Camping near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania offers access to the forested ridges of the Pocono Mountains and valleys of northeastern Pennsylvania, with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet. The region receives approximately 46 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush woodland environments with diverse wildlife. Most campgrounds in the area are situated within 30-45 minutes of Wilkes-Barre, providing convenient access while maintaining a natural setting.
What to do
Boulder field exploration: At Hickory Run State Park, visitors can explore the 16-acre boulder field, a National Natural Landmark formed during the last ice age. A camper noted, "The Boulder Fields are one of the coolest places I've ever visited, partially because they were so unexpected. Don't twist an ankle, but you can play hide and seek to an extent as there are small depressions in the fields."
Lake activities: Most campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities beyond swimming. At Tobyhanna State Park Campground, the lake provides multiple activities. "The lake is very nice a little copper kind of like iced tea color but was very nice. They have a few hiking trails we didn't get to do, also have a horse shoe pit volleyball ball area and a little play area in the camping area," shares one visitor.
Waterfall hiking: The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground features 22 named waterfalls ranging from 11 to 94 feet high. A camper described the experience: "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. The trails are very well marked."
What campers like
Privacy variations: Site selection matters at Lackawanna State Park, where privacy levels vary significantly. A visitor explained, "Some are a little close to each other, but others offer plenty of space, including our site (52) on this trip. One of the biggest spots we have ever had."
Modern amenities: Hickory Run State Park Campground offers unexpected comfort with well-stocked facilities. One camper shared, "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."
Budget-friendly options: Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground in Pinchot State Forest offers affordable camping with basic amenities. A camper noted, "Camping here used to be free but now they charge $10/night. There is no electric or water hookup but the trails are nice, it's quiet, and there's a lake to fish."
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears are common throughout the region, particularly at Tobyhanna State Park. One camper warned, "Just stayed 2 nights with my 7 yrs. old daughter we had a blast. Everyone was very nice camp host and DCNR were very helpful. 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."
Site conditions vary: Some campsites at Frances Slocum State Park Campground have drainage issues after rain. A recent visitor cautioned, "The site we stayed on was a swamp! It was terrible, I called the park office and they assured me the site was fine for tents it was NOT. Plenty of other great sites but several butt up against standing water which is nasty."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. At Moyer's Grove Campground, a camper reported, "Be advised that there was no cell service or internet for AT&T users. (Verizon did have some service.) Also, there is no cable and our antennae was unable to pick up any TV channels."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Highland Campgrounds offers play areas with a nostalgic feel. A visitor mentioned, "Playground is also older but also gives off the vintage look with some of the older, older swings and sit spin."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Moyers Grove Campground offers regular wildlife sightings for children. A camper shared, "We enjoyed our weekend stay at Moyer's Grove. The sites were a nice size and were well shaded. The campground was quiet and peaceful. We saw deer daily. There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes."
Educational resources: Tobyhanna State Park provides environmental learning opportunities. A visitor noted, "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails."
Tips for RVers
Water hookup preparation: At some campgrounds, the water spigot location can be challenging. At Moyers Grove, one RVer advised, "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."
Electrical system issues: Some campgrounds have aging electrical infrastructure. At Lackawanna State Park Campground, a camper reported, "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
Site dimensions: Several campgrounds offer varying site sizes and layouts. At Tobyhanna State Park, an RVer observed, "Just finished up two nights in site 123. These sites are RIGHT AGAINST THE ROAD. Other state parks tend to make their sites deep, whereas these are wide."
