The Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River region encompasses numerous campground options spanning both New York and Pennsylvania sides of the Delaware River. Established campgrounds like Skinners Falls Campground and Soaring Eagle Campground provide waterfront access directly on the Delaware River, while facilities such as Honesdale-Poconos KOA offer more developed camping experiences with modern amenities. Most locations accommodate tent camping, with several sites also supporting RVs. Cabin options exist at select campgrounds including Keen Lake Resort, Happy Days Campground, and Soaring Eagle. The area's mixed-use campgrounds typically operate seasonally from spring through mid-October.
Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when riverfront campsites fill quickly. Most campgrounds maintain seasonal operations with limited availability outside the peak period from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "Beautiful, spacious, waterfront sites available. Lean-to sites also. Love it here, though the staff can be cantankerous and hard to deal with," noted one camper about Skinners Falls Campground. Water-based recreation represents a primary draw, with several facilities offering equipment rentals for tubing, kayaking, and rafting on the Delaware River. Road access varies between campgrounds, with most being accessible by standard vehicles, though visitors should check specific site requirements before arrival.
Riverfront camping consistently receives high ratings from visitors across multiple campgrounds. Areas like Narrowsburg Campground and Skinners Falls feature sites with direct river access, making them particularly appealing for fishing and water activities. According to one visitor, "This campground was nice they offered river activities (for purchase) tubing, kayaking, rafting. They had a small camp store and friendly staff." Most campgrounds maintain basic facilities including restrooms, showers, and trash disposal. Weekends during summer months can become crowded and potentially noisy at popular riverside locations. Some visitors note significant differences between weekday and weekend experiences, with weekdays offering considerably more solitude. Several campgrounds feature wooded sites providing natural shade, while others emphasize open riverfront locations with scenic views of the Delaware.
"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. "
"We didn’t have a view of the lake, instead we were in someone’s back yard lol. It wasn’t a big deal. The site was well maintained and flat which were the most important."
"This camp site is conveniently located by the river. Which is really the only reason it gets 4 stars."
$20 - $160 / night
"great river based location(Delaware River) bathhouse was very clean, very rustic, sites are huge, plenty of room for 2+ family campers… I know this controversial, but having Wi-Fi would be great esp when"
"It is great family camp ground with amenities that are helpful to parents and new campers such as restrooms, showers, camp shop, canoe/kayak/tube rentals and designated drive in sites with fire ring and"
"Enjoyed walking the trails and wooded area but sprained my right ankle. So I was laid up for a few hours before I left."
$20 - $48 / night
"SO many weekenders from New York and New Jersey being so loud, littering, and highly disrespectful to others and the land. Quite a shame. If you’re reading this and offended, be the change!!"
"Pros: beautiful new bathrooms -private lakeside walk-in sites -beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless -the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked."
"We liked this site and the one next to it the best out of all of the sites."
"The doors allow for someone to pop their head over from the outside which unfortunately happened during our stay. My kids were too afraid to shower in there after that.. Otherwise I’d give 5 stars"
"Great access to the beaverkill. It’s perfect for a quick getaway."
"We were right next to a small brook, and falling asleep to the sound of the water behind our tent was amazing. Everyone we met was super friendly. We will definitely be back!"
"As close to nature as possible with modern conveniences still nearby. Terri and her gang do a great job of running her Dad's adventure."
TravelerThis was the sweetest campground around!! They deliver fire wood right to your site along with anything else you need. Free delivery of amazing pizza on Friday nights(delivered by a 1969 pink beetle!!). There is a giant river, a dog park and the camp ground is close to town, but far enough away so that you still feel like your camping! Amazing bathroom/shower facilities and a clean swimming pool:)
GuideWe had a great campsite 038, mainly because we booked the site right next to the restroom and hoped no one would reserve the one closest to it, which ended up being the case. The neighboring campsite on the other side also became vacant, so we had plenty of privacy. Otherwise, the sites would have felt a bit cramped. The beach is about a 5-minute walk through the woods. I highly recommend taking a walk there after dark to look at the stars. It’s absolutely worth it. Shower location only near the beach and be ready to pay for it with quarters The restroom is very close from our site and clean, but it’s surrounded by trees, so it’s well hidden and never felt like a disturbance. Our site was much more secluded than most of the others. I would also recommend site 032, as it seemed even more private. Verizon barely had any service, except early in the morning and late in the evening. T-Mobile worked much better. Overall, it’s a nice campground with a beautiful lake. We really enjoyed spending time kayaking, and if you don’t have your own kayak, you can rent one there
TravelerOnly one spot as far as we could tell. We arrived 5.30PM and no one was there. There was quite a deep dip in the beginning of the side road, so higher clearance needed to get there. Nice spot between the trees, lots of shade, clean. Felt safe. There was a firepit. Bring bug repellent!
GuideStayed for 2 nights in June and it was delightful. Facilities were very clean, had flush toilets and showers, and the trails around the pond were great for my dog. Sites were well maintained, but a little close together for my preference. We stayed at site 146. Would definitely come back and hope to get a site along the pond next time!
