Best Tent Camping near Kunkletown, PA
The Appalachian Trail corridor near Kunkletown, Pennsylvania offers several primitive tent camping options, particularly around Lehigh Gap where multiple hike-in tent sites are available. AT Ridge Campground and AT Overlook Campground provide tent-only camping with stone fire rings and views of the valley. Mauch Chunk Lake Park in nearby Jim Thorpe (about 10 miles from Kunkletown) offers more developed tent campsites with amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings. The Lehigh Gap area features several backcountry tent camping options maintained along the Appalachian Trail system.
Most primitive tent sites in the Lehigh Gap area require hikers to carry in all supplies, including water. The AT Overlook Campground has flat, dry tent pads but no water source on the ridge, requiring campers to fill up elsewhere before arriving. Stone fire rings are common at most sites, though fire bans may be in effect during dry periods. The Woodpecker Trailhead Primitive Campground sits on relatively soft ground that can become boggy after rain, making a ground tarp essential for tent campers. Bear activity is reported in the region, so proper food storage is necessary when tent camping in these areas.
According to a recent visitor, the AT Ridge Campground consists of "two separate sites that are a short ways apart along the trail, each with a stone fire ring and plenty of room for multiple tents." Another camper described the AT Overlook Campground as "the best campsite option on this section of the AT" where "you can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door." Tent campers at Mauch Chunk Lake Park report more crowded conditions, especially on summer weekends. The primitive tent sites along the AT provide greater seclusion but require more preparation as they lack amenities. Wildlife sightings, including wild turkeys and evidence of bears, are common at the backcountry tent sites.
