Spend a Month in the Poconos!
My family and I stayed at the Timothy Lakes North & South Campgrounds last summer in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania! Located in a peaceful Pocono setting, these campgrounds are litteraly at the end of road and well wooded, as expected.
With something for everyone, both campgrounds have many amenities including an on-site store, swimming pool, mini golf, shuffleboard, volleyball, a game-room and paid WiFi options.
Timothy Lakes North and South can both accommodate campers in tents to large motorhomes and everything inbetween.
Both campgrounds are owned and operated by the Thousand Trails , so a membership definitely saves you hundreds of dollars in just one trip, but they also offer seasonal rates where you can spend the whole camping season in the heart of the Pocono mountains with a variety of outdoor recreation and fun activities for tourists!
This was our very first experience camping with Thousand Trails and we literally purchased our Elite membership on the way over. Our experience here, led to many additional nights camping inside the Thousand Trails system, where we find that our travel dollars stretch much farther!!!
About These Thousand Trails Parks:
We chose these particular parks because of how close they were to New York City, where we planned to hang out with family and spend most of our time. To be honest, they’re a little hidden but both parks are located right next door to each other- so it make it super easy to utilize the park to park feature of the Thousand Trails system!
The parks were not ‘5 star resorts’
I’ll just lead with that! It’s true , accurate and honest. These parks have seen better days and could benefit from a makeover, but because we were saving such a huge amount of money- we chose to over look this blemish and utilize our time in the park for mostly sleeping, grilling and planning our next RV adventure!
Timothy Lake North:
The more rustic of the two, this park had more for famileis traveling with children to do on site. Sightly less appealing than the South campground where a tranquil vibe filled the air, this campground was the officiall ‘hang out’ spot each weekend for seasonal and daily guests alike!
Their on-site amenities included:
- clubhouse
- horseshoes
- playground
- shuffleboard
- banquet hall
- fishing
- mini golf
- on-site store
- picnic area
- volleyball
- backetball
- bocce ball
- softball field
- gameroom/billards
- swimming pool
- laundry
- paid WiFi
- paid cable
Timothy Lake South:
Timothy Lake South has a slight update when compared to the North location. Their RV sites can accommodate almost any size rig and offer 50 amp hook ups with room to relax. They are open year round and offer the following on-site amenities
- clubhouse
- horseshoes
- playground
- shuffleboard
- swimming pool
- laundry
- paid WiFi
- paid cable
While, I will admit that both parks have on-site amenities you will enjoy, I do feel that the real perk of staying here and focus of this post is to show you how much you can do in the surrounding areas!
During our trip we made it a point to explore right outside the parks gates into the surrounding towns as well as all the way over too New York City- where we had more incredible adventures!
From this location you are able to find so many activities for RV travelers of all ages, 28 days may not be enough.
For us, our most memorable fun was had riding horses on a mountain trail at Bushkill Stables, zip-lining and completing the adventure courses at TreeVentures, shopping and grabbing cheese-steaks in the small downtown area as well as letting the kids fill up on kettle corn and old fashion candy at the Country Kettle Candy & Gifts!
*If you haven’t heard of the Thousand Trails Membership Club, you will soon! (Click here to read the Ultimate Guide to Cheap Camping!) Honestly, I had heard many campers talking about it for years, before we broke down and purchased one. I think I hesitated thinking it was too good to be true!. Hearing people talk about being able to pay one set fee- then having the ability to camp all year for FREE… I just doubted there was such a program. But there was.
I’m thrilled we purchased the Thousand Trails Camping Pass, but even more proud of our decision to upgrade to the Elite Membership- which gives us the opportunity to go from one park to the next, without taking a break outside the park system, stay for 21 days at each, and the ability to book our reservations 180 days in advance (which for us is crazy far in the future!)
We love ❤ our Thousand Trails Membership- because it saves us an incredible amount of money! We chose to pay $165 per month instead of forking over the full cost of the membership upfront since there was no discount for doing so. So we figured, we would spend between $500 – $1200 in camping fees per month, depending on if we were stationary or traveling, and then also the locations we visited. That’s a big savings!*
If you want to camp for Free or close to it- click here to try the zone pass and save $100 on us!
