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Best Tent Camping near Whitehall Township, PA

994 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campsites along the Appalachian Trail near Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania offer multiple primitive camping options for hikers and backpackers. The Lehigh Gap area provides several established tent-only sites including AT Overlook Campground, AT Ridge Campground, and George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter, which are accessible primarily by hiking the trail. These primitive tent camping areas are situated within 15-20 miles of Whitehall Township, providing backcountry camping opportunities with minimal amenities.

Most tent sites in this region lack basic services, requiring campers to pack in all necessary supplies including water. The primitive campsites typically feature stone fire rings, flat areas for tent placement, and little else in terms of facilities. No drinking water is available at most ridge campsites, though some locations like the George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter have a nearby spring. Sites are predominantly hike-in access only, with no vehicle access to most camping areas. The terrain varies from pine needle beds to exposed rocky areas, with sites generally accommodating 1-3 tents. A visitor commented that "sitting up on the mountain in this area is a very peaceful experience as you can hear the wind blowing through the trees while watching the ferns sway back and forth."

For tent campers seeking more amenities, Mauch Chunk Lake Park in nearby Jim Thorpe offers established tent campsites with more facilities. Sites there include picnic tables, drinking water, and access to showers and toilets. These walk-in tent sites provide a good middle ground between primitive backcountry camping and full-service campgrounds. Riverview Park Campground provides tent-only sites situated along the Lehigh River with picnic tables and fire pits, plus bathroom facilities accessible from the road. A camper wrote that "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." Most locations in the region require advance reservations, particularly during peak season from late spring through early fall.

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Best Tent Sites Near Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania (40)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Whitehall Township, PA

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Tent Camping Reviews near Whitehall Township, PA

994 Reviews of 40 Whitehall Township Campgrounds

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Washington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024

    History and Camping with Revolutionary Limits

    Washington Crossing Historic Park, straddling Pennsylvania and New Jersey along the Delaware River, is one of those rare places where you can literally camp in history. The Pennsylvania side is all about historic buildings, museums and picnic spots, while the New Jersey side (Washington Crossing State Park) offers organized group tent camping. This isn’t the place for a cushy RV getaway or individual tenters looking to sneak in for the night, but rather a structured, group-style camping steeped in Revolutionary War atmosphere. First impressions? More Boy Scout jamboree than weekend getaway, but if you’re here for camaraderie and heritage, you’ve hit the mark.

    Facilities are deliberately minimal. On the Pennsylvania side, camping is limited to a handful of Scout-designated sites with portable toilets, no running water and zero frills. Across the river in New Jersey, the official group camping area provides open tent-only sites with no hookups, no pets and strict quiet hours. Think old-school camping: fire rings, pit toilets and a heavy dose of ‘leave no trace’ ethos. Reservations are required, permits are non-negotiable and the max stay tops out at 14 nights. What you do get is a wide, peaceful forest setting with plenty of space for tents, youth groups or scout troops along with the kind of simplicity that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

    Beyond the tent pads, the surrounding parks are rich with history and outdoor options. On the Pennsylvania side, you’ll find the visitor center, historic McConkey’s Ferry Inn, Bowman’s Hill Tower, and interpretive programs that bring the Revolutionary War era to life. Picnic areas and a boat launch offer ways to enjoy the Delaware River. In New Jersey, miles of wooded trails lead you through rolling hills and historic landscapes, perfect for hiking and birdwatching. It’s a spot where history buffs, scouts and nature seekers can all find common ground.

    Insider Tips? Here’s a handful: (1) The best group sites are the ones tucked furthest from the trailhead as (surprise, surprise) they’re quieter and offer more privacy; (2) Stock up before arriving, as there are no supply stores inside the park, so head on over to nearby Weis Markets in Langhorne or ShopRite in Fairless Hills, both of which are on the PA-side; (3) Be sure to bring all your own water as none is available onsite; (4) Kayakers should launch from the Pennsylvania side’s boat access for an iconic paddle on the Delaware River; (5) Visit the park’s historic reenactments, especially the Christmas Day Crossing event as it’s easily the most memorable history lesson you’ll ever get outdoors; and (6) When you’re done camping, fuel up at It’s Nutts Restaurant on the Jersey side in Titusville for classic diner-style comfort food or Francisco’s on the River for Italian fare with Delaware River views.

    Happy Camping!

  • Ra F.
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park

    OK, but camping gets a low rating.

    The park is lovely, but the camping facilities are subpar, primitive and lack any kind of privacy. I bike toured there. The only potable water was from a near-broken water fountain at the public rest rooms and no electrical connection to recharge electronics. There was also a fair amount of road noise at night. Bathhouse OK, but just basic. Tent spots are just lined up against one another facing a service road.

