Camping spots near Shavertown, Pennsylvania feature a diverse terrain of Appalachian ridges, valleys, and wetlands with elevations ranging from 800 to 2,300 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 55-65°F at night. Rainfall can make sites muddy quickly due to the clay soil composition common in the area.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 4-mile loop at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground includes 22 named waterfalls ranging from 9 to 94 feet tall. The Falls Trail requires sturdy footwear and can be slippery. "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. The trails are very well marked."
Boat rentals: Paddling at Frances Slocum State Park Campground offers a quieter alternative to swimming. The lake has a no-wake zone and rentals cost $15-25 per hour. "Cute little park. Nice lake for kayaking but not for swimming although there is a big pool. Nice trails for hiking."
Winter recreation: Several parks remain accessible year-round for cold weather activities. Hickory Run State Park offers winter hiking, ice skating, and a unique boulder field for exploration. "The boulder field was the highlight of our camping trip. The campground has great playgrounds, several well-marked trails, and functional restrooms and showers."
Bird watching: The forested areas surrounding Moon Lake Recreation Area provide habitat for over 100 species. Morning hours between 6-9am offer the best viewing opportunities. "Camping here used to be free but now they charge $10/night. There is no electric or water hookup but the trails are nice, it's quiet, and there's a lake to fish."
What campers like
Lake access sites: Lackawanna State Park Campground features waterfront sites with direct trail connections. "We stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers. Nice play area for kids, water craft rentals, nice lake."
Privacy level: Site layouts vary significantly between parks. Hickory Run State Park offers more separated wooded sites while Tobyhanna State Park has more open layouts. "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."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds have recently renovated bathhouses. "The bathhouse was clean but not adequate for 73 sites. The campground was about ¾ full and there was often a wait in the bathroom. Showers looked reasonable but I did not use them."
Seasonal campsites: For those seeking local escapes, Highland Campgrounds offers seasonal options from April through October. "Been here twice so far! Whether it's nature and back roads, or wanting to have a dip in the pool and lay in the sun, this campground is the best of both worlds."
What you should know
Bear activity: Food storage is strictly enforced at many area campgrounds. "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. Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car."
Water quality concerns: Some parks periodically experience water issues. "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."
Campsite drainage: Clay soil common in the region can cause drainage problems after rain. "This campground is beautiful and has great cell service (Verizon). Bath houses are okay, showers are button showers and are freezing come prepared. The site we stayed on was a swamp! It was terrible."
Cell service variability: Coverage differs significantly between campgrounds. Red Rock Mountain Campground reports minimal coverage while Frances Slocum maintains consistent signals. "Site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other. Also no service (Verizon)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. Lackawanna State Park offers both a central playground and a swimming pool with lifeguards during summer months. "The park has great hiking spots, a local pool, and a lake that you can rent boats or kayak on!!"
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities occur regularly at larger state parks, particularly on summer weekends. "The park has an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails."
Tent site selection: Not all sites accommodate tent camping equally. Request elevated sites when booking. "This campground takes you back in time. There are all these tiny little outdated but cute cottages and a bath house. Very cool. Our site was alright. There wasn't a great place to put our tent but we managed."
Swimming options: Many area lakes have designated swimming areas with varying amenities. "The park is nice and very clean. There is also plenty to do with a pool, hiking trails, fishing, and a nice lake with boat rental. The camping sites were really packed in together tightly, though."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric-only sites predominate at state parks while private campgrounds offer more full-hookup options. "Just finished up two nights in site 123. These sites are RIGHT AGAINST THE ROAD. Other state parks tend to make their sites deep, whereas these are wide."
Leveling requirements: Many sites throughout the region require significant leveling due to the naturally uneven terrain. "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."
Water connections: Some campgrounds have unusual water hookup placements. "Make sure you have a LONG water hose. We actually had to buy a 50 foot hose in the camp store to accommodate the distance to the spigot."
Seasonal availability: Cozy Creek Family Campground remains open year-round with full hookups, while most state parks close from late October through mid-April. "We were here during the Covid-19 shutdowns so nothing was open. The pull through sites worked well for us, however next time we'd ask for one with a concrete patio."
