The Poconos have been a mountain escape for East Coasters for a century. Now add geodesic domes with hot tubs, stylish tiny homes, and lakeside glamping — and you've got one of the best glamping scenes on the East Coast.
Featured Guide for Pennsylvania
Mill Creek, PA
Airydale Retreat is a small Big Valley glamping property with canvas tents, domes and Stone Mountain glampsites, each with a private bathroom, but no Wi-Fi
Palmerton, PA
Albrightsville, PA
Greentown, PA
Waymart, PA
Pennsylvania glamping is driven by one simple fact: 40 million people live within a 3-hour drive of the Poconos. New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC all funnel weekend traffic into these mountains, and the glamping scene has responded with a wave of design-forward properties — geodesic domes with wood-fired hot tubs, converted shipping container tiny homes, and lakeside safari tents.
The Poconos have been a mountain getaway for over a century, but the glamping angle is relatively new and growing fast. Properties like Ferncrest and Camptel Poconos are bringing the kind of design quality you’d expect in Colorado or California — at East Coast prices and distances.
The Pocono Mountains in northeast PA are where 80% of Pennsylvania glamping happens. The region offers forested mountains, waterfalls, gorges, and easy access from the I-80 and I-476 corridors.
Ferncrest in Promised Land is the standout — six geodesic domes with private wood-fired hot tubs, indoor fireplaces, and AC on 10 wooded acres. It’s the most premium glamping in the state.
Camptel Poconos brings a different aesthetic — stylish glamptainers (converted shipping containers) and tiny homes within walking distance of Hickory Run State Park. More design-forward than rustic.
Blue Mountain Resort offers the most affordable entry point — 15 glamping sites across varied terrain (hemlocks, creeks, prairies) on a mountain resort. Starting at $125/night.
Keen Lake delivers the classic lakeside experience — glamping on a private spring-fed lake that’s been family-owned for 70+ years. Swimming, kayaking, and fishing from your tent.
For a small, quiet stay away from the Poconos, Airydale Retreat runs canvas tents and domes in Mill Creek, near Raystown Lake, plus three glampsites on Stone Mountain above Allensville in Big Valley. Every site has a private bathroom, but there is no Wi-Fi.
Gettysburg has KOA-style glamping but no dedicated luxury resort yet — a gap in the market. Lancaster County (Amish Country) has similar potential but remains underdeveloped for glamping.
May-June and September-October are ideal. Spring brings mountain wildflowers and rushing waterfalls. Fall delivers spectacular foliage — the Poconos in October rival New England.
July-August is peak season. Warm and humid (80s), but mountain elevation keeps it more comfortable than the cities. Book ahead — NYC weekenders fill properties fast.
November-April closes most properties. Camptel Poconos operates year-round. Airydale’s tents have mini-split heat and its domes have pellet stoves, so check its calendar for cold-season dates. The Poconos in winter are cold (20s-30s). Winter glamping is possible but limited.
Pennsylvania glamping is affordable by coastal standards:
Geodesic domes and tiny homes/glamptainers are the PA signature. Safari tents and lakeside glamping round out the options. The Poconos haven’t fully embraced the luxury safari tent trend yet — that’s more of a Western thing.