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Best Tent Camping near Hunlock Creek, PA

755 Reviews

Tent camping options near Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania include several established campgrounds along the Lehigh River and within Pinchot State Forest. Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers wooded tent sites with lake views, while Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center provides camping opportunities for those interested in combining tent camping with river activities. The Appalachian Trail corridor also features multiple primitive tent camping locations near Lehigh Gap, including ridge campsites with valley views.

Most tent sites in the region feature fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary considerably between established and primitive locations. Mauch Chunk Lake Park provides more developed facilities with showers, drinking water, and electric hookups available at select tent sites. In contrast, the AT primitive campsites near Lehigh Gap require hikers to carry in all supplies, including water. Ticks are prevalent in forested areas, particularly at Manny Gordon Recreation Area in Pinchot State Forest, where campers should use appropriate repellent. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends and rafting season.

The pine-needle covered tent sites along the Appalachian Trail ridge provide comfortable, padded surfaces ideal for tent camping. Areas farther from developed campgrounds offer deeper seclusion with fewer amenities but greater wilderness immersion. Tent campers at Mauch Chunk Lake Park can access the lake directly from lakeside sites, making it convenient for swimming and paddling activities. A camper noted, "Our site was for the most part clean, the fire pit was full of ash and trash that we had to clean ourselves right when we arrived." For more peaceful tent camping experiences, weekday visits are recommended as weekend crowds can create noise issues at popular campgrounds. The ridge campsites near Lehigh Gap offer particularly scenic tent locations with valley views directly from tent doorways.

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Best Tent Sites Near Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania (24)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hunlock Creek, PA

41 Photos of 24 Hunlock Creek Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Hunlock Creek, PA

755 Reviews of 24 Hunlock Creek Campgrounds

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2024

    Salt Springs State Park Campground

    Unique park with unique natural features

    This park is technically a “state park” because the land for it was donated to the state for public use. However, once the state became the official stewards, there werent funds in the state budget to maintain it as a park. A lical group, the Friends of Salt Springs, stepped up and offered to maintain the park with funds raised by their group. The result is a small but unique property open to the public for day use (picnicking and hiking and fishing) along with 2 small rustic campgrounds. One campground has a large open mowed grassy meadow with level sites for car camping or small campers, no hookups are available but each site has a fire ring and picnic table. On the other side of the parks trout stream are seven secluded primitive hike-in tent sites along with three basic camper cabins. The Friends of Salt Springs makes a good effort to maintain these two rustic campgrounds, however it seems there isnt a ranger on site at night so a camper said the meadow campground can get a little noisy some nights. The hike in sites are relatively quiet and secluded though, and are positioned nicely along the stream, one site actually adjacent to a good swimming hole.

    The camper cabins are basic with bunks, bring all your own gear. They are fairly new and have electricity but no water or heat.

    On the grounds in the day use area are picnic spits, a pavilion, and an activity barn. When I was there, the barn was featuring a local quilt show.

    The special aspect of this park are the hiking trails through old growth hemlock forest, said to be the largest hemlocks in Pennsylvania. The trout stream also cascades through some some waterfalls, and there are gorges with unique geology.

    There is a village nearby with limited supplies, you may want to stock up on groceries before heading out to this somewhat remote park. There is, however, a local brewery, plus an odd coffee shop featuring both donuts and ammo, an unusual combination…..

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Alaina Z.
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park

    Beautiful facilities, rocky sites

    Pros: -beautiful new bathrooms -private lakeside walk-in sites -beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless -the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked.

    Cons: -chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad! -has a beach but it's not much to look at -sites have nice sizable fire pits, but they are very tall. It's difficult to cook over them, and sitting around the campfire in the evening is a much less visually appealing experience than I'd like

    We stayed in site 157. Accessible via a path from the designated parking space to the site about 2 minute walk. Lakeside, but visibility not great due to vegetation. All sites have little trails down to the water.

    Site 174 by the road and less private, but prettily overhung by evergreens.

    The cabins look very nice inside.

  • V
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Knoebels Campground

    Clean, quiet, inexpensive, fun place to camp!

    Knoebels campground is situated next to Knoebels amusement park and offers sites for tent campers and RVs, as well as cabins.

