Delaware State Forest

Open — Open year-round for reservations. State forest roads are not plowed in winter and access is not guaranteed. Campfires are prohibited March 1 through May 25 unless authorized, and when fire danger is high.

About

Delaware State Forest stretches across the Pocono Plateau in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, offering secluded primitive camping experiences in a previously glaciated region. The forest maintains 29 designated motorized roadside campsites, each equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and signboard. These sites vary in accessibility, with some reachable by sedan and others requiring four-wheel drive vehicles. Some sites are roadside hike-in tent-only sites with designated parking and a short trail to the campsite for added solitude. Backpack campers can explore extensive dispersed camping opportunities, particularly along the Thunder Swamp Trail system that loops through the forest. Primitive camping is permitted in most areas without a permit for single-night stays, though campers must stay at least 200 feet from forest roads, 25 feet from trails, and 100 feet from streams or open water. The forest also features a primitive riverside camping area along the Upper Delaware River, accessible only by boat and managed by the National Park Service. No modern facilities exist in the forest including electric hookups, dump stations, showers, or trash removal. Campers must pack out all trash and be self-sufficient. State forest roads receive no winter maintenance and are not plowed, making winter access challenging. The remote location provides dark night skies, solitude, and access to scenic streams, lakes, and trails throughout the Pocono region.

Directions

From Interstate 80, take Exit 298 to PA-611 N. Follow PA-611 N for 1.8 miles; the office is on the left.

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