Cabin camping near White Haven, Pennsylvania offers accommodations across several state parks and privately-owned campgrounds within the Pocono Mountains. The region sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, where temperatures average 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. Most cabins in the area require advance reservations, with availability most limited from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What to do
Boulder field exploration: Visit the 16-acre boulder field at Hickory Run State Park Campground, a National Natural Landmark with thousands of red sandstone boulders. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," notes camper Mike M.
Waterfall hiking: Trails at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground feature 22 named waterfalls along well-maintained paths. "The hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained! And the hike back up was again steep but maintained! And you got different falls to look at both ways, I believe there are around 17 waterfalls there?" writes Anne P.
Water recreation: Lake activities at Mauch Chunk Lake Park include swimming, boating, and paddleboarding. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm. You are in beautiful Jim Thorpe that has white water rafting in town, plus great restaurants and bars," reports Lisa S.
What campers like
Trail access: Jim Thorpe Camping Resort connects directly to regional trail systems. "A major pro is access to the Switchback Trail from the campground. A wonderfully scenic trail," mentions Dave R. The location also provides quick access to downtown Jim Thorpe.
Swimming options: Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers a designated swimming beach with facilities. "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!" states Annette M. The park maintains separate shore areas for swimmers and non-motorized watercraft.
Wildlife viewing: Bear sightings are common at many Pocono campgrounds. "As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent. Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car," warns Erik M. at Tobyhanna State Park Campground. The region also supports deer, eagles, and numerous bird species.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities: Cabin locations often determine bathroom access. At Tobyhanna State Park Campground, "Bathrooms were clean and adequate. The sites were not too close together," according to Jen. Some outer loops have only pit toilets or portable facilities.
Bear safety protocols: All food items must be secured in vehicles when not in use. "We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings," notes Jennifer D. at Hickory Run State Park.
Seasonal water issues: Water quality and availability varies seasonally. "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," reports Lee D. from Ricketts Glen State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Peaceful Woodlands Campground offers organized family activities throughout the camping season. "There was a large open field in the loop we camped in with a swing set on it. This was nice for families with children," observes Shirley M.
Site selection considerations: Choose inner loops for easier bathroom access at larger campgrounds. "We were in the outer loop far from the rest of the campground and they only had ports potties and hand sanitizer. I wish we had been on the inner loop for the bathrooms," suggests Sarah L.
Camp store availability: Some parks maintain well-stocked stores for forgotten supplies. "The camp store had good hours and is stocked to high heaven; you could come here with just the clothes on your back and buy everything you need for a very comfortable stay," says Bridget D. about Hickory Run State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Pocono Point offers full hookup sites but terrain varies. "Sites are HUGE and each one has full hook up," notes Jackie F., though another camper mentioned, "the only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because our site wasn't level and it took hours to get it right."
Seasonal population changes: Many campgrounds have permanent or seasonal residents. "Make sure you have a LONG water hose. We actually had to buy a 50 foot hose in the camp store to accommodate the distance to the spigot," advises Becca U. at Moyers Grove Campground.
Site spacing variations: RV sites at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort can be tight. "We were always looking for a place to park our tow because we had no extra space in front or back. The RVs were parked so close together that none of us could use our awnings," warns Donna C.
