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Best Dispersed Camping near Bethany, PA

6 Reviews

Dispersed camping options near Bethany, Pennsylvania include several primitive sites in surrounding regions of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Thunder Swamp Trailhead in Pennsylvania provides drive-in access via a gravel parking lot with shade coverage. Campers report it as "chill for a night" with no disturbances and extensive hiking opportunities along trails like Saw Creek, which leads to a marsh area. A permit is required for camping at this location.

The Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 in Columbia, New Jersey offers free hike-in sites about 1.5 miles from the trailhead. The camping area includes bear boxes and suitable trees for hammocks, though it lacks water sources and ground fires are prohibited. One camper shared it has a "perfect balance of community and space" with options for both social and secluded camping. For those seeking water-adjacent sites, Hickok Brook in New York features lakeside tent spots, though the access road has "huge potholes" requiring vehicles with good clearance. Beals Pond State Forest in New York permits both tent and RV camping with pets allowed, but winter access is limited due to unmaintained roads and poor cell reception in colder months.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Bethany, Pennsylvania (6)

    1. Hickok Brook

    2 Reviews
    Barryville, NY
    23 miles

    "I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must."

    "Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county."

    2. Thunder Swamp Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Unity House, PA
    34 miles

    "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking. Went down Saw Creek trail to a marsh."

    "Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

    3. Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    2 Reviews
    Shawnee on Delaware, PA
    44 miles
    Website

    "I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre."

    "We had thought there was a shelter (there isn’t) but it was fine. No ground fires. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!"

    4. Beals Pond State Forest

    1 Review
    Trout Creek, NY
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 357-2161

    5. Russell Brook Road

    Be the first to review!
    Roscoe, NY
    32 miles

    6. Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping

    1 Review
    Claryville, NY
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3076

    "Great camping spots about 1.5 mile hike in from Denning Trailhead. A lot of spots right by the river. Great spot to camp and then wake up to hike to tabletop/ peekamoose mountain."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Bethany, PA

9 Photos of 6 Bethany Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bethany, PA

6 Reviews of 6 Bethany Campgrounds

  • R
    Jul. 12, 2017

    Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    Small but kind of your only option

    I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre. Also it's a little on the small and sloped side for tent camping, but I was in a hammock and it was a great place for that!

    That being said, as you enter the Worthington State Forest there are signs and hand painted maps indicating that this is the only place you can sleep in the forest. So if this is your timing, this is where you'll be sleeping! The site itself is unmarked when you come to it, but it's the only pretty obvious camping spot on the trail so it's not hard to find.

    Stock up on water at the Dunnfield creek natural area, or wait until Sunfish pond. There are lots of signs around Sunfish pond itself that there's no camping allowed.

  • Corey
    Jun. 17, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Beautiful but buggy lakeside tent sites

    I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere. Very gorgeous but not rv friendly.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 27, 2024

    Beals Pond State Forest

    Not easily accessible in winter

    This state forest is beautiful but not easily accessible in the winter. After a certain point, the road is not maintained in the winter and I was unable to get cell reception with Verizon.

  • Katharine T.
    May. 31, 2022

    Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    Perfect balance of community and space

    We stayed here during our section hike through the DWG on the AT. There’s plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. We’ll maintained w bear boxes provided. Good trees for hammocking. We had thought there was a shelter (there isn’t) but it was fine. No ground fires. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!

  • G
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Small, don't blink you'll miss it.

    There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY. Really is a nice quiet place. It's Labor Day weekend, see how many people try to cram in to the very limited camping area. Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county.

  • Ali B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping

    Dispersed primitive camping

    Great camping spots about 1.5 mile hike in from Denning Trailhead. A lot of spots right by the river. Great spot to camp and then wake up to hike to tabletop/ peekamoose mountain. (near the top of tabletop there is also a lean-to for camping).

Guide to Bethany

Several dispersed camping options exist within driving distance of Bethany, Pennsylvania, primarily in nearby New York and New Jersey state lands. Thunder Swamp Trailhead in Pennsylvania offers basic overnight parking in a shaded gravel lot that serves as a trailhead for extensive hiking trails. This site requires a permit and provides no amenities or facilities. A camper noted, "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking."

Hickok Brook in New York features lakeside tent sites accessible via a rough road with large potholes that requires high-clearance vehicles. The area is not suitable for RVs or car camping, with limited pull-off spots for small tents. Fires are prohibited, and camping permits are required for New York state land. Similarly, Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 in New Jersey offers free primitive camping along the AT with bear boxes provided but no water sources. One hiker reported, "There's plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too." Denning Trailhead in New York provides riverside primitive camping spots approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead, serving as a good base for hikers exploring Peekamoose Mountain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Bethany, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bethany, PA is Hickok Brook with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Bethany, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Bethany, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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