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 Athens, PA
6 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent campgrounds in the Athens, Pennsylvania region provide access to both established and primitive sites across the surrounding forests and waterways. Gardner Hill Campground, located about 30 miles northwest of Athens in Lowman, NY, offers tent sites with drinking water, picnic tables, and electric hookups. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Long Pond Campground provides dispersed tent camping with lake access in a forested setting approximately 35 miles northeast of Athens.
Most tent sites near Athens feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. The more established campgrounds like Riverside Acres provide drinking water, fire rings, and toilet facilities, while primitive sites at areas like Long Pond Campground have only portable toilets and no water services. Tent pads are typically level with dirt or gravel surfaces under forest canopy. According to one visitor, "There is no water or garbage services at this site. Most camping spots are ideal for tents or very small campers or trailers." Many sites operate seasonally, with some closing during winter months and others remaining open year-round.
Tent campers particularly appreciate the natural settings around Athens, with several sites offering waterfront locations for fishing and paddling access. The tent sites at Long Pond Campground provide direct pond access with fishing docks nearby, while Gardner Hill offers more developed amenities in a quiet setting. Sites are generally well-spaced to provide adequate privacy between campers, with most areas having good tree cover for shade. Many locations feature fire pits at each site and access to gathered firewood. A reviewer at Long Pond noted, "Each spot seems to have plenty of shade and access to downed firewood, and it looks like there are fire pits at each site."
Best Tent Campgrounds near Athens (22)
1. Gardner Hill Campground
"I happened upon this campground by following the blue tent sign on the highway. No frills but very comfy and nice views. Don’t forget to look for the Peace sign."
2. Riverside Acres Campground
"Good tentable spaces on river. Second row has water/electric, shade trees and lawn frontage. Pavilion has tables, a braizer, and one electric outlet. Lawn big enough to play your sport."
Check Availabilityfrom $22 - $35 / night
3. Lawrence Recreation Area
"Had a great few days here camped in RV next to lake. Amazing driftwood to be had. Good kayaking. Peaceful. Trees. Nice sites if close. I'd go back mid week or off season."
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $100 / night
4. Belden Hill Campgrounds
"Fantastic animal preserve zoo nearby which is a must visit. Pretty golf course with full bar and food right across the street. Overall one of our favorite stops on our New England trip."
Check Availabilityfrom $53 - $65 / night
5. South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp
"There is one campsite near trail. There was more traffic than I expected. Also there is no cell service. No real tires"
6. Long Pond Campground
"Aside from that this was a short drive in and I was able to score a spot right on the pond next to a dock."
"All the roads are gravel, so it might get a little muddy after a big rain but I had no issue with a low clearance car driving around to explore the sites available."
7. 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
8. Lambs Creek Recreation Area
Check Availabilityfrom $75 / night
9. Rock Run Road (Sullivan Co) Campsites — Loyalsock State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
10. Hillside Campgrounds
Drive Time
- 17 min from Elmira, NY
- 39 min from Binghamton, NY
- 47 min from Ithaca, NY
- 1 hr 20 min from Williamsport, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Athens, PA
14 Photos of 22 Athens Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Athens, PA
577 Reviews of 22 Athens Campgrounds
Nancy W.
LegendRobert H. Treman State Park Campground
Beautiful waterfalls!
This is a really great state park which has a nice campground, beautiful scenery, interesting attractions nearby, and great hiking trails. The biggest attraction are the 12 waterfalls in the park. Some are easy, short walks, and others are moderate and longer. The Rim and Gorge Trails make a loop which makes for a really good workout with lots of stairs and elevation change. Personally, I think the views from the Gorge Trail are better. Or, you can park in the upper lot and walk down (approximately 1/3 mile) to see Lucifer Falls and walk back. Fall is a great time to visit and enhances the views.
All campsites are back-in and have fire pits and picnic tables. Some are in the open(#49-72)with a scattering of trees, while others are tucked in the woods with lots of shade. The open sites are much easier for big rigs to navigate and back into. There is no water or sewer at sites but water spigots are located throughout the campground and the dump station is easy to access on your way out and has a dedicated water fill station away from the dump site. Our site (#52) was open which we appreciated in because the fall weather was cool and we had a clear sky for Dish satelitte. The pad was gravel and level. The patio is grass and there is nice distance between you and your neighbors Some sites are dry camping and other have electric that varies from 30 or 50-amp and the price reflects which you choose. Our site was electric only (50-amp which worked well) and we were close enough to a shared water spigot so we could add water. There are signs that say you can only hookup to the spigots for five minutes and “Y” connectors are not allowed. Swimming is allowed in the pools and river but has certain daily hours and is only open from late-June to Labor Day. Your receipt and park pass allow you access to other NY state parks in the area. Definitely check out Buttermilk Falls State Park which is just a couple of miles away and has nice hiking trails and more beautiful waterfalls. We visited the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (which is free) and has interesting exhibits, short films, and hiking trails.
