Stephen R.
Guide
GuideRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
Tent Camping near Pottsville, PA
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The Appalachian ridgelines and forested valleys surrounding Pottsville, Pennsylvania offer several tent camping options within a 30-mile radius, ranging from backcountry Appalachian Trail sites to developed lakeside tent campsites. Tent-only sites at Riverview Park Campground provide riverside camping with basic amenities, while primitive tent camping is available along the Appalachian Trail near Lehigh Gap. Mauch Chunk Lake Park in Jim Thorpe features lakeside tent campsites with more developed facilities, including drinking water and showers. Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers walk-in tent sites along a creek, providing a more secluded experience for tent campers seeking natural surroundings.
Most primitive tent sites require campers to pack in their own water and supplies. The AT Ridge Campground and AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap are accessible only by hiking in, with no facilities beyond stone fire rings. Ground conditions at these backcountry tent sites can be rocky or boggy after rain, making a ground tarp essential for comfortable tent camping. Established campgrounds like Mauch Chunk Lake Park provide flat tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings, but sites may have exposed tree roots and rocks that require extra padding for tent floors. Reservations are recommended for most developed tent campgrounds, while primitive sites along the AT operate on a first-come basis.
Tent campers seeking solitude should consider the backcountry sites along the Appalachian Trail. According to one visitor, the AT Ridge Campground offers "excellent spots to set up a tent if you plan on camping up on the ridge," with stone fire rings and space for multiple tents. For those preferring water access, Riverview Park Campground provides tent-only sites along the Lehigh River with picnic benches and fire pits. A camper noted that Mauch Chunk Lake Park has "many sites right along the lake edge, some very large," though they recommended "extra padding for tenters" due to exposed roots and rocks. Summer weekends at established tent campgrounds can become crowded and noisy, while spring and fall offer more peaceful primitive tent camping experiences with fewer neighbors.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Pottsville (25)
1. 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
2. Shambala at Mystic Hollow
"Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers great creekside campsites for anyone looking to pitch a tent and enjoy some time by the water. Check them out and share your experience on the Dyrt!"
Check Availabilityfrom $40 / night
3. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
4. 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."
5. Shikellamy State Park Campground
"Had a great time walking the trails and enjoying a picnic at the cliff-side pavilion."
6. 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."
7. Rolling Hills Retreats
"Her boyfriend and I wanted to plan an outdoor camping trip but we’re completely over having no privacy, worrying about my reactive dog, feeling like we had to follow ridiculous rules when going camping"
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
from $160 - $380 / night
8. Riverview Park Campground
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $30 / night
9. AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap
"This site is really 2 separate sites that are a short ways apart along the trail. They are both excellent spots to set up a tent if you plan on camping up on the ridge."
10. Scrub Mountain Retreat
from $30 - $35 / night
Drive Time
- 43 min from Reading, PA
- 46 min from Lebanon, PA
- 52 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 12 min from Lancaster, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Pottsville, PA
38 Photos of 25 Pottsville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Pottsville, PA
923 Reviews of 25 Pottsville Campgrounds
- ssorcha A.
TravelerShady Oak Campground
Easy access to Lancaster and Pennsylvania Dutch areas. Friendly, welcoming staff and plenty of colorful trees in the autumn. The only RV park in the area that is open year round.
- RRussell A.
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!
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.
Peggy C.TravelerCountry Acres Campground
Lovely campground!
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
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!
Troy P.TravelerShikellamy State Park Campground
meh
i mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
- LLynn C.Scout
Old Mill Stream Campground
Never Again
The advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
Guide to Pottsville
Tent camping near Pottsville, Pennsylvania ranges from backcountry Appalachian Trail sites to lake and riverside camping facilities. The region features elevations between 400-1,600 feet with forested ridges dominating the landscape. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping brings cooler nights and occasional frost, requiring adequate sleeping gear.
What to do
Water activities: kayaking and swimming: Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers a designated swimming area with a beach and equipment rentals. One camper shared, "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!" while another noted, "I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear."
Rafting adventures: 10-minute drive: Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center combines camping with river expeditions on the Lehigh. A visitor commented, "Rafting on the Lehigh with whitewater challengers was amazing," making it ideal for groups wanting organized outdoor activities.
Biking access: paved trail adjacent: The D&L Trail runs alongside Riverview Park Campground, following an old railroad bed. A camper mentioned, "The park itself is located along the D&L biking trail that is on the bed of an old railroad," providing convenient trail access directly from camp.
What campers like
Flat camping surfaces: tent-friendly: Many sites at Mauch Chunk Lake Park feature level areas ideal for setting up tents. A reviewer mentioned, "It has flat tent spaces, generally clean bathrooms, and access to tons of things to do on the campground and nearby."
Secluded options: escape crowds: AT Overlook Campground offers primitive sites away from developed campgrounds. A hiker reported, "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."
Group accommodations: spacious sites: The pine forest at AT Group Campsite makes an ideal spot for larger parties. According to one camper, "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."
What you should know
Campsite conditions: variable terrain: Some Mauch Chunk Lake sites have natural obstacles. One camper advised, "Many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters."
Noise levels: weekend congestion: Summer weekends can be loud at popular spots. A visitor to Mauch Chunk Lake Park noted, "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."
Water access: plan ahead: Backcountry sites require carrying water. For AT Overlook Campground, a hiker warned, "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: good for first-timers: Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers 15 creekside sites with basic amenities. One visitor noted, "Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers great creekside campsites for anyone looking to pitch a tent and enjoy some time by the water."
Entertainment options: on-site activities: Mauch Chunk Lake Park provides multiple recreation choices. A camper shared, "Volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals. Also a lot to do in the nearby town."
Quieter times: weekday visits: For peaceful family camping near Pottsville, schedule midweek trips. One Mauch Chunk visitor contrasted experiences: "If you go during the week, it's quite calm," suggesting families avoid summer weekends for more relaxed experiences.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: prepare for basics: Most campgrounds within 30 miles of Pottsville offer minimal services for RVs. Rolling Hills Retreats focuses more on tent and glamping accommodations, with one visitor appreciating the privacy: "We are so thankful for the host as he was very accommodating but also gave us privacy."
Private alternatives: secluded options: For RVers seeking separation from typical campground crowds, several private properties offer alternatives to established parks. A visitor to Rolling Hills Retreats noted, "We were able to ground our energy from the earth which is hard to do in a concrete city and really just enjoy one another's company."
Reservation requirements: book ahead: Most sites with RV accommodations require advance planning. Riverview Park Campground warns visitors about spontaneous arrivals: "They will charge you an additional $10 if you show up without planning."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find tent camping near Pottsville?
Where can I find tent camping near Pottsville?
Several tent camping options exist within driving distance of Pottsville. Hibernia County Park offers primitive tent camping with two loops (Lake Loop and Fiddler's Loop) that operate on a first-come, first-served basis. For Appalachian Trail enthusiasts, AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap provides spectacular valley views with flat, dry tent sites and a stone fire ring. Both locations are affordable options for tent campers looking to enjoy Pennsylvania's natural beauty without traveling too far from Pottsville.
What amenities are available at Pottsville tent camping sites?
What amenities are available at Pottsville tent camping sites?
Tent camping sites near Pottsville typically offer basic amenities. At Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park, you'll find fire rings, though they have raised grates that can consume wood quickly. The campground provides potable water from public restrooms, but lacks electrical hookups. More facilities are available at Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center, which includes reservable sites with water access and toilet facilities. Most local campgrounds provide picnic tables and fire rings as standard, with varying levels of access to drinking water, restrooms, and shower facilities.
Are there luxury tent camping options near Pottsville?
Are there luxury tent camping options near Pottsville?
True luxury glamping options are limited near Pottsville, but some campgrounds offer more comfortable experiences than primitive sites. Scrub Mountain Retreat provides a more secluded experience with drive-in or walk-in access, reservable sites, and water and toilet facilities that elevate the camping experience. Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers additional amenities that make for a more comfortable stay than traditional primitive camping. For a truly luxurious experience, you may need to venture farther from Pottsville to find glamping sites with platform tents, electricity, and full facilities.
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