Camping near Noxen, Pennsylvania situates visitors within the Pocono region's 1,500-2,100 foot elevations, where northeastern Pennsylvania's dense hardwood forests create cool microclimates even during summer months. The area's mixed deciduous forest provides natural shade for tent sites, with average summer temperatures reaching 80°F during day and dropping to 55°F at night. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that frequently drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Hiking waterfall trails: Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground showcases cascading water features throughout a moderate-difficulty hiking system. "The hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained! and the hike back up was again steep but maintained," explains one visitor who documented approximately 17 waterfalls along the route.
Boulder field exploration: The unusual geological formation at Hickory Run provides a distinctive hiking destination with expansive rock surfaces. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," notes one camper who visited the formation. The boulder field requires appropriate footwear as surfaces can be uneven.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing without requiring a Pennsylvania license. At Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground, "The fishing is good, and the turtles are eager to help themselves to your bait," reports one visitor. Most locations enforce catch-and-release policies for conservation purposes.
Lake activities: Swimming beaches and boat rentals provide water recreation from mid-May through early September. "We were on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights in August 2020. It was SO BEAUTIFUL. We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake," notes a visitor to Keen Lake Resort.
What campers like
Private lakefront sites: Campers consistently rate waterfront locations higher than standard sites at multiple campgrounds. At Lackawanna State Park Campground, one visitor noted, "This is an amazing state park that has something for everyone. There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding trails."
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower cleanliness ranks as a top consideration in positive reviews. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground," reported one camper at Hickory Run. Several campgrounds feature updated shower houses with individual rooms containing toilet, sink and shower facilities.
Woodland tent sites: Secluded tent-only areas provide more natural camping experiences away from RV sections. "The tent sites were right behind the athletic field where they did activities the weekend we were there. The restrooms were fantastic too, the buildings held two complete rooms with a toilet sink and shower in each," explains a camper who stayed at Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground.
Glamping accommodations: For those seeking luxury camping near Noxen, Pennsylvania, several campgrounds offer structured glamping options. "Camped here for a weekend, and probably one of my least favorite sites so far. Hiking trails are good, the lake is nice, but there is no privacy at the campsites; they're all very small and packed tight," notes one visitor to Tobyhanna who preferred more secluded accommodations.
What you should know
Bear awareness: Multiple campgrounds report bear activity requiring proper food storage. At Tobyhanna State Park Campground, "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. Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car."
Site spacing considerations: Reviews frequently mention proximity between campsites. "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," reports a camper who visited Hickory Run State Park in the Pocono region.
Water quality variations: Some campgrounds report seasonal water issues. "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," noted one camper at Ricketts Glen State Park.
Limited cell coverage: Many campgrounds report minimal telecommunications service. "If you are looking for a place to disconnect for a few days this is it. There is very very little cell reception and only wifi if you pay for it," explains a visitor to Pine Cradle Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Keen Lake Resort Campground provides structured activities for children with designated staff. "My boys absolutely love it and always have something to do. They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!" reports one parent.
Swimming facilities: Campgrounds offer varied water play options from natural lakes to constructed pools. "We enjoyed fishing and kayaking in the lake, the heated pool and splash pad, spacious sites and clean amenities," notes a family who visited Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground.
Kid-friendly bath facilities: Parents appreciate bathroom facilities designed for families. "It's the only shower camping this year my 4yr old wasn't afraid of because we had the whole room to ourselves," explains a parent who appreciated the individual bathroom/shower combinations at Pine Cradle Lake.
Educational opportunities: Environmental programs provide learning experiences during camping trips. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network if hiking and horse riding trails," explains a visitor to Lackawanna State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RVers recommend researching specific site dimensions before booking. At Pioneer Campground, "The sites themselves are well kept and have a big fire pit and picnic table. I would suggest getting there while it is still light out, there is plenty of room on the roads to get your rig around the campground, but there are lots of trees and it gets a little hard sometimes to see where the road is vs a site."
Leveling requirements: Multiple campgrounds feature unlevel sites requiring equipment adjustments. "The sites are a bit larger than average and are pretty level, but make sure to bring leveling blocks," advises one RVer at Pioneer Campground.
Seasonal considerations: For glamping options near Noxen, Pennsylvania during shoulder seasons, campgrounds maintain different operating schedules. "We would love to come back in the winter when they have an ice rink with a warming house," notes a visitor to Lackawanna State Park Campground.
Full hookup availability: Water, electric and sewer connections vary significantly between campgrounds and loops. "We stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers," reports a visitor to Lackawanna State Park.
