R
Russell A.
Scout
Scout100 Mile View Camping
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
Tent Camping near Dallas, PA
4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent campsites near Dallas, Pennsylvania offer a mix of established state forest sites and primitive backcountry options. Manny Gordon Recreation Area in Pinchot State Forest provides tent-friendly sites with fire rings and picnic tables within a 25-minute drive. Other options include Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center, which features tent camping with amenities like drinking water, showers, and firewood sales, particularly popular during rafting season.
Most walk-in tent sites in the region have basic amenities but require campers to bring their own water filtration systems when away from developed areas. Sites may be set on dirt, pine needle beds, or rocky terrain with minimal grading, particularly in the higher elevation areas. Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers more developed tent camping with electric hookups and drinking water, while primitive tent locations often feature stone fire rings and flat areas for tent placement. Several reviews mention "packed fire pits with leftover firewood" at less maintained sites. Seasonal weather patterns affect accessibility, with some tent areas becoming muddy after rainfall.
Backcountry tent camping experiences vary considerably across the region. One camper described their experience at Oh! Pear Orchards as "spacious sites next to a beautiful stream with the best fire pits, quiet and peaceful with just enough shade to stay cool." Walk-in tent locations typically provide more seclusion than drive-in sites, with pine forest sites offering natural padding from fallen needles. Sites along waterways like the Lehigh River and Susquehanna provide tent campers with fishing opportunities and scenic views. Areas along the Appalachian Trail feature primitive tent sites with stone fire rings that accommodate small groups. During summer weekends, established campgrounds can become crowded, while the more primitive walk-in tent sites maintain their tranquility even at peak times.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Dallas (25)
1. Manny Gordon Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest
"Very open, plenty of space. most campgrounds have previously stocked wood from other people, makes setting up very convenient. lots of ticks tho so get your spray"
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
2. Half Baked Homestead
3. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
4. Mauch Chunk Lake Park
"Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone."
"Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
5. Scrub Mountain Retreat
from $30 - $35 / night
6. Oh! Pear Orchards
"Campsites next to a beautiful stream, the best fire pits, quiet and peaceful, just enough shade to stay cool, magical setting, firewood easily accessible, close to state parks and lots of wide, open undeveloped"
"We're excited to have this property on our platform. This listing has peaceful tent sites located against the creek."
Check AvailabilityAvailable this weekend
from $45 / night
7. Hillside Campgrounds
8. AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap
"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."
9. Riverside Acres Campground
"Good tentable spaces on river. Second row has water/electric, shade trees and lawn frontage. Pavilion has tables, a braizer, and one electric outlet. Lawn big enough to play your sport."
Check Availabilityfrom $22 - $35 / night
10. AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap
"The only downside was my sleeping pad sprung a leak, so it wasn't the best night's sleep. But the site itself was great and I would camp there again."
"A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."
Drive Time
- 24 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr 7 min from Williamsport, PA
- 1 hr 13 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 19 min from Binghamton, NY
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Dallas, PA
38 Photos of 25 Dallas Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Scrub Mountain Retreat
Mauch Chunk Lake Park
Oh! Pear Orchards
Hillside Campgrounds
BMR Operations, LLC dba Blue Mountain Resort By: BM Resort Management, LLC its Authorized Agent
Second District Brew FarmS
Private Campsite on 50 AcresC
Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Tent Camping Reviews near Dallas, PA
729 Reviews of 25 Dallas Campgrounds
Nancy W.
LegendHickory Run State Park Campground
Peaceful State Park Camping in the Fall
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
Tony F.
Guide100 Mile View Camping
The best views
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Beautiful Falls!
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
- WWill W.Guide
Lackawanna State Park Campground
Car camping
Stayed October 14 without reservations because website showed lots of availability. Office was closed (M-F 8-4) so submitted honor system envelope with cash and stayed at Site 041 on Carpenter loop. Shower building was a short walk and was spacious enough. Water temp didn’t quite reach hot but was warm enough.
Electric kept on tripping breaker.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Council Cup Campground
Better than nothing
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
Daniel C.ScoutHillside Campgrounds
Stay away... Unless you like 70 y/o men acting like high schoolers
This clothing-optional campground has a highly toxic, intrusive, and vindictive environment. During my stay, the seasonal permanent residents('perms') subjected me to intense harassment, inappropriate sexual advances, and severe social retaliation/rumor-spreading when those advances were rejected. The situation escalated to the point where an employee had to intervene for my safety. Furthermore, despite management allowing my photo to be taken in costume at a party, I was intentionally blocked from the community group where the photos were posted, leaving me unable to monitor how my image was being used. Avoid this place if you value your privacy, personal boundaries, and safety.
