Tent camping near Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania provides access to the 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which straddles the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The region sits at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,500 feet above sea level, creating diverse camping microclimates. Most campgrounds experience significant temperature drops at night, with summer evenings often 20-30 degrees cooler than daytime highs.
What to do
Fishing the Delaware River: At Alosa Boat In Campsites, campers have direct river access. As one camper notes, "There's usually always a port-a-potty at the campsite. Each area has its own fire ring and multiple river pull offs for easy finding and access."
Hiking to mountain views: Campsites near Kittatinny Mountain offer exceptional access to viewpoints. A camper at Kirkrige Shelter explains, "This spot is right next to a beautiful view on the side of Kittany Mountain and just off the Appalachian trail. There is 4 spots to set up at all of which have a spot for a fire."
Water sports on Catfish Pond: When staying at Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, kayaking and canoeing are popular activities. A camper reports, "You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife. If you're there in the summer, I'd recommend taking a kayak around the lake and filling it with wild blueberries."
What campers like
Private camping spaces: Jenny Jump State Forest offers secluded sites that feel remote despite being accessible. One camper shared, "The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog. However, we didn't mind as it was so private we felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves."
Primitive camping with good amenities: Many campers appreciate the balance of natural settings with basic conveniences. A visitor to Jenny Jump noted, "Primitive, has bathrooms and water spigots. Good hammocking trees and wasn't crowded at all. Plenty of privacy from other sites."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Stroudsburg area is rich with wildlife observation possibilities. At Bushkill Creek Boat In Campsite, a camper appreciated the "lovely and secluded" location, noting it was "great to have no neighbors, though we could hear some noise across the water from the 6 Peters sites on the other side."
What you should know
Water sources vary by campground: Many primitive sites require carrying in water. At Walter's Boat In Campsites, a camper advises, "There is no public road access to the campsite... People found camping at this site that are not on a river trip or camped at the site for longer than one day can expect to receive hefty fines from the NPS."
Highway noise affects some sites: Despite the wilderness feel, some campgrounds experience road noise. At Jenny Jump State Forest, a camper mentioned, "This campground is a nice little hideaway not too far from the beaten path. You can hear some of the highway sounds from the campsites (especially the jake brake)."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: From outhouses to shower facilities, tent campers should research amenities beforehand. At Rivers Bend Group Campground, a visitor observed, "Four outhouses centrally located and a pump well that did not work."
Tips for camping with families
Start with established sites: For families new to camping in the Stroudsburg area, choose campgrounds with amenities. As a camper at Round Valley State Park noted, "Really nice spot to camp very peaceful and quit. Gorgeous sunset, beautiful views. Really helpful people at the office."
Consider shelter options: Some locations offer alternatives to tent camping that work well for families. A camper at Jenny Jump described, "The 'shelter' is what we would describe as a 'cabin'; four walls, a roof, locking door, locking windows, large picture frame front window, four beds(two bunks), a wood burning stove, and a porch."
Check proximity to trails: Family-friendly campgrounds often connect directly to easy hiking paths. A visitor to Jenny Jump mentioned, "This place was great, they allow dogs and had hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground."
Tips from RVers
Plan for minimal hookups: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Stroudsburg provide limited RV amenities. At Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms, a reviewer who normally uses a travel trailer noted when tent camping here, "I think this would be great for a family who are just starting to get interested in camping and would like to experience it first without making a large investment into buying your own equipment."
Consider tent camping instead: Many RVers report positive experiences switching to tents at these campgrounds. A usual RV camper at Round Valley explained, "Beautiful and quaint..a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature."
Know your access limitations: Many prime camping spots cannot accommodate RVs. At Round Valley, a camper warned, "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon... I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear."
