Best Tent Camping near Lake Ariel, PA
Tent campsites around Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania include both established grounds and more secluded primitive options for backpackers seeking solitude. Caffrey Recreation Area in nearby Lakeville offers tent-specific sites with amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and showers, while Oh! Pear Orchards provides walk-in tent camping with beautiful streamside locations and well-maintained fire pits. Manny Gordon Recreation Area at Pinchot State Forest also accommodates tent campers with drive-in access approximately 20 miles southwest of Lake Ariel.
Most tent camping areas near Lake Ariel feature basic fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Walk-in sites at Oh! Pear Orchards provide a cart for transporting gear from parking areas to campsites situated along streams. Campers should note that drinking water access is inconsistent across locations, with Caffrey and Second District Brew Farm offering potable water while other primitive sites require bringing your own supply. Many tent campgrounds allow fires but may impose seasonal restrictions during dry periods. One visitor mentioned that "most campgrounds have previously stocked wood from other people, making setting up very convenient," though ticks can be prevalent in warmer months.
Tent campers at Oh! Pear Orchards enjoy spacious sites next to flowing streams with just enough shade to stay comfortable in summer months. These walk-in sites offer more privacy than standard drive-in locations, with one camper describing it as "a special place with magical setting, quiet and peaceful." The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, approximately 30 minutes from Lake Ariel, provides unique island and riverside tent camping for paddlers, with Namanock Island offering primitive tent sites only accessible by canoe or kayak. These boat-in tent camping areas deliver remarkable seclusion, with campers reporting "you totally feel that your party is alone out on the river, the entire world is yours and yours alone."