  • Doug W.
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Valley View Group Campground

    Beautiful River Site

    This is a great campsite right on the river. There are 5 different sites all nicely marked out. Each has its own fire ring. There is also a central area with a big fire ring for everyone to get together. Bear boxes at each site for food storage.

  • Laure D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2020

    Locust Lake State Park Campground

    Serenity on the lakes

    Pretty campground with lots of lake views. We arrived just before dark which was good because the sites were not level front to back. Most sites had a slope but there were some level sites. You can kayak, canoe, paddle board, and fish on the lake. There are 2 boat launches. The store wasn’t much to speak of. Bath houses were clean. We walked around the lake on a paved level path. They advertise no alcohol. This is near the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine tour which we loved. It’s near the Yingling Brewery tour.

  • B
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Tohickon Valley County Park

    One stop shop for adventure!

    This place is amazing! everything you could want, from tent and RV camping to cabin rentals. They also have a pool and playground. some of my favorite parts of this park are a good 100’ rack wall perfect for climbing, great fishing, trails for miles that even connects to the AT, and when scheduled they open the dam up stream for som world class whitewater rafting.

    As for some things that aren’t listed. this is no alcohol permitted in the park due to it being a state park, however that all depends on how open you are about it and the Park rangers. Cell phone service is limited last time I was up there in 2012 only people with Verizon Wireless had any reception. Also there is no WiFi. No hookups or camp store.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 25, 2022

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Campsites Jammed Closely Together

    PROS 

    Reserved 328 days prior to arriving

    $13.50 senior discount 

    Immediately greeted by Loop C camp host who was extremely friendly and helpful 

    Site C3 parking pad level asphalt 

    Metal frame wooden picnic table that was moveable 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon our arrival 

    Some vegetation between sites provided a bit of privacy from neighbors sites 

    Park is 21 miles from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Catch National Park Service 90 minute trolley tour at the Visitor Center. 

    Shady Maple Smorgasbord...authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking…largest buffet in the USA…16 miles from French Creek SP 

    CONS

    $6.50 reservation fee for making my own on-line reservation 

    Horrible signage along PA-345. Never saw very small sign when we where intensely searching 

    Such a large overall park, but camping loop sites are jammed together

    Pitiful low water pressure  in Loop C

    Site sewer connection is high; needs to be knocked down to ground level 

    Short length of site caused creative tow vehicle parking 

    Loop C women’s toilet/shower building a big nasty mess Saturday 

    Trash dumpsters are on the main road near the campground check-in station (not walkable) 

    Noisy campground; 9pm quiet hour not enforced

    Lots of barking dogs 

    No wood sales in park 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon

  • Dwight D.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Jenny Jump State Forest

    Cute Comfortable Shelter

    This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! The "shelter" is what we would describe as a "cabin"; four walls, a roof, locking door, locking windows, large picture frame front window, four beds(two bunks), a wood burning stove, and a porch. Even compared to our glamping this was luxury!!

    There are eight shelters at Jenny Jump State Park. Shelter 2 is a minute walk from the restroom with sink/shower and water. Shelters 7 & 8 are even closer while 4 & 5 are the furthest, may an extra 5 minutes walk? The dead end means there isn't too much traffic, though the road is right there so you can wave to the other campers heading to the restroom or for hikes. There is a trail head at one of the parking lots. During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road. We got to see their dogs, so that was a bonus for us! Otherwise, this shelter is not situated too close to the other shelters and feels very private.

    We brought battery-powered lights since there is no electricity. There were coat hooks and a built-in shelf for our snacks, games, and other supplies. There was a picnic table and benches inside. We brought camping chairs for relaxing on the porch. We spent most of our time on the porch; cooking, chatting, and crafting while enjoying the sunshine and breeze.

    Oh, this shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not.

  • D
    Jul. 5, 2020

    Tobyhanna State Park Campground

    Good campground for families.

    My dog and I stayed for 2 nights in the rustic tenting area. We were the only campers Wednesday & Thursday. The family camp area features spaces (small areas for either RV campers or tents and cars) with a picnic table and fire ring and water (some have electricity). They also have shared facilities such as bathrooms and showers. However, they seemed a little too cramped fir me and I wasn’t looking for opportunities to socialize, so the remote tent site was my choice. The tent sites do not have water or electric, but do have picnic tables, a fire ring and share one large outhouse with clean pit toilets. There are 5 sites and they can accommodate (shared) multiple tent set ups. Also you need to park your vehicle in a designated lot which is very close to the sites. There are multiple easy hiking and biking trails that are well marked. A lake for fishing and a small sandy beach with a picnic area for families (unfortunately no dogs are allowed on the beach). There are 2 boat launch areas (one for the campers, and another for gen. public) which also has a boat rental business (dogs are allowed). There are black bears in the park so do not leave food out and dispose of all trash in the appropriate dumpsters.

