KIDDER TWP., Pa. — Campers looking to experience the great outdoors without enduring the summer heat now have a luxury option in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As part of a public-private partnership between the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Georgia-based company Timberline Glamping, safari-style canvas tents equipped with modern comforts have officially arrived at Hickory Run State Park in Carbon County. Hickory Run is the third state park in the commonwealth to introduce the pilot program this year, aimed at welcoming a broader audience to Pennsylvania’s public lands.
Nestled along the campground’s forested Mink Loop, eight glamping tents sit on elevated wooden platforms adorned with warm string lights. Stepping through the canvas entry reveals an interior that mirrors a boutique hotel room rather than a typical campsite, complete with residential-style mattresses, linens, fluffy pillows, a seating area, a mini-fridge, and a coffee maker. Unlike standard campsites or the park’s existing electric-heat cottages, these glamping tents feature mini-split air conditioning and heating units, ceiling fans, essential oil diffusers, and plenty of electrical outlets for device charging. Outside, visitors retain classic camping elements like a private fire pit, charcoal grill, picnic table, and bear-proof food box, while relying on nearby shared park bathhouses for restroom and shower access.
Park officials and project owners highlight accessibility as a central driver of the program, noting that climate control opens up overnight stays to first-time campers, families, and individuals with health conditions that make traditional camping difficult. To prepare the campgrounds, the state invested $400,000 in utility and infrastructure upgrades, while Timberline operates the sites under a five-year agreement that sends guaranteed revenue back into state park maintenance. Sleeping four to six guests at rates between $149 and $199 per night, the Hickory Run sites have seen high demand, with weekend bookings filling rapidly through the summer as state officials monitor feedback to guide future expansions.
Here is THE LINK to glamping at Hickory Run.