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.
- RRobert L.
TravelerWatkins Glen State Park Campground
Great Car Camping Stay
Spent a peaceful night car camping in site 151. Beautiful trees, nice shower houses, quiet neighbors. Just a beautiful and very affordable - $32 - stay. We’ll be back whenever we pass this way.
- kkeith R.
ScoutStony Fork Creek Campground
Great location
Second trip here. Everything you need. Peaceful, large open areas with sites in sun and shade nestled in small valley surrounded by forest,
- llori T.Traveler
Blueberry Patch Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
Very nice
Stopped for one night while traveling upstate and usually dispersed camping but it was getting late so we stopped in.
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.
MJ W.GuideTaughannock Falls State Park Campground
Great Place to camp
This was a great camping trip! We had site 29, nice spot with the North Rim trail right behind our site. Trails are beautiful. Restroom and shower close. You do need to be careful, lots of oaks trees and falling acorns! Easily dings you car hood, watch where you park. Close to down town for a visit to the awesome farmers market in Ithaca.
Guide to Athens
Tent campsites near Athens, Pennsylvania range from primitive sites with minimal facilities to more developed campgrounds with additional amenities. Most tent camping options lie within a 30-40 mile radius of Athens, situated across the northern Pennsylvania and southern New York border region. This area features rolling hills, deciduous forests, and numerous waterways including the Susquehanna River and smaller lakes and ponds that provide fishing opportunities for campers.
What to do
Fishing access from campsite: Long Pond Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities directly from its camping areas. One camper noted, "The pond is quite large compared to other area ponds, and there are three accesses for fishing: a regular boat launch with parking lot and dock, a carry-in kayak access near campsite 6, and a handicapped accessible fishing pier near campsite 1."
Paddling on the Susquehanna: Riverside Acres Campground provides direct river access for paddlers. A visitor mentioned, "The river in front of first row sites is 200 m broad. Eagles fish here. You can too. Good beginning or end for a canoe trip."
Wildlife viewing: The area around Belden Hill Campgrounds offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. A camper recommended, "Great at&t service. Fantastic animal preserve zoo nearby which is a must visit. Pretty golf course with full bar and food right across the street."
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Long Pond Campground provides primitive camping with water views. A camper shared, "I was able to score a spot right on the pond next to a dock. People have driven in to fish and kayak so I don't feel isolated and afraid, and I am just a few steps away from sitting on the dock and admiring the scenery."
Spacious campsites: Oh! Pear Orchards offers tent sites with ample room along a creek. According to one reviewer, "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 space."
Level sites with shade: Tent campsites throughout the region typically feature flat areas under tree cover. At Long Pond, "The camp sites I saw all seemed to be large and level spots all located beneath the tree canopy. Sites seemed disbursed enough to provide a modest level of privacy."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds in the Athens area have limited seasonal availability. Belden Hill Campgrounds operates from "Apr 1 - Oct 30," while others may close during winter months due to weather conditions.
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Some camping areas offer minimal services. At Long Pond Campground, a camper advised, "There is no water or garbage services at this site. There is a port-a-potty near the entrance but otherwise a 'leave no trace' situation."
Security considerations: Remote sites may have accessibility issues. One Long Pond visitor observed, "The other campsites nearby are not located in a distinct campground, but are strung out along the shoreline close to the highways, each with its own driveway right off the highway, which creates a lack of privacy as passersby can quite easily pop right in off the highway."
Tips for camping with families
Easy access sites: Lawrence Recreation Area offers family-friendly camping near water. A visitor reported, "Had a great few days here camped in RV next to lake. Amazing driftwood to be had. Good kayaking. Peaceful. Trees. Nice sites if close."
Assistance with equipment: Some locations provide help with gear transport. Oh! Pear Orchards offers solutions for families with equipment: "The hosts also offer valet service to your site, though we did not need that with the cart. Our family of 4 has camped all of the US and this was one of our favorite spots."
Midweek camping: For quieter family experiences, consider non-peak times. One Lawrence Recreation Area camper suggested, "I'd go back mid week or off season" to avoid crowds during busy weekend periods.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most tent-focused campgrounds have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Gardner Hill Campground, RV options exist but are limited. A visitor described it as "No frills but very comfy and nice views. Don't forget to look for the Peace sign."
Hookup availability: RV sites with services are available at select locations. At Belden Hill Campgrounds, one RVer shared their experience: "Pull thru full hookup, level, spacious. Room for pop up canopy and games. Great views of the mts. No pool but swimming pond which is not real appealing but useable."
Power considerations: Some primitive sites lack electrical access. A Long Pond camper noted, "Campsites are level and long enough for a very small trailer. The trees are so thick we could not feed our solar panel."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Athens, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Athens, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Athens, PA is Gardner Hill Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Athens, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Athens, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near Athens, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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