Lackawanna State Park Campground provides diverse year-round accommodations on 1,445 acres of protected Pennsylvania woodland, with over 18 miles of trails connecting campsites to the 198-acre lake. The campground maintains both rustic and modern camping options with several camping loops offering varied experiences based on location and amenities. The pet-friendly camping areas offer more spacious sites compared to standard loops, though shade availability depends on specific location.
What to do
Hiking around boulder fields and waterfalls: Hickory Run State Park Campground offers 44 miles of trails ranging from easy to difficult with unique geological features. "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," notes camper Amber A. The park features numerous waterfalls and swimming areas.
Fishing and kayaking: Lake Mocatek Campground provides shore fishing and boat rentals for anglers. "Wake up to morning coffee and enjoy seeing the deer in the Campground as well as other wildlife. Don't forget to check out the on site country store and send the kids to pay video games or better yet, rent a rowboat for some fishing on the lake," advises Carl B.
Seasonal outdoor recreation: Tobyhanna State Park Campground maintains a 5-mile hiking trail around its lake with swimming available during summer months. "You can swim in the lake in the summer or do a 5-mile hike around the lake along well-marked walk paths. The hike should last 1.5 to 2 hours for the average person," reports J K. Winter visits provide different recreational opportunities when the landscape transforms.
What campers like
Lake access and water activities: Keen Lake Resort Campground offers direct water access with boat rentals. "I stayed on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights. 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," shares Shannon C.
Clean facilities: Valley View Farm and Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms and common areas. "The owners are very nice and helpful. Very clean sites and bathrooms. Quiet and peaceful at night and the other campers were very friendly," reports Dawn C. who appreciated the attention to maintenance.
Varied accommodation options: For upscale glamping in Peckville, Pennsylvania or surrounding areas, Ricketts Glen State Park Campground offers diverse options. "We stayed in the large loop, which is a peninsula on Lake Jean. Many of the sites have lake views. The bathhouse was clean but not adequate for 73 sites," notes Lee D. who recommends checking specific campground loops based on your needs.
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Wildlife management requires proper food storage at all campgrounds. "Just stayed 2 nights with my 7 yrs. old daughter we had a blast. Everyone was very nice camp host and DCNR were very helpful. 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," reports Erik M. from Tobyhanna State Park.
Water conditions vary: Some parks experience seasonal water issues requiring alternative arrangements. 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."
Site privacy differs by loop: Proximity to neighbors varies substantially between campgrounds and camping loops. "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 Shirley M. about Hickory Run's layout.
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Secluded Acres Campground offers structured recreation for children. "Mental vacation definitely. Deer may or may not stop by for a visit. Hiking trails available. They also have a dog park for your beloved pooch," notes Luis B. who appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere.
Consider site location carefully: At Keen Lake Resort Campground, site selection impacts experience. "Get a site on the lake. You won't have a ton of privacy but you'll have space for your stuff. If you don't want to drive during your stay, camp on the side w/ the beach and pool," advises Emily Z.
Check bathroom proximity: When glamping near Peckville, Pennsylvania with kids, bathroom location matters. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground. *The showers are coin operated," advises Emily Z. who recommends bringing quarters for showers.
Tips from RVers
Reserve premium patio sites: KOA campgrounds offer upgraded RV sites. "The KOA campgrounds are always extremely well maintained with all the amenities we want. Love the KOA patio sites, worth the few extra dollars. Quiet and peaceful mid week," recommends Rebecca S. at Honesdale-Poconos KOA.
Check hookup placement: Some sites have inconveniently placed utilities. "We had a full hook-up 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," reports Shirley M. who appreciated the extra space in the pet-friendly section.
Prepare for various campground layouts: Site dimensions and layouts vary significantly between parks. "We stayed one night when it happened to rain all evening. So, we stayed inside our camper. We did take a short walk around both camping loops in lighter rain. The swimming beach looked nice. They do have boat rental. Our site and the others we saw were nicely shaded," observes Amy V. about her stay at Lackawanna State Park Campground.
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