Best Tent Camping near Hazleton, PA
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.
