Best Dispersed Camping near Bushkill, PA
Dispersed camping near Bushkill, Pennsylvania primarily centers around Appalachian Trail sites and several primitive locations in the surrounding state forests. The Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 in nearby Columbia, New Jersey serves as one of the few officially recognized dispersed sites in the region. Additional primitive camping options include Thunder Swamp Trailhead and several unmarked spots along the Appalachian Trail corridor in Pennsylvania, such as Bake Oven Knob, where overnight parking and camping are informally tolerated.
Many of these primitive sites require either hike-in access or have limited parking at trailheads. Most areas have strict prohibitions against campfires, and campers should note the absence of amenities like drinking water, toilets, or designated fire rings. According to one visitor, "There's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre" at the Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite. Thunder Swamp Trailhead provides parking lot access described by users as "a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me." The majority of these areas require campers to pack in all water and pack out all waste.
The backcountry camping experience in this region offers a mix of convenience and primitive conditions. Some sites provide bear boxes for food storage, particularly along the Appalachian Trail. A camper noted that the Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker site has "plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. Well maintained with bear boxes provided." At Bake Oven Knob, campers can either sleep in vehicles at the parking area or hike in to find tent spots, with one user reporting, "I've overnighted in my van here a bunch, no problems." The proximity to hiking trails makes these sites practical bases for exploring the Delaware Water Gap and surrounding Pocono Mountains, though campers should verify current regulations as permit requirements may vary by location and season.
