The Appalachian Trail corridor near Coplay, Pennsylvania sits along the Blue Mountain ridge at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,600 feet, with primitive campsites available year-round. Spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable camping conditions with daytime temperatures between 60-75°F. Winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures can drop below freezing, particularly at higher elevation sites along the ridge.
What to do
Water recreation at Mauch Chunk Lake: Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers kayak and canoe rentals for exploring its clear waters. "You can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," notes Lisa S. The park also features "a beautiful lake beach and canoe and kayak rentals," according to Katie S.
Hiking the AT: The Appalachian Trail near Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite offers connections to multiple day hikes. "This site appears to be well-used and has several established areas for sitting and setting up a fire. It also was less muddy than some of the other options so would work well when it has rained recently," reports Asher K. The site serves as a convenient base camp before tackling Lehigh Gap.
Riverside activities: For water sports enthusiasts, camping along the Lehigh River provides easy access for rafting and kayaking. "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 about the riverside tent spots.
What campers like
Pine forest seclusion: AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap offers a sheltered camping experience. "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area. The pine trees also provide a nice cover to make this a well-protected site in case of bad weather," according to one camper.
Level sites for large groups: Some primitive sites can accommodate multiple tents with flat terrain. "A very large flat site with plenty of clear spots for multiple tents. This would work well for a large group," notes a reviewer about camping options near the trail.
Backcountry solitude: AT/Bypass Trail Split Primitive Campground provides a quieter alternative to more popular sites. "This is a small grassy primitive camping site that is shortly before you get to the AT shelter if you are headed north. It would work well if you tent camping on the AT but want to be near the shelter," notes Asher K.
What you should know
Limited water access: Most primitive sites along the AT near Coplay lack reliable water sources. "Just make sure to fill up before coming up the mountain. There is no water access at the site," warns a camper about the Lehigh Gap area campsites.
Bear safety requirements: The Pennsylvania Game Commission requires proper food storage in bear country. "I was already on edge since there are several signs warning of high bear activity," notes a camper about their experience in the area.
Trail conditions: Woodpecker Trailhead Primitive Campground can become muddy after rain. "When I was here it had recently rained and the site was overall pretty boggy. The ground was relatively soft but without a good ground tarp, you might get a little wet," cautions a visitor.
Site visibility: Some campsites are set back from the main trail. "Just make sure to mark this on your map before you leave since it can be a tougher site to find especially in the summer when everything is so lush and green," advises a camper about finding secluded sites.
Tips for camping with families
Choose developed facilities: Riverview Park Campground provides a balance of amenities and nature for families tent camping near Coplay, Pennsylvania. "The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit. They also have a bathroom facility up alongside the road," notes Asher K.
Plan for transportation: Some campgrounds have multiple access options. "The park itself is located along the D&L biking trail that is on the bed of an old railroad," mentions a visitor, making it accessible for families with bicycles.
Book ahead: Some campgrounds require advance registration. "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," warns a camper.
Water safety: If camping with children near water, check regulations first. "While the water in the reservoir may look crystal clear, it is not crystal clean and I would STRONGLY encourage anyone who thinks that it is OK to drink from the reservoir to at least use a Life Straw," advises an experienced camper.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Traditional RV camping is restricted near the immediate Coplay area, with most sites being tent-only or primitive. For RV camping, Mauch Chunk Lake Park in Jim Thorpe (about 20 miles away) provides the closest developed options.
Parking considerations: When accessing primitive sites, secure parking is available at designated trailheads. "We found parking in the Southern Lot to be perfectly fine and while we were initially worried about leaving our vehicle parked there for a few nights, we were reassured by the park rangers who patrol the lot constantly," reports a visitor.
Accessibility challenges: The terrain makes many sites inaccessible to RVs. "I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven," notes a camper about accessing primitive sites in the region.
