Northeastern Pennsylvania offers dense woodland camping options within the Pocono Mountains region at elevations ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter nights often dipping below freezing. Campgrounds near Wyoming, Pennsylvania provide access to glacial lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails through mature hardwood forests where black bears are common wildlife residents.
What to do
Hike the Boulder Field: Visit Hickory Run State Park Campground to explore its unique geological formation. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," shares Mike M. The boulder field trail offers a flat but unique surface for exploration.
Fish without a license: Keen Lake Resort Campground offers catch-and-release fishing that doesn't require a Pennsylvania fishing license. The lake provides clear water for fishing and paddling. "My kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch," noted Shannon C., who stayed at a lakeside site.
Winter recreation: Tobyhanna State Park Campground maintains winter activities when many other parks close. "Camped here growing up. Visited again as an adult. Great memories. Quiet and relaxing. Great place to do nothing," reports Shirley M. The park offers ice fishing and cross-country skiing trails during winter months.
Explore waterfalls: Many campers visit the area specifically for waterfall hiking, with trails ranging from easy to challenging. "Great hiking! There are various trails for all skill levels, and pets are welcome!" explains Lexi about Ricketts Glen State Park Campground.
What campers like
Level sites for comfortable setup: Many reviewers appreciate when campsites require minimal leveling. At Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, Angela noted, "Easy to back in. Didn't need leveling blocks as our site was nice and level. Stayed Thursday through Sunday. It was chilly in the mornings and evenings and warm and sunny during the day."
Clean bathroom facilities: Facility cleanliness ranks high in camper satisfaction. At Mount Pocono Campground, one camper mentioned, "Cleanest campground bathouse I've ever used! Great hiking trail right from the site. Be prepared for walking up and downhill - quite the unexpected workout."
Helpful staff: Campground employees make a significant difference in the camping experience. At Pioneer Campground, Gregory L. shared, "The owners are just amazingly nice people, always very helpful! The campground itself is beautiful, it's back a long lane from the main road so it is quiet and peaceful."
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate when sites offer natural screening. At Lackawanna State Park Campground, Michael observed, "It has sites that are very wooded. 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."
What you should know
Bear activity is common: Many campgrounds in the Pocono region report regular bear sightings. At Tobyhanna State Park, Erik M. advised, "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. Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car."
Water quality varies: Some parks experience seasonal water issues. David at Lackawanna State Park noted, "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
Some sites flood in rain: Tent campers should check site drainage. Casey R. warned about Pioneer Campground, "The only downside we found is if you're camping in the tent site and it rains heavily a good portion of these sites flood and fill with water. Be sure to place your tent accordingly."
Yurt camping in Wyoming, Pennsylvania area: Yurts provide solid shelter while maintaining the camping experience. Several parks offer yurt camping near Wyoming, Pennsylvania, including Mauch Chunk Lake Park where sites have lake access. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm," Lisa S. recommended.
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured recreation. "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," Bridget D. shared about Hickory Run State Park.
Choose campgrounds with play areas: Family-friendly facilities make a difference. At Red Rock Mountain Campground, Kait D. found it to be a "Peaceful little campground five minutes from Ricketts Glen State Park. Accommodating and friendly hosts, clean bath house and firewood for sale on site."
Consider off-season visits: Camping outside peak summer months offers more space and quieter conditions. At Mount Pocono Campground, Rennie S. suggested, "Very clean and well-run. We were here during COVID restrictions and they were handling it well. We used the arcade, pool, bathouse and laundry."
Book lake access for multiple activities: Waterfront sites keep children engaged. "This is a very nice park with a beautiful lake. Clean bath houses and very friendly staff. They have activities for all ages. My kids love going here and I also enjoy coming knowing I can relax and not worry about them," Dawn T. said about Keen Lake Resort.
Tips from RVers
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Popular weekends fill up months in advance, especially for sites with full hookups. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, Emma T. advised, "Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone. We set up the tent, kayaked on the lake, cooked up some dinner, watched a strawberry super moon rise over the lake."
Check site dimensions carefully: Some RV sites are narrower than advertised. At Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, Jonathan F. cautioned, "This place was pretty nice. The bath houses were really clean. The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars is cause the spots were a little tight."
Note hookup limitations: Many campgrounds have limited full-hookup options. "Camped in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers," cheryl M. shared about Lackawanna State Park's upgraded camping area.
Consider alternative yurt camping near Wyoming, Pennsylvania: For RVers wanting a different experience, permanent yurts offer comfort without towing. The area's year-round yurts provide climate-controlled alternatives to traditional RV camping during shoulder seasons.
