Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania sits at the foothills of the Endless Mountains region with elevations ranging from 600-1200 feet across nearby camping areas. The area experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers averaging 80°F and cool spring/fall temperatures ideal for hiking. Creek and riverside camping options dominate the landscape with most sites situated along the Susquehanna River watershed.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, the Falls Trail provides access to 22 named waterfalls. "The biggest draw to this state park is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike. The trails are very well marked," notes camper Lee D.
Boulder field exploration: Located within a 45-minute drive from Tunkhannock, the unusual boulder field formation offers unique terrain for day trips. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," shares Mike M. after visiting the natural landmark.
Lake activities: Several parks offer non-motorized boating options on their lakes. "The park has great hiking spots, a local pool, and a lake that you can rent boats or kayak on," explains Lexi about Frances Slocum State Park Campground. The 165-acre lake provides fishing opportunities with primarily bass, panfish and catfish.
What campers like
Spacious creek-side sites: Many campers appreciate the generous room at water-adjacent sites. "The campsites are huge- Plenty of room for activities. The campground is family owned and operated... the best of all... the beautiful Meshoppen Creek. We stayed right along the water! Be sure to hike to the stunning waterfalls!" notes Corey P. about Slumber Valley Campground.
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance stands out to visitors at several campgrounds. "This campground was very nice and had so much hiking in and around it. They were very helpful with getting us a site since it was so last minute on a holiday weekend. Will be visiting again," writes Mae B. about her experience at Highland Campgrounds.
Natural settings: Wooded camping areas provide privacy and shade for summer camping. "Something for everyone! This is an amazing state park that has something for everyone. There is an environmental education center with programs, fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," reports Janet R. about her experience at Lackawanna State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal conditions: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October with limited winter options. "We camped here for the first time and was very impressed. The campground and bathrooms were very clean. Lots of hiking trails - although they need better markings," writes Cynthia P.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends and holidays. "We were here during the Covid 19 shut downs so nothing was open. Our dogs were able to swim in the beautiful creek and there was only 1 other recreational camper that pulled in for our mid week trip," notes April L. about her stay at Cozy Creek Family Campground.
Weather preparedness: Flooding can affect creek-side sites during heavy rain. "I ended up arriving 25 minutes late. I drove through 45 minutes of heavy thunderstorms... the route through the tent sites was a giant puddle," explains katheryn H. about conditions at Cozy Creek during storms.
Tips for camping with families
Pool alternatives: For hot summer days when creeks run low, seek campgrounds with swimming pools. "This place is perfect for families, beginners, adventurers, and fisherman alike. They have an overabundance amount of activities scheduled for campers," says Samantha S. about her experience at Keen Lake Resort Campground.
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment to keep children entertained. "They have a nice playground for the kids with picnic tables for the parents to sit at," notes Gayle B. about the family amenities at Shore Forest Campground.
Activity planning: Schedule outdoor activities for morning or evening during peak summer to avoid heat. "The park has great hiking spots, a local pool, and a lake that you can rent boats or kayak on," describes Lexi about the variety of options at Frances Slocum State Park.
Tips for RVers
Site selection: Select pull-through sites when available for easier setup. "Stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers," reports cheryl M. about her experience at Lackawanna State Park.
Road conditions: Some campground access roads present challenges during wet weather. "The drawbacks- The road in (Vacation lane) is dirt, rough and narrow," warns April L. regarding access to Cozy Creek Family Campground.
Hookup reliability: Test electrical connections upon arrival as some older campgrounds have limited capacity. "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained," notes David about electrical issues at Lackawanna State Park.
