R
Russell A.
Scout
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!
Tent Camping near Barnesville, PA
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Tent campsites around Barnesville, Pennsylvania include several options along the Appalachian Trail corridor, with multiple primitive walk-in sites accessible near Lehigh Gap. The AT Ridge Campground offers tent campers peaceful ridgeline sites surrounded by ferns, while George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter provides a maintained trail shelter with space for multiple tents. Mauch Chunk Lake Park in nearby Jim Thorpe offers established tent camping with more amenities for those seeking a less primitive experience.
Most primitive tent sites near Lehigh Gap require hikers to pack in all necessary supplies as they lack drinking water, trash facilities, and modern restrooms. The AT campsites typically feature stone fire rings but minimal other amenities. Many sites have free access but no reservation system—availability operates on first-come, first-served basis. Tent campers should note that several sites become muddy after rainfall, with one reviewer noting that "when I was here it had recently rained and the site was overall pretty boggy." While primitive, these backcountry tent locations offer direct trail access for multi-day hikes.
Walk-in tent locations along the ridge provide exceptional views and solitude not available at developed campgrounds. A camper described the AT Overlook Campground as "by far the best campsite option on this section of the AT" where "you can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door." Pine forest group sites create natural padding with needle-covered ground, making for comfortable tent placement. For those seeking a balance between amenities and nature, Riverview Park Campground offers tent-only sites positioned along the Lehigh River with picnic benches and fire pits, plus bathroom facilities nearby. These sites require reservations and provide convenient access for paddlers and cyclists using the nearby D&L Trail.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Barnesville (20)
1. 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
2. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
3. Scrub Mountain Retreat
from $30 - $35 / night
4. AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap
"The only downside was my sleeping pad sprung a leak, so it wasn't the best night's sleep. But the site itself was great and I would camp there again."
"A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."
5. AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap
"You can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door and the space is flat, dry, and not too rocky."
6. Riverview Park Campground
"The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit. They also have a bathroom facility up alongside the road."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $30 / night
7. AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap
"This site is really 2 separate sites that are a short ways apart along the trail. They are both excellent spots to set up a tent if you plan on camping up on the ridge."
8. George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter
"A single-level open-sided AT shelter near the Lehigh Gap trailhead. The shelter itself is well maintained and has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers."
9. Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite (group)
"This site appears to be well-used and has several established areas for sitting and setting up a fire."
10. AT/Bypass Trail Split Primitive Campground
Drive Time
- 50 min from Scranton, PA
- 53 min from Allentown, PA
- 57 min from Reading, PA
- 1 hr from Lebanon, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Barnesville, PA
38 Photos of 20 Barnesville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Mauch Chunk Lake Park
Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Scrub Mountain Retreat
BMR Operations, LLC dba Blue Mountain Resort By: BM Resort Management, LLC its Authorized Agent
Rolling Hills RetreatsA
Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Tent Camping Reviews near Barnesville, PA
854 Reviews of 20 Barnesville Campgrounds
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!
Troy P.
TravelerShikellamy State Park Campground
meh
i mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
- 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.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Echo Valley Campground
Big sites with lots of trees
We only spent the night and didn't look at the amenities. The manager was very friendly and accommodating.
Thomas B.
RangerTohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
Kathy L.RangerHickory Run State Park Campground
Beautiful forest
Gorgeous forested area in the Poconos. We stayed on the Rattlesnake Loop which was lovely. Sites not super private but most nestled in trees. The only bummer was that that Campground Loop didn’t have any direct links to the trail network and was far from it. The other Campground Loop was closer to trails and office. Would return!
Guide to Barnesville
Primitive campsites near Barnesville, Pennsylvania cluster around the Appalachian Trail corridor, with multiple backcountry options between Blue Mountain Road and Lehigh Gap. Several locations sit on ridge lines at elevations between 1,000-1,500 feet, creating distinct camping microclimates compared to valley locations. The area features rocky terrain with mixed hardwood and pine forests that provide natural shelter for campers. Most primitive sites require a hike of 0.5-2 miles from designated trailheads or parking areas.
What to do
Water activities on Mauch Chunk Lake: At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, campers can enjoy swimming at the designated beach area or rent watercraft. "You can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," notes Lisa S. The lake provides a calm environment particularly on weekdays for water sports.
River adventures: The Lehigh River offers whitewater rafting opportunities minutes from camping areas. "Rafting on the Lehigh with whitewater challengers was amazing," reports Katie S. at Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center, where you can combine camping with organized river trips during rafting season.
Trail exploration: The Appalachian Trail network provides extensive hiking options with varying difficulty levels. Many primitive campsites connect directly to the trail system. Sue B. mentions that the AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap is "less than a mile from the parking at Blue Mountain Rd. (Official A.T. parking)," making it accessible for weekend hikers.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting of sites in the region. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, Amber M. notes there are "very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large." This provides privacy even when the campground is busy.
Pine forest padding: Tent campers specifically enjoy certain primitive sites for their natural comfort features. Asher K. describes Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite as having "a very large flat site with plenty of clear spots for multiple tents" that "was less muddy than some of the other options so would work well when it has rained recently."
Proximity to activities: The convenience of nearby attractions enhances the camping experience. Emma T. describes their stay: "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."
What you should know
Site reservations vary: While some campgrounds require reservations, others operate on a first-come basis. At Riverview Park Campground, Asher K. advises, "make sure if you are going to stay here that you reserve a site in advance since they will charge you an additional $10 if you show up without planning."
Weekend noise levels: Established campgrounds can become busy and loud, particularly on summer weekends. One camper at Mauch Chunk described it as "the LOUDEST campground I have ever been to," noting that "there were multiple parties making a lot of noise until after midnight."
Water access limitations: On the ridgeline sites, campers must carry all water needed. When staying at AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap, Asher K. advises to "be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: For families new to camping, some sites offer an easier introduction. Mackenzie B. suggests Mauch Chunk Lake Park is "a great spot to go with people who haven't camped much before. It has flat tent spaces, generally clean bathrooms, and access to tons of things to do on the campground and nearby."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities. Danny M. shares that Mauch Chunk offers "Volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals. Also a lot to do in the nearby town."
Shelter options: For families concerned about weather, George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter offers a more protected option. Asher K. describes it as "a single-level open-sided AT shelter" that is "well maintained and has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most primitive campsites near Barnesville do not accommodate RVs. The primary RV-friendly option is Mauch Chunk Lake Park, though even there campers note limitations.
Site terrain challenges: The terrain at many sites poses difficulties for RVs. Amber M. observes that at Mauch Chunk, "Many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks," which affects setup and leveling for larger vehicles.
Alternative base camps: Some RVers use the more developed campgrounds as a base while exploring primitive areas. "The campground is very close to lots of outdoor attractions and fun in the Jim Thorpe and Blue Mountain area," notes one Mauch Chunk visitor, making it suitable for day trips to more remote locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Barnesville, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Barnesville, PA is Mauch Chunk Lake Park with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
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What is the best site to find tent camping near Barnesville, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Barnesville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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