Lackawanna State Park offers diverse camping options in Pennsylvania's scenic Pocono Mountains north of Scranton. The park features a 198-acre lake and maintains several camping loops with sites for tents, RVs, and walk-in campers. Located at 1,346 feet elevation, the park experiences cooler summer temperatures than the surrounding valleys, with July averaging 82°F highs and nighttime temperatures dropping into the mid-50s.
What to do
Lake activities: Lackawanna State Park's lake provides multiple recreation options during camping season. Visitors can rent kayaks, paddleboats and rowboats to explore the water. One visitor notes, "We took a short walk around both camping loops in lighter rain. The swimming beach looked nice. They do have boat rental."
Hiking trails: The park and surrounding region offer extensive trail networks through mature forests. At Hickory Run State Park, campers can access 44 miles of trails rated from easy to difficult. A reviewer shared, "The hike to the waterfall, it is beautiful," while another mentioned "We found the 2 trails we hiked - Hawk Falls and Shades of Death trails - where were rated 'more difficult' were not bad to hike at all."
Boating and fishing: Many campgrounds feature waterfront sites with direct lake access. At Keen Lake Resort Campground, "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. It was awesome."
Boulder field exploration: A distinctive geological feature in the region, the Boulder Field at Hickory Run offers a unique experience. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," reports one visitor who explored this natural phenomenon.
What campers like
Shaded sites: Many campers appreciate the wooded sites available at campgrounds near Scranton. At Tobyhanna State Park, visitors enjoy "Scenic and spacious. Large camping areas that can fit two cars onsite and include picnic tables, some even with water and electric hookups."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives high marks from reviewers. At Mount Pocono Campground, one camper noted, "Cleanest campground bathouse I've ever used! Great hiking trail right from the site. Be prepared for walking up and downhill - quite the unexpected workout."
Wildlife viewing: The region's forested setting provides opportunities for animal sightings. A camper at Tobyhanna reported, "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."
Lakefront camping: Several campgrounds offer premium sites directly on the water. At Otter Lake Camp Resort, "I loved being lakefront with full hook up. Such a beautiful and peaceful place. The campsites are kinda close together so if you don't like meeting new people you may not like it but we had nice neighbors so didn't mind."
What you should know
Campsite spacing: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Tobyhanna State Park, one camper observed, "We walked around the reservoir on a lovely path and enjoyed the nicely-cared-for amenities. My family thought the sites were too close together and that the sites along the water would be better if they were tucked back from the road and closer to the water."
Bear safety protocols: The Pocono region has an active bear population, requiring proper food storage. At Tobyhanna, campers are advised that "Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car." This precaution is strictly enforced at most campgrounds in the area.
Water conditions: Some parks have seasonal water quality issues. At Ricketts Glen State Park, 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."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the region operate from mid-April through October. A visitor to Lackawanna State Park noted, "Campground has cabins and yurts, pull in sites for RV's and strictly walk in tent sites. There is a beautiful lake and a very large pool. We went in early spring midweek, it was very quiet and exactly the get away we wanted."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Secluded Acres Campground, "There is a dog park for your beloved pooch. Deer may or may not stop by for a visit. Hiking trails available." This gives children outdoor recreation options beyond swimming and hiking.
Entertainment options: Campgrounds offer structured activities for younger campers. Otter Lake Camp Resort provides "organized activities like softball, archery and ceramics for kiddos. 2 pools, hot tub, sauna, lake beach and swimming. All sites are wooded, clean and spacious."
Swimming alternatives: When campground pools become crowded, consider using lake beaches. At Keen Lake Resort, "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake. The pool is clean and in the perfect area, mom and day can relax in the sun while the kids enjoy the pool."
Site selection: Family campers should research site locations in advance. At Hickory Run State Park, "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. There is a large open field in the loop we camped in with a swing set on it. This was nice for families with children."
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: Check electrical service ratings before booking. At Lackawanna State Park, one RVer noted "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require significant adjustments. At Ricketts Glen State Park, "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling. Not much shade in the full hookup loop, so was happy to have electricity for A/C."
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds near Scranton offer year-round access. One RVer at Otter Lake Camp Resort shared, "We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven! The other campers are friendly and welcoming, the views are breathtaking."
Alternative glamping in Scranton, Pennsylvania: For those seeking glamping experiences beyond yurts, Keen Lake Resort offers options where "This family run Campground is beautiful and clean. The RV sites are spaced out nicely. There are plenty of things to do; paddle boats, row boats, swimming pool, snack bar/campstore, activities, etc."