Kathy L.
RangerHickory Run State Park Campground
Beautiful forest
Gorgeous forested area in the Poconos. We stayed on the Rattlesnake Loop which was lovely. Sites not super private but most nestled in trees. The only bummer was that that Campground Loop didn’t have any direct links to the trail network and was far from it. The other Campground Loop was closer to trails and office. Would return!
- NNick H.Scout
Indian Head Campground
Newbie here
Was my first ever camping trip with a travel trailer. Site was very clean and well maintained and staff was friendly and great to deal with. Pull through sites (section K) was a little tight - maybe that’s the norm, don’t have anything to compare to but some awnings were near the neighboring camper. Overall, awesome experience.
Guide to Dallas
Tent campsites near Dallas, Pennsylvania range from primitive backcountry sites to more developed camping areas with basic amenities. The region sits within the Pocono Mountains and features wooded terrain with elevation ranging from 1,000 to 2,300 feet. Seasonal temperature swings affect camping conditions, with summer highs averaging 82°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing.
What to do
Paddle boarding on clear waters: Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers direct water access for paddlers. A camper notes, "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm. You are in beautiful Jim Thorpe that has white water rafting in town, plus great restaurants and bars. I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear."
Kayaking with sunrise views: Mauch Chunk Lake Park provides kayak rentals and early morning water access. One visitor shared their experience: "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 on the Lehigh river 10 minutes away."
Hiking with wildlife sightings: The AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap provides direct trail access with elevation changes of 800+ feet. A hiker reported, "When I was up here I came across a flock of wild turkeys who thoroughly scared me when they flew off. I was already on edge since there are several signs warning of high bear activity."
What campers like
Stone fire rings and site preparation: Primitive tent sites often feature well-constructed fire rings. A camper at AT Overlook Campground shared, "Previous campers have also been kind enough to build up a sizable stone fire ring and construct a stone chair for enjoying the fire and view."
Streamside camping settings: Oh! Pear Orchards offers tent sites alongside running water. One visitor mentioned, "This is a special place! Campsites next to a beautiful stream, the best fire pits, quiet and peaceful, just enough shade to stay cool, magical setting, firewood easily accessible, close to state parks and lots of wide, open undeveloped space."
Weekend events and activities: Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center hosts seasonal gatherings for campers. A visitor noted, "Stayed here for Riverfest and it was great. Bands throughout the night with beer and food. Nice showers."
What you should know
Campground noise levels vary: Some campgrounds can get noisy, particularly on weekends. A Mauch Chunk Lake Park visitor cautioned, "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."
Fire pit conditions: Fire rings at less maintained sites may require cleaning before use. A camper noted about Manny Gordon Recreation Area, "Very open, plenty of space. most campgrounds have previously stocked wood from other people, makes setting up very convenient. lots of ticks tho so get your spray."
Tent site terrain varies: Many tent sites have uneven ground or natural obstacles. One Mauch Chunk visitor warned, "Many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Look for established campgrounds with amenities for first-time campers. A visitor recommended, "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."
Activity planning for kids: Riverside Acres Campground provides open space for recreation. A camper mentioned, "Pavilion has tables, a braizer, and one electric outlet. Lawn big enough to play your sport."
Beach access for swimming: Some campgrounds offer water recreation suitable for families. A visitor reported, "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for comfort: When booking tent sites, consider proximity to facilities. One camper advised, "Inland row has sewer hook ups and the bath house. Facility is an effective combination of old and new, and hot water is plentiful."
Walk-in accessibility: For tent campers at Oh! Pear Orchards, equipment transportation is simplified. A visitor explained, "It is a short walk in to the sites, but there is a cart provided which made it pretty easy. The hosts also offer valet service to your site, though we did not need that with the cart."
Weather impact awareness: Spring and fall visitors should prepare for temperature fluctuations. Sites closer to waterways may experience morning fog and higher humidity levels, requiring waterproof tent placement and proper ventilation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Dallas, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dallas, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dallas, PA is Manny Gordon Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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tent camping near
Dallas, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Dallas, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Dallas, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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