Camp Minsi Short Term Camping Site

- Tobyhanna Township, PA 18346

For Pennsylvanians seeking an authentic, year-round outdoor experience in the breathtaking Pocono Mountains, the Camp Minsi Short Term Camping Site represents a cherished local resource. Located in the picturesque Tobyhanna Township, this expansive property—spanning over 1,200 acres of pristine woodlands along the shores of the 314-acre Stillwater Lake—is historically significant, having served the Scouting community for over a century. While primarily known as a premier summer camp for the Minsi Trails Council, the facilities are structured to accommodate short-term camping and facility rentals throughout the year for a wide variety of groups.

When locals refer to the "Camp Minsi Short Term Camping Site," they are talking about the rental program that makes the camp’s considerable infrastructure available beyond the summer camp season. This program offers different styles of accommodations, ranging from rustic tenting areas to fully enclosed, heated lodges and cabins, making it a flexible and unique destination for groups, educational organizations, and non-Scouting entities looking for a dedicated outdoor retreat space in the heart of the Poconos. The environment is meticulously maintained, offering a safe and structured setting for adventures like hiking, fishing, and watersports, all while being surrounded by the unique natural beauty of Pennsylvania’s glacial moraine geology.

Camp Minsi boasts a superb, central location in the Pocono Mountains, ensuring excellent accessibility for residents across the Pennsylvania region, and even those venturing from neighboring states. The facility is situated off Route 940 in Pocono Summit, PA 18346, placing it squarely in Tobyhanna Township. This is an incredibly convenient spot, positioned to be easily reached from major metropolitan areas.

Travel time is manageable for most of Eastern Pennsylvania: the camp is roughly 20 minutes from Stroudsburg, 30 minutes from Scranton, and less than an hour from the Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton). For those traveling from the Philadelphia region, the drive is typically under two hours. Direct access to major interstate highways, including Interstate 80 and Interstate 380, simplifies navigation. The main camp entrance on Route 940 is easy to locate, often noted as being across from the local police station. This combination of seclusion—providing a true wilderness feel with 1,200 acres of land—and exceptional proximity to major road networks makes Camp Minsi an optimal weekend getaway location for organized groups across the Commonwealth. The official address for the camp during the summer season and for physical correspondence is 106 Camp Minsi Road, Pocono Summit, PA 18346.

The short-term camping program at Camp Minsi is designed to support group retreats, offering a range of services that go beyond a typical public campground. These services ensure that groups have the necessary infrastructure for a successful and comfortable stay, whether they choose a rustic or semi-primitive experience.

• Variety of Facility Rentals: Availability of several accommodation types, including fully equipped cabins and lodges, partially-enclosed ‘Tabins’ (tent-cabins with wood stoves), and rustic Adirondack lean-tos.
• Year-Round Camping Options: The availability of heated indoor facilities like the Weytrex Cabins and Wilcox Lodge allows for comfortable stays even during the cold Pennsylvania winter months.
• Waterfront Access: Direct access to the 314-acre Stillwater Lake for aquatic activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, with boat rentals often available seasonally.
• Dedicated Campmaster/Ranger Support: A volunteer Campmaster or Camp Ranger is typically scheduled to be on-site most of the year during the weekend to assist renting groups with check-in, check-out, and general camp concerns.
• Extensive Trail System Access: Over 20 miles of maintained hiking trails are accessible for all campers, suitable for various skill levels and providing excellent opportunities for nature studies.
• Essential Utility Provision (Seasonal): Facilities include electric lighting, receptacles, and hot/cold running water in cabins and lodges. Water is generally turned off in rustic sites from mid-October through mid-April due to freezing concerns.
• Bathroom Facilities: Access to private latrine facilities, or in more permanent structures like the Weytrex Cabin, full bathrooms with showers and flushing toilets.

Camp Minsi’s features and highlights are directly tied to its exceptional natural setting and long history as an outdoor education center. These attributes make it particularly appealing to groups interested in both education and high-quality recreation.

• Stillwater Lake Access: This 314-acre lake is a central highlight, offering opportunities for sailing, swimming (seasonal), and fishing in a large, clean, and private setting.
• Extensive Program Areas (by arrangement): While the summer camp program is restricted to Scouts, non-Scout groups may inquire about utilizing certain areas like shooting sports ranges (archery, rifle, shotgun) or handicraft areas, provided all necessary safety and staffing requirements are met and pre-arranged.
• Unique Accommodations: The 'Tabins' (tent/cabins) with built-in bunks and wood stoves provide a unique, durable winter camping experience for those seeking a step above traditional tent camping while still being immersed in nature.
• Educational and High Adventure Potential: The camp’s location is a gateway to the broader Poconos, offering high adventure opportunities for older groups, such as whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River and hiking Mount Minsi in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
• Geological Interest: The camp sits atop a fascinating glacial moraine, providing unique geological features and varied ecosystems for outdoor education and exploration.
• Safety and Structure: As a long-established camp, the facility operates under a structured set of guidelines, ensuring a safe and well-managed environment for all visiting groups.

For locals and groups interested in making a short-term camping reservation, it is important to contact the Minsi Trails Council office, as reservations are typically managed through their administrative system rather than directly at the camp's physical site.

Camp Physical Address (For GPS/Directions): 106 Camp Minsi Road, Pocono Summit, PA 18346

Administrative Office (Minsi Trails Council): 991 Postal Road, Allentown, PA 18109

Phone (Minsi Trails Council Camping Desk): 610-465-8570 or 610-465-8568 (for reservations/cancellation)

Camp Minsi is perfectly suited for Pennsylvania residents because it offers a highly accessible yet rugged and substantial outdoor experience that embodies the spirit of the Poconos. For organized groups—whether youth organizations, religious retreats, hiking clubs, or family reunion coordinators—the Short Term Camping Site provides a vital and unique alternative to standard commercial campgrounds. It offers scalable lodging, from simple tent plots to heated cabins, making it viable for every season of the year.

Critically, the camp’s operational structure, managed by the Minsi Trails Council, assures a level of safety, structure, and maintenance that groups rely on. It provides a structured basecamp from which to launch all manner of Pocono adventures, be it on Stillwater Lake, the 20 miles of hiking trails, or nearby regional attractions. For the Pennsylvania local looking to host a significant, memorable, and nature-focused group outing without sacrificing convenience or infrastructure, Camp Minsi remains an unparalleled resource in the beautiful Tobyhanna Township.

Camp Minsi Short Term Camping Site

Tobyhanna Township, PA 18346, USA