Glamping opportunities abound within the forested highlands near Unity House, Pennsylvania, where the Pocono Mountains region sits at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 1,800 feet. The area features a humid continental climate with distinct seasons, including colorful fall foliage from mid-September through October when nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F. Most luxury camping facilities in this region operate from April through October, though several offer heated accommodations for winter stays.
What to Do
Lakota Wolf Preserve tours: Camp Taylor Campground offers direct access to the wolf preserve with discounted tours for campers. "There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance. It's one of our favorite places to camp," notes Julie F., highlighting this unique wildlife experience.
Appalachian Trail access: Stokes State Forest provides convenient entry points to the famous hiking path. "Did a small part of the Appalachian trail while there (about 15 miles). Would love to go back when I'm in better shape and try the whole trail," shares Stephanie T., emphasizing the trail's accessibility from camp.
Paddling opportunities: Several lakes offer peaceful water recreation options. "Clear streams and lake. Stunning overall. Lake Ocquittunk campground had showers, flush toilets and was popular with families," explains a Stokes State Forest visitor, pointing to water quality that enhances paddling experiences.
Scenic viewpoints: Jenny Jump State Forest features elevated vistas unique to this section of the Poconos. "This park is high up on a mountain and affords lovely views. Well kept and clean," says Jocelyn G., though she mentions highway noise can be heard at night.
What Campers Like
Wooded privacy: Camp Taylor Campground offers secluded sites within a forest setting. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private. Once you have backed into the spot and leveled out it's a good time," explains Julie F., distinguishing these from more active areas of the campground.
Winter glamping options: Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South provides year-round accommodations. "Simple but Pretty Campground - nice lay out albeit as with many campgrounds, the spaces are quite close together. With a sparse population in the winter, it made for a great spot for a work stay," reports JL, highlighting off-season benefits.
Waterfront access: Otter Lake Camp Resort features premium lakeside glamping sites. "I loved being lakefront with full hook up. Such a beautiful and peaceful place," shares Stephanie C., though she notes that "the campsites are kinda close together so if you don't like meeting new people you may not like it."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards for bathhouses. "The bathrooms/showers are clean and well maintained," states Kathy G. about Camp Taylor, while another camper notes, "The bathrooms were clean and staff seemed very friendly" at Delaware Water Gap KOA.
What You Should Know
Site selection matters: Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA offers varied glamping experiences. "Our particular camp site was huge! There was plenty of room for us to spread out," notes Carol N., who adds an important caution: "The campground had many different types of sites... Some were extremely small and very close to the next camper."
Seasonal limitations: Not all facilities operate year-round. "Swartswood State Park Campground has a season from April 1 to October 31," according to park information, while one camper notes, "We went out of season so there were no lifeguards, or anything open at the pavilion."
Cell service challenges: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. "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," reports Nick E. about Timothy Lake South, while another visitor mentions, "The cell service for most providers is practically non-existent."
Bear safety requirements: This is active black bear territory. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided," warns a ranger about Stokes State Forest, while several campgrounds provide bear-proof containers at sites.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Great Divide Campground offers extensive recreation facilities. "Our camp site was great (52), backed onto a wooded area and a big playground was directly in front of us, which worked out perfectly since we have school age kids," reports Penny C., highlighting the thoughtful layout.
Swimming options: Multiple water features provide cooling recreation. "Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities," says Scott N. about Great Divide Campground, while another visitor notes their "large pool which was used by many of the campers."
Educational experiences: Wildlife viewing opportunities enhance family trips. "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite," shares Dina S. about Camp Taylor, adding value beyond standard camping.
Organized activities: Scheduled programming keeps children engaged. "They had live music which was actually really good!!! A reggae band," notes a Great Divide visitor, while others mention crafts, gem mining, and evening events at various locations.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Jenny Jump State Forest requires preparation for uneven terrain. "The sites are hit or miss in terms of comfort, some have large, flat, clear spaces for multiple tents, some you have to wedge a tent to avoid rocks," shares Seth K., information that applies equally to RV positioning.
Water pressure awareness: Timothy Lake South has unusually strong water flow. "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi," warns Don C., suggesting RVers should use regulators to protect their systems.
Pull-through availability: KOA Delaware Water Gap offers accessible sites for larger rigs. "They had mini golf and gem mining, they had a big fire every night AND a giant steer that would come out every night to graze," mentions Penny C., who also notes, "I thought the campsites seemed pretty big, but as in any campground some were bigger than others and the pull through looked smaller and cramped."
Winter hookups: Year-round glamping near Unity House means available heated options. "We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven!" shares Melody about Otter Lake Camp Resort, where winter infrastructure includes maintained water and electric connections.
