Tent campers near Catawissa, Pennsylvania can find sites within the forested river valleys and ridges of the eastern Pennsylvania hills. The region straddles elevations from 500 to 1,500 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping season from May through October. Most campgrounds require advance reservations during summer weekends, with holiday periods often booking 3-4 months ahead.
What to do
Paddling on Mauch Chunk Lake: The lake at Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers calm waters perfect for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Lisa S. noted, "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm. I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear."
River access camping: Enjoy tent sites along the Lehigh River at Riverview Park Campground for easy water adventures. "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. The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit," according to Asher K.
Hiking from shelters: The Appalachian Trail section near Lehigh Gap offers hiking options with shelter camping at George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter. "The shelter itself is well maintained and has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers. There is also a spring nearby for filling up water," reports Asher K.
What campers like
Protected sites for poor weather: During rainy conditions, campers prefer the pine forest sites at lower elevations. "The shelter itself can be found fairly soon after the split with the bypass trail and is down the mountain so both are protected from bad weather but also don't have much of a view," mentions Asher K. about the Outerbridge shelter area.
Lakeside camping: Many campers choose Mauch Chunk Lake Park for its waterfront tent sites. Emma T. shared, "Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone. 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."
Established tent pads: For comfortable tent camping near Catawissa, Ravensburg State Park Campground provides solid platforms. Becky noted, "They have nice raised tent pads. It's very humid so many picnic tables have green moss."
What you should know
Water planning required: Most primitive sites require campers to bring water supplies. Asher K. advised about AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap, "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."
First-come camping: Several campgrounds operate without reservations. At Ravensburg State Park, Becky shared, "First come first serve but still had to pay transaction fee! which was annoying for our one night stay."
Road noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. Sarah C. reported about Ravensburg State Park, "The road that park is on is busier than one would think, not bad at night, but busy in the morning."
Tips for camping with families
Group-friendly options: For families camping together, consider sites with space for multiple tents. Mackenzie B. recommends, "I've stayed here a couple times with groups. 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 on the campground and nearby."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities. Danny M. shared about Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center, "The campgrounds were nice and there was a lot to do. Volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals."
Entertainment considerations: Some campgrounds offer structured activities for children. Katie S. noted, "There was a movie shown at night, as well as music played late into the night" at Whitewater Challengers.
Tips from RVers
Tent padding recommendations: Exposed roots and rocks at many campgrounds require extra comfort considerations. Amber M. advised about Mauch Chunk Lake Park, "Many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters."
Navigational cautions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. Sarah C. warned, "Just be aware of your directions and make sure they're taking you to the park via Rocky Road. Mine did not, and I ended up down a seasonal road that did not end at the park entrance."
Weekend noise levels: Weekends can be crowded and noisy at popular campgrounds. Danielle F. shared, "We visited in the summer on a weekend when it was full. The campsites are too close to each other and we were surrounded by very loud campers. It was not just 1 group; there were multiple parties making a lot of noise until after midnight."
