Yurt camping in Union Dale, Pennsylvania provides access to the western edge of the Pocono Mountains at elevations of 1,500-2,000 feet. The area's northern Pennsylvania climate features distinct seasons with vibrant fall foliage from mid-September through October. Union Dale's forested terrain creates well-protected camping areas with limited cell service in some valleys.
What to Do
Lake activities at Keen Lake: The 90-acre lake offers swimming and boating with rental options. "We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake. It was SO BEAUTIFUL," shared a camper at Keen Lake Resort Campground.
Hiking around Tobyhanna Lake: Try the 5-mile trail circling the reservoir. "You can do a 5-mile hike around the lake along well-marked walk paths. The hike should last 1.5 to 2 hours for the average person. Spray some insect repellent before you start," advises a visitor to Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
Waterfall exploration: View the cascading waters at Ricketts Glen State Park. "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 a camper who visited Ricketts Glen State Park Campground.
What Campers Like
Peaceful wooded settings: Many campsites offer seclusion despite being accessible. "Sites were nicely shaded. Look forward to visiting again in the sun for a longer period," mentions a visitor to Lackawanna State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: The region's lakes provide good fishing spots. "The kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch," notes a Keen Lake visitor, while another camper at Ponderosa Pines Campground appreciated the "well kept and peaceful" environment.
Yurt camping options: Yurts provide a comfortable alternative to tent camping. "Campground has cabins and yurts, pull in sites for RV's and strictly walk in tent sites. There is a beautiful lake and a very large pool. We went in early spring midweek, it was very quiet and exactly the get away we wanted," shared a guest at Lackawanna State Park.
What You Should Know
Bear safety requirements: Bears are active in the region. "Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car. As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent," warns a camper from Tobyhanna State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. "Park Staff were very friendly. We took a drive on 2 afternoons on a stone road through the woods to see the Boulder Field. It was a beautiful drive," notes a visitor to Hickory Run State Park Campground.
Water quality issues: Some parks occasionally have water restrictions. "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth," reported a Ricketts Glen camper.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several campgrounds have dedicated play areas. "There is a large open field in the loop we camped in with a swing set on it. This was nice for families with children," notes a Hickory Run visitor.
Planned activities: Look for campgrounds with organized events. "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!" shares a Keen Lake camper.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer learning experiences. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," comments a visitor to Lackawanna State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Consider site location carefully. "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. We didn't have a view of the lake, instead we were in someone's back yard," advises a Keen Lake RVer.
Hookup quality: Some electrical systems have limitations. "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained," warns a camper at Lackawanna State Park.
Campsite layout: Site dimensions vary significantly across parks. "The RV sites are spaced out nicely. Most of the sites seem to be on the smaller size when compared to other campgrounds we've been too. That said we had plenty of space, it was just very close to the next site," explains a Keen Lake visitor.