Or just contact my good friends, Jim and Brandy Reneau with Equity Lifestyle Services at 770-622-4188 or email them at brandy_reneau@equitylifestyle.com. They always give everyone I refer the best prices! Tell them Sharee sent you over and they’ll take good care of you!
28 Day Travel Itinerary for Thousand Trails:
Timothy Lakes Campground North & South
| Day 1 | Arrive at the campground, spend the day settling in and familiarizing yourself with your surroundings! Make sure to grab travel brochures from the main office! |
| Day 2 | Sugar Mountain Carriages – Horse Trekking
Description: Enjoy a guided trail ride or horse-drawn carriage for small groups! Website: https://visitpa.com/pa-horseback-riding/sugar-mountain-carriages Hours: By appointment Cost: $30 per hour per horse Ph: Local: 570-588-3063 |
| Day 3 | Buskin Falls
Description: Called the Niagara of Pennsylvania, Bushkill Falls is a series of eight cascading waterfalls. One of the state’s most popular outdoor destinations. Website: www.VisitBushkillFalls.com Hours: 9am-6pm Cost: Tickets $14.50 for weekdays, $16.50 for weekends and children under 2 free |
| Day 4 | Rest Day, go shopping, enjoy the lake and activities at the campground |
| Day 5 | Schisler Museum of Wildlife & Natural History and McMunn Planetarium
Description: The Schisler Museum interprets more than 130 wildlife specimens from around the world, a global insect display, and a 350-gallon aquarium. The McMunn Planetarium features a 30-foot dome that offers digital sky shows. Website: http://quantum.esu.edu/museum/ Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am-3pm Cost: Over 18 – $6, Under 2 – Free and 3-17 years – $4 and senior citizens $4 Contact: call 570.422.2705 or email SMCuratoresu.edu. |
| Day 6 | Lakota Wolf Reserve
Description: Learn all there is to know about this endangered species. We offer guided educational wolf tours of the preserve called a Wolf Watch. Once again the howling of wolves echo through the mountains of the Delaware Water Gap in Knowlton Township, Warren County, NJ. Website: https://www.lakotawolf.com/ Hours: TOUR TIMES: 10:30 AM AND 3:00 PM ONLY, ARRIVE 1/2 HOUR EARLY TO REGISTER Cost: Tours cost $15 for adults and $7 for kids up to 11 years, old plus tax. Contact: Ph: 908-496-9244 |
| Day 7 | Rest Day, go shopping, enjoy the lake and activities at the campground |
| Day 8 | Visit Pocono Bazaar Flea Market
Description: Various food stalls and market sands selling an array of incredible one of a kind item. Website: http://www.poconobazaar.com/index.html Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm Cost: Free (or as much as you decide to spend, or not) Contact: Ph (570) 223-8640 |
| Day 9 | Edge Of The Woods Outfitters
Description: Try a self-guided tour of the Delaware River and Bike Rentals in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Website: https://www.watergapadventure.com/ Hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm, sat and sun 9am-6pm Cost: Range, depending on what you decide to do Contact: ph: 570-421-6681 |
| Day 10 | Rest Day, go shopping, enjoy the lake and activities at the campground |
| Day 11 | Frank Frazetta Museum
Description: Home to the largest collection of Frazetta originals in the world, holds some of the most iconic pieces of fantasy art! Website: http://frazettamuseum.com Cost: recommended donation of $15 per person over the age of 5. Hours: open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10AM until 4PM Contact: : 570-242-6180 |
| Day 12 | Bushkill Riding Stable
Description: Take an hour Guided Trail Ride back in time through the scenic Pocono Mountains, or a 30 minute Beginners Trail Ride around the stables! Website: https://www.bushkillridingstable.com Hours: 9am-6pm, 365. Call for reservations. Cost: $30-$40 each. Contact: ph: 570-588-5192 |
| Day 13 | Rest Day, go shopping, enjoy the lake and activities at the campground |
| Day 14 | Visit Yetter Park
Description: They have an awesome 18 hole disc golf course with a warm up area and practice basket. Enjoy walking, hiking and biking trails. There is a convenience store a block down the road called M&S Country Store where you can grab a drink or lunch for a pic-nic. Hours: 8am-8pm Cost: $10 for adults Contact: 570-426-1512 |
| Day 15 | Visit Pocono Bazaar Flea Market
