R
Russell A.
Scout
Scout100 Mile View Camping
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
Tent Camping near Llewellyn, PA
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Tent camping opportunities near Llewellyn, Pennsylvania include several established campgrounds along the Lehigh River corridor. Mauch Chunk Lake Park in Jim Thorpe offers tent campsites in wooded settings with many sites positioned along the lakeshore. Primitive tent camping is available at AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap and Riverview Park Campground, both providing access to sections of the Appalachian Trail system.
Most tent campsites in the region feature fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between established and primitive locations. Sites at Mauch Chunk Lake Park include water hookups and electrical connections suitable for tent campers seeking more comfort, while the AT Ridge primitive tent setups provide only basic stone fire rings with no facilities. A review mentioned that "sitting up on the mountain in this area is a very peaceful experience as you can hear the wind blowing through the trees while watching the ferns sway back and forth." During peak summer weekends, reservations are strongly recommended at established campgrounds, as sites fill quickly with visitors from nearby urban areas.
Areas farther from developed campgrounds offer deeper seclusion for tent campers willing to hike in with gear. The George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter area provides a raised sleeping platform in a sheltered location, though nearby tent sites are limited. Sites along the ridge at AT Overlook Campground feature exceptional valley views directly from tent platforms. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, AT Overlook Campground is considered "by far the best campsite option on this section of the AT" with flat, dry tent sites that aren't too rocky. Tent campers should note that water access is unavailable on the ridge, requiring hikers to fill containers before ascending. Many primitive tent campsites in the region remain snow-free from late April through October, though spring conditions can be muddy at lower elevations.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Llewellyn (23)
1. Mauch Chunk Lake Park
"Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone."
"Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
2. Shambala at Mystic Hollow
"Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers great creekside campsites for anyone looking to pitch a tent and enjoy some time by the water. Check them out and share your experience on the Dyrt!"
Check Availabilityfrom $40 / night
3. Shikellamy State Park Campground
"Had a great time walking the trails and enjoying a picnic at the cliff-side pavilion."
4. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
5. Rolling Hills Retreats
"Her boyfriend and I wanted to plan an outdoor camping trip but we’re completely over having no privacy, worrying about my reactive dog, feeling like we had to follow ridiculous rules when going camping"
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
from $160 - $380 / night
6. AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap
"The only downside was my sleeping pad sprung a leak, so it wasn't the best night's sleep. But the site itself was great and I would camp there again."
"A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."
7. AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap
"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."
8. Riverview Park Campground
"The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit. They also have a bathroom facility up alongside the road."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $30 / night
9. Scrub Mountain Retreat
from $30 - $35 / night
10. AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap
"This site is really 2 separate sites that are a short ways apart along the trail. They are both excellent spots to set up a tent if you plan on camping up on the ridge."
Drive Time
- 44 min from Lebanon, PA
- 46 min from Harrisburg, PA
- 47 min from Reading, PA
- 59 min from Allentown, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Llewellyn, PA
38 Photos of 23 Llewellyn Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Llewellyn, PA
886 Reviews of 23 Llewellyn Campgrounds
Nancy W.
LegendHickory Run State Park Campground
Peaceful State Park Camping in the Fall
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
Peggy C.
TravelerCountry Acres Campground
Lovely campground!
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
Tony F.
Guide100 Mile View Camping
The best views
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Beautiful Falls!
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
Troy P.TravelerShikellamy State Park Campground
meh
i mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
- LLynn C.Scout
Old Mill Stream Campground
Never Again
The advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Council Cup Campground
Better than nothing
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideBeacon Hill Camping
Great location
We stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
Guide to Llewellyn
Tent camping around Llewellyn, Pennsylvania offers numerous opportunities in the Lehigh Valley region, which sits at elevations ranging from 400 to 1600 feet along the ridgelines. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and dropping to 55-65°F at night. Several primitive camping sites require hikers to pack in their own water, particularly at higher elevation sites where natural water sources are scarce.
What to do
Water activities on Mauch Chunk Lake: Campers at Mauch Chunk Lake Park can enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming directly from their campsite. "I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," notes Lisa S. The park offers boat rentals for those without their own equipment.
Whitewater rafting: Lehigh River offers Class II and III rapids just 10 minutes from camping areas. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center provides guided trips and camping packages. "Stayed here for Riverfest and it was great. Bands throughout the night with beer and food," reports Emma T.
Hiking and biking: The D&L Trail follows an old railroad bed along the Lehigh River and connects to many camping areas. Riverview Park Campground offers direct trail access. "The park itself is located along the D&L biking trail that is on the bed of an old railroad," according to Asher K., who notes its convenient river access.
What campers like
Lakefront camping: Tent sites at Mauch Chunk Lake Park offer direct water access. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm," shares Lisa S., who appreciates the clean, clear water for paddleboarding.
Valley views: Ridgeline camping provides scenic overlooks of the valley below. AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap features tent sites with panoramic views. "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," explains Asher K.
Group-friendly sites: Several campgrounds accommodate larger gatherings with spacious sites. "I've stayed here a couple times with groups. 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," shares Mackenzie B. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
What you should know
Tent site conditions: Many campsites in the region have natural terrain challenges. "Many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters," advises Amber M. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park. Some sites require careful selection for flat pitching spots.
Weekend crowds: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months. "We visited in the summer on a weekend when it was full. The campsites are too close to each other and we were surrounded by very loud campers," reports Danielle F., noting that quiet hours weren't strictly enforced.
Water availability: George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter has a natural spring nearby, but most ridge sites require carrying water. "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge," warns Asher K. about AT Overlook Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Look for campgrounds with swimming areas for children. "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!" recommends Annette M. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park, which offers a dedicated swimming beach with gradual entry.
Beginner-friendly sites: Some campgrounds are ideal for first-time campers. "GREAT first trip! The campgrounds were nice and there was a lot to do. Volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals," shares Danny M., who had his first camping experience at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Private camping options: Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers creekside tent sites that provide more seclusion than larger public campgrounds. "Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers great creekside campsites for anyone looking to pitch a tent and enjoy some time by the water," notes Jake C.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV facilities: Most primitive camping areas near Llewellyn don't accommodate RVs. Mauch Chunk Lake Park allows RVs but has limited hookups. "Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large," notes Amber M.
Site reservations: Book well in advance for RV sites, especially for summer weekends. "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., who recommends securing a lakefront site for the best experience.
Town proximity: The historic town of Jim Thorpe is nearby for supplies and attractions. "There's much to explore in the town Jim Thorpe and beautiful hiking close by," explains Katie S., who found Mauch Chunk Lake Park to be "one of the best places we have stayed."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Llewellyn, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Llewellyn, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Llewellyn, PA is Mauch Chunk Lake Park with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
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Llewellyn, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Llewellyn, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Llewellyn, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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