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 Hazleton, PA
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Several tent campgrounds dot the terrain near Hazleton, Pennsylvania, particularly along ridgelines and waterways. Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers tent campsites in a wooded setting with lake access, while multiple primitive tent sites can be found along the Appalachian Trail near Lehigh Gap. The Lehigh River corridor provides additional options for tent campers seeking sites with water access, including Riverview Park Campground which features designated tent-only areas.
Most primitive tent sites require hikers to pack in their own water, especially along the Appalachian Trail ridge where no water sources exist at the campsites themselves. Walk-in tent sites typically feature stone fire rings and cleared areas for tent placement, though many have uneven ground with rocks and tree roots that may require careful tent positioning. The AT Ridge Campground and AT Overlook sites near Lehigh Gap offer free primitive camping with fire rings but no amenities such as picnic tables, drinking water, or toilet facilities. Sites along the river at Riverview Park provide more developed infrastructure with picnic tables, trash collection, and toilet facilities for tent campers.
The tent camping experience varies significantly depending on location, with ridge sites offering expansive views and river sites providing water access. Tent campers at AT Ridge Campground enjoy camping amid fern fields with views from both sides of the ridge, while sites along the Lehigh River offer convenient water access for paddlers. Pine forest areas near Lehigh Gap provide natural padding and weather protection for tent campers. A camper described the AT Ridge site as "a very peaceful experience as you can hear the wind blowing through the trees while watching the ferns sway back and forth." Tent sites at Riverview Park Campground are positioned directly along the Lehigh River, making them ideal for paddlers looking to camp before or after river adventures.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Hazleton (23)
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. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
3. Scrub Mountain Retreat
from $30 - $35 / 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. 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."
6. 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
7. 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."
8. George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter
"A single-level open-sided AT shelter near the Lehigh Gap trailhead. The shelter itself is well maintained and has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers."
9. Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite (group)
"This site appears to be well-used and has several established areas for sitting and setting up a fire."
10. AT/Bypass Trail Split Primitive Campground
Drive Time
- 42 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 7 min from Reading, PA
- 1 hr 9 min from Lebanon, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hazleton, PA
46 Photos of 23 Hazleton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
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Mauch Chunk Lake Park
Scrub Mountain Retreat
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Tent Camping Reviews near Hazleton, PA
950 Reviews of 23 Hazleton 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.
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
- 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.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Echo Valley Campground
Big sites with lots of trees
We only spent the night and didn't look at the amenities. The manager was very friendly and accommodating.
Thomas B.
RangerTohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We 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.
Guide to Hazleton
Tent campsites near Hazleton, Pennsylvania range from waterfront sites along the Lehigh River to primitive backcountry spots on the Appalachian Trail ridge. Elevations vary from 500 feet in the river valleys to over 1,500 feet along mountain ridges. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during day with 60°F nights, while spring and fall camping seasons experience temperature swings of 30-40°F between day and night.
What to do
Water activities at Mauch Chunk Lake: The 330-acre lake provides opportunities for swimming at the beach area and paddling. "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!" notes Annette M. Rental equipment is available directly at the lake.
Rafting adventures: Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center offers guided rafting trips on the Lehigh River from April through October. "Rafting on the Lehigh with whitewater challengers was amazing," shares Katie S., who adds that the campground has a social atmosphere with "a movie shown at night, as well as music played late into the night."
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Multiple primitive campsites provide direct access to the AT near Lehigh Gap. From AT Overlook Campground, hikers can access miles of ridge trails with valley views. Asher K. reports encountering "a flock of wild turkeys" and notes there are "several signs warning of high bear activity" in the area.
What campers like
Privacy levels vary significantly: At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, Amber M. notes sites are "very wooded and quiet at night" with "plenty of space away from neighbors." However, another camper reports, "The campsites are too close to each other and we were surrounded by very loud campers."
Natural padding at pine forest sites: The AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap offers comfort through natural features. "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area," according to Asher K., who appreciates that "the pine trees also provide a nice cover to make this a well-protected site in case of bad weather."
Riverside camping access: Riverview Park Campground sites are positioned directly on the water's edge. "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," says Asher K., mentioning that "the sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit."
What you should know
Site reservations and fees: Many campgrounds require advance booking. At Riverview Park, Asher K. warns that they "will charge you an additional $10 if you show up without planning." For Appalachian Trail sites, most are free but have no amenities.
Water availability varies dramatically: No water sources exist directly on the AT ridge sites. For AT Group Campsite, Asher advises "make sure to fill up before coming up the mountain." The George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter does have "a spring nearby for filling up water."
Ground conditions at established sites: Many tent pads have challenges. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, Amber M. notes "many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters." Sites may become muddy after rain, with Asher K. noting the Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite was "less muddy than some of the other options."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly option: Mauch Chunk Lake Park suits first-time campers. Mackenzie B. says, "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."
Consider noise levels: Some established campgrounds can be loud. At Mauch Chunk Lake, one reviewer called it "the LOUDEST campground I have ever been to," noting "quiet hours were not enforced." Choose weekday stays for a quieter experience.
Recreational options for kids: First-time camper Danny M. found "a lot to do" at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, including "volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options in the area: Most backcountry and primitive sites near Hazleton only accommodate tent camping. For RVers, Mauch Chunk Lake Park does offer developed sites with electric hookups and water access, though no sewer connections at campsites.
Challenging terrain for large rigs: While Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center indicates they're big-rig friendly, most campgrounds in the Hazleton region have limited turning radius and narrow access roads. Tent camping is the predominant accommodation type in the area's natural settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Hazleton, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hazleton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hazleton, PA is Mauch Chunk Lake Park with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
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What is the best site to find tent camping near Hazleton, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Hazleton, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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