The Tafton area sits within the scenic Pocono Mountains region of northeastern Pennsylvania at elevations between 1,200-1,800 feet. Campers can access multiple lakes within a 15-mile radius, with Lower Lake and Upper Lake in Promised Land State Park offering contrasting experiences—Lower Lake maintains a more natural shoreline while Upper Lake features developed swimming areas. The camping season typically runs mid-April through mid-October, with many sites offering electric hookups but limited water connections directly at campsites.
What to do
Hiking trails with water features: Little Falls Trail at Promised Land State Park offers a relatively easy hike with scenic water views. A camper at Pickerel Point Campground noted, "The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail. The bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers." Another visitor mentioned exploring "Conservation Island" which features a well-marked, short nature walk.
Kayaking from campsites: Some waterfront sites at Lower Lake Campground Rhododendron Area allow direct water access. "This campground was nice. The campsites themselves were a bit small, but the lake and boating were great," explained one visitor. Several campgrounds offer boat rentals if you don't bring your own watercraft.
Swimming beaches: The public beaches have varying conditions depending on recent weather. A visitor at The Pines Campground observed, "The public beach has nice amenities but is a little rocky and the water wasn't very clear when we were there." Keen Lake offers both lake swimming and a pool, which families appreciate during busy periods.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Bear sightings are common enough that campers should prepare properly. A visitor to Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area shared, "Eagle watching. Blueberry picking! Totally recommend." Another camper mentioned seeing beavers from their campsite: "Beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless."
Educational programs: The state park operates seasonal programming worth planning around. As one camper at The Pines Campground described, "We were impressed that they offered environmental education programs. We took the boys to learn about fish and then took them later to an amazing bear presentation given by an old timer who knows everything there is to know about bears."
Fall camping: The area offers excellent shoulder-season camping with fewer crowds. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," reported one visitor to Pickerel Point who appreciated the extended season camping options.
What you should know
Campsite proximity varies: Many campgrounds have closely spaced sites with limited privacy. A camper at Keen Lake Resort Campground observed, "You won't have a ton of privacy but you'll have space for your stuff. Most of the sites seem to be on the smaller size when compared to other campgrounds we've been too."
Bear safety: Bears are active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. One visitor recounted, "Just stayed 2 nights with my 7 yrs. old daughter we had a blast. Everyone was very nice camp host and DCNR were very helpful. 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."
Alcohol restrictions: State park campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption while private campgrounds typically allow it. This regulation affects many campers' experience, as one noted about their favorite site at Pickerel Point: "The only drawback is no alcohol allowed, but most State Parks are like that I think."
Tips for camping with families
Beach comparison: The two main swimming areas offer different experiences. A camper at Keen Lake Resort Campground shared, "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake." For state park beaches, arriving early on summer weekends helps secure parking and beach space.
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled programs can enhance the camping experience. "We had a great time despite cold wet weather. Our site was probably one of the worst in the place but we were able to scope out others that we would prefer for our next visit," noted a visitor at Keen Lake who still enjoyed their stay due to the available activities.
Paved areas for biking: Some campgrounds feature paved roads ideal for young cyclists. A Pickerel Point camper commented, "Loved camping on Pickerel Point. Kids had a great time! Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc... We will definitely be back."
Tips from RVers
Loop selection: For RV camping, specific loops offer better sites. A camper at Deerfield Campground advised, "If you are in a camper or RV, I think that the Beechwood loop looked best. We stayed in the northwoods loop, which was ok but more conducive to tent camping." The Beechwood area typically provides more spacious sites with water hookups.
Dump station timing: Plan departure timing to avoid lines at dump stations during peak checkout periods. "Big line at dump station when we were leaving," reported one RVer, suggesting mid-morning checkouts can mean longer waits.
Water fill logistics: Be prepared for water access challenges. "All spigots to fill camper with water were situated just off main driving lanes resulting in a lot of congestion of cars behind us when attempting to fill tanks," noted a visitor, recommending filling tanks during off-peak hours.
Ranger
