209 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds for various types of camping can be found in multiple areas near Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area spans both Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the Delaware River, offering riverside camping at sites like Worthington State Forest Campground and Dingmans Campground. Visitors will find tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations at private campgrounds such as Mountain Vista Campground and Camp Taylor Campground. The region also features unique boat-in camping options on islands like Namanock Island, accessible only by canoe or kayak. According to The Dyrt reviews, many campers appreciate the proximity to hiking trails, including direct access to the Appalachian Trail from several campgrounds.
Camping limits and land use rules vary by agency throughout the Delaware Water Gap region. The National Park Service maintains primitive river campsites that are first-come, first-served with specific regulations about length of stay. One camper noted, "This site is only accessible by canoes or kayaks. There is no public road access to the campsite. People found camping at this site that are not on a river trip or camped at the site for longer than one day can expect to receive hefty fines from the NPS." Most developed campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from April through October, though some like Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA remain open year-round. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with spring bringing higher water levels on the Delaware River, affecting boat-in camping accessibility. Cell service is limited in many areas, particularly at primitive sites.
Several visitors mentioned shoreline views and water access as key highlights of camping in this region. The riverside tent sites at Worthington State Forest receive consistently positive reviews for their spaciousness and river views. One reviewer shared, "Every time we've camped here we have had an amazing view of the Delaware River to wake up to." Island camping on Namanock Island provides a unique experience of solitude, with campers reporting, "Once night falls the absence of light sources beyond your camp remind you that you are truly alone in the wilderness." Proximity to natural features like waterfalls is another common highlight, with Raymondskill Falls, Dingmans Falls, and Silverthread Falls all within hiking distance of various campsites. Wildlife sightings, including black bears, are common throughout the area, making proper food storage essential at all camping locations.
"I take quite a few trips to the Delaware Water Gap and the campground at Worthington State Forest is by far the best."
"The tent camping area was right along the river, some sites with direct access, some you'd have to walk a little more to the larger access areas."
"Camp Taylor Campground is located on the Delaware Water Gap Mtn. There are miles of hiking trails and direct access to the Appalachian Tr."
"There was also a lake with a swimming beach, but we did not partake this trip. We did some fantastic hiking here. One day we headed up past the wolf preserve to the Wildlife Lake."
from $33 - $42 / night
Check Availability"And had (socially distanced) trick or treating for kids! We took a little trip to the Delaware water gap for some hiking. Already booked the site for next year!!"
"Facilities were neat & clean, and there was a covered verandah with string lights, chairs & picnic tables outside the bathroom area."
"Delaware Water Gap was a massive campground that was incredibly well kept and had spaces for both RVs and primitive camping."
"We wish there was easier access to bike and hike trails so we didn't have to drive to a location but overall a comfortable and positive experience."
from $45 - $250 / night
Check Availability"Driftstone is set on a beautiful location on the Delaware River. River Road on which it is located, is picturesque and quiet enough to run, walk or bike on."
"Driftstone is a gem of a campground at a great location on the Delaware. Easy access to Delaware Gap Recreation Area. Sites are pretty spacious with water and electric hookups."
from $64 - $74 / night
Check Availability"PRO's: Dog Friendly (we had 2 dogs and there was no charge), firewood and ice available, small store with essentials, pay per person with no limit to # people, quiet, shaded, close to DeWG Con's: small"
"A shady spot with a creek nearby and good cell service. They have a pool. The surrounding area/town is really nice."
from $44 - $72 / night
Check Availability"Close proximity to good hiking and kayaking at Delaware Water Gap but without the crowds of their sites."
"The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean."
"The campsite is beautiful and lovely to walk around, the outside campground cats are the best part though ❣️"
"Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity."
"We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven!"
"There is a steam and some wet areas behind the row of sites we were in. I would probably avoid this section in the summer as the bugs will be bad."
"Only complaint is we got a site next to a seasonal camper who did no maintenance at all. Other than that it was pretty cool."
GuideThis 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.
LegendThere's something wonderfully special about escaping into nature where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birds singing and the gentle movement of water along the shoreline. Nestled among the wooded hills surrounding the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir, this rustic SP campground offers families a chance to disconnect from everyday distractions and enjoy a little wilderness adventure together. Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light. Once you've arrived, you'll find secluded, wooded campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, but the beautiful reservoir, scenic hiking trails, fishing and kayaking opportunities more than make up for the lack of modern conveniences. Our kids loved exploring the woods, spotting wildlife and gathering around a crackling campfire at night to share stories beneath the stars. For families comfortable with the hike, I'd recommend choosing one of the campsites along the reservoir shoreline for the lovely water views and peaceful surroundings. Just remember that swimming is limited to the park's designated beach area. Round Valley isn't your typical family campground, but for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping under the stars and making wonderful memories together, it's a beautiful place to experience nature at its finest!
Travelersolid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
RangerI'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
ScoutPast reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
RangerWe stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
RangerGorgeous 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!
GuideBooked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
GuideI got there late in the afternoon and the place remained busy with people coming and going until well after dark. By 10, it finally settled down and no one bothered me the rest of the night.