  • Angel A.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Lower Lake Campground Northwoods Area — Promised Land State Park

    Northwoods Campground

    Big sites with 30 amp service available for RVs and trailers. Each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with an adjustable grate. The pull-through sites don’t offer much in the way of privacy, but that’s the trade off for convenience. There are two potable water spigots in the campground. The bathhouse offers warm showers, 2 dishwashing sinks, and a coin-operated washer and dryer. The facilities are kept very clean. On the weekends it can get pretty crowded, so it tends to be louder at night then, but the camp hosts and the rangers do a good job of enforcing quiet hours. Access points to several trails are very near the campground. As with all PA state parks, alcohol is prohibited. The park doesn’t have a camp store, however, there is a small general store on Route 390 (The Lake Store) just north of the park that would have any essentials you may have forgotten, as well as ice for your cooler.

Guide to Whitehall Township

Tent camping near Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania offers access to several primitive sites along the Appalachian Trail (AT) between elevations of 800-1,500 feet. This section of the trail traverses the rocky terrain of Blue Mountain Ridge, with campsites often situated on exposed ridgelines or protected pine forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F during hiking season, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

What to do

Kayaking on Mauch Chunk Lake: The 330-acre lake at Mauch Chunk Lake Park provides excellent paddling opportunities with rentals available on-site. One visitor noted, "I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear."

Prepare for Lehigh Gap hike: Camp at the AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap before tackling the challenging rocky climb. A camper shared, "Camped here the night before doing Lehigh Gap, it was less than a mile from the parking at Blue Mountain Rd. (Official A.T. parking)."

Wildlife observation: Early morning and evening hours are prime times for spotting local wildlife on the ridge trails. A hiker at AT Overlook Campground recounted, "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

Pine needle camping surfaces: Many AT campers appreciate the natural cushioning at certain sites. A camper at Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite described, "A very large flat site with plenty of clear spots for multiple tents. This would work well for a large group."

River access for early water activities: Proximity to water sports launch points is highly valued. One visitor to Riverview Park Campground explained, "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."

Protective forest canopy: Several campsites offer sheltered spots during inclement weather. At AT/Bypass Trail Split Primitive Campground, a hiker noted the site is "shortly before you get to the AT shelter if you are headed north. It would work well if you are tent camping on the AT but want to be near the shelter."

What you should know

Limited marking on some sites: Trail sites can be difficult to locate in dense summer foliage. A camper at George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter commented, "If you are planning on tent camping there isn't really any flat area to set up around the shelter so you might want to keep moving to one of the next sites."

Advance reservations required for developed sites: Most established campgrounds near Whitehall Township fill quickly during peak season (May-October). A visitor to Green Lane Park advised, "Rangers will pass by and check that everyone is in the correct sites but that's about it."

Seasonal conditions affect site quality: Wet periods can impact tent placement options. One camper observed, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Pack in extra water for ridge sites: No reliable water sources exist on many sections of the ridge near Whitehall Township. A hiker noted, "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."

Consider partially developed campgrounds: For families new to tent camping near Whitehall Township, transitional options exist. As one camper at Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park explained, "Green Lane is a beautiful park with a small campground. The spaces are right on top of each other with no tree cover between spots, so you'll definitely be right up on your neighbors."

Plan for wildlife encounters: Teach children proper food storage and wildlife safety before your trip. A visitor mentioned, "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."

Tips from RVers

Tent-only restrictions: Most primitive sites along the AT near Whitehall Township cannot accommodate RVs of any size due to trail access limitations and site design. The closest RV options require driving to more developed facilities like Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

Seasonal site limitations: RV camping options near Whitehall Township Pennsylvania are predominantly available from April through October. One camper noted, "The campground is as basic as they get. Sites are close to each other with absolutely no privacy."

Water and power planning: Pack additional water containers and portable power solutions for tent camping that transitions from RVs. A visitor recommended, "The only potable water was from a near-broken water fountain at the public rest rooms and no electrical connection to recharge electronics."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Whitehall Township, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Whitehall Township, PA is AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Whitehall Township, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 40 tent camping locations near Whitehall Township, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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