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Best Tent Camping near Brodheadsville, PA

1,039 Reviews

Tent campsites in the Pocono Mountains near Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania range from primitive hike-in locations along the Appalachian Trail to established tent-friendly campgrounds with basic amenities. Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers tent camping with access to drinking water, showers, and picnic tables, while the Appalachian Trail corridor provides multiple primitive tent sites including Kirkrige Shelter and several campgrounds near Lehigh Gap. These backcountry tent options typically require hiking in and offer a more secluded experience.

Most primitive tent sites along the Appalachian Trail near Brodheadsville are free but require hikers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fire rings are common at these walk-in tent locations, though firewood must typically be gathered on-site. The AT Ridge Campground and AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap provide tent-only camping with established fire rings but no drinking water or toilet facilities. Campers should prepare for variable weather conditions, especially at higher elevations where wind exposure can be significant. As one camper noted about the AT Overlook Campground, "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."

The tent camping experience in this region offers significant variety in terrain and amenities. Sites at Mauch Chunk Lake Park provide a more developed camping experience with electric hookups and showers, though reviews indicate the campsites can be crowded during peak season. A review mentioned that "the campsites are too close to each other and we were surrounded by very loud campers" during summer weekends. In contrast, the primitive tent sites along the Appalachian Trail corridor provide greater solitude but require more self-sufficiency. The ridge-top tent sites offer spectacular views and are surrounded by fern fields, making them popular destinations for backpackers seeking both scenery and seclusion. Most tent-only sites in the area allow pets, though hikers should be aware of potential bear activity, particularly at the Lehigh Gap campsites.

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Best Tent Sites Near Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania (41)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Brodheadsville, PA

89 Photos of 41 Brodheadsville Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Brodheadsville, PA

1039 Reviews of 41 Brodheadsville Campgrounds

  • Ra F.
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park

    OK, but camping gets a low rating.

    The park is lovely, but the camping facilities are subpar, primitive and lack any kind of privacy. I bike toured there. The only potable water was from a near-broken water fountain at the public rest rooms and no electrical connection to recharge electronics. There was also a fair amount of road noise at night. Bathhouse OK, but just basic. Tent spots are just lined up against one another facing a service road.

  • Doug W.
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Valley View Group Campground

    Beautiful River Site

    This is a great campsite right on the river. There are 5 different sites all nicely marked out. Each has its own fire ring. There is also a central area with a big fire ring for everyone to get together. Bear boxes at each site for food storage.

  • Laure D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2020

    Locust Lake State Park Campground

    Serenity on the lakes

    Pretty campground with lots of lake views. We arrived just before dark which was good because the sites were not level front to back. Most sites had a slope but there were some level sites. You can kayak, canoe, paddle board, and fish on the lake. There are 2 boat launches. The store wasn’t much to speak of. Bath houses were clean. We walked around the lake on a paved level path. They advertise no alcohol. This is near the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine tour which we loved. It’s near the Yingling Brewery tour.

  • B
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Tohickon Valley County Park

    One stop shop for adventure!

    This place is amazing! everything you could want, from tent and RV camping to cabin rentals. They also have a pool and playground. some of my favorite parts of this park are a good 100’ rack wall perfect for climbing, great fishing, trails for miles that even connects to the AT, and when scheduled they open the dam up stream for som world class whitewater rafting.

    As for some things that aren’t listed. this is no alcohol permitted in the park due to it being a state park, however that all depends on how open you are about it and the Park rangers. Cell phone service is limited last time I was up there in 2012 only people with Verizon Wireless had any reception. Also there is no WiFi. No hookups or camp store.

  • Dwight D.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Jenny Jump State Forest

    Cute Comfortable Shelter

    This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! The "shelter" is what we would describe as a "cabin"; four walls, a roof, locking door, locking windows, large picture frame front window, four beds(two bunks), a wood burning stove, and a porch. Even compared to our glamping this was luxury!!

