The camping areas surrounding Wyoming, Pennsylvania offer diverse terrain from mountain forests to lakeside settings at elevations ranging from 600-1200 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day with nighttime lows in the 50s. Most public camping areas in the region require advance reservations during peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
What to do
Lake activities: swim, fish, boat: Tobyhanna State Park Campground includes a large lake area with designated swimming beaches and separate shores for kayak and canoe entry. "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," notes camper J K.
Hiking trail exploration: Numerous trails with varying difficulty levels wind through the region's state parks and forests. Hickory Run State Park Campground offers 44 miles of trails rated from easy to difficult. A visitor shared: "Clean, great camp store, dog friendly loop, great hikes accessible from campground!"
Explore boulder fields: A unique geological feature in the area, the boulder fields provide an unusual landscape to explore. "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," writes Amber A.
What campers like
Large, level sites: Lackawanna State Park Campground provides spacious campsites that work well for families and groups. One camper reported: "We stayed in the fairly new ledges loop that are all full hookup sites. Nice large sites, beautiful area, friendly rangers."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. "The campground and bathrooms were very clean. Lots of hiking trails - although they need better markings," notes Cynthia P. about a nearby state park.
Waterfront camping options: Several campgrounds offer direct water access from sites. At Cozy Creek Family Campground, "The tent sites are right on the creek. The grounds, the little store/coffee shop and the facilities were pristine," according to louis P.
What you should know
Wildlife considerations: The area has significant wildlife activity that requires proper preparation. At Tobyhanna State Park Campground, one camper noted: "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."
Site selection matters: Campsite quality varies within each campground. "This campground is beautiful and has great cell service (Verizon). The site we stayed on was a swamp! It was terrible... Plenty of other great sites but several butt up against standing water which is nasty," warns Erin M.
Shower facilities vary: Not all campgrounds provide equal shower facilities. One camper at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground noted: "Showers looked reasonable but I did not use them," while another mentioned, "Bath houses are okay, showers are button showers and are freezing come prepared."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many campgrounds include recreational areas for children. At Highland Campgrounds, "Playground is also older but also gives off the vintage look with some of the older, older swings and sit spin," according to Jennifer R.
Swimming options: During summer months, families appreciate water recreation. "My family loves it up here. The reservation staff are over accommodating and very helpful, we had to call them a few times. Great place for hiking, fishing, letting kids have fun and be kids," shares Jessica B. about Moon Lake Recreation Area.
Pet friendly considerations: When camping with pets near Wyoming, Pennsylvania, select designated pet-friendly loops. One camper observed: "DO NOT take your pups to the water. There is a weird bacteria or algae currently growing in the lake, it's completely visible. There are advisories around about it too."
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: Some campgrounds have aging electrical systems that may need updating. At Lackawanna State Park Campground, a camper 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."
Site dimensions: Ricketts Glen State Park Campground has various site configurations. "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling. Not much shade in the full hookup loop, so was happy to have electricity for A/C," shares James S.
Access road conditions: RVers should be aware of entrance road conditions. At Cozy Creek Family Campground, a visitor noted: "The road in (Vacation lane) is dirt, rough and narrow. There is presently no gate as well so the public can just drive in."
Scout