    There is electricity at every site but not water. There are fill stations throughout the campgrounds. Most sites are level and shaded. There are nice sturdy wooden platforms for tent campers.

    The bath houses are clean and well maintained. There are outside sinks with mirrors, laundry facilities, shower stalls, and toilet stalls. Or if you prefer there are also traditional bathrooms with showers.

    Quiet hours are enforced between 10p and 8a.

    Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Wood is available by the bucket near the check in building. Sites are inexpensive and are all a short walk, or free shuttle ride, to the park!.

  • T
    May. 27, 2018

    Mountain Vista Campground

    Friendly Campground

    Set on a hillside, the campground has three levels. The tent sites all have water & electric, and have a picnic table and fire ring. The sites are fully shaded. Facilities were neat & clean, and there was a covered verandah with string lights, chairs & picnic tables outside the bathroom area.

    Campground staff were friendly, and there was a store with firewood, ice and many other conveniences. Wifi was available, and connection was good the entire time I was there.

    The campground is convenient to many hikes in the Delaware Water Gap area.

    Be aware that the campground doesn't have credit card facilities, but does have an ATM in the store if absolutely necessary.

  • Amy R.
    Jul. 16, 2019

    Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground

    RV/tent campground in a beautiful setting

    This is a gated campground that we stayed at 6/30/19-7/04/19. We are NOT an RV. We own a Napier tent that hooks to our truck so that we can sleep up in the bed. However, due to it being a holiday week, the tent sites were completely booked and they only have 4(which also have water& electric). The tent sites are located in the back of the campground behind the sports field within the trees. I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to see them but they have them pictured on their website. They let us book an RV site and it was rough setting up on a gravel RV site but we understood that we were not within a normal tent element and placed an extra tarp under the tent. The campground is located at the top of some beautiful and scenic driving through farmland in Pennsylvania and you will be 30 minutes from anything like shopping or small town amenities(we drove to Walmart after setting up to get our perishables since we drive up from Virginia). Our site had water and electric, was a drive through spot for a typical RV with a section to the side of the drive through for the fire pit and picnic table. We were located right next to the shower/bathrooms/playground and had some tree coverage and shade. A lot of the RVs in the campground are permanent sites and our neighbors never showed so we had a quiet buffer but it was not a noisy campground. It appeared that they cleaned the bathrooms twice daily and we were impressed with the cleanliness of the bathroom/showers. There were 4 in the building so we never had to wait. The staff were friendly and helpful. They had a store right next to the pool area that offered common items and RV'er might need with a small grocery area as well which included bundles of wood($6 honor system after hours) and Ice($1.78 per bag). We were allowed to run an account which we paid at the end of our stay. Our campsite was required to be paid at check in. The campground is 18 acres with gravel roads, a sports field, fishing, horse shoes, bocce ball, multiple playgrounds, a rec center with some games, claw machines etc. a splash pad and salt water pool. You will be doing a lot of walking or bring your bicycles like we did. They offer scheduled activities for holidays etc and various weekend activities. You can rent non electric boats and they offer catch& release fishing without a PA license in the lake. My son caught 2 sunfish :) They have guidelines for visitors and quiet hours(my cousin came to visit us in the evenings as she lived close by). We enjoyed camping here even if we were on an RV site. We booked site 211 which had the little bit of tree coverage and was located right next to the showers/bathrooms/playground with a quick walk to the lake for fishing. Most of the other available sites in the road ahead of us had no tree coverage but closer to the lake had more trees and shade. OR, just get an actual tent site :) but they are all the way at the back of the campground, furthest from the lake so I actually preferred our site.

  • T
    Aug. 18, 2022

    Ricketts Glen State Park Campground

    Impromptu trip that we don’t regret!

    This trip was a bit impromptu so we assume most of the good sites were picked over. The site we stayed at was the perfect size for two people, not the biggest site in the campground but we had a bit of a buffer between our neighbors so we weren’t on top of other people. We were located at a bit heavily trafficked area because we were near the entrance of the campground and the restrooms. The state park was beautiful and had a lot of things to do. I recommend doing the Falls trail and to get onto Lake Jean. They have a concessions by Lake Jean that doesn’t only sell food and drinks but some ice and bundle of wood. Definitely bring a hammer because it’s near impossible to stake down your tent by hand because the turf is hard. Would definitely come again and do the primitive group camp option if I can. No cell service (Verizon) but if you drive 10 miles north up towards Lopez we were able to get a signal. This was a nice way to end summer!

