Organized Group Tenting, Benton, PA

Introduction / Overview

For organized adult and youth groups across Pennsylvania seeking a monumental outdoor adventure, the Organized Group Tenting area at Ricketts Glen State Park offers a specialized and ideal location. This is not a typical family campground, but rather a dedicated facility within one of the Commonwealth’s most celebrated natural treasures. Ricketts Glen State Park is famed nationwide for its Glens Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark featuring the iconic Falls Trail, which winds past 21 breathtaking waterfalls, including the majestic 94-foot Ganoga Falls. The sheer scale of natural beauty and the abundance of recreational opportunities here make it a prime destination for educational outings, large club excursions, and organizational retreats.

The Organized Group Tenting area is specifically designed to accommodate large, qualified groups—such as school clubs, scout troops, church groups, and other formal organizations—who wish to experience the park's wonders together. By providing a consolidated camping zone with dedicated facilities, the park ensures that these groups can manage their logistics efficiently while minimizing their impact on the smaller, individual campsites. This highly sought-after area allows large parties to establish a communal base camp just minutes from Lake Jean and the trailheads leading to the legendary waterfalls. It is a functional, professional, and unforgettable setting for local organizations to foster teamwork, appreciation for conservation, and a deeper connection to Pennsylvania’s rich wilderness.

Location and Accessibility

The Organized Group Tenting facility is nestled within the expansive 13,153 acres of Ricketts Glen State Park, situated where five counties—Luzerne, Sullivan, Columbia, Wyoming, and Montour—converge, making it a central, accessible hub for groups traveling from diverse parts of Pennsylvania. Its location is clearly marked within the park:

Address: Lake Rose Dr, Benton, PA 17814, USA

While the physical address is in Benton, the park itself extends across a wide area, with the Group Tenting area strategically positioned near the park’s main recreational center, Lake Jean. This placement ensures groups have relatively easy access to the 245-acre lake for swimming and boating, as well as the starting points for the Falls Trail. For groups traveling with trailers or large vehicles, it is important to note the Pennsylvania DCNR's recommendation: heavy trailer units should avoid the steep section of PA 487 between Red Rock and the Lake Jean area and instead enter the park by taking PA 487 south from Dushore. The site is approximately 30 miles north of Bloomsburg and offers a remote feel while still being reachable for groups from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Harrisburg, and points further east and south.

Services Offered

The Organized Group Tenting area is outfitted with essential services specifically tailored for high-capacity use by large groups, balancing a rustic experience with necessary comforts:

Capacity and Layout: The area is specifically designated for organized groups and can accommodate up to 240 people collectively. Each individual group tenting site within this area has a varying maximum capacity, but the largest sites are designed to hold groups of 40 people.

Water and Restroom Facilities: Unlike primitive camping areas, the Organized Group Tenting section is equipped with potable water access points and modern flush toilets, located conveniently within 300 feet of the campsites. This significantly enhances the comfort and hygiene for large parties.

Cooking and Dining Provisions: Each group site comes equipped with picnic tables and a dedicated fire ring, allowing organizations to manage group meal preparation and outdoor dining efficiently and safely.

Vehicle Parking: Parking is structured to manage the number of vehicles associated with a large group. Each reserved group site is allocated five parking spaces. For additional vehicles, overflow parking is available nearby, including a primary overflow lot within a quarter-mile walk.

Reservation System: Reservations for this specialized area must be made in advance, up to 11 months prior to the arrival date, due to high demand. Reservations are managed by the Pennsylvania State Parks system via a toll-free number, ensuring a standardized and professional booking process.

Features / Highlights

Staying at the Organized Group Tenting area is a gateway to the unparalleled natural highlights of Ricketts Glen State Park:

Proximity to the Falls Trail: This is arguably the biggest highlight. The Group Tenting area is an excellent base for accessing the 7.2-mile Falls Trail loop, allowing organized groups to undertake the challenging and rewarding hike to view the park's 21 waterfalls.

Lake Jean Recreation: Groups are situated near the 245-acre Lake Jean, which features a 600-foot sand beach open for swimming from late May to mid-September. The lake is also open for non-motorized and electric-motor boating, fishing (licensed in PA), and includes boat rental concessions.

Structured Camping Environment: The designation as an "Organized Group Tenting" area ensures that all groups staying there meet specific criteria (qualified youth and adult organizations), which fosters a cohesive and structured environment conducive to the goals of a group outing, such as education, service, or recreation.

Natural and Historical Significance: The entire park, particularly the Glens Natural Area, is a National Natural Landmark featuring towering old-growth trees. This provides an exceptional, living classroom for organizations focused on nature, conservation, and history.

Contact Information

As this facility is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), all inquiries and reservations must be directed through the state park's central booking and park office system to ensure compliance with group camping policies and availability:

Address: Lake Rose Dr, Benton, PA 17814, USA (The official park office address is 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814)

Park Office Phone: (570) 477-5675

State Park Reservations: 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

The Organized Group Tenting area at Ricketts Glen State Park is uniquely suitable for local Pennsylvanian groups for its combination of world-class natural attraction and specialized group infrastructure. For local school systems, youth organizations, and Pennsylvania-based clubs, Ricketts Glen offers an unparalleled educational and recreational experience that is logistically manageable. It provides a unique opportunity to hike the famed Falls Trail and experience a National Natural Landmark that is in their own backyard, fostering local pride and environmental stewardship. The specialized nature of the group tenting area—with its capacity for large parties, designated parking, and essential modern facilities like flush toilets—removes many of the logistical hurdles that large groups face when booking traditional campsites. By offering reduced rates for residents and a booking system tailored for year-in-advance planning, this state park facility ensures that Pennsylvania's youth and organized adult groups have consistent access to one of the state's most magnificent outdoor classrooms, making it a highly valued and essential resource for local organizations dedicated to education and outdoor recreation.