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Best Campgrounds near Wilkes-Barre, PA

852 Reviews

Several state parks with camping sit within an hour's drive of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Promised Land State Park, about 36 miles away, has the Pickerel Point Campground where you can camp with lake views. Frances Slocum State Park Campground is much closer - just seven miles from town - with hiking trails and good fishing spots. You can drive to all these campgrounds on regular roads, though winter snow sometimes makes travel tricky. You should book ahead, especially in summer and during fall when people come to see the changing leaves. Ricketts Glen State Park gets particularly busy because of its waterfalls. Most campgrounds around Wilkes-Barre have flush toilets, showers, and picnic tables. If you want fewer neighbors, try camping during the week instead of weekends in summer. Wilkes-Barre works well as a starting point for camping trips since it's close to many outdoor spots. The area has plenty to do whether you like hiking, fishing, or just hanging out by a lake.

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Best Camping Sites Near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (184)

    1. Hickory Run State Park Campground

    60 Reviews
    Albrightsville, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (272) 808-6192

    $24 - $108 / night

    "Great location lots of hiking trails right in the park and many more close by"

    "Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground.   "

    2. Frances Slocum State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Shavertown, PA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 696-3525

    $24 - $48 / night

    "Was also an easy back in site as there’s an adjacent road (to parking and the amphitheater) right in front of it. All sites only have electric and only certain allow pets."

    "Large, wooded sites, good bathhouse, nice trails close by. A little highway noise, but dark and quiet at night. Very peaceful place."

    3. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Sweet Valley, PA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 477-5675

    $24 - $164 / night

    "The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"

    "Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty)."

    4. Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest

    3 Reviews
    Hunlock Creek, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 945-7133

    $10 / night

    "There is no electric or water hookup but the trails are nice, it's quiet, and there's a lake to fish. There's also swimming down the Rd at a nearby creek."

    "Absolutely love Moon Lake. Place has some of the best mountain bike trails in northeast pa. Camping is primitive but has spots big enough for RVs. Also. It’s free!"

    5. Tobyhanna State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Tobyhanna, PA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 894-8336

    $24 - $43 / night

    "Breathtaking views from nearby trails and nearby Big Pocono State Park. The park staff were very helpful and knowledgeable about nearby trails and best places to get the most out of the views!"

    "Scenic state park with a lake. You can swim in the lake in the summer or do a 5-mile hike around the lake along well-marked walk paths. There are at least two parking lots(no parking fees)."

    6. Lackawanna State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Fleetville, PA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 945-3239

    $24 - $80 / night

    "The sites were a little close to each other and where we were in the park was a mixed use area. So we had an RV next to us with the Genny running all day."

    "Campground has cabins and yurts, pull in sites for RV’s and strictly walk in tent sites. There is a beautiful lake and a very large pool."

    7. Lehigh Gorge Campground

    3 Reviews
    White Haven, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 443-9191

    "Bathrooms were close by and as clean as you can expect when camping. I’d certainly go back."

    "We are in a transient site which doesn't have much shade and it is close to the main road (although separated by some trees and brush).  

    The campers and campground are very quiet. "

    8. Highland Campgrounds

    3 Reviews
    Factoryville, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 586-0145

    $0 - $17 / night

    "This campground was very nice and had so much hiking in and around it. They were very helpful with getting us a site since it was so last minute on a holiday weekend Will be visiting again"

    9. Moyers Grove Campground

    5 Reviews
    Conyngham, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 379-3375

    "The campsites were clean, adequately spaced and many positioned along side a creek.  The bathhouse (hooray) was great. Recently renovated, they were extremely, clean and dry."

    "There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes.  It was too cool to use the pool while we were visiting but it was clean and well cared-for. "

    10. Manny Gordon Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest

    1 Review
    Thornhurst, PA
    14 miles
    +1 (570) 945-7133

    $10 / night

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Recent Camping Photos near Wilkes-Barre, PA

561 Photos of 184 Wilkes-Barre Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Wilkes-Barre, PA

852 Reviews of 184 Wilkes-Barre Campgrounds

Guide to Wilkes-Barre

Camping near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "The trails are very well maintained. If you want to do the Falls Trail (21 beautiful waterfalls), it is quite challenging."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing dip at Lake Jean, which is accessible from the campground. A visitor mentioned, "The lake felt clean and wasn't too cold in July."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park, you can fish or rent kayaks. One camper noted, "The bathrooms are clean and overall a wonderful experience."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Hickory Run State Park Campground stated, "The bathroom facilities were clean, the hiking in the area was gorgeous."
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. A camper at Frances Slocum State Park Campground said, "Sites are spaced out nice and ample size."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Keen Lake Resort Campground have activities for kids. One parent shared, "Activities all day long for the children."

What you should know

  • Cell Service: Be prepared for limited cell service in some areas. A visitor at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground mentioned, "There is absolutely no cell service."
  • Busy Weekends: Popular campgrounds can get crowded on weekends. A reviewer noted, "It does get very busy on weekends so if you can stay during the week it's much nicer."
  • Site Conditions: Some sites may not be level. A camper at Locust Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "206 Campsite unleveled, but plenty of room."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A review for Jim Thorpe Camping Resort said, "There are extremely nice bathrooms and a ton of things to do if you have children."
  • Plan for Crowds: If you're camping in the summer, expect busy sites. One family shared, "The park was 99% empty and the tree frogs were amazing!" during their off-peak visit.
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring comfortable shoes for hiking. A visitor at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground advised, "If you are going to visit all the falls, bring shoes that you can walk in."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Keen Lake Resort Campground noted, "The sites are average in size."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need them, check for sites with full hookups. A reviewer mentioned, "We had full hookups at our site."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort said, "There was loud music and people yelling till 1 am."

Camping around Wilkes-Barre, PA, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Wilkes-Barre, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Wilkes-Barre, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 184 campgrounds and RV parks near Wilkes-Barre, PA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Wilkes-Barre, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wilkes-Barre, PA is Hickory Run State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 60 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wilkes-Barre, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Wilkes-Barre, PA.

What parks are near Wilkes-Barre, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Wilkes-Barre, PA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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