TravelerThe campground was closed in 2024 for renovations. It is now open. I did a tour of the campgrounds but did not stay there. FYI, generators are NOT allowed at all at this campground. I did not see electric or water hookups. There are three loops. Each has it pros/cons. Sites 30-33 are near the bathroom facilities, sites 34-50 are more secluded, sites 52-65 are closer to the lake.
TravelerWe’re here for the Rock, Ribs, and Ridges festival and what a great experience! Make sure to bring a 50’ power cord as the hook ups are grouped together on telephone poles rather than at each individual site. As far as I know camping is only available during select events.
TravelerThe foliage and trees helps it feel private although there’s someone on both sides and across from you, luckily we were alone for the weekend bc it wasn’t fully booked. Bathrooms and showers were very clean and had potable. Each campground has lake access but it’s very critter heavy so I recommend the main fishing dock area. Caught a bullhead catfish around 11 pm 8 in. Recommend small rods under 6 ft. Staff was very friendly and super easy to extend our stay another day. $50 2 nights out of state res.
TravelerNot an NPS location as was described. Now a campsite and canoe rental at $77 a night
TravelerExceptional, clean bathrooms. Best I’ve seen. WiFi good, campsite reasonably level. Nestled in the trees, relaxing.
The Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River spans 73.4 miles between New York and Pennsylvania, with water temperatures averaging 50-70°F during the main camping season. Riverside campsites offer direct access to Class I-II rapids suitable for novice to intermediate paddlers, while forested sites provide natural shade during summer months when temperatures can reach the mid-80s.
River fishing: Try fly fishing at Soaring Eagle Campground, where the Delaware River is known for its trout and smallmouth bass. "Great river based location (Delaware River)... GREAT fishing river, though the riverfront the camp sits on isn't the best in terms of depth or activity. A short drive down the road in either direction will put you in much better locations for angling," notes one visitor.
Kayaking and canoeing: Bring your own or rent from Roscoe Campsites, where you'll have access to both calm waters and gentle rapids. A camper shares: "It appeared there were additional activities we could have partaken in - kayaks, paddle boards, canoes available for rent onsite - though with how shallow the river was, I would have been pretty nervous to take a tumble out of a kayak or paddle board."
Swimming: Cool off at Keen Lake Resort Campground which offers both lake swimming and a pool. According to one visitor: "Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake. It was awesome... The kids had fun riding bikes on the road, which was off the main road."
Spacious riverfront sites: Campers appreciate the generous sites at Narrowsburg Campground which offers prime Delaware River access. "Nice and clean, right on the water. Spread out just enough to feel like we had good privacy," notes a recent visitor.
Family-friendly amenities: Honesdale-Poconos KOA earns high marks for its diverse offerings. "Activities for the kids like movies (it was Moana), a pool, mini golf and a bounce area. We had a fantastic first camping experience for the kids (and dogs)," reports one family. "The bathrooms and showers, every time we went in, were spotless."
Natural surroundings: The wooded sites at Happy Days Campground provide a peaceful atmosphere with mature trees. A camper mentions: "Although a small rustic campground it is beautiful and shady. Also quiet even at night after seeing dead and co at the performing art center."
Weekday vs. weekend differences: Many Upper Delaware campgrounds transform on weekends. During peak summer season, some sites can become crowded and noisy. Consider planning for weekdays when possible for a more peaceful experience.
Varying site quality: Research specific site numbers before booking at Roscoe Campsites. "The 'tent sites' are VERY close together, and there is nothing separating them. If you're looking for quiet seclusion, don't even remotely consider this spot as an option," warns one visitor. "The ground is worn over and very rocky. If you visit, bring incredibly thick sleeping pads or air mattresses if you want to sleep semi-comfortably."
Weather considerations: River levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting water activities. Spring brings higher, faster water while late summer may see shallow sections, impacting paddling and tubing experiences.
Look for campgrounds with organized activities: "My kids really loved having a pool to swim in, in addition to the lake," notes a Keen Lake visitor. "There is a lot for younger kids to do and the grounds are pet friendly which was a huge plus for us."
Consider the bathroom facilities: Parents appreciate clean, accessible facilities. At Pickerel Point Campground, "bathrooms were clean with nice hot showers." Another visitor adds, "Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers."
Book ahead for lakeside sites: Waterfront sites fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," shares a Pickerel Point camper.
Site leveling: Check campground reviews for information about pad quality. At Happy Days Campground, a camper notes: "We stayed at Happy Days from Friday to Monday with our 21 foot travel trailer. Site P6. Pretty level site."
Hook-up availability: Pickerel Point Campground offers various options. "We had full hookups (20/30/50 amp, water & sewer). There's no cable but we were able to pickup about 6 channels with our digital antenna," reports one RVer. "All of the sites were spacious."
Consider seasonal limitations: Some Upper Delaware campgrounds have reduced services outside summer. "Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by," notes a Pickerel Point visitor about off-season camping. "The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River?
According to TheDyrt.com, Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River offers a wide range of camping options, with 212 campgrounds and RV parks near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River is Keen Lake Resort Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River.
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