The Appalachian Trail forms the backbone of tent camping opportunities near Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Located approximately 80 miles north of Philadelphia, this region features dramatic elevation changes ranging from 400 to 1,600 feet, with primitive campsites scattered throughout wooded ridgelines and valleys. Weather conditions can shift quickly here, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during day and dropping to 55-65°F at night.
What to do
Paddle on the reservoir: Round Valley State Park Campground offers crystal clear water perfect for kayaking and canoeing. As one camper notes, "Really nice spot to camp very peaceful and quit. Gorgeous sunset, beautiful views. Really helpful people at the office" (Round Valley State Park Campground).
Disc golf adventures: Green Lane Park provides a "phenomenal disc golf course, hiking, and fishing" according to Benjamin C., making it ideal for active campers seeking variety without traveling far from camp (Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park).
Wildlife observation: Boulder Ridge Farm offers unique opportunities to experience local wildlife. One camper shared, "Great place to escape the stress of every day life. Plenty of fire wood, really cool huge rocks and waking up to owls was awesome."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Despite being rustic, many campsites maintain good standards. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, a visitor noted, "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!" while another mentioned it's "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" (Mauch Chunk Lake Park).
Proximity to activities: Many campers appreciate having recreation options nearby. One camper at Mauch Chunk stated, "You are in beautiful Jim Thorpe that has white water rafting in town, plus great restaurants and bars. I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear."
Private spaces: While some campgrounds lack privacy, others excel at providing seclusion. At AT Ridge Campground, a camper described the experience as "peaceful" with sites "surrounded by a magical field of ferns" where "you can hear the wind blowing through the trees while watching the ferns sway back and forth" (AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap).
What you should know
Limited facilities: Many primitive sites require complete self-sufficiency. The Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite is described as having "a very large flat site with plenty of clear spots for multiple tents" but no water access, so campers must "fill up before coming up the mountain" (Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite).
Access challenges: Some of the best tent camping near Lehigh Valley requires effort to reach. At Round Valley, Stuart K. warned, "I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy."
Weather preparedness: Conditions can change quickly on the ridgelines. The pine forest group site near Lehigh Gap provides "a nice cover to make this a well-protected site in case of bad weather" according to one camper, who added it "makes up for it in coziness."
Tips for camping with families
Choose developed campgrounds: For families new to camping, select sites with amenities. One camper at Mauch Chunk Lake Park reported, "Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."
Look for flat terrain: The best tent camping for families near Lehigh Valley offers level ground. One visitor to the George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter noted it "has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers" but warned "if you are planning on tent camping there isn't really any flat area to set up around the shelter" (George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter).
Consider privacy levels: Many families prefer space from neighbors. At Green Lane Park, Katrina Z. observed, "Green Lane Park is a lovely park with several well marked trails for hiking. The campgrounds are clean but the sites are way too close together and there is not any privacy."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most primitive camping areas near Lehigh Valley aren't suitable for RVs. For RV camping, Mauch Chunk Lake Park has some options but as Emma T. shared, "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."
Limited hookups: Even at established campgrounds, expect basic amenities. At Green Lane Park, a bike tourist reported, "The only potable water was from a near-broken water fountain at the public rest rooms and no electrical connection to recharge electronics."
