The Delaware River serves as a natural border between New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey near Shohola, with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,800 feet above sea level throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day and drop to 55-65°F at night, while spring and fall can be considerably cooler with nighttime temperatures sometimes dipping into the 40s. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October due to the colder winter climate.
What to do
Tubing and rafting packages: At Kittatinny Campground, river activities are popular add-ons to camping stays. "My college friends go here each year to meet up and we have so much fun. The group sites are great and perfect for our 30-50 people. Definitely go for the rafting/tubing package, it was the best part of the trip!" notes Maggie K.
Fishing from camp: Riverside camping sites at Oakland Valley Campground provide direct access for anglers. "My kids loved to fish and play in the river, explore the woods and ride bikes around. Quiet, family friendly and close to home!" reports Katrina R., highlighting the accessibility of fishing without needing to drive elsewhere.
Hiking to scenic overlooks: From Stokes State Forest, you can access 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles, including 12 miles of the Appalachian Trail. "We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake," explains Justin P., showcasing the multiple water and trail options within driving distance.
What campers like
Private riverside sites: Jerry's Three River Campground offers rustic camping with river access. "The campground is VERY rustic with little to no amenities. There are tent sites, seasonal sites for RVs, group tent & RV sites and group/pavilion sites... The location is beautiful and about 2 hours from NYC," shares Kate D., highlighting the proximity to major metropolitan areas.
Canvas tent accommodations: Yurt camping near Shohola, Pennsylvania combines tent camping with more comfortable sleeping arrangements. Brooks B. from Slumberland describes the experience: "The accommodations were top notch, with lights already on, and a table set, along with a grill, fire pit, and covered porch and canvas tent that housed two queen sized beds along with an electric stove and a woodstove."
Spacious group sites: Many campgrounds in the region cater to larger gatherings. "The group campsites are big enough for the amount of people you can have, have picnic benches, a fire ring, a composting outhouse toilet just for the site, and one of those flat charcoal 'grills'," says Christian about Shotwell, noting the semi-seclusion that helps maintain privacy.
What you should know
Noise levels vary dramatically: Some campgrounds prioritize peace while others become lively social scenes. "Busy campground no quiet time loud music till 3 in the morning. Very clean, workers very friendly and helpful but after dark no one around. If you looking for a peaceful campground not the place to go," cautions Jim D. about Kittatinny Campground.
Cell service is limited: Mobile coverage varies throughout the area, creating an enforced digital detox at many locations. This can make emergency communication challenging, so plan accordingly by downloading offline maps and informing someone of your itinerary.
Seasonal differences matter: Many campgrounds operate from April to October, with facilities and amenities varying by season. "We were just there for the weekend to sit around the fire and catch up with friends. They had the bounce pillow and a small pool. It could benefit from some sprucing up," notes one camper at Neversink River Resort, highlighting how amenities can vary in quality throughout the season.
Tips for camping with families
Platform tents for comfort: Several campgrounds offer tent platforms that keep you dry in wet weather. "Each place comes with a lamp hang, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Bathrooms are spaced out. No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed," explains Damia F. about High Point State Park Campground.
Swimming options for kids: Look for campgrounds with both lake and pool swimming. "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," shares Emily Z., noting that having multiple water options helps when lake conditions aren't ideal or when children prefer different swimming environments.
Bathroom proximity matters: When camping with young children, check the location of bathrooms relative to your site. "Bathrooms are spaced out," notes one camper, which means some sites require longer walks to reach facilities. Request sites closer to bathrooms when making reservations with young children.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups at state parks: Most state park campgrounds in the region have minimal or no hookups. A camper at High Point State Park noted: "We have a trailer and the 'trailer' sites aren't level. Showers are at the day use area, from 10-5:30, no trailer dump, website says laundry, but apparently not."
Private campgrounds offer more services: Mountain Top RV Park provides modern conveniences for RVers. "The newly upgraded camp infrastructure elevated the stay, providing amenities for comfort and entertainment. The investment in new 50amp wiring, upgraded sewer systems, and newer water lines provided convenient camping experience," reports Jason G.
Flooding concerns in lower areas: Site selection matters for avoiding weather-related issues. "If you're booking, it may be best to book on the upper levels because the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain," advises a camper from Mountain Top RV Park.
