Best Campgrounds near Waverly, PA
Northeastern Pennsylvania's landscape around Waverly provides diverse camping experiences within a short drive, from state parks to private resorts. Lackawanna State Park Campground, just minutes from Waverly, offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts around a 198-acre lake. Within a 30-minute radius, campers can access Keen Lake Resort Campground in Waymart with lakeside sites and full amenities, or Frances Slocum State Park Campground near Wyoming with more rustic accommodations. The region's camping options extend into the Pocono Mountains to the southeast, where Tobyhanna State Park and Promised Land State Park feature additional lakeside camping with varying levels of development and privacy.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from mid-April through mid-October, with limited year-round options like Cozy Creek Family Campground in Tunkhannock. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many state parks having minimal coverage. As one camper at Worlds End State Park noted, "We had zero cell service, but firewood was available on the honor system with trail maps conveniently located nearby." Pennsylvania state parks enforce strict quiet hours (typically 9pm-8am) and many prohibit alcohol consumption. Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months, particularly near lakes and streams. Campers should prepare for variable weather conditions, as the region experiences significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, especially in spring and fall.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with lakeside sites at Keen Lake Resort being particularly popular. "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," reported one satisfied camper. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds and even within different loops of the same park. Frances Slocum State Park features "large, wooded sites, good bathhouse, nice trails close by," according to one reviewer, while others mention that Tobyhanna State Park has sites that are "too close together" despite beautiful scenery. Fall foliage season draws significant crowds, with one camper describing the experience as "breathtaking views from nearby trails" with "being able to wake up lakeside up in the mountain" as a treasured experience.