    There are eight shelters at Jenny Jump State Park. Shelter 2 is a minute walk from the restroom with sink/shower and water. Shelters 7 & 8 are even closer while 4 & 5 are the furthest, may an extra 5 minutes walk? The dead end means there isn't too much traffic, though the road is right there so you can wave to the other campers heading to the restroom or for hikes. There is a trail head at one of the parking lots. During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road. We got to see their dogs, so that was a bonus for us! Otherwise, this shelter is not situated too close to the other shelters and feels very private.

    We brought battery-powered lights since there is no electricity. There were coat hooks and a built-in shelf for our snacks, games, and other supplies. There was a picnic table and benches inside. We brought camping chairs for relaxing on the porch. We spent most of our time on the porch; cooking, chatting, and crafting while enjoying the sunshine and breeze.

    Oh, this shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not.

  • D
    Jul. 5, 2020

    Tobyhanna State Park Campground

    Good campground for families.

    My dog and I stayed for 2 nights in the rustic tenting area. We were the only campers Wednesday & Thursday. The family camp area features spaces (small areas for either RV campers or tents and cars) with a picnic table and fire ring and water (some have electricity). They also have shared facilities such as bathrooms and showers. However, they seemed a little too cramped fir me and I wasn’t looking for opportunities to socialize, so the remote tent site was my choice. The tent sites do not have water or electric, but do have picnic tables, a fire ring and share one large outhouse with clean pit toilets. There are 5 sites and they can accommodate (shared) multiple tent set ups. Also you need to park your vehicle in a designated lot which is very close to the sites. There are multiple easy hiking and biking trails that are well marked. A lake for fishing and a small sandy beach with a picnic area for families (unfortunately no dogs are allowed on the beach). There are 2 boat launch areas (one for the campers, and another for gen. public) which also has a boat rental business (dogs are allowed). There are black bears in the park so do not leave food out and dispose of all trash in the appropriate dumpsters.

  • Christina H.
    Aug. 6, 2019

    Stokes State Forest

    Stokes State Forest: A nature-lovers dream (Review for Shotwell Campsite)

    I would definitely recommend this campsite to anyone wanting a beautiful, remote setting, but with all of the conveniences that the campgrounds offer. Anyone from a beginner to an expert would enjoy Stokes. Whether it be just a short, relaxing weekend trip or an adventure-packed week long trip, this place has the potential to be whatever you make it.

    Pros:

    • Has the perfect balance of feeling secluded without feeling completely alone in the middle of nowhere; the campsite we were specifically on was just far enough to be remote-feeling and fully private with trees surrounding it

    • Cute little pond right on the campgrounds

    • Our site had a fire ring, a picnic table, and a large sturdy pole with a hook for your lantern/mesh dry bag/etc

    • Even, rocky, yet soft enough ground to sleep on, many trees available for hammock camping

    • There was a huge, nasty storm one night that we stayed there, with terrible downpour and flash flood warnings, our site was elevated and did not get flooded

    • A lot of firewood and kindling in the area to be gathered, or you can buy firewood right from the office

    • Lots of stuff to do in the area for nature-lovers and outdoors-enthusiasts (Hiking trails, fishing/fly-fishing, sightseeing, mountain-biking, kayaking/paddle-boarding (rentals in the area if you do not own), hunting, swimming, horseback riding, waterfall-hunting, bird/wildlife watching (there are hawks, rabbits, owls, deer, toads, snakes, turtles, frogs, foxes, bats, salamanders, many interesting bugs, beavers, and bears in the area, you never know what you will see), lots of beautiful brooks and streams throughout the entire park, many awesome remote areas to set up your hammock and relax) Whoever said that there wasn't much to do here is just either not an outdoors person or straight up lying!

    • Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash

    • There are outhouses scattered around, or if you are really needing a clean restroom where you can wash your hands, the park office's restroom is always open and very clean

    • Can be buggy at night time however, I was pleasantly surprised to have experienced zero mosquito bites and ZERO ticks on ourselves and even our dog (however she did have a leech on her from playing in the brook all day). We moderately used bug spray on ourselves and the dog had her flea and tick topical on.

