Organized Group Tent Camping at Hickory Run State Park

For Pennsylvania locals planning a large gathering, be it a family reunion, a friends' getaway, a church retreat, or a scout troop outing, "Organized Group Tent Camping at Hickory Run State Park" in Albrightsville, PA, offers an unparalleled solution. This dedicated primitive camping area is designed specifically to accommodate sizable groups, providing ample space and a back-to-basics outdoor experience within one of Pennsylvania's most cherished state parks. If your group prioritizes shared experiences around a large campfire, wide-open spaces for play, and a tranquil natural setting, this is the ideal destination for your next collective adventure.

Imagine spreading out with your entire group, with plenty of room for multiple tents, a central cooking area, and safe spaces for kids to roam. This is the reality at Hickory Run State Park's group tenting area. Guests consistently praise the generous space and the suitability for large gatherings, even acknowledging its primitive nature. As one reviewer aptly put it, "For large group primitive camping, this is a great spot. If you are looking for showers and other amenities, this isn’t the spot. That’s the family camp ground. If you want a spot to bring a bunch of families or friends or a church group (why we came), it’s great." The safety aspect is also a significant highlight: "The spot is away from the road, so the kids can play in relative safety without you worrying about them being hit by a stray idiot." These firsthand accounts confirm that for those seeking a true group camping experience with room to breathe, this area is perfectly suited.

Organized Group Tent Camping is located within the vast and beautiful Hickory Run State Park, specifically in Albrightsville, PA 18210, USA. This location places it in Carbon County, within the scenic Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania, renowned for its natural beauty, extensive forests, and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities.

For Pennsylvania locals, accessing Hickory Run State Park is quite convenient, typically involving a straightforward drive through picturesque landscapes. The park is situated near major routes, making it reachable from different parts of the state. Once inside the park, the Organized Group Tenting area is separate from the main family campground, offering a more rustic and secluded experience. It's located "Across PA 534 from the campground," providing a distinct and more private setting for large groups. This separation also contributes to the sense of "relative safety" for children, as mentioned in reviews, due to being "away from the road."

While the group sites offer a primitive feel, the park itself is a hub of activity and easily accessible to various natural attractions. Hickory Run State Park boasts over 40 miles of hiking trails, including famous spots like the Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark. Sand Spring Lake, with its sandy beach, is available for swimming (unsupervised) during the summer months. The park also offers fishing in its trout streams, disc golf, orienteering, and abundant wildlife watching opportunities. This combination of secluded group camping and easy access to a wealth of state park amenities makes it an ideal spot for groups looking to immerse themselves in nature without being completely isolated from facilities or recreational options.

Organized Group Tent Camping at Hickory Run State Park provides essential services geared towards facilitating a successful and enjoyable primitive group camping experience. It’s important to distinguish these from the amenities found in the main family campground, as the group area is designed for a more rustic approach.

• Group-Sized Sites: The core service is offering "13 group sites" specifically designed to accommodate large numbers of tents and people. Reviewers confirm "Plenty of space for our very large group (reserved 5 group sites) for both tents, kitchen and parking."

• Non-Flush Toilets: The area is equipped with non-flush (vault or pit) toilets, providing basic restroom facilities.

• Water Spigots: Access to potable water is available via "water spigots" within the area.

• Picnic Tables & Fire Rings: Each group site comes equipped with "picnic tables" and "fire rings," including "huge fire rings," perfect for communal meals and evening campfires.

• Parking: While RVs and camping trailers are prohibited in the Organized Group Tenting area (they must use the family campground), there is "limited parking at each campsite," with "extra car parking available near the entrance to the area."

• Year-Round Availability: This rustic area is "open year round," offering flexibility for group trips outside of the peak summer season, although main campground facilities with running water close mid-October to mid-April.

The Organized Group Tent Camping area at Hickory Run State Park offers several key features and highlights that make it perfectly suited for its intended purpose:

• Ample Space for Large Groups: The generous size of the group sites is consistently praised, providing "plenty of space" for multiple tents, cooking areas, and communal gathering spots. This is a crucial feature for ensuring comfort and functionality for big parties.

• Primitive & Rustic Experience: This area caters specifically to those seeking a more traditional, "primitive camping" experience. It allows groups to truly disconnect and immerse themselves in the outdoors, focusing on simple pleasures like campfires and open spaces.

• Safe Environment for Children: Being "away from the road," the group sites offer "relative safety" for kids to play freely, a significant advantage for families with young ones.

• Large Fire Rings: The presence of "huge fire rings" is a definite highlight, perfect for classic group campfires, storytelling, and cooking, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie.

• Proximity to Park Attractions: While rustic, the group camping area is within Hickory Run State Park, granting easy access to over 40 miles of hiking trails, the Boulder Field, Sand Spring Lake (for swimming and fishing), and the park's environmental education programs.

• Versatility for Group Types: It's explicitly recommended for "a bunch of families or friends or a church group," highlighting its adaptability for various organized gatherings.

Organized Group Tent Camping at Hickory Run State Park operates under the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) pricing and reservation system. While it does not typically offer "promotions" in the commercial sense, there are clear pricing structures based on group size and residency.

• Resident vs. Non-Resident Pricing: Pennsylvania residents typically receive lower rates for state park campsites.

• Tiered Pricing by Capacity: Prices for rustic organized group tenting vary by group size:

  • 20 or Less: Resident Price ~$28.00-$38.00 per night

  • 21 to 40: Resident Price ~$43.00-$53.00 per night

  • 41 to 60: Resident Price ~$57.00-$67.00 per night

  • 61 to 100: Resident Price ~$72.00-$82.00 per night

  • 101 and Over: Resident Price ~$125.00-$135.00 per night

• Transaction Fee: A non-refundable $6.50 transaction fee is charged per organized group campsite on all reservations.

• Booking Window: Reservations can typically be made up to 11 months in advance, which is highly recommended for large groups, especially during peak seasons.

• Maximum Stay: Groups can reserve for up to 14 consecutive nights from the Saturday before Memorial Day to Labor Day, and up to 21 consecutive nights during the remainder of the year.

It’s crucial to visit the official Pennsylvania DCNR website or use the Pennsylvania State Parks reservation system to confirm current pricing and availability.

For reservations and inquiries about Organized Group Tent Camping at Hickory Run State Park, please use the official state park reservation channels.

Address: Albrightsville, PA 18210, USA (within Hickory Run State Park)

General Park Office Phone: (570) 443-0400

Toll-Free Reservation Line: 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757) (7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday to Saturday, except holidays).

Organized Group Tent Camping at Hickory Run State Park is an exceptional choice for Pennsylvania locals because it directly addresses the unique needs of large groups seeking a collective outdoor experience. Its prime location within Hickory Run State Park provides easy access to a wealth of recreational activities, from extensive hiking trails to swimming and fishing, ensuring there's something for everyone in the group to enjoy. The dedicated group sites offer "plenty of space" and a "safe" environment, particularly for children, allowing families and friends to gather, play, and relax without feeling cramped or exposed to traffic concerns.

While offering a rustic, primitive camping experience, the availability of non-flush toilets, water spigots, and ample picnic tables and huge fire rings provides essential comforts for group gatherings. As reviewers highlight, it's "a great spot" for "primitive camping" when you "want a spot to bring a bunch of families or friends or a church group." For Pennsylvania residents, this means a convenient, affordable, and incredibly functional option for creating memorable group adventures right here in our beautiful state park system. It truly is designed to foster connection and shared experiences in the heart of the Poconos.

Organized Group Tent Camping at Hickory Run State Park

Albrightsville, PA 18210, USA