. At Ricketts Glen: "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."
Cell service limitations: Whispering Pines Camping Estates has spotty coverage depending on provider. "The only major con was the phone service. 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."
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require significant effort to level RVs. "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. After that... we had the best time!!"
Wildlife precautions: Bear activity requires specific food storage practices. "We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Frances Slocum State Park has a large field with play equipment. "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."
Swimming options: Bodnarosa Campground offers clean, affordable cabins for families not ready for tent camping. "The cabins are clean and affordable, with plenty of room for two people and a doggo. There are 15 cabins, and plenty of RV sites and Tent sites."
Kid-friendly biking paths: Locust Lake features paved trails around the water suitable for children. "Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach. Beach area was nice."
Educational opportunities: Hickory Run has nature programs and displays. "The visitors center boasts the most modern updates and a truly lovely interactive museum displaying the history and current wildlife of the park."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Campgrounds offer different levels of service from primitive to full hookups. "We had a full hookup site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. 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."
Water hose requirements: At Moyers Grove, unusual water access requires planning. "Make sure you have a LONG water hose. We actually had to buy a 50 foot hose in the camp store to accommodate the distance to the spigot."
Site selection strategy: Site numbers and layouts can be confusing at some campgrounds. "The Only downside is the sites are small, close together, and the site #'s can be a little confusing."
Tent pad considerations: For tent campers seeking pet friendly camping near Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, Moon Lake Recreation Area has recently improved facilities. "Newly built tent pads as of last year. Fantastic place!"
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