Guide to Hunlock Creek

Tent camping opportunities near Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania extend beyond established campgrounds into several primitive locations across the region. The area sits at the northeastern edge of the Appalachians, with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,800 feet, creating varied camping conditions. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers cooler conditions with overnight temperatures that can drop into the 40s.

What to do

Paddle sports on the Lehigh River: The Lehigh River provides numerous kayaking and paddleboarding opportunities near Mauch Chunk Lake Park. "You can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," notes Lisa S., who camps here specifically for paddleboarding access.

Day trips to Jim Thorpe: Located just 30 minutes from Hunlock Creek, this historic town offers shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. "There's much to explore in the town Jim Thorpe and beautiful hiking close by," shares Katie S., making Mauch Chunk Lake Park an excellent base camp for exploration.

Primitive hiking and camping: For experienced backpackers, the Appalachian Trail near AT Overlook Campground offers challenging terrain with significant rewards. "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," reports Asher K., highlighting the scenic advantages of ridge camping.

What campers like

Riverside camping sites: At Riverview Park Campground, tent sites are positioned directly along the water. "The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit," explains Asher K., who appreciates the convenient river access for early morning paddling.

Pine forest setting: The pine needle ground cover creates naturally comfortable tent sites. "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area," notes a camper about AT Group Campsite, where the trees also provide weather protection.

Wildlife encounters: The ridgeline camping areas offer opportunities to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. "When I was up here I came across a flock of wild turkeys who thoroughly scared me when they flew off," shares Asher K. about AT Overlook Campground, adding that signs warn of high bear activity in the area.

What you should know

Water availability varies dramatically: Many primitive sites require carrying in all water. "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge," warns a hiker about AT Overlook Campground, while established campgrounds like Mauch Chunk Lake Park offer reliable drinking water.

Tick prevention essential: Especially during summer months, ticks are prevalent throughout the forest areas. "Lots of ticks though so get your spray," advises Gavin S. about Manny Gordon Recreation Area, highlighting the importance of proper repellent use.

Weekend noise levels: The popularity of established campgrounds means weekends can get rowdy. "It was not just 1 group; there were multiple parties making a lot of noise until after midnight," reports Danielle F. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park, adding that despite quiet hours, rules weren't enforced during peak season.

Tips for camping with families

Choose beginner-friendly sites: For families new to camping, look for flat sites with amenities. "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," recommends Mackenzie B. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

Combine camping with rafting: A popular family activity pairs tent camping with river adventures. "Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone. We set up the tent, kayaked on the lake, cooked up some dinner, watched a strawberry super moon rise over the lake," shares Emma T., describing a perfect day that ended with rafting on the Lehigh river.

Reserve lakefront sites: For the best tent camping near Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania with families, waterfront sites offer entertainment value. "Note for next time: we will definitely be getting a lake front site for the awesome view!" concludes Emma T. after experiencing the advantages of premium sites.

Tips from RVers

Event camping available: Some campgrounds host special events that enhance the camping experience. "Stayed here for Riverfest and it was great. Bands throughout the night with beer and food. Nice showers," reports Emma T. about Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center, which features special entertainment during the rafting season.

Plan for primitive camping preparation: Even RV sites may have limited hookups in this region. "Very open, plenty of space. Most campgrounds have previously stocked wood from other people, makes setting up very convenient," notes Gavin S. about Manny Gordon Recreation Area, suggesting that resourcefulness is required even at established sites.

Advance reservations crucial: The best tent camping areas near Hunlock Creek fill quickly during summer months. "Just make sure if you are going to stay here that you reserve a site in advance since they will charge you an additional $10 if you show up without planning," advises Asher K. about Riverview Park Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hunlock Creek, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hunlock Creek, PA is Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Hunlock Creek, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Hunlock Creek, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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