Campgrounds near Shawnee on Delaware offer diverse camping experiences within the Pocono Mountains region, situated at elevations ranging from 400-1,300 feet. The area receives approximately 45 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush woodlands and providing year-round access to the Delaware River. Most campgrounds maintain moderate site spacing with varying degrees of privacy on predominantly wooded terrain.
What to do
Hiking trails: Camp Taylor Campground provides direct access to the Appalachian Trail and miles of on-site hiking paths. "There are miles of hiking trails and direct access to the Appalachian Tr. The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located on the camp and offers discounted tours for campers," notes Jean T.
Wolf preserve tours: At Camp Taylor Campground, visitors can observe wolves in their natural habitat. "You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," shares Julie F.
Riverside activities: Driftstone Campground provides direct river access for water recreation. "Accept the Delaware River from campground and kayak trips offered. Plenty of things to do," reports George. The campground rents kayaks and offers launch points for personal watercraft.
Lakeside recreation: Pickerel Point Campground features waterfront sites with kayak access. "I had site 100 and amazing views of the water from my camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," states Kelly F.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Mountain Vista Campground offers shaded, secluded sites. "Our site was a good size and the facilities were clean. We live not to far away and wanted to stay close to home for our first trip with the camper," Teresa reports.
Family activities: Otter Lake Camp Resort provides organized events for all ages. "This campground is huge, lots of sites to choose from. There is a big lake you can fish from, kayak, bring your own boat and even swim from when it's warm out," explains Tiffany S.
Large campsites: Cranberry Run Campground accommodates group camping needs. "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. They also have larger group sites (up to 50 people) available," Sarah L. mentions.
Seasonal programming: Jenny Jump State Forest maintains a year-round schedule of ranger-led activities. "The hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground. It's also close to other local hikes like Mt. Tammany," notes Fransheska A.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds in the region. At Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South, Jim G. cautions, "The cell service for most providers is practically non-existent. I understand this is not the park's fault and some would say that this is 'real' camping."
Site selection: Research specific site characteristics before booking. "The campground had many different types of sites. Some were big and socially distanced like the one we had. But some were extremely small and very close to the next camper," Carol N. advises about Delaware Water Gap KOA.
Seasonal operations: Verify operating seasons as they vary. Driftstone Campground runs May 16-September 18, while Mountain Vista operates May through October. "We stayed in site 157. Accessible via a path from the designated parking space to the site about 2 minute walk. Lakeside, but visibility not great due to vegetation," Alaina Z. notes.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "PLEASE NOTE: if you are towing or have a motorhome, make sure you follow the directions on the website. Coming in from the wrong road could lead you to a hairpin turn and steep hill," warns Jim G.
Tips for camping with families
Off-season advantages: Consider spring or fall visits for reduced crowds. "We spent the night in the Promised Land State Park at Pickerel Point and it was so pretty and quiet. There was a bathroom with flush toilets nearby and the campsites were well spaced apart," explains Carolyn M.
Pet-friendly options: Delaware River Family Campground welcomes dogs with designated pet areas. "Proximaty to the Delaware makes this campground amazing. Bring your own kayaks to make it even more special. We had tons of privacy and a view of the Delaware river right from my hammock. Leashed pets allowed," shares Laurie S.
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas when traveling with children. "Our particular camp site was huge! There was plenty of room for us to spread out. We were very into socially distancing, and said so when we made our reservation," explains Carol N.
Camp store essentials: Most campgrounds maintain on-site stores with varying inventory. "The store is cute and has just about anything that you need," Kathy G. notes, though availability of specific items varies by location.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Driftstone Campground offers water and electric without sewer at most sites. "Sites include water, electric and cable. There is an inexpensive pump out service available daily," explains Kathy G.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. "We were in site A22 and loved it. It was their last weekend of the season-weekend before Halloween. They offered different activities. And had (socially distanced) trick or treating for kids!" Angela shares about Mountain Vista.
Seasonal site availability: Jenny Jump State Forest maintains year-round sites with varying accessibility. "This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting!" reports Dwight D.
Arrival timing: Arrive early for first-come, first-served campgrounds. "This is a first-come, first-serve park in the Thousand Trails system so we had to drive around looking for a spot," Jim G. advises about Timothy Lake South.
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