Description: Various food stalls and market sands selling an array of incredible one of a kind items. Website: http://www.poconobazaar.com Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm Cost: Free Contact: (570) 223-8640 |
| Day 16 | Rest Day, go shopping, enjoy the lake and activities at the campground |
| Day 17 | Pocono Indian Museum
Description: The Pocono Indian Museum is the only museum in Northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to showing the history of the Delaware Indian. Website: http://poconoindianmuseumonline.com Hours: 10am-6pm everyday Cost: TOUR ADMISSION Adults: $7.00 Children: (6 to 16) $3.50 Contact: Ph: 570-588-9338 |
| Day 18 | Visit Resica Falls
Description: Situated in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, Resica Falls is located on the privately owned Resica Falls Scout Reservation hosting over 3,000 Scouts each summer and thousands more year-round. The Falls area is open for the public to enjoy during daylight hours. Hours: 9am-5pm (or daylight hours in June) Cost: Free |
| Day 19 | Rest Day, go shopping, enjoy the lake and activities at the campground |
| Day 20 | Bumper Boats
Description: Drive your bumper boat to outmaneuver all the other boats and keep from being bumped under the fountain where you’re sure to get wet. It’s just as much fun to keep your bumper boat still and let everyone else bump into you – either way you’ll have a great time. You must be 40″ tall to ride and 44″ tall to drive. Website: http://poconomountainadventures.com Hours: Sun – Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 12pm – 8pm Cost: $5 Contact: 800-552-5653 |
| Day 21 | Visit Millbrook Village
Description: Recreated 19th-century village is located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Wander around all the houses Website: https://www.facebook.com/Millbrook-Village-Society-413672305431861/timeline/ Contact: 908-841-9531 |
| Day 22 | Rest Day, go shopping, enjoy the lake and activities at the campground |
| Day 23 | Pocono Snake and Animal Farm
Description: Everyone will enjoy this fast-paced, compact and easy-to-do animal experience. Slow down and walk slowly or you’ll miss some of the exhibits, like a featured 140-yr-old, 140 pound snapping turtle just around the corner from the admission booth! Website: http://poconoanimals.com/ Hours: Daily 12pm – 5:30pm Cost: Adults: $8.50 Contact: 570.223.8653 |
| Day 24 | Visit Worthington State Forrest
Description: Some of the most rugged terrain and splendid views of northern New Jersey are found in Worthington State Forest. A rocky and sometimes steep trail follows Dunnfield Creek from the Delaware River to Mount Tammany or hikers may choose to follow the trail to Sunfish Pond, one of the most popular sites in the area. Millions of years in the making, the pond was carved out by glacial forces during the last ice age and is one of fourteen rock-basin lakes between the Delaware Water Gap and the end of Kittatinny Ridge. A trail circles the pond, with many boulders and openings for resting and observation. Website: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/worthington.html Hours: All the time Cost: Free Contact: 908-841-9575 |
| Day 25 | Rest Day, go shopping, enjoy the lake and activities at the campground |
| Day 26 | Blairstown Museum
Description: From experiencing the greater Blairstown area’s history to sharing in our future growth, we want you to be part of the Blairstown Museum. We offer several ways for you to aide us in our efforts to maintain and develop our exhibits, tours and programs Website: http://www.blairstownmuseum.com Hours: Sun – Thu by Appt Ι Fri & Sat 10am-5pm Contact: 908-362-1371 |
| Day 27 | Pocono TreeVentures:
Description: Spend the day up in the trees in over 90 elements of the Pocono TreeVentures ropes course. Great for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts from beginner to expert, we had a blast at this family friendly outdoor aerial forest adventure! It offers about eight courses of varying levels of difficulty. Website: http://www.poconotreeventures.com Hours: Variable Cost: Variable Contact: (800) 446 0231 |
| Day 28 | Rest Day, pack up you camp and get ready for a new adventure! |
Other Thousand Trails Posts to Read:
Thousand Trails Membership Upgrades
Ultimate Guide to Thousand Trails Membership Options
How To Enjoy A Month In Cottonwood, Arizona at Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort
