The Tunkhannock area sits within the Endless Mountains region of northeastern Pennsylvania, with elevations ranging from 600 to 2,300 feet throughout the surrounding terrain. Camping options span from riverside sites along Tunkhannock Creek to forest settings in the nearby state parks where summer temperatures typically range from 55°F to 85°F. Cell service varies significantly across the region due to the mountainous topography, with stronger signals near towns and weaker coverage in valley campgrounds.
What to do
Kayaking the Delaware River: Soaring Eagle Campground provides direct river access for paddling adventures. "Nice campground right on the Delaware river great for fisherman, hikers also great for tubing down the Delaware or canoeing," notes one visitor who appreciated the waterfront location.
Hiking at Ricketts Glen: The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground showcases 22 waterfalls along a moderate 4-mile loop. A camper reports: "The biggest draw to this state park is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike."
Swimming and lake activities: Frances Slocum State Park offers swimming in their pool as an alternative to lake swimming. "Nice lake for kayaking but not for swimming although there is a big pool. Nice trails for hiking," explains a reviewer who visited the park.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campsites at Soaring Eagle Campground receive praise for their size. "The sites are larger than most campgrounds and well spaced out. I have been there on busy holiday weekends where it was full but still peaceful and private with a great community of campers," writes one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Keen Lake Resort Campground maintains high cleanliness standards. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground," notes a camper who visited despite cold, wet weather.
Lake views: Many campsites at Frances Slocum offer views of the water. "We stayed in the large loop, which is a peninsula on Lake Jean. Many of the sites have lake views," explains a visitor who enjoyed the scenery but noted bathroom capacity issues during busy periods.
What you should know
Winter camping limitations: While most campgrounds close seasonally, Cozy Creek Family Campground and Thousand Trails Scotrun remain open year-round. One visitor during COVID-19 restrictions noted: "The pull through sites worked well for us, however next time we'd ask for one with a concrete patio."
Water quality concerns: Some parks experience occasional water issues. At Ricketts Glen, a camper reported: "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."
Variable site drainage: Heavy rains can affect tent sites at some campgrounds. At Cozy Creek, a camper mentioned: "The routes through the campground were riddled with potholes, and the route through the tent sites was a giant puddle."
Tips for camping with families
Activity programming: Pine Valley RV Park offers comprehensive family activities included with stay. "So many things for kids to do. From boating, to giant swimming inflatables, putt putt even a giant slide. All part of the price of the campground," writes a parent who visited.
Pet-friendly beaches: Keen Lake has dedicated pet swimming areas. A visitor explained: "This is a great place to bring an RV. Pet friendly. They have a beach for swimming with your dogs."
Bug preparation: Frances Slocum requires insect protection during summer months. "Mosquitoes and ticks can ruin a good trip, come prepared!" warns a reviewer who otherwise enjoyed their stay at the park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection at Lackawanna: Lackawanna State Park Campground has newer full-hookup options. "Stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers," writes one RVer who enjoyed their stay.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. About Cozy Creek, a reviewer noted: "The road in (Vacation lane) is dirt, rough and narrow. There is presently no gate as well so the public can just drive in."
Electrical reliability issues: Older campgrounds may have electrical limitations. At Frances Slocum, a camper reported: "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
