The Pocono Mountains near Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania sit at elevations between 1,300-1,900 feet, contributing to cooler summer temperatures and heavier snowfall in winter. This climate variability affects campground seasonal availability, with many RV parks in the Pocono Pines region offering limited winter amenities. Cell coverage in valleys can drop to zero bars regardless of carrier, requiring campers to plan communication needs accordingly.
What to do
Boulder field exploration: Visit the unique boulder field at Hickory Run State Park Campground, where campers can traverse acres of rock formations. As one visitor noted, "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown."
Frisbee golf course: Robin Hill Campground offers an on-site disc golf course for visitors seeking casual recreation. "They also have a Frisbee golf course on site. There is a pond for fishing however we didn't have any luck. It had a lot of pond scum and there were a lot of duck families around," according to one camper.
Mountain biking trails: During summer months, the ski resort at Blue Mountain RV and Camping Resort converts to mountain biking trails. "Ride the ski lifts up to the top of the mountain then you get to bike down it, they have rental bikes available or bring your own," one reviewer explained.
What campers like
Quiet woodland settings: Many campers appreciate the peaceful environment at Stonybrook RV Resort, with one noting: "This place is in super condition— everything works as it's supposed to and is clean and maintained. Our site is level and beautiful— spacious and beautifully landscaped."
Seasonal activities: Thousand Trails Scotrun offers changing experiences through the seasons. A fall visitor commented, "We came in at end of season, so pretty much everything seems closed. But, it's a beautiful campground and the part of PA is great too."
Woodland privacy: Mountain Vista Campground features sites with natural screening between neighbors, unlike the crowded feeling at some other facilities. Sites at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South offer varied experiences: "Sites are kinda close together but it was fairly quiet even though it was full. This was the first campground we stayed in with our Thousand Trails membership and, because sites are first come first serve, we weren't sure what to expect."
What you should know
Winter access: While many campgrounds close seasonally, some remain accessible year-round. A winter visitor to Clayton Park RV Escape noted that despite having issues with their black water tank, "They called to let me know, and I was able to get it fixed under warranty from my dealer. They were very nice and forgiving."
First-come site selection: Several Thousand Trails properties operate on a first-come, first-served basis rather than assigned sites. One Timothy Lake South visitor explained: "It's a find your own site park. Some are a bit narrow, but I found a nice pull thru. Only real activities here for kids are pool and shuffleboard."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location and terrain. At Timothy Lake South, one camper reported: "Cell service is awful for AT&T and our T-Mobile gateway. Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play structures for children. At Robin Hill Campground, "They had an art activity for the children, BINGO on Friday night, and a live band on Saturday night. There is an outdoor pool which is open seasonally, an arcade, a playground for children, and a catch and release lake for fishing."
Educational opportunities: Hickory Run State Park provides learning experiences beyond typical camping. "The visitors center boasts the most modern updates and a truly lovely interactive museum displaying the history and current wildlife of the park."
Site selection strategy: When booking at Robin Hill Campground, consider topography: "What a view! Out the rear of the campground was a spectacular view! It's too bad it is mainly seasonal sites back there. This campground is called Robin HILL for a reason. You will get you exercise walking to the pond, pool, capstone or basketball courts."
Tips from RVers
Winter infrastructure: RVers staying through colder months should verify which amenities remain operational. At Stonybrook RV Resort, "We stayed here during the winter January-February no activities going on. Shower/bathrooms are the best I've ever seen."
Road challenges: Mountain driving requires careful planning for larger rigs heading to the region. One RVer at Mountain Top RV Park advised: "If you're booking, it may be best to book on the upper levels because the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain."
Voltage considerations: Electrical supply varies between campgrounds and can fluctuate with demand. A Robin Hill camper reported: "It has declined more and more on each visit. Grass isn't always cut, low voltage throughout the campground, building falling over and roped off with caution tape and that is not an exaggeration."
