Thornhurst, Pennsylvania sits at approximately 1,700 feet elevation in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, where the climate features cold winters with significant snowfall and mild summers with temperatures rarely exceeding 85°F. The surrounding area offers multiple state parks with varied camping opportunities, including specialized facilities for equestrian campers seeking access to woodland trails. The region's forests consist primarily of oak, maple, and hemlock trees, creating a dense canopy during summer months.
What to do
Lakeside activities: Promised Land State Park features multiple lakes accessible to campers. At Pickerel Point Campground, visitors can launch kayaks from lakefront sites. "Certain sites allow pets. My favorite site does, plus I can launch my kayak right from there!" notes Nancy L. about Pickerel Point Campground.
Trail riding: Equestrian camping near Thornhurst provides direct access to forested riding paths. Keen Lake Resort Campground offers areas where "the sites were a good distance from each other. Plenty of open field as well as wooded areas," according to Mario M., making it suitable for those traveling with horses.
Winter activities: Unlike many regional campgrounds, some facilities near Thornhurst remain open year-round. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers. The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing," explains Mara S. about Pickerel Point Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Lower Lake Campground Beechwood Area offers well-spaced campsites. Maze M. notes, "The RV pads were spaced put perfectly and we all had our own picnic table and fire pit. 10/10 would visit again."
Clean facilities: Keen Lake Resort Campground maintains exceptional bathrooms. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground," reports Emily Z., adding that "the showers are coin operated."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Lackawanna State Park Campground provides recreation options for all ages. Michael notes, "The trails are fun for relaxing hikes, we especially like the one right along the lake. Also their is a huge lakefront area along a different stretch of the lake that offers people a lot of ways to enjoy themselves."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with limited winter facilities. "Open year round" mentions Mara S. about Pickerel Point, noting that "sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon," reports a camper about Pickerel Point Campground.
Wildlife precautions: The Thornhurst area is home to black bears, requiring proper food storage. At Stokes State Forest, Trip Over Life reminds that "this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes."
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak timing: For a quieter experience with children, visit on weekdays or shoulder seasons. "We stayed in the Pickerel Point of the park... This place is absolutely stunning. The lake is crystal clear and the beach is spotless," says Debbie W., adding "Pickerel point is the most action packed part of the park. LOTS of kids and people enjoying themselves."
Educational programs: Look for organized activities for children. John R. mentions Pickerel Point and Deerfield, saying he "was pleasantly surprised they have programs for kids. Can never go wrong here."
Bike-friendly areas: Some campgrounds feature paved roads ideal for children's activities. Paula R. notes about Pickerel Point: "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc..."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For horse camping near Thornhurst, David S. offers this about Hemlock Hill Equestrian Area: "We have camped here in tents and with our teardrop trailer. All of our experiences have been good. Clean bathrooms are essential and even when the large campground is full the bathrooms have been clean."
Hookup reliability: Electric service quality varies by campground. David from Mountainview Campground notes, "The power station was well intact with 15/20, 30, and 50amp."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can present challenges for larger rigs. Alaina Z. warns about Pickerel Point Campground: "The cabins look very nice inside," which may be an alternative for RVers concerned about site conditions.
