Waverly, Pennsylvania sits at an elevation of 1,066 feet in the Endless Mountains region. Many camping cabins near Waverly offer extended season availability between April and October, with a few providing year-round options. Winter temperatures typically range from 15°F to 35°F while summer temperatures average 75°F to 85°F, creating distinct camping conditions across seasons.
What to do
Kayaking at Lackawanna State Park: Rent kayaks and paddle boats at the lake within 15 minutes of Waverly. "The lake is nice, a little copper kind of like iced tea color but was very nice," notes one visitor to Tobyhanna State Park Campground, which offers similar water features to Lackawanna.
Waterfall hikes: Several state parks within a 45-minute drive feature scenic waterfall trails of varying difficulties. A visitor to Ricketts Glen State Park Campground reports, "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."
Ice fishing and winter recreation: Some parks maintain winter cabin access specifically for cold-weather activities. "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," reports a winter visitor to Pickerel Point Campground.
What campers like
Direct water access: Many lake cabins offer immediate water entry points. A camper at Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park shares, "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail."
Clean facilities: Renovated bathhouses with reliable hot water appear across several park reviews. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground," notes a visitor to Keen Lake Resort Campground, which maintains similar standards to other area properties.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse forest animals. A Lackawanna visitor notes, "We even got to see an eagles' nest near our campsite," while Tobyhanna State Park reviews mention, "We were warned at check in that there have been a lot of bears in the area but never really thought that we would see one. As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent."
What you should know
Bear precautions required: Northeastern Pennsylvania has active black bear populations. "Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car," advises a camper from Tobyhanna State Park, where rangers actively warn guests about recent bear activity.
Variable water conditions: Lake clarity and color vary by location. Cozy Creek Family Campground receives praise for its pristine creek: "This is a fantastic campground! The tent sites are right on the creek. The grounds, the little store/coffee shop and the facilities were pristine."
Coin-operated showers: Some state parks require quarters for showers. A Keen Lake visitor notes, "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground. *The showers are coin operated."
Reservation requirements: Weekend cabin availability fills months in advance during summer. Clayton Park RV Escape reports, "A well run, well staffed, facilities are excellent," but requires reservations well ahead of peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreational programming: Several campgrounds offer organized activities for children. One visitor to Clayton Park RV Escape notes, "Excellent family quiet area. Pool boats, hike, relax," while another campground visitor mentions, "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake."
Choose pet-friendly loops wisely: Many properties maintain specific pet sections with different amenity access. A Pickerel Point camper notes, "Certain sites allow pets. My favorite site does, plus I can launch my kayak right from there!"
Consider cabin locations carefully: Proximity to bathhouses matters for families. "Pickerel point is the most action packed part of the park. LOTS of kids and people enjoying themselves. If you're looking for a more secluded experience, the park has sections for that as well," advises one parent.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability limited: Only select campgrounds near Waverly offer complete water, electric, and sewer connections. A visitor to Hickory Run State Park Campground shares, "We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. The sites in this loop were spacious and more in an open area, but we were along a wooded area which gave us some shade."
Site privacy varies significantly: Some locations offer more separation between camping units than others. One RVer notes, "The sites seemed a little narrow when we first pulled in, but it was plenty. The kids had fun riding bikes on the road, which was off the main road."
Seasonal site impact: Many campgrounds host long-term seasonal guests. "I stayed on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights in August 2020. It was SO BEAUTIFUL. We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch," reports a Pickerel Point visitor.