Best Dispersed Camping near Erwinna, PA

Dispersed camping near Erwinna, Pennsylvania concentrates around several Appalachian Trail sites and trailheads in the surrounding region. The area features primitive backcountry camping options primarily in Pennsylvania and nearby New Jersey, with designated hiker sites along the Appalachian Trail. Thunder Swamp Trailhead and Bake Oven Knob provide access points for overnight stays, while the Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 in nearby New Jersey serves as a formal but primitive camping area for through-hikers.

Access varies significantly between sites, with some requiring hike-in or walk-in approaches and others permitting drive-in access. Most areas prohibit fires, alcohol, and have no amenities such as toilets, trash service, or drinking water. The Thunder Swamp Trailhead requires permits for overnight stays. Campers should prepare for self-sufficient camping with no water sources at most locations, especially at the Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker site where "there's no water nearby," according to visitor feedback. High clearance vehicles may be necessary for accessing some trailheads.

The primitive camping experience in this region centers around hiking opportunities along the Appalachian Trail corridor and surrounding wilderness. The Bake Oven Knob area provides both overnight parking options and hiking access. A visitor noted, "This spot is both part of the Appalachian Trail and a day hiking area for the Bake Oven Knob, which is a high point on the Blue Mountain ridge." At Thunder Swamp, overnight parking in the gravel lot appears tolerated, with one camper reporting "plenty of shade" and that "no one bothered me." Campers at the designated Appalachian Trail site praise the balance of "community and space" despite the lack of water, which requires preparation. Bear boxes are provided at some sites, indicating wildlife activity in the region.