    • Beautiful view of the stars on a clear night (Which can be breathtaking especially to city folk or those that cannot see stars from their homes)

    Cons:

    • Can hear the traffic from 206, but generally gets much quieter at night

    • Campsites are close enough that you may occasionally hear other groups if they are being very loud (We were next to a group campsite that had a very noisy party crowd, but could really only hear them at their loudest, and we weren't bothered)

    • Tent sites are located just off the dirt road where people travel to get to their sites, which means other campers' cars will occasionally pass right through your area. If this bothers you, be sure to book a site as far back as possible. Ex: Site T137 should have no vehicle traffic but your own and is the most remote of that area

    • Water fill stations can be a bit busy at certain times

    • Our fire ring rack was bent, but luckily we came prepared with our own rack to place on top of it and it worked out

    • Lots of poison ivy in the area, if you are not immune to it be very mindful of where you are stepping!

    • Our neighbor warned us that they got a flat tire after arriving at their campsite, and after searching their site found a bunch of nails almost intentionally thrown about. It's not the park's fault and the rangers were made aware of it. Carefully check your site after arriving for anything out of place and report to the office if necessary to keep these campsites safe and enjoyable.

    Points of interest nearby the campsite:

    • Big Flat Brook - A beautiful babbling brook that runs all throughout the area. Has great fly fishing for stocked rainbow trout. Access to the brook was only a short but beautiful hike north from our site through some thistle fields and woodlands.

    • Buttermilk falls (Tallest waterfall in NJ), Tillman Ravine, Dingmans Ferry/Falls, and my personal favorite, Silver Spray Falls - Multiple gorgeous waterfalls and ravines just waiting to be explored, all within ~15-20 min by car. I definitely recommend checking them out while you are camping here especially if you live far away from the area.

    • Sunrise Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain - Catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset on top of Sunrise Mountain, which is a pleasant, scenic car ride directly to the top where there is a small parking lot, a smelly outhouse, and a nice picnic table area with a great view. Rattlesnake Mountain is a part of the Appalachian Trail and is somewhat barren towards the top which makes for excellent views. Like its name, it's not uncommon to see many snakes in the area, rattlesnakes tend to hang out on the top and sunbathe on the rocks. Keep your pets on a leash and have a stick handy just in case, however, they will leave you alone if you keep your distance.

    • Lake Ashroe, Stony Lake, Lake Ocquittunk - Many lakes for multiple activities in the area such as fishing (trout stocked waters), kayaking, swimming (Stony lake has a beach area with lifeguards, restrooms, and picnic areas. Check their website for more info.)

    • Horseback riding - A few great horseback riding places nearby, some offering trail rides through the beautiful park.

    • Appalachian Trail - The widely-known Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only trail in the world, that runs all the way from Maine to Georgia goes right through this area. You may run into very interesting people from all over who are thru-hiking the AT.

    PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR VISIT. LEAVE NO TRACE. KEEP OUR PARKS BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.

  • M
    May. 17, 2015

    High Point State Park Campground

    Large Private Lakeside Sites

    We recently stayed at site 3 at the campground at High Point State Park in NJ. It was our first time there, and we were surprised at how nice it was.

    There are about 40 to 50 sites around Sawmill Lake. Many of these sites , like ours, are walk in sites (about a 50 yard walk) that sit lakeside. The sites were large and spread out, and we felt like we had a good amount of privacy.

    Our site had a picnic table, and a fire ring with a cooking grate. Although, we didn't have one, we saw some sites had tent platforms

    There are a few sites that sit higher up, and further from the lake, for RV and or car campers not looking to walk to there site. These had less privacy because they sit close to the road.

    The bathrooms with flush toilets were ok when we were there. There are water spigots around the campground, but there are no showers or sinks. It's noted that there is no camp store at the campground, and the closest grocery was about 1/2 hour away, so come prepared. They did sell firewood at the park headquarters , which is about 10 minutes away from the campground.

    It was pretty buggy (including ticks), so don't forget your deep woods.

