Best Tent Camping near Kempton, PA
Several tent campgrounds operate within 25 miles of Kempton, Pennsylvania, offering diverse options for overnight wilderness stays. Mauch Chunk Lake Park in Jim Thorpe provides wooded lakeside tent sites with moderate amenities, while more primitive hike-in camping exists along the Appalachian Trail near Lehigh Gap. Shambala at Mystic Hollow features creek-side tent sites for a more immersive natural experience.
Most walk-in tent sites near Lehigh Gap require hikers to carry all necessary supplies, as amenities are minimal or non-existent. Fire rings are common at established tent campgrounds, though some primitive sites along the AT lack designated fire areas. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, tent sites feature picnic tables and access to showers and toilets, while the AT primitive tent sites provide only basic clearings for tents. Access varies significantly, with Riverview Park Campground offering boat-in and walk-in tent sites along the Lehigh River, accessible from the D&L biking trail.
The tent camping experience differs dramatically between established and backcountry sites. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, "flat tent spaces, generally clean bathrooms, and access to tons of things to do on the campground and nearby" make it suitable for new campers, according to visitor feedback. Primitive tent sites along the Appalachian Trail near Lehigh Gap provide more solitude but require self-sufficiency. The AT Overlook Campground offers particularly scenic tent camping, where a visitor noted, "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." Many tent sites in the area accommodate solo hikers or small groups, though the primitive group campsites near Lehigh Gap can handle larger parties with multiple tents.
