Best Dispersed Camping near Portland, PA
The Appalachian Trail corridor near Portland, Pennsylvania offers several primitive camping opportunities for hikers seeking backcountry experiences. Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2, located near Columbia, NJ, provides hike-in sites with bear boxes but no water sources. One camper shared, "There's plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. No ground fires. No water (nearest is Sunfish Pond, about a 1-mile round trip)." This site requires hiking in and prohibits fires, alcohol, and pets.
Thunder Swamp Trailhead in Pennsylvania provides a more accessible dispersed camping option with drive-in access, though a permit is required. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "It's a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me." Similarly, Bake Oven Knob offers primitive camping along the Appalachian Trail. A camper wrote, "You can park and sleep, or hike in and find a place for a tent. There's also a trail shelter about 0.5 mile in." The 14-day camping limit is standard in most areas, with enforcement varying by season. Most sites lack facilities, requiring campers to pack out all waste and bring their own water for boondocking experiences.
