Stephen R.
Guide
GuideRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
Tent Camping near Archbald, PA
4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent campsites throughout northeastern Pennsylvania near Archbald provide both primitive and established options for overnight stays. Oh! Pear Orchards offers walk-in tent sites located against a stream with spacious clearings and well-maintained fire pits. Namanock Island in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides boat-in primitive tent camping with sites accessible only by canoe or kayak, approximately 35 miles southeast of Archbald.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature primitive facilities with minimal amenities. Campsites typically include established fire rings, but services vary widely between locations. Oh! Pear Orchards provides a cart for transporting gear to walk-in sites, while river campsites along the Delaware require visitors to pack in all supplies. Many locations enforce one-night stay limits, particularly at the boat-in sites along the Delaware River. Primitive toilet facilities exist at some locations, but campers should be prepared with appropriate sanitation supplies. A recent review noted, "The sites are primitive campsites which include a fire ring and a primitive toilet. The sites are in excellent shape!"
Tent-only areas provide distinctive camping experiences not available to RV travelers. Delaware River sites offer complete seclusion with no road access and natural soundscapes dominated by flowing water. Several reviewers highlighted the unique experience of island camping, with one camper sharing, "Having an entire island to yourself is a feeling I have never experienced anywhere else." Most sites maintain pristine conditions with minimal trash or debris. Seasonal considerations affect site availability, with summer weekends seeing higher demand, particularly at water-accessible locations. Tree cover varies by location, with riverbank sites typically providing partial shade. Tent campers should be prepared for local wildlife encounters, including raccoons and insects, especially at primitive locations.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Archbald (40)
1. Oh! Pear Orchards
"Campsites next to a beautiful stream, the best fire pits, quiet and peaceful, just enough shade to stay cool, magical setting, firewood easily accessible, close to state parks and lots of wide, open undeveloped"
"We're excited to have this property on our platform. This listing has peaceful tent sites located against the creek."
Check AvailabilityAvailable this weekend
from $45 / night
2. Manny Gordon Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest
"Very open, plenty of space. most campgrounds have previously stocked wood from other people, makes setting up very convenient. lots of ticks tho so get your spray"
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
3. Hillside Campgrounds
4. Half Baked Homestead
5. Caffrey Recreation Area
6. Namanock Island — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"There is a ten dollar fee per day to park your car so bring cash as the parking area is not always manned and you’ll have to leave the fee in an envelope that is available just past the entrance."
"They are a first come, first camped, set up, but I have not once in 6 years, (multiple trips per year), ever found anyone in the site ahead of me."
7. Second District Brew Farm
Check Availabilityfrom $110 / night
8. Mauch Chunk Lake Park
"Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone."
"Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
9. Sandyston Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"This camping site is a set of 6 sites on the New Jersey border maintained by the National Park Service."
"There is no public road access to the campsite. Secondly, the site is maintained by the NPS,(National Park Service) within the DWGNRA, (Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area)."
10. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Drive Time
- 11 min from Scranton, PA
- 51 min from Binghamton, NY
- 1 hr 18 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 20 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Archbald, PA
55 Photos of 40 Archbald Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Oh! Pear Orchards
Hillside Campgrounds
Second District Brew FarmS
Private Campsite on 50 AcresC
Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Sandyston Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Namanock Island — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Ratcliff's River Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Scrub Mountain Retreat
Hornbeck's River Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Walter's Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Tent Camping Reviews near Archbald, PA
915 Reviews of 40 Archbald Campgrounds
- RRussell A.
Scout100 Mile View Camping
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
Nancy W.
LegendHickory Run State Park Campground
Peaceful State Park Camping in the Fall
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
Tony F.Guide100 Mile View Camping
The best views
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Beautiful Falls!
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
- WWill W.Guide
Lackawanna State Park Campground
Car camping
Stayed October 14 without reservations because website showed lots of availability. Office was closed (M-F 8-4) so submitted honor system envelope with cash and stayed at Site 041 on Carpenter loop. Shower building was a short walk and was spacious enough. Water temp didn’t quite reach hot but was warm enough.
Electric kept on tripping breaker.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Council Cup Campground
Better than nothing
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
Daniel C.ScoutHillside Campgrounds
Stay away... Unless you like 70 y/o men acting like high schoolers
This clothing-optional campground has a highly toxic, intrusive, and vindictive environment. During my stay, the seasonal permanent residents('perms') subjected me to intense harassment, inappropriate sexual advances, and severe social retaliation/rumor-spreading when those advances were rejected. The situation escalated to the point where an employee had to intervene for my safety. Furthermore, despite management allowing my photo to be taken in costume at a party, I was intentionally blocked from the community group where the photos were posted, leaving me unable to monitor how my image was being used. Avoid this place if you value your privacy, personal boundaries, and safety.
