Camp Minsi Site 5 Onandaga

- Coolbaugh Township, PA 18346

Nestled within the breathtaking 1,200-acre wilderness of Camp Minsi in the Pocono Mountains, Site 5, traditionally named Onondaga, offers a fantastic base camp for groups seeking a true Pennsylvania outdoor adventure. Camp Minsi has a long-standing history as a premier outdoor destination, and its established campsites provide a blend of natural beauty and essential infrastructure, making it perfect for organized units and group outings.

The Onondaga site is one of the main troop campsites located in the heart of the camp, strategically positioned to offer both a degree of seclusion for group activities and convenient access to the camp’s extensive program areas. The surrounding area is characterized by the rich flora and fauna of the glacial moraine in Coolbaugh Township, providing an authentic slice of the Poconos environment. Whether your group is focused on hiking, aquatics, or skill-building, Onondaga serves as a comfortable and fully-equipped hub from which to launch your wilderness explorations.

Camp Minsi itself is celebrated for its dedication to outdoor education and safe adventure, featuring a private 314-acre lake, Stillwater Lake, and more than 20 miles of maintained hiking trails. The Onondaga site is an integral part of this operation, providing reliable shelter and amenities necessary for a successful year-round camping experience. The tone here is not just about a place to sleep, but a welcoming gateway to the abundant natural resources and structured activities that define the best of Pennsylvania’s group camping.

Camp Minsi and its central campsites, including Site 5 Onondaga, are conveniently situated in the scenic and easily accessible region of the Pocono Mountains in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The general area information is:

Address: Coolbaugh Township, PA 18346, USA

The official camp address used for navigation and mail is 106 Camp Minsi Road, Pocono Summit, PA 18344. The entrance is located right off Route 940, making the camp incredibly easy to reach from many key population centers in the mid-Atlantic, including Stroudsburg, Scranton, the Lehigh Valley, and even a manageable drive from the Philadelphia and New York City metro areas. Its location allows local Pennsylvania users to easily schedule weekend or full-week stays without extensive travel burdens.

Within the 1,200-acre Camp Minsi property, Onondaga is marked on camp maps as Site 5, positioning it centrally near other main troop sites and essential camp facilities. This placement ensures that, while campers feel immersed in the forested environment, they are only a short walk from the central showers, dining hall, health lodge, and trading post, all of which are clustered around the main administrative and program areas. This balance of centralized services and natural setting defines the quality of the Onondaga site for group use.

Site 5 Onondaga is an established unit campsite within Camp Minsi, meaning it is designed with specific services to support a group camping experience throughout the year. While the core experience is rugged tent camping, the surrounding infrastructure is robust:

• Campsite Accommodation: The site is equipped with numerous canvas tents set up on raised wooden platforms during the primary camping season. Each tent typically accommodates two campers using provided cots, ensuring groups have a dry and level sleeping area.
• Latrine and Water Access: Onondaga includes its own dedicated comfort station with private latrine facilities. Running water is available within the site, typically from mid-April through mid-October. Year-round water access is maintained at central camp locations.
• Communal Areas: The campsite features a central canopy or pavilion area, multiple picnic tables for dining and activities, and an established fire circle with a ring for safe, traditional campfires and outdoor cooking.
• Year-Round Capability: The campsite is approved for use throughout the year. While platform tents are taken down for winter, the site is suitable for groups to pitch their own cold-weather tents, allowing for true four-season camping in the Poconos.
• Camp Support: Groups using the site benefit from the support of a Campmaster or Camp Ranger, who are generally on site during weekend rentals to assist with check-in, check-out, and immediate facility needs or inquiries.
• Dining Options: Though groups often cook for themselves at the site's fire circle, the central Dining Hall is within walking distance and can be used as a safety shelter or meeting area. During summer sessions, a central dining option is provided.

The true value of camping at Onondaga is its proximity to Camp Minsi’s vast array of recreational and educational features, all set within the beautiful Pocono landscape:

• Stillwater Lake Aquatics: The impressive 314-acre Stillwater Lake is easily accessed from Onondaga, offering a full aquatics program that includes swimming, canoeing, sailing, rowing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The waterfront is a major attraction.
• High Adventure and Trails: Camp Minsi encompasses over 20 miles of maintained hiking trails, perfect for both short nature walks and long-distance treks, showcasing the area’s unique geology. Older groups can take advantage of "Afternoon Adventures," which can include whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River, mountain biking, or rock climbing.
• Outdoor Skills Program Areas: Nearby program areas like ScoutCraft focus on essential outdoor skills, while the Ecology-Conservation (Econ) area provides deep-dive opportunities into nature studies, forestry, and environmental science.
• Shooting Sports Complex: The camp features a dedicated Shooting Sports area for rifle, shotgun, and archery, providing structured, safe opportunities for groups to practice target skills.
• The Minsi Muck Hike: A famously unique and challenging activity at Camp Minsi, the Muck Hike is a muddy, unforgettable expedition through the camp’s swamp areas, offering a distinct and fun wilderness experience.
• Proximity to Key Camp Hubs: Onondaga's central location near the Trading Post and Health Lodge means groups have quick access to supplies, snacks, and first aid support—a critical feature for comfortable group camping.

All reservations and administrative details for Camp Minsi Site 5 Onondaga are managed through the Minsi Trails Council. Please use the following official contact information for planning and inquiries:

General Camp Address (for navigation and delivery): 106 Camp Minsi Road, Pocono Summit, PA 18344

Minsi Trails Council Service Center (for bookings and administration): 991 Postal Road, Allentown, PA 18109

Phone (Minsi Trails Council Help Desk): (610) 465-8570

For organized units and groups across Pennsylvania, Camp Minsi Site 5 Onondaga is more than just a place to pitch a tent—it is a full-service outdoor training and recreational center right in the accessible heart of the Pocono Mountains. For locals, the advantage lies in the combination of a stunning, authentic Pennsylvania wilderness setting and the convenience of high-quality, pre-existing infrastructure.

By choosing the Onondaga site, groups are guaranteed a well-maintained, designated area that adheres to high safety standards, complete with sanitation and seasonal running water. This established structure minimizes the logistical effort of camping, allowing your group to focus entirely on adventure, education, and team-building. From the expansive Stillwater Lake for watersports to the numerous miles of forested trails perfect for hiking and mountain biking, Onondaga offers a rich, immersive, and fully supported outdoor experience. It stands as an ideal, reliable, and continually popular destination for Pennsylvania residents seeking structured, safe, and exciting group camping.

Camp Minsi Site 5 Onandaga

Coolbaugh Township, PA 18346, USA