Dispersed Camping near Bethany, PA

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bethany, PA

7 Reviews of 7 Bethany Campgrounds

• R

  Renee Z.

  Scout

  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.

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• 

  Corey

  Scout

  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.

• J

  Joshua M.

  Scout

  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.

  Guide

  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!

• 

  Sue B.

  Ranger

  Apr. 17, 2026

  Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

  Great Campsite!

  I've hiked the A.T. through New Jersey, and this is probably my favorite NJ A.T. campsite. The only downside is that there is no water, so depending on which way you come in (nobo or sobo), you'll have to collect water before you get here from either Sunfish Pond, or one of the streams before the climb up here. There are 2 privies, one newer, and also a great spot to watch the sunset. Plenty of campsites, and during peak season there is a caretaker on site.

• G

  Gregg T.

  Ranger

  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.

  Traveler

  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).