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Established Camping

Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest

Moon Lake Recreation Area near Hunlock Creek, PA, features forested terrain with a mix of hardwoods and conifers. Temperatures range from lows in the 20s Fahrenheit during winter to highs in the 80s during summer. Nearby attractions include Ricketts Glen State Park, known for its waterfalls and hiking trails.

Description

Bureau of Forestry

Moon Lake Recreation Area

Pinchot (pin·show) State Forest comprises approximately 50,000 acres in the North Eastern counties of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Wayne.

Pinchot State Forest is named in recognition of Gifford Pinchot's monumental contributions to forestry and his legacy of forest land conservation. He was an important figure in the American conservation movement tripling the nation’s forest reserves, protecting their long term health for both conservation and recreational use.

The Pinchot State Forest is Spread across 8 Unique Tracts and 3 Recreation Areas:

Tracts

  • Crystal Lake
  • Elmhurst
  • Harvey's Creek & Avondale
  • Laurel Run &Deep Hollow
  • Mocanaqua & Wanamie
  • Montage
  • Moosic Mountain
  • Thornhurst

Recreation Areas

  • Manny Gordon
  • Moon Lake
  • Seven Tubs

For more information visit the Pinchot State Forest Website.

This confirmation serves as your State Forest Campsite Permit for the campsite listed above. This permit is null and void if the reservation is cancelled or transferred prior to the date of arrival. You must have a copy of the permit on person during your stay.

Occupants are subject to the following permit conditions:

  1. Campfires, when permitted, require precautions be taken to prevent spread of fire to the forest. Campfires shall be attended at all times. Campfires are prohibited March 1st through May 25th without authorization from the District Forester, or when fire danger is high, very high, or extreme. This prohibition does not apply to self-contained camp stoves when used in a safe manner. A person causing a wildfire, in addition to possible criminal penalty, is liable for all damages, costs of extinction and fines.

  2. Dead and down wood may be gathered and burned when permitted but may not be removed from the site. Power tools and chain saws are not permitted. Destruction of Property, damaging, defacing, or removing any sign, structure, equipment or other material is prohibited.

  3. Occupants shall include at least one person 18 years of age or older. This permit may not be reassigned or transferred.

  4. Pets are permitted on State Forest land if kept under control and attended at all times. Animal waste must be disposed of properly.

  5. Disorderly conduct is prohibited, including creating unreasonable noise that may disturb other campers and visitors to state forest land. Generators that create excessive noise are prohibited.

  6. Limit of 7 continuous days of camping on state forest land. Camping cannot be resumed until 48 hours have passed. All vehicles and equipment must be removed from state forest land during this time. Members of this camping party may not reserve a campsite until 48 hours have passed.

  7. Washing in a water outlet, spring, lake or waterway and discharging sewage, or gray water on or into ground or surface waters is prohibited. Toilets must be used where provided. In other locations self-contained toilets must be used when required or human waste deposited in hole 4-6 inches deep, 200 feet from water, campsite, or trails and covered and hidden.

  8. Littering is prohibited. Garbage/waste/rubbish must be removed from site and disposed of properly. Parking which obstructs a gate, entrance, exit or road turnaround on State Forest land is prohibited. Parking in area designated for a person with a disability, by the Department, is prohibited unless the vehicle has a valid plate or placard.

  9. Damaging/removing a living or dead plant on State Forest land is prohibited. Edible wild plants or plant parts may be gathered if for personal use. Removing or disturbing historical/archeological resources from State Forest land is prohibited. Target Shooting of any kind is prohibited.

  10. Occupants are subject to State Forest Rules and Regulations, found online at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/RulesAndRegulations/Pages/default.aspx, posted onsite, or by contacting the district office. Occupants are subject to any other information and instructions included in the campsite or facility notes, alerts, and important information.

Violations : Violations of forest rules and regulations, or violations of a condition of this permit could result in any or all of the following consequences:

  1. The permit may be revoked. This will result in the occupants being required to vacate the facility immediately.
  2. The occupants may be required to leave the forest.
  3. The occupants may be cited for a violation of the forest rules and regulations, a summary offense.
  4. The occupants are responsible for any damage to campsite or facilities that occurred during or due to their occupancy.
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Location

Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest is located in Pennsylvania

Detail location of campground

Directions

**District Office** - 41°33'33.4"N 75°42'19.5"W - 41.559283, -75.705415 The Pinchot State Forest Office is 13 Miles North of Scranton. Seven Miles off of I-81 Take Exit 199 (Scott Exit) and head West. Follow Signs for Lackawanna State Park/ Pinchot Forest District office **Thornhurst & Manny Gordon** - 41°12'28.2"N 75°36'36.7"W - 41.207832, -75.610193 **Moon Lake Recreation Area** - 41°15'08.2"N 76°03'22.9"W - 41.252265, -76.056351 **Seven Tubs Recreation Area** - 41°14'07.6"N 75°48'36.9"W - 41.235444, -75.810260 **Crystal Lake** - 41°11'40.8"N 75°48'47.3"W - 41.194666, -75.813144 **Montage** - 41°21'56.6"N 75°36'03.4"W - 41.365716, -75.600952 **Elmhurst** - 41°20'24.9"N 75°30'55.5"W - 41.340250, -75.515428 **Mocanaqua** - 41°08'53.3"N 76°08'41.2"W - 41.148136, -76.144763

Address

1841 Abington Rd
North Abington Twp, PA 18414

Coordinates

41.25275581 N
76.04170999 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Poor

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.5

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3 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 9, 2024

Great peaceful environment

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. A nice quiet place to relax by the fire while the kids sleep.

Site006
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest by Jessica B., April 9, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 5, 2023

Boondock

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. There's also swimming down the Rd at a nearby creek.

Site001
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest by Shannon R., June 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest by Shannon R., June 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest by Shannon R., June 5, 2023
Reviewed Oct. 29, 2020

Awesome primitive campsites

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! Newly built tent pads as of last year. Fantastic place!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest has 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

Are fires allowed at Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is poor.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest?

There are 13 campsites at Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts