The Woods runs off with three number one wins in the Best Gay Campgrounds of North America by Category Poll. Respondents rated The Woods as having the best Facilities, the best Amenities, and the best Activities.
Facilities
Facilities at The Woods are continually improved and upgraded, including one new or upgraded shower house each of the past five years. That alone can earn a gay campground a Best Facilities recommendation.
Campers love a clean shower house and The Woods has them in spades. Four, or five, depending on how you count. They are so connected to them that the shower houses are even named for the Golden Girls; Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sophia. Plenty of bathrooms and common areas are situated in convenient locations throughout the camp. Each is complete with toilets, showers, urinals, private bathroom stalls, and kitchen size sinks for washing camping dishes. Hot water never runs out and there is never a wait for a private clean shower. Many campers prefer the open air showers.
Great pride is taken in the shower houses, which are uniformly clean and modern while maintaining a camp atmosphere. Laundry facilities, with dryers that actually work, are attached to one.
A camp store stocks whatever was inadvertently left at home, and of course not to be forgotten the beautiful pool and volleyball court. A great place to join friends for good food and great service is the cafe with a covered patio for rainy days. Finish out the day at camp in the awesome dance club with a DJ every weekend.
Amenities
The Woods is perhaps the most up to date campground, with upgrades and updates every year. The place seems to never stop improving.
A supersized newer and well maintained heated salt water pool with a sitting ledge, including the ginger spot for the fair-haired boys, that goes most of the way around has a sundeck with plenty of lounge chairs and two hot tubs. With food service available at the cabana that serves great burgers, the fun, the music, as well as BYOB makes for a truly great day in the sun.
Boating on the beautiful lake with a boat dock makes use of a favorite amenity. Included for free are paddle boats and canoes. Sports gays can even hook a few when the fishing is good. If you're not into watersports, hiking trails lead to a shady diversion.
Several professional sand volleyball courts are always well groomed and perfectly maintained. There is usually a game to join in.
In close proximity to the pool is the full-service restaurant that has the friendliest staff and great food. After dark it turns into a nightclub with outstanding sound and light systems to dance the night away adjacent to the community campfire.
For whatever you forgot and can't live without the camp store is well stocked and reasonably priced. A Laundromat is available. Close proximity to beautiful Pennsylvania river valley towns, Delaware Water Gap, and farmers markets makes for an adventurous day offsite.
Activities
Woody, John, staff and campers get involved in activities. The event calendar speaks for itself. Activities are fun, organized, very creative and extensive. Community parties, group hikes, games, contests, volleyball courts, outings, weekend campfires, dances, music, a hilarious Hey Ride, Mardi Gras, Illuminations weekend, theme parties, block parties, pool activities, canoeing and paddle boating and even a gay car show keeps campers busy.
For peace, serenity, and relaxing The Woods can't be beat. An extensive hiking trail grew another three miles with a new land purchase. Get your cares rubbed away by the masseuse available poolside every weekend. Woody regularly arranges hikes and other activities in addition to those scheduled.
Themed weekends and a live weekend DJ keeps camp hopping. Camp shows in July and September showcase many talented performers including The Woods Miss Woods Drag Pageant which is a well organized, entertaining and competitive drag pageant.
Offsite, there are all kinds of things to do in the area: state parks, shopping in Jim Thorpe is close by, and The Poconos Mountains are beautiful for sightseeing. Change of season in the northeast is spectacular. Extensive nearby attractions abound: an amusement park, antique shopping, train rides, white water rafting and even a concert hall. Beltsville State Park and Penn's Peak entertainment complex along with miles of hiking are nearby.
