Organized Group Tent Camping at Hickory Run State Park

The Organized Group Tent Camping area at Hickory Run State Park offers a specialized outdoor experience designed specifically for large gatherings, youth organizations, and family reunions in the heart of the Poconos. Located in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, this section of the park is distinct from the main family campground, providing a dedicated space where multiple tents can be pitched together in a communal setting. For Pennsylvania residents looking to organize scout troops, church groups, or large multi-family excursions, this area provides the necessary scale and infrastructure to accommodate dozens of campers in a single, cohesive location. The environment is heavily forested, offering the deep shade and rustic atmosphere that the Pocono Mountains are famous for.

Choosing an organized group site at Hickory Run means embracing a "back-to-basics" philosophy while benefiting from the massive 16,000-acre backdrop of one of Pennsylvania's most popular state parks. The group camping area is designed to foster teamwork and shared experiences, with large fire rings and open spaces intended for group meals and evening storytelling. While the main park features a high-tech visitor center and modern amenities, the group tent area retains a more traditional, rugged character, ensuring that campers feel a true connection to the surrounding wilderness. It is an ideal setting for those who want to teach outdoor skills or simply enjoy the company of a large circle of friends under the canopy of mature Pennsylvania hardwoods.

In terms of location and accessibility, the Organized Group Tent Camping area is situated in Albrightsville, PA 18210. This location is particularly convenient for groups traveling from the Lehigh Valley, Scranton, or even Philadelphia, as it sits near major thoroughfares like PA-534 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Upon arrival, groups will find that the park has made significant efforts to accommodate all visitors. The camping area includes wheelchair-accessible entrances and dedicated wheelchair-accessible parking lots. Furthermore, the facility provides accessible restrooms, ensuring that group members with mobility challenges can participate in the camping experience alongside their peers. The layout of the sites is generally accessible by vehicle, allowing for easy unloading of the significant amount of gear typically associated with large group trips.

The accessibility of the park extends beyond just the physical infrastructure. The group area is positioned near some of the park's most famous natural features, making it a strategic base camp for daily adventures. On-site parking is plentiful, which is essential for groups arriving in caravans or large passenger vans. While the sites are rustic and set deep within the woods, the proximity to the main roads of Albrightsville ensures that emergency services and supply runs to local stores are never too far away, providing a safety net for group leaders managing large numbers of participants.

• Large-capacity tent sites specifically designed for organized groups and non-profit organizations.
• On-site parking facilities capable of accommodating multiple vehicles per group site.
• Provision of running water via communal spigots located throughout the group camping loops.
• Access to public restrooms and portable toilet facilities strategically placed near the camping clusters.
• Professional park management and information services available through the nearby Hickory Run State Park Visitor Center.
• Maintenance of designated group fire rings and large-scale picnic areas for communal cooking and dining.
• Access to the wider park's infrastructure, including waste disposal and recycling stations.

• Prime access to over 40 miles of hiking trails, including kid-friendly hikes that are perfect for younger campers.
• Large, shaded campsites that provide natural cooling during the humid Pennsylvania summer months.
• Close proximity to Sand Spring Lake, which features a swimming beach and picnicking facilities.
• Educational opportunities at the nearby National Natural Landmark, Boulder Field, located within the same park system.
• Designated picnic tables at each group site to facilitate organized activities and shared meals.
• A family-friendly atmosphere that is widely recognized as being good for kids and youth development programs.
• Frequent wildlife sightings, offering groups the chance to observe Pennsylvania's native fauna in their natural habitat.

To organize a stay at the group tent sites, it is essential to coordinate with the park authorities, as these sites often require specific group certifications or advanced reservations. You can find the Organized Group Tent Camping area using the following details:

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

For reservations and specific group inquiries, visitors are encouraged to contact the main park office at (570) 443-0400 to ensure their group meets the requirements for these specific sites.

When planning a large-scale outdoor event, the Organized Group Tent Camping at Hickory Run State Park is worth choosing for several reasons. First and foremost is the scale of the adventure. There are very few places in the region where a large group can remain together in the woods without being split up into separate, distant campsites. This proximity is vital for supervised youth activities, allowing leaders to maintain oversight while fostering a sense of community among the campers. The park’s vast trail network also means that you can tailor your activities to the skill level of your group, from easy strolls through the woods to the more challenging and beautiful Shades of Death trail.

Furthermore, the value of the surrounding amenities cannot be overstated. After a night in a tent, groups can head to the Sand Spring Day Use Area for a day of swimming or visit the state-of-the-art visitor center to learn about the unique geology of the Poconos. While the group sites themselves offer a rugged "no-frills" experience—complete with the natural roots and uneven terrain typical of a real forest—the trade-off is an authentic Pennsylvania camping trip. For those who want their children or group members to experience the "real" outdoors, away from the manicured lawns of commercial RV parks, this Albrightsville location provides exactly that. It is a place where memories are made around a shared campfire, and where the size of the forest matches the scale of the group's ambition. For anyone looking to lead a troop or a large family into the wild, Hickory Run's organized sites offer the space and the scenery to make the trip a success.

Would you like me to look up the specific group size requirements or the current reservation fees for these sites?