Spend Quality Time in the Great Outdoors Camping at NEPA’s State Parks & Forests
Northeastern PA is home to 18 Pennsylvania state parks and over 160,000 acres of Pennsylvania state forest land. That’s certainly a lot of room for cramming plenty of outdoor recreation into family adventures and day trips. And if you’re looking to pack all of that and then some into a long weekend or even a full week of vacation, you’ll need to check out the many camping options available at Northeastern PA’s state parks and forests.
From kayaking, fishing and hiking to picnicking, swimming, bird watching and everything in between, you’ll find little trouble filling a day with fun activities for the whole family. When you stay in a NEPA state park or forest you can do it all—from rustic, trailside camping and tent lots to fully-equipped RV spots and even cabins.
Book your spot today and experience a classic NEPA pastime: camping at a local state park or forest.
Tent Site Camping: In most state parks and forests, these sites feature a cleared, accessible space. Various tent sites may provide access to flushable or non-flushable toilets, electricity, picnic tables and fire rings.
RV Site Camping: RV campsites typically include “full hookup” with nearby restrooms/showers and sewer, water, electric hookups. Most also include a picnic table and fire ring.
Cottages, Cabins and Yurts: Cottages and cabins in NEPA’s state parks include most modern amenities and restrooms. Rustic cabins may include only basic amenities. Yurts, or round, walled tents include basic amenities and separate, nearby restrooms.
Motorized Roadside Camping: This type of campsite features the solitude of primitive camping, but with your vehicle nearby as a place for storage and transportation. It’s often utilized by campers who wish to use their vehicle to visit other amenities within the larger state forest area. Permits are required.
Primitive Camping: This type of camping is popular in state forests due to the multi-day length of many trails. Trailside campers, or backpackers typically carry everything they need in a backpack or rucksack and do not camp near vehicles. Primitive camping is allowed in most areas of a state forest without need of a permit.
Year-Round Camping at NEPA’s State Parks
Northeastern PA’s state parks provide four seasons of camping adventures
Northeastern PA is home to some of Pennsylvania’s most scenic and adventure-packed parks, offering camping experiences in every season. Whether you’re pitching a tent under a canopy of towering hemlocks or parking your RV near a pristine mountain lake, NEPA’s state parks provide an ideal backdrop for fresh air and family fun. Hike through old-growth forests at Salt Springs State Park, cast a line for native trout at Hickory Run State Park, or cool off beneath the cascading waterfalls of Ricketts Glen State Park. Each destination invites visitors to unplug, unwind, and reconnect with nature.
From early spring to the last crisp days of fall—and even into winter at some locations—these parks offer well-equipped campgrounds with a variety of accommodations. Families, couples, solo adventurers and pets are welcome at many campsites across the region. Choose from RV hookups, rustic cabins, yurts, or pet-friendly tent sites and enjoy easy access to trails, lakes, and natural landmarks. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer escape, NEPA’s state parks make it easy to plan a memorable camping trip surrounded by Pennsylvania’s natural beauty.
Book your next camping trip at NEPA’s State Parks
Wyoming, PA
Frances Slocum State Park features 100 tent or RV campsites. Many sites are ADA-accessible and some provide electric hookups. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Pets are permitted at designated sites. Camping available from mid-April to mid-October.
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White Haven, PA
Choose from 349 tent and RV campsites at Hickory Run State Park. Some sites feature nearby ADA-accessible showers and restrooms. The park also features 5 camping cottages and a general camping supply store. Pets are permitted at designated sites. Camping available from mid-April to mid-December.
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North Abington Twp., PA
Settle in at one of 61 campsites at Lackawanna State Park. The campground features tent and RV campsites, 3 camping cottages and 2 yurts. Some sites feature electric hookups. Pets are permitted at designated sites. Camping available from mid-April to mid-October.
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Barnesville, PA
Locust Lake State Park features 282 campsites. RV or trailer camping and tent camping are designated as separate campgrounds on either side of the lake. Campgrounds feature modern restrooms and shower houses and playgrounds. Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee. Camping available from early-April to mid-October.
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Greentown, PA
There are 391 tent and RV campsites on six designated campgrounds at Promised Land State Park. Campsites vary from rustic to full hookup. The park also includes 12 rustic cabins. Pets are permitted at designated sites and in cabins #9, #11 and #12. Camping available from early-May to mid-October.
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Benton, PA
Ricketts Glen State Park offers 120 tent and RV campsites. Many of the campsites are ADA-accessible and feature flush toilets, showers and gravel parking. There are also 10 modern cabins and 5 deluxe cottages. Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee. Camping available from mid-April to mid-October (a few sites remain open for winter camping).