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
Guide to Archbald
Tent camping options around Archbald, Pennsylvania provide access to the Pocono Mountains ecosystem, with elevations ranging from 900-1,400 feet throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. This region experiences humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, making May through October the primary camping season. Local waterways include the Lackawanna River and numerous streams that flow through the rolling terrain of former coal mining territory.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Multiple hiking trails lead to waterfalls within a short drive of Archbald campsites. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, "There's much to explore in the town Jim Thorpe and beautiful hiking close by" according to one camper, with trails leading to several cascades in the region.
Paddlesports: Kayaking and canoeing opportunities exist on various waterways. A visitor to Namanock Island shared, "Did a solo trip, paid 20 for day and overnight parking at Milford beach. Paddle about 4 miles to the site 12, the first site on the right side of nomanock island." The Delaware River provides numerous paddling routes with island camping options.
Historical exploration: The region contains significant industrial heritage sites. One camper at Sandyston Boat In Campsites noted, "This site is in the heart of the historic area of the river. Within minutes on the Pennsylvannia side of the river you can hike to Raymondskill Falls, as well as search for abandoned/forgotten homes and mills, some of which date back to the 1700's."
What campers like
Island camping experiences: The complete isolation of camping on river islands appeals to many visitors. A camper at Namanock Island explained, "Lots of peace and natural all around. Saw tons of bald eagles flying near the site and while paddles birds playing and baby geese with their mommas!" Wildlife viewing opportunities enhance the experience of staying on these secluded sites.
Water-based activities: Accessible waterways provide recreational opportunities directly from campsites. A visitor to Manny Gordon Recreation Area Campground noted, "Very open, plenty of space. Most campgrounds have previously stocked wood from other people, makes setting up very convenient." Many sites allow direct water access for swimming or fishing.
Dark skies for stargazing: The rural setting creates opportunities for night sky observation. A reviewer at Sandyston wrote, "Very nice views of the river from all of the sites, as well as being a short morning paddle away from Dingman's Ferry Access, waterfalls, and historical locations worthy of the exploration make this an ideal location to start the days journey."
What you should know
Tick prevalence: Insect protection requires special attention in warmer months. A visitor to Manny Gordon Recreation Area warned, "Lots of ticks tho so get your spray." Long pants, closed shoes, and regular tick checks help minimize risk during summer camping.
Water level variations: River camping sites can change drastically with water levels. At Oh! Pear Orchards, a camper noted, "This is a special place! Campsites next to a beautiful stream, the best fire pits, quiet and peaceful, just enough shade to stay cool, magical setting, firewood easily accessible."
Primitive conditions: Most tent sites provide minimal infrastructure. A camper at Namanock Island explained, "Very buggy spot, LOTS of centipedes and other creatures at night, so bring a chair instead of sitting on the bench or log." Preparation for basic conditions ensures a better experience.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection factors: Choose sites with appropriate terrain for children. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, a visitor shared, "We set up the tent, kayaked on the lake, cooked up some dinner, watched a strawberry super moon rise over the lake, went to bed, woke up to make some breakfast and then we were off to go rafting on the Lehigh river 10 minutes away."
Multi-activity planning: Structure trips around varied activities to maintain interest. A visitor to Mauch Chunk noted, "GREAT first trip! The campgrounds were nice and there was a lot to do. Volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals. Also a lot to do in the nearby town."
Gear transportation assistance: Some walk-in sites provide equipment to help move gear. At Oh! Pear Orchards, a reviewer mentioned, "It is a short walk in to the sites, but there is a cart provided which made it pretty easy. The hosts also offer valet service to your site, though we did not need that with the cart."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: RV sites with full utilities remain limited near Archbald. At Hillside Campgrounds, a visitor noted, "Wifi and internet coverage is decent," which can be important for those needing connectivity while camping in an otherwise rustic area.
Ground conditions: Some campgrounds feature rocky or rooted terrain requiring preparation. A visitor to Mauch Chunk Lake Park stated, "Many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters." This applies equally to RVers setting up outdoor living spaces.
Reservation timing: Popular RV sites fill quickly in summer months. One camper advised, "If you go during the week, it's quite calm," suggesting midweek visits for those seeking quieter experiences in tent camping near Archbald, Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Archbald, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Archbald, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Archbald, PA is Oh! Pear Orchards with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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Archbald, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Archbald, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 40 tent camping locations near Archbald, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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