PA Camping, The Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association, East Stroudsburg, PA

For any Pennsylvanian looking to plan the perfect outdoor vacation, from a rustic tent site nestled in the Appalachian foothills to a full-service RV resort near a major tourist destination, the process starts with a reliable, local resource. That resource is the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association, commonly referred to as PCOA, and its consumer-facing brand, PA Camping. The PCOA is not a singular campground, but rather a non-profit trade association that acts as the trusted voice and primary advocate for the outdoor hospitality industry across the Keystone State.

Since its founding, PCOA has worked diligently to represent and promote over 200 premier, privately-owned campgrounds and RV parks throughout Pennsylvania. The organization’s fundamental role is to support its member parks—each of which is independently owned and operated—and to ensure that local and visiting campers have access to a wide variety of quality, safe, and enjoyable outdoor lodging options. Think of PCOA as your comprehensive, local gateway to discovering and booking your next great Pennsylvania camping adventure, whether you're a seasoned RVer or a first-time family camper.

The association serves as a centralized hub for all things related to private camping in the Commonwealth, from the Poconos to Presque Isle. While its primary functions are to provide education, marketing, and advocacy for its member parks, its greatest value to the Pennsylvania public is providing the most extensive and trustworthy directory of privately-owned campgrounds in the state. Planning your next getaway is made significantly easier by starting your search with this professional, state-specific organization.

The administrative office for the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association is conveniently located in the Eastern part of the state, making it easily accessible for management and business operations within the organization.

The primary office address for the PCOA is:

While this address in East Stroudsburg serves as the headquarters for the association’s administrative and executive operations, it is important for local users to understand that this is not a public campground for camping. Instead, its location in the popular Poconos region reflects its strong connection to one of Pennsylvania’s most significant tourism and camping areas. The office's proximity to major routes like Interstate 80 makes it centrally located for serving its vast network of member campgrounds which are spread across all six distinct tourism regions of Pennsylvania.

For Pennsylvanians, the accessibility of the PCOA's services is largely digital and through their published directories, which are designed to connect local residents with the actual campgrounds. Their digital presence ensures that a camper in Pittsburgh can find a park near the Ohio border just as easily as a camper in Philadelphia can find a Poconos retreat. The goal of this central location is to provide seamless support and promotional outreach that benefits every local looking for a quality camping experience, regardless of their position in the state.

As a non-profit trade association, the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association provides services primarily to its member campgrounds, which in turn benefit the public by ensuring a high standard of operation. The services the association offers that directly or indirectly benefit local Pennsylvania campers include:

The Official PA Camping Directory: Production and distribution of a comprehensive annual guide, both in print and digital format, that lists all member campgrounds, their amenities, locations, and contact information, serving as the essential planning tool for PA campers.
Information Hub: Operating the PA Camping website to provide an online searchable database of over 200 privately-owned parks, allowing locals to filter options by region, amenities, and types of camping (RV, tent, cabin, etc.).
Industry Standards Promotion: Encouraging member parks to maintain high operational standards, including ensuring courteous and helpful management, clearly posted service charges, and providing essential amenities like numbered campsites, parking spaces, and picnic tables.
Marketing and Promotion: Executing marketing strategies that promote camping and RVing within the state, helping to highlight Pennsylvania’s diverse outdoor destinations and fill campsites for local parks.
Customer Assistance: Providing a central point of contact for campers seeking general information about PA camping and connecting them with suitable member campgrounds for their vacation planning.
Public Advocacy: Working in Harrisburg to advocate for the camping industry, which helps keep costs reasonable for local campers by successfully lobbying for exemptions from taxes like the state sales tax and hotel room tax for camps and campgrounds.

The PCOA offers several key highlights that make it an invaluable resource for every Pennsylvania resident who enjoys the outdoors:

Extensive Statewide Network: The PCOA represents over 200 premier, privately-owned campgrounds, guaranteeing that local users can find a high-quality lodging option—from rustic to luxurious—in every corner of the Commonwealth.
Quality Assurance Criteria: Member campgrounds voluntarily agree to certain standards of quality regarding campsite provisions, cleanliness, and management conduct. While one customer review provided suggests occasional individual park issues, the association’s general expectation promotes a positive guest experience.
Specialized Outdoor Lodging Directory: Beyond traditional tent and RV sites, PCOA's 'Outdoor Lodging Directory' helps campers specifically locate member destinations that offer rental cabins, cottages, yurts, and other unique overnight accommodations, catering to non-RV owners.
Dedicated Local Focus: Unlike national directories, PCOA’s entire mission is dedicated solely to Pennsylvania camping. This hyper-local focus ensures the information is always relevant to Keystone State residents, promoting destinations within an easy driving distance.
Convenience for Vacation Planning: Customers have noted that the PCOA is "Excellent for vacation planning," underscoring its primary strength as a comprehensive, one-stop resource for finding and booking a getaway that suits any style and budget.
Support for Local Business: By using a PCOA member campground, local users are directly supporting privately-owned, small businesses across Pennsylvania, reinforcing the local economy.

To get in touch with the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association for assistance with your camping vacation or to request an official directory, please use the following contact information. Note that this information is for the administrative office, not a physical campground you can book.

Address: 415 Taylor Drive, Suite 302, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 (This is the most current and specific mailing address for the PCOA administrative office.)

Phone (Office): (610) 767-5026

Mobile Phone: +1 610-767-5026

It is highly recommended that local users visit the official PA Camping website to use the online, searchable directory, or to request a copy of the printed guide, as this is the most efficient way to browse the hundreds of member campgrounds and plan a trip.

The Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association is ideally suited for local users because it is the most robust and trustworthy resource available for planning an outdoor escape right here in the Keystone State. As a resident, you benefit from the PCOA’s commitment to quality and local focus.

You don't need to sift through national directories filled with out-of-state options or unverified listings. PCOA’s network provides curated options for every region, whether you live in Western PA and want to explore the Laurel Highlands, or you are in Eastern PA and want to camp near the Poconos or the Atlantic shore-bound rivers. By consolidating a vast array of high-quality, privately-owned parks into one easily searchable database, the PCOA makes "Excellent for vacation planning" a reality for busy local families and individuals.

The association is committed to advancing the interests of camping across Pennsylvania, meaning your experience—from finding the perfect spot to enjoying your stay—is their top priority. When you plan your next RV, tent, or cabin adventure in Pennsylvania, starting with the PCOA directory is the smartest, most local way to guarantee a great outdoor moment.