One-hundred wooded tent and RV sites lie in the heart of Frances Slocum State Park (dcnr.state.pa.us), a 1,035-acre outdoor wonderland roughly 10 miles southwest of Old Forge. Surrounded by 13 miles of hiking trails that loop around rock walls, forest habitats, marshland and the shores of the 165-acre Frances Slocum Lake, the campground, open from April to October, has plenty to keep campers active. More than four miles of trails service mountain bikers, and licensed hunters have access to 700 acres filled with deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game. If water-based entertainment is more your thing, refine your cannonball in the swimming pool, or cast a line for trout, bass, catfish, perch and bluegill. Paddleboat, rowboat, kayak and canoe rentals are available, and picturesque picnic spots dot the lake shore. In addition to loads of recreational amenities, the park provides a host of creature comforts, including drinking water, flush toilets, showers, a snack bar, camp store and dump station.
Don't let Highland Campgrounds' (highlandcampgrounds.com) rural setting fool you. Nestled on 35 wooded acres in the Endless Mountains about 16 miles from Old Forge, the campground provides an ideal balance of Mother Nature's attractions and modern conveniences. Mountain laurels, Pennsylvania's state flower, bloom throughout the woodlands, and deer, raccoons, rabbits and woodchucks wander the property. The campground is open May through October, providing campers with full- and partial-hookup tent and RV sites, cabin rentals, a laundry, and bathhouses with free hot showers. A swimming pool, game room, playground, volleyball area, basketball court and horseshoe pits also are on site.
Bring your rods and reels for some licensed bass, catfish, walleye and trout fishing at Susquehanna Campground (pennsylvaniacamper.com). Roughly 18 miles from Old Forge, the seasonal campground is near a highway and train tracks, but has two miles of frontage on the tranquil Susquehanna River. Rowboat, kayak, canoe and tube rentals are available for lazy trips down the waterway. Don't expect campers with fancy trailers and deluxe big rigs at this campground. The park caters to highway and seasonal workers who don't mind the rundown grounds but simply need a place to close their eyes at night. A few overnight spots with full hookups overlook the river. Horseshoe pits, and older restrooms and shower facilities complete the amenities.
Lackawanna State Park (dcnr.state.pa.us) is 20 miles north of Old Forge, providing flush toilets, showers, primitive tent sites, RV sites with partial hookups, and a limited number of camping cottages and yurts from April to October. The park centers around Lake Lackawanna, a 198-acre basin where you can fish by permit for stocked rainbow, brown and brook trout, catfish and largemouth bass. Rent a boat at the concession stand, or launch your own non-powered craft at one of three boat launches. The park has an 18-mile network of hiking trails, one of which runs along Fairground Hill to a series of prime fishing ponds. About 15 miles of multiuse trails allow horseback riding and mountain biking. If you prefer to stay close to your campsite, a snack bar, swimming pool, picnic area, playground and amphitheater are available.