Camping spots near Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania range from open meadows to dense forest settings, with elevations varying from 300 to 1,500 feet throughout the region. Most campgrounds in this area open from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and 55-65°F at night. Fall camping is popular for leaf viewing with cooler temperatures requiring warmer sleeping bags.
Hiking to mountain summits: Jenny Jump State Forest connects directly to several trails with varying difficulty levels. "We enjoyed seeing the wolves-- it was really neat and definitely a draw to the area (you can hike from the campsite to the preserve)," notes Molly G. about Worthington State Forest Campground.
Wolf sanctuary visits: Camp Taylor Campground offers a unique wildlife experience. "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite. Hiked to Mt. Tammany from the campsite for the best view in NJ (9 miles round trip)," shares Dina S. from Camp Taylor Campground.
Paddle sports on small lakes: Many campgrounds offer on-site paddling options beyond the Delaware River. "Small swimming pond with paddleboat and kayak rentals. Clean Bathrooms. We walked to the point at Mt Tammany for a great view of the river," mentions Jean T. about Camp Taylor Campground.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Designated fishing areas provide opportunities for novice anglers. "Large dog park. Love the Campground except our site is near a fairly busy road which takes away from that beautiful tranquility. Lots to do. Pool, tennis. Sauna, pond for fishing (catch & release)," reports Joyce B. about Timothy Lake South.
Secluded tent sites: Some campgrounds offer tent-specific areas with more privacy. "The camp sites are nicely laid out to ensure privacy. This park is high up on a mountain and affords lovely views. Well kept and clean," explains Jocelyn G. about Jenny Jump State Forest.
River access for boating: Direct water access makes paddling convenient. "Our campsite was located along the Delaware river with a short walk down to be able to launch our canoe and kayak. With the exception of a few noisy campers up from us it was an enjoyable time," notes Mitchell E. of Worthington State Forest.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds schedule weekly events. "Otter Lake has every amenity imaginable super clean swimming beach beautiful lake with boat rentals available. Tons of activities for kids and adults. Indoor pool with 2 hot tubs even a dry sauna," reports Erik M. from Otter Lake Camp Resort.
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "Driftstone is a gem of a campground at a great location on the Delaware. Easy access to Delaware Gap Recreation Area. The bathrooms are super clean and had the nicest showers I have ever seen at a campground," shares Elke P. from Driftstone Campground.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies widely throughout the gap region. "Camp is nice, sites are long but narrow. Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi. Cell service is ok. Verizon is 25 down 10 up. Tmobile is unusable," warns Don C. about Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South.
Noise considerations: Highway sounds reach some campgrounds. "My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night," mentions Jocelyn G. about Jenny Jump State Forest.
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation between sites. "Sites were small and right on top of each other. The whole campgrounds were smaller than the map lead me to believe. Also, the creek on the map is 4' wide with stagnant water so no swimming or fishing," cautions Stephanie C. about Delaware Water Gap KOA.
Seasonal crowds: Summer weekends can be busy. "It's a nice spot if you have kids because they have many different activities (pool/arcade games/movie nights/ and more)," notes Kylie R. about Timothy Lake South.
Evening activity restrictions: Check quiet hour and common area policies. "Security was so annoying about riding bikes after a certain time... we were actually told we couldn't play bingo because we wouldn't be done before it started to get dark," warns Nicole S. from Mountain Vista Campground.
Playground access: Look for sites near play areas. "Our camp site was great (52), backed onto a wooded area and a big playground was directly in front of us, which worked out perfectly since we have school age kids," shares Penny C. about Delaware Water Gap KOA.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds have pools, but some offer natural swimming. "The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in. The bathrooms/showers are clean and well maintained. The small mini-golf course is a fun distraction for a bit," says Kathy G. about Camp Taylor Campground.
Camp store supplies: On-site stores vary in selection. "The store is cute and has just about anything that you need," adds Kathy G. about Camp Taylor, while another camper notes, "Only bad thing is their general store is more of a gift shop and does not really cater to the needs of a camper."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra equipment. "We were in site A22 and loved it. We took a little trip to the Delaware water gap for some hiking. Already booked the site for next year!!" shares Angela from Mountain Vista Campground.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer sewer hookups. "The sites are all large, and easy to get in and out of. Sites include water, electric and cable. There is an inexpensive pump out service available daily," notes Kathy G. about Driftstone Campground.
Arrival route planning: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "PLEASE NOTE: if you are towing or have a motorhome, make sure you follow the directions on the website. Coming in from the wrong road could lead you to a hairpin turn and steep hill," cautions Jim G. about Driftstone Campground.
Winter camping options: Limited campgrounds remain open year-round. "We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven! The other campers are friendly and welcoming, the views are breathtaking," shares Melody about Otter Lake Camp Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Delaware Water Gap, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Delaware Water Gap, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 209 campgrounds and RV parks near Delaware Water Gap, PA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Delaware Water Gap, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Delaware Water Gap, PA is Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Delaware Water Gap, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Delaware Water Gap, PA.
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