Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountain region around Tannersville sits at elevations between 1,000-1,800 feet, creating a temperate microclimate that extends the camping season from April through October. The area features a mix of state forest land and private campgrounds, with several sites adjacent to nature preserves offering direct trail access. Most campgrounds maintain quiet hours from 9pm to 7am with strict enforcement.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Camp Taylor Campground provides direct access to the Appalachian Trail and miles of hiking trails. As one camper notes, "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private... 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."
Boulder Field exploration: The unique geological formation at Hickory Run State Park Campground draws many visitors. A camper shares: "The Boulder Fields are one of the coolest places I've ever visited, partially because they were so unexpected. Don't twist an ankle, but you can play hide and seek to an extent as there are small depressions in the fields."
Winter camping options: While many campgrounds close for winter, some luxury glamping in Tannersville offers year-round access. A visitor at Otter Lake Camp Resort reports, "We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven! The other campers are friendly and welcoming, the views are breathtaking, the walk around the lake is great."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The Poconos region provides opportunities to see native wildlife. At Camp Taylor, visitors appreciate the wolf preserve: "The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located on the camp and offers discounted tours for campers." Elsewhere, campers sometimes encounter other wildlife: "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."
Privacy between sites: Jenny Jump State Forest campsites offer good separation. A reviewer notes: "The camp sites are nicely laid out to ensure privacy. This park is high up on a mountain and affords lovely views." Another adds: "Primitive, has bathrooms and water spigots. Good hammocking trees and wasn't crowded at all. Plenty of privacy from other sites."
Seasonal scheduling: Mount Pocono Campground organizes activities throughout the season. "We were there for July 4th weekend. They had a schedule for events all weekend," one camper reports. Many Tannersville-area glamping accommodations maintain seasonal programming from spring through fall.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: The Pocono Mountains have a healthy black bear population. At Tobyhanna State Park Campground, campers are advised about proper food storage: "Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car." The park rangers actively enforce these regulations.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor connectivity. One camper at Timothy Lake South notes: "Cell service is awful for AT&T and our T-Mobile gateway. Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity."
Campground noise levels: Noise varies significantly between campgrounds. At Camp Taylor, "they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night, so you can have an actual peaceful and quiet night around the campfire." This contrasts with other campgrounds where quiet hours may not be strictly observed.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mount Pocono Campground offers excellent facilities for children. A camper observed: "The campgroung was very qiiet, and all of the facilities were very clean and well maintainined. The only downside was that my Sprint Cell servie was very good in this area."
Indoor alternatives: For rainy days, luxury glamping near Tannersville includes indoor options. One visitor shares: "The game room has pool tables, ping pong, arcade games, library, gym, and so much more! The location is lovely and you are surrounded by the forests of the Poconos."
Multi-generational options: Campers can find accommodations for varying comfort needs. At Delaware Water Gap KOA, "They have tent camping, primitive camping and teepees and a conestoga wagon you could rent." These diverse options work well for family members who prefer different camping experiences.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA, site quality varies significantly. An RVer advises: "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. Some were in the woods and some were practically on the main road... make sure you ask for what you want."
Water pressure considerations: Timothy Lake South campground has unusually strong water flow. One RVer notes: "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi." RVers should bring pressure regulators to protect their systems.
Winter hookups: Some luxury glamping sites near Tannersville provide full hookups year-round. Seasonal RVers report that heating systems work effectively even during Pennsylvania winters, though water lines may need additional insulation during particularly cold periods.
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