Pocono Mountains

[sherman12]

Well, here we are in the New Year! Happy to all reading this thread

The best part of winter in the Northeast is planning camping trips for the forthcoming Spring-Summer season.

Friends who we've never camped with expressed an interest in going to the "Poconos" for someplace different. Looking for suggestions for the best places to go, I guess town wise, and campground suggestions.

So far I am intrigued with the town of Jim Thorpe, PA along with Jim Thorpe campground.

Suggestions, I'm all ears!

[Artspe]

What are your interests? Trains, restaurants, water sports, hiking etc. ?

[sherman12]

Artspe, all of the above! My DW and I always travel with our kayaks atop our tow vehicle and our road bikes hanging off of the RV rear ladder. Trails and hiking areas are always a plus. In addition, we love to tour around the surrounding area/towns, looking for restaurants, pubs (especially Brew), shops and maybe even entertainment such as music.

[REL]

DW and I are going to try this out in the spring
https://www.poconomountains.com/even...e-train/16008/

[cfo111]

why not try the smoky's mnt east TN Pigeon forge TN area is great lots of camping Dollywood great shows and rides.

[Homebrew]

Hickory run state park is a great place near Jim Thorpe .

[PSUFan1]

Originally Posted by REL

DW and I are going to try this out in the spring
https://www.poconomountains.com/even...e-train/16008/

I’ve done the bike train and it’s a nice ride up on the train and a nice ride down on the trail ( slight downhill grade). Make sure you carry all your water and any snacks. It’s all remote with I believe one bathroom on the trail. You will hear plenty of sounds from the river from white water rafters. It is hard to see them as the trees have filled in the space between the river and the trail.

Plenty of other trails in the area, D&L trail is one. They recently completed a bridge to cross the river from Jim Thorpe to the D&L trail.

[sherman12]

REL, the bike train looks like a great idea. My concern the surface of the return trail. Our bikes are "road" bikes that have skinny 120# tires. So far we have been on a few small gravel trails with no tire failure, but it always makes me wary of a blowout.

cfo111, about three years ago we did go to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the Smokey Mtns. National Park. Great trip and hope to get back to that area knowing we barely scratched the surface of things to do and see.

Homebrew I'm gonna check out Hickory State Park, Thanks!

[retired on a mountain]

Train was removed

[sherman12]

Well that stinks! Just as my DW, friends and I were about to get our "Choo-Choo" on!

[PSUFan1]

Originally Posted by retired on a mountain

Train was removed

You are right, they were fighting over an amusement tax late last year. I haven’t heard any updates. Bummer. It was a fun ride.

[Ridpath88]

The town of Jim Thorpe is very nice and worth the trip. The campgrounds there are no frills but nice. You can rent mountain bikes at outfitter store in Jim Thorpe and ride switchback trail. it is very nice. Actually runs through one of the campgrounds, either JT Campground or Mauch Chunk Lake. There is lots of hiking right near Jim Thorpe too.

Otter Lake is further East near the DE Water gap and is awesome. We stayed there last year and loved it. Campground is quite nice. Look for a thread on this site for it. Lake is open for kayaking(we did) and swimming, also did. Water front spots are perfect at Otter Lake but they book super quick, call now. Bushkill Falls is close- a bit of a tourist trap but is nice if you hit it on a good day. The Water Gap has McDade Trail which runs for miles and you can bike it. Lots to do there. Have fun.

[sherman12]

Ridpath88, thanks for the suggestion. Otter Lake CG gets good reviews on CampgroundReviews.Com, though a bit pricey. Forward info to our friends who we are trying to make this trip with, things have been delayed because of a tragedy in their family..

[PSUFan1]

We love Otter Lake but it is difficult to get a site and they have minimum nights during the summer and holidays. Here is a picture of our site Easter last year.

[Doppleganger]

Originally Posted by Homebrew

Hickory run state park is a great place near Jim Thorpe .

x2 on this! Been camping there since I was a kid. Don't forget to walk on boulder field.


You pretty much can't go wrong with PA state parks, too. I have other reasons that I like them, not sure if it's OK to discuss it here, though.

[NJKris]

+1 for Otter Lake, was our last trip of season, November 2019, will book again for this year. I was surprised how many people were there in November. I don't think I'd like it at height of season, probably a mad house.

[dahmerd]

Hickory run state park is nice only the New full hookups are near a main Rd lots of motor cycle traffic , if you can do without sewer and water try to get a site in near the main bath houses. Happy Camping/
Buck country PA. 2020 e pro 19 fd / 2015 Nissan frontier.

[NJKris]

Thanks for Hickory tip, I prefer quiet to convenience.

[sherman12]

My only problem with PA state parks is they do not allow alcohol. I don't know how strict they are on this, red solo cups anyone, but it has deterred me from staying at any of them.

[Doppleganger]

If you're not creating a ruckus (and yes, they can describe the ruckus) you'll be fine. Unmarked liquid shape devices. They do allow CCW, if you have a PA CCW, though.