The Poconos region near Portland, Pennsylvania sits at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,200 feet, creating varied camping terrain with both wooded and valley sites. Winter temperatures can drop below 20°F, while summer camping season brings moderate 75-85°F days that cool significantly after sunset. Cellular reception varies dramatically between campgrounds, particularly in valleys or heavily wooded campsites.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Blue Mountain RV and Camping Resort offers access to extensive trail systems. "Wanted to find a close by place for for a night of Tent camping and stumbled across this winter time ski resort/ spring summer camping and adventure grounds," notes one camper who appreciated the varied terrain options.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature on-site disc golf amenities for campers seeking recreational activities. As one visitor at Blue Mountain RV and Camping Resort shared, "If your into Disc golf this place has that too."
Mountain biking adventures: The region offers specialized mountain biking trails with equipment rentals available. "You can also Zip line or swing through the trees if you would rather," mentioned a camper describing the adventure options at Blue Mountain Resort.
Fishing access: Multiple sites provide catch-and-release fishing opportunities in stocked ponds. At Robin Hill Campground, "There is a nice lake for fishing" according to one reviewer, though they cautioned it "had a lot of pond scum and there were a lot of duck families around."
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Many campgrounds experience significant differences in atmosphere between weekdays and weekends. One camper at Thousand Trails Scotrun noted, "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."
Proximity to attractions: Campers appreciate the region's central location to both outdoor and urban destinations. "The Delaware Water Gap is about a 15min drive from the campground and a beautiful place to hike," mentioned a visitor at Cranberry Run Campground who hiked the Red Dot trail.
Group camping options: Several campgrounds offer merged sites for larger parties. At Cranberry Run Campground, "We had a group of 10 people and they were able to put us all on the same site. looks like they have permanently merged sites 81 and 82."
Winter accessibility: Unlike many northeastern campgrounds, some RV sites remain open year-round. A winter visitor at Stonybrook RV Resort shared, "We stayed here during the winter January-February no activities going on. It does offer beautiful views especially covered in snow."
What you should know
Water pressure variations: Water systems vary significantly between campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South, one camper reported "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi."
Site drainage issues: Several campgrounds experience drainage problems during rainy periods. A reviewer at Robin Hill noted, "Sites are swampy if they've had rain! Took us over two hours to disconnect because of mushy, muddy site!"
Seasonal closures: Many amenities shut down outside peak season. "We came in at end of season, so pretty much everything seems closed," reported a visitor at Thousand Trails Scotrun.
Road conditions: Access roads present challenges in mountainous areas. At Tri-State RV Park, a visitor advised, "Ext 53. Straight at the light. Drive all the way down to the end of the road."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas for convenience with children. A camper at Robin Hill Campground observed, "The playground was luckily right across from us up on the hill. They also have a Frisbee golf course on site."
Pool facilities: Many campgrounds offer swimming pools, but availability varies seasonally. At Stonybrook RV Resort, a visitor commented, "Their pool looked very nice although we did not use it. Same with their patio set up around the store."
Multi-generational accessibility: Several campgrounds accommodate varying mobility needs. "We were also right at the bottom of a trail that lead straight up the mountain (Pocono) with beautiful sites and of course photo opportunities for my family and I," noted a multi-generational camping group at Cranberry Run.
Kids' activities: Scheduled events often occur primarily on weekends. At Robin Hill, "The activity director organized a nice continental breakfast, free chair massages, and raffled off manicure and pedicures. They had an art activity for the children, BINGO on Friday night, and a live band on Saturday night."
Tips from RVers
Highway proximity considerations: When seeking convenient rv sites near Portland, Pennsylvania, consider noise levels. At Tri-State RV Park, campers note it's "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot."
Seasonal site differences: Year-round RV parks operate differently in winter. "Campground was clean, staff was friendly, sites were decent. My kids explored the playground and found it sufficient," reported a visitor at Timothy Lake South during off-season.
Site leveling preparation: Mountain campgrounds often require leveling equipment. A visitor at Stonybrook RV Resort noted, "This place has never come up in any of my searches for a campground but my wife was frantically trying to find a place to stay for Memorial Day weekend. The site was nice and level side to side."
Winter water systems: Some RV campsites maintain working utilities year-round. "Sites are level, very good placement of electric water and sewer connects," observed an off-season camper at one of the region's resorts that remains operational during colder months.
