Nazareth, Pennsylvania sits in the Lehigh Valley at around 400 feet elevation, surrounded by the Pocono Mountains to the north and farmlands to the south. The camping season typically runs April through October with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F during the day and cooling to 60°F at night. Fall brings vibrant foliage colors in mid-October, making it a popular time for campers seeking comfortable 65-70°F daytime temperatures.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: 4 miles from Camp Taylor Campground. Access to the famous trail is available directly from Camp Taylor Campground, where "There are miles of hiking trails and direct access to the Appalachian Tr." A camper explained, "Hiked to Mt. Tammany from the campsite for the best view in NJ (9 miles round trip)."
Visit the Lakota Wolf Preserve: Located at Camp Taylor Campground, this unique attraction offers discounted tours for campers. According to one visitor, "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite." Another camper mentioned, "There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance."
Boulder Field exploration: Pack appropriate footwear for this unique geological formation near Hickory Run State Park Campground. A visitor recommends: "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." Another camper adds, "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all!"
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Campers in this region frequently report close wildlife sightings. At Mountainview Campground, one camper noted, "We've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here. Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!" Another camper at Camp Taylor Campground shared, "We saw beautiful fawns drinking in stream."
Stargazing opportunities: The dark skies in this area create ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. At Mountainview Campground, a visitor commented, "Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice." Another camper noted the limited light pollution: "This place was just so calming and quiet, it was really just such a relaxing place to be."
Swimming and water activities: Many campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities. At Colonial Woods Family Resort, campers enjoy "the pool, fishing at the pond and all the amazing amenities." One visitor noted, "We had a great time during the summer between the pool, fishing at the pond and all the amazing amenities!! Just walking around the campground is beautiful."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in this area operate from April through October. At Hickory Run State Park Campground, the season runs from "2nd Fri April to 3rd Sun October." A camper advises, "Even though it was a very hot weekend and our site was in an open area, we had a nice breeze and shade from the wooded area behind our site."
Bear awareness: The Pocono region has significant black bear populations. At Hickory Run, "we were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings." All campers are required to keep food items in vehicles or trailers when not at the site.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and availability of restrooms differ significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Spruce Run Recreation Area noted, "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall." Meanwhile, at Mountainview Campground, visitors found "Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity can affect some camping experiences. At Spruce Run, a camper noted, "The only con to this campground is its proximity to the highway. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. At Colonial Woods Family Resort, "They had a large open field in the loop we camped in with a swing set on it. This was nice for families with children." Another visitor mentioned, "Always a ton of scheduled crafts and to do for the kiddos and adults alike."
Water activities for kids: Swimming options range from pools to natural ponds. A visitor at Colonial Woods noted, "The pool and splash pool for toddlers was clean with a lifeguard on duty at all times." Another camper shared, "We had such a fun time during the summer between the pool, fishing at the pond and all the amazing amenities!!"
Organized activities: Many campgrounds schedule family-friendly events. At Ringing Rocks Family Campground, one camper shared, "We went on Halloween weekend and they had so much for the kids to do!" Another visitor noted, "Kids had a blast with hay rides and playground."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: RV campers should research site specifications before booking. At Ringing Rocks Family Campground, "The campground was clean and well layed out." However, at Colonial Woods, a camper warned, "If you have a fifth wheel, the roads are very narrow, pretty sizable boulders on both sides, trees are very low and need to be trimmed (almost took my ac out with a huge limb)."
Hookup availability: Full hookup options vary by campground. At Mountainview Campground, "The power station was well intact with 15/20, 30, and 50amp." A camper at Camp Taylor noted, "Water and electric hookups are standard, no sewer, but there is a dump station."
Seasonal site considerations: Many campgrounds have a mix of transient and seasonal sites. At Mountainview, "There are many seasonal spots and some rental spots. Our spot was #27 and pretty spacious." At Quakerwoods Campground, one visitor observed, "Half of this campground is permanent camper site rentals. It was a little too close to each other and not enough privacy."
