Camping options in Pennsylvania's Carbon County center around Summit Hill, located in the Pocono Mountains region at 1,700 feet elevation. The area features dramatic elevation changes with ravines and valleys creating diverse camping environments. Morning temperatures often drop into the 50s even during summer months, requiring appropriate clothing layers for overnight stays.
What to do
Boulder exploration: At Hickory Run State Park Campground, visitors can experience the unique boulder field. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," explains Mike M. The boulder field serves as the park's main attraction.
Hiking trails: Multiple hiking options exist throughout the region's parks and forests. At Hickory Run, "many hiking trails (44 miles of trails). They are rated from easy to difficult. We found the 2 trails we hiked - Hawk Falls and Shades of Death trails - where were rated 'more difficult' were not bad to hike at all," reports Shirley M.
Kayaking and fishing: Water activities remain popular with multiple access points. At Locust Lake State Park Campground, "we're both really big water rats and couldn't wait to get the kayaks into the water. While we were there, the entire place was covered in fig, which made it seem even cooler for us," writes DrDavid P.
What campers like
Access to town: Proximity to Jim Thorpe provides entertainment options. Dave R. from Jim Thorpe Camping Resort notes, "The secret it packs is the great town in which it shares its name. You are 5 minutes from the wonderful town of Jim Thrope."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain good hygiene standards. At Stonybrook RV Resort, "the laundry area and shower rooms are beautiful and clean," according to Cindy, who also mentions the resort is "meticulously clean and the permanent campers keep their sites so well."
Trail connectivity: Direct trail access ranks highly among visitors. Jim Thorpe Camping Resort offers "access to the Switchback Trail from the campground. A wonderfully scenic trail," writes Dave R. This provides campers with recreation options directly from their sites without driving.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campsite quality varies considerably across locations. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, Corbin notes, "Our site was for the most part clean, the fire pit was so full of ash and trash and giant rocks that we had to clean ourselves right when we arrived."
Crowds and noise: Peak season brings high visitor numbers. "We visited in the summer on a weekend when it was full. The campsites are too close to each other and we were surrounded by very loud campers," warns Danielle F. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Weather preparation: Temperature variations require planning. Amber A. comments about Tuscarora State Park, "I can't imagine not visiting this park in autumn, but I'm sure it's pretty in summer too." This suggests seasonal considerations impact visit quality.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly play areas. At Lakewood Park Campground, visitors appreciate the "nice playground for kids." Melissa notes the campground has "paddle boats and kayaks and you can fish in the lake."
Swimming access: Water recreation provides important activity options. Cindy reports Stonybrook's "pool was warm, clean and enjoyable," making it suitable for families with children who need activities during hot weather.
Activity scheduling: Campgrounds run regular events during peak season. Dawn R. mentions at Locust Lake, "Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach. Beach area was nice." These amenities help families maintain routines and recreation options.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require preparation for uneven terrain. Angie G. notes about Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, "The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because our site wasn't level and it took hours to get it right."
Space considerations: Site dimensions vary across parks. Brandon W. shares about Lizard Creek Campground, "Pretty easy back in spots, staff guide you to your spot and help guide you in." This assistance proves valuable for newer RVers unfamiliar with tight camping configurations.
Hookup availability: Utilities differ between campgrounds and sites. At Locust Lake, Brandon W. advises, "No water hook up. No sewer hook up. Just electric at certain sites." Understanding these limitations helps RV campers plan accordingly for water usage during their stay.