  • Angel A.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Lower Lake Campground Northwoods Area — Promised Land State Park

    Northwoods Campground

    Big sites with 30 amp service available for RVs and trailers. Each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with an adjustable grate. The pull-through sites don’t offer much in the way of privacy, but that’s the trade off for convenience. There are two potable water spigots in the campground. The bathhouse offers warm showers, 2 dishwashing sinks, and a coin-operated washer and dryer. The facilities are kept very clean. On the weekends it can get pretty crowded, so it tends to be louder at night then, but the camp hosts and the rangers do a good job of enforcing quiet hours. Access points to several trails are very near the campground. As with all PA state parks, alcohol is prohibited. The park doesn’t have a camp store, however, there is a small general store on Route 390 (The Lake Store) just north of the park that would have any essentials you may have forgotten, as well as ice for your cooler.

Guide to Brodheadsville

Tent camping near Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania offers diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 400 feet in the Lehigh Valley to over 1,600 feet on nearby Kittatinny Ridge. Summer temperatures typically average 75-85°F during day and 55-65°F overnight, with precipitation most common in July and August. Fall camping brings vibrant foliage with average temperatures dropping 15-20 degrees from summer highs.

What to do

Paddle on the lake: At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, visitors can enjoy kayaking and paddle boarding directly from lakeside campsites. "You can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," notes one camper. The park offers boat rentals for those who don't bring their own equipment.

Hike the Appalachian Trail: The AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap provides direct access to the famous long-distance trail. "They are surrounded by a magical field of ferns and you can get views of both sides of the ridge with only a short walk down the trail," reports a hiker who enjoyed the scenery.

Camp along the river: For water activities, Riverview Park Campground offers tent sites adjacent to the Lehigh River. "This is the perfect place for camping if you are adventuring out on the Lehigh River and want to get an early start or stay the night," explains a camper. The park connects to the D&L biking trail on an old railroad bed for cycling opportunities.

What campers like

Protected shelter options: For those seeking alternatives to tent camping near Brodheadsville, George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter provides covered sleeping platforms. "The shelter itself is well maintained and has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers," notes one visitor. A nearby spring offers fresh water access.

Spacious group sites: The Lehigh Gap area includes several primitive sites designed for larger parties. "A very large flat site with plenty of clear spots for multiple tents. This would work well for a large group," reports a camper about one location. These sites typically include established fire rings but require hikers to carry in all water.

Pine forest camping: Some tent sites offer natural padding and weather protection. "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area," explains a camper at AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap. The site features "a large established fire pit and many large flat areas that are perfect for tents."

What you should know

Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience significant noise from nearby highways or other campers. One camper at Jenny Jump State Forest noted: "My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night." Similarly, different campgrounds have varying enforcement of quiet hours.

Water availability: Many primitive sites require hikers to carry all water. "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge," warns a camper at AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap. Plan water needs according to your camping location and season.

Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds charge extra for walk-ins. At Riverview Park Campground, "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." Contact campgrounds directly for current reservation policies.

Tips for camping with families

Look for first-timer friendly sites: For families new to tent camping Brodheadsville area, certain campgrounds offer good introductory experiences. "I believe it 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," reports a visitor about Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

Consider tent site surfaces: Exposed roots and rocks can make sleeping uncomfortable for children. "Many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters," notes a camper. Bringing extra sleeping pads can make a significant difference in comfort, especially for young campers.

Check park rules regarding pets: Pet policies vary widely between facilities. While many AT primitive sites allow pets, Jenny Jump State Forest charges "$5/day for our dog," according to a camper. Other campgrounds prohibit pets entirely despite sometimes being listed as pet-friendly online.

Tips from RVers

Tent-only sections provide better experiences: Some campgrounds separate RV and tent areas, creating more peaceful tent camping. Several campers note that primitive tent-only areas typically offer more privacy and less noise than mixed-use campgrounds with RV hookups.

Consider seasonal variations: When tent camping in the Brodheadsville area, timing matters significantly. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures but potentially more precipitation, while summer weekends bring larger crowds. One camper noted: "If you go during the week, it's quite calm" at lakeside campgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Brodheadsville, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Brodheadsville, PA is Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Brodheadsville, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 41 tent camping locations near Brodheadsville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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