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Montrose, PA
Only 14 rustic tent campsites and 3 cottages are available at Salt Springs State Park. Tent sites are located along the banks of Silver Creek and the campground features a restroom with non-flush toilets. Pets are permitted within the campground. Camping available from mid-May to mid-October.
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Tobyhanna, PA
The campground at Tobyhanna State Park features 135 tent and RV sites. Several sites are ADA-accessible and there are centrally-located restrooms, showers and water. Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee. Camping available from mid-April to mid-October.
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Barnesville, PA
Tuscarora State Park features 6 cottages and four yurts for camping. All cottages and yurts sleep up to five people and include electric appliances, lights, bunk beds, a picnic table and fire ring and more. Dogs are only permitted in the #1 cottage. Camping available from April to mid-October.
Learn MoreRustic Camping Adventures in NEPA’s State Forests
Getting out of the comfort zone with a camping trip at one of Northeastern PA’s state forests
For those looking to unplug and embrace the raw beauty of nature, a camping trip to one of Northeastern PA’s state forests offers the perfect escape. Unlike developed campgrounds, NEPA’s state forests feature vast stretches of undeveloped land, peaceful wooded trails, secluded lakes and quiet streams. These destinations are ideal for backpackers, primitive campers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking solitude and a deeper connection to the wilderness. With minimal crowds and limited amenities, these forests provide a true back-to-basics experience that’s both challenging and rewarding.
Camping in NEPA’s state forests means trading convenience for adventure. From roadside sites equipped with fire rings and picnic tables to remote backcountry spots along miles of scenic trails, campers can find the right level of rustic to suit their comfort. Delaware, Pinchot and Weiser State Forests all allow dispersed camping with few restrictions, making it easy to explore and set up camp under the stars. Whether you’re hiking through Thunder Swamp or pitching a tent along a quiet forest path, NEPA’s state forests invite you to step outside your routine and into the wild.
Book your next camping trip at a NEPA state forest
NEPA Counties: Pike, Monroe & Carbon
There are 29 designated motorized campsites at Delaware State Forest featuring a picnic table and a fire ring. The forest is also mostly open to primitive, trailside camping without permit. Most primitive camping occurs near the Thunder Swamp Trail System. Camping not permitted in Dixon Miller Recreation area, Promised Land Tract or any designated state forest Natural Areas.
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NEPA Counties: Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Susquehanna & Wayne
Various campsites are spread out throughout Pinchot State Forest. There are 3 motorized roadside campsites in the Thornhurst Tract, 3 rustic campsites in the Manny Gordon Recreation Area and 12 campsites in the Moon Lake Recreation Area. The forest is also mostly open to primitive, trailside camping.
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NEPA Counties: Carbon, Columbia & Schuylkill
You’ll find 5 motorized, roadside campsites on Schuylkill County’s Port Clinton Tract in Weiser State Forest. Each site features a parking pad, picnic table and a fire ring. The forest is also mostly open to primitive, trailside camping with the exception of any designated Natural Areas, within 200 feet of a forest road, within 25 feet of a trail or 100 feet of a stream/open water.
Learn MoreReserving Campsites at NEPA's State Parks & State Forests
Booking your camping adventure at a Northeastern PA state park or state forest is as easy as a phone call or a few simple clicks
Most campsites can be reserve ed up to 11 months in advance, which is often necessary due to popularity of camping in some parks. Unreserved campsites are available on a first-come/first-served basis.
Fees for reserving campsites vary depending on the location, the type of site and the time of year. Typically, most fees fall between $10 — $50 per night and between $70 — $300 per week. Please note: during peak summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day) and peak autumn months (Labor Day through thanksgiving), minimum stays may be required.
Reserve online here, or by phone at 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757).
Conservation Tip
By following these responsible outdoor ethics from our friends at DCNR, we can help keep Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests top-tier outdoor recreation destinations for generations to come.
Leave No Trace
- Plan Ahead and Prepare: Know regulations, prepare for weather and emergencies, travel in small groups, minimize waste, and use a map and compass instead of marking trails.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stay on established trails, camp at least 200 feet from water, and avoid damaging pristine areas.
- Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash, use catholes for human waste, and wash dishes 200 feet from water sources with biodegradable soap.
- Leave What You Find: Preserve historical sites, avoid disturbing nature, and prevent the spread of invasive species.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use stoves when possible, keep fires small, burn wood to ash, and fully extinguish campfires.
- Respect Wildlife: Observe from a distance, don’t feed animals, store food properly, and control pets to avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Respect others by keeping noise low, yielding on trails, and camping away from high-traffic areas.
Featured image (top) Frances Slocum State Park in Wyoming, PA. Photo courtesy of PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
