180 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Shavertown, Pennsylvania spans a mix of state park campgrounds and private camping facilities within a 30-mile radius, ranging from tent sites and RV hookups to cabins, yurts, and primitive forest sites. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, located about 25 miles northwest of Shavertown, provides tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts with lake access. Frances Slocum State Park Campground, situated closer to Shavertown, offers electric hookups for both tent and RV campers. Several privately operated campgrounds like Highland Campgrounds and Cozy Creek Family Campground supplement the state park options with additional amenities and year-round availability.
Most state park campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from mid-April through mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly. Private campgrounds often provide extended seasons, with some remaining open year-round. The terrain throughout the area features rolling hills, forests, and numerous lakes and streams. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, particularly in the state forests and parks. Campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions, as one visitor noted: "It rained fairly heavily during our first day there and the sites became extremely muddy, so be prepared if rain is in the forecast."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews across multiple campgrounds in the region. Lackawanna State Park and Ricketts Glen State Park both offer lakeside sites that provide direct water access. A review mentioned that "Our site had a direct path right down where you could be on the river." Campground facilities vary considerably, with state parks generally providing basic amenities like clean bathhouses, while private campgrounds offer more extensive services including camp stores, swimming pools, and organized activities. Several visitors highlighted the hiking opportunities in the area, particularly at Ricketts Glen State Park with its famous waterfall trails. Campers seeking more seclusion might consider the primitive sites available in nearby state forests, which require permits but offer a more rustic experience away from developed campgrounds.
"The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"
"Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty)."
from $20 - $92 / night
Check Availability"Was also an easy back in site as there’s an adjacent road (to parking and the amphitheater) right in front of it. All sites only have electric and only certain allow pets."
"Large, wooded sites, good bathhouse, nice trails close by. A little highway noise, but dark and quiet at night. Very peaceful place."
from $20 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Great location lots of hiking trails right in the park and many more close by"
"Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. "
from $20 - $72 / night
Check Availability"A one mile walk gets you to the lake. They have a covered pavilion with plenty of picnic tables. My site is large with plenty of trees providing shade. The outhouse is a bit of a walk."
"There is no electric or water hookup but the trails are nice, it's quiet, and there's a lake to fish. There's also swimming down the Rd at a nearby creek."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"The sites were a little close to each other and where we were in the park was a mixed use area. So we had an RV next to us with the Genny running all day."
"The main reason we didn't do more was the distance. We have a motorhome so we didn't have additional vehicles to get to and from places."
from $20 - $79 / night
Check Availability"This campground was very nice and had so much hiking in and around it. They were very helpful with getting us a site since it was so last minute on a holiday weekend Will be visiting again"
from $0 - $17 / night
Check Availability"Campground is based around kids, there’s a lot for them to do!"
from $17 / night
Check Availability"We were looking for a lakeside campground with a spacious campsite that could comfortably fit two large tents and two vehicles."
"Breathtaking views from nearby trails and nearby Big Pocono State Park. The park staff were very helpful and knowledgeable about nearby trails and best places to get the most out of the views!"
from $20 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Close to many family places such as Ricketts Glen and The Red Rock Scoop for ice cream! Love rummaging through the on-site flea market to see what I can find!"
"Quiet hours are not enforced, there were kids running around screaming well after midnight which was annoying because we were waking up for a sunrise hike at Ricketts Glen."
"The campsites were clean, adequately spaced and many positioned along side a creek. The bathhouse (hooray) was great. Recently renovated, they were extremely, clean and dry."
"There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes. It was too cool to use the pool while we were visiting but it was clean and well cared-for. "
RangerGorgeous forested area in the Poconos. We stayed on the Rattlesnake Loop which was lovely. Sites not super private but most nestled in trees. The only bummer was that that Campground Loop didn’t have any direct links to the trail network and was far from it. The other Campground Loop was closer to trails and office. Would return!
ScoutWas my first ever camping trip with a travel trailer. Site was very clean and well maintained and staff was friendly and great to deal with. Pull through sites (section K) was a little tight - maybe that’s the norm, don’t have anything to compare to but some awnings were near the neighboring camper. Overall, awesome experience.
LegendJust a few others here so it is quite peaceful. A one mile walk gets you to the lake. They have a covered pavilion with plenty of picnic tables. My site is large with plenty of trees providing shade. The outhouse is a bit of a walk. Garbage cans are inside it. I haven’t seen a water source but it might be around.
GuideI got there late in the afternoon and the place remained busy with people coming and going until well after dark. By 10, it finally settled down and no one bothered me the rest of the night.
RangerWe stayed here during a road trip from CT to WA and back. This was our first dispersed campsites of the trip and we really enjoyed it here. We camped in our van, and we were impressed that there were 2 bathrooms at the camp and more porta potties by the lake. Enjoyed hiking with our pups in this pretty area, and found some geocaches too!
RangerWe camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
RangerWe booked a cabin at the last minute and were pleasantly surprised that the cabin had heat and electricity! It was very close to the awesome heated bathroom also! We were also able to catch a beautiful sunset! Great camp all around!
TravelerAnother great experience. Sites were large. Staff was friendly with many different things for kids to do. Great base camp for local hikes.
RangerWe came here 4th of July weekend, and this is one of the things I love about these sites...they had availability! Our site was very big, and was perfect with sone shade and also lots of sun!
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.
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."
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."
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)."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Shavertown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Shavertown, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 180 campgrounds and RV parks near Shavertown, PA and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Shavertown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shavertown, PA is Ricketts Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 68 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shavertown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Shavertown, PA.
Keep Exploring
