Best Dispersed Camping near Lords Valley, PA
Dispersed camping options near Lords Valley, Pennsylvania include several primitive sites within a reasonable driving distance. Hickok Brook in New York offers lakeside tent camping with picnic tables and no permit requirements. The Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 in New Jersey provides free hike-in camping with bear boxes and good hammocking trees. Thunder Swamp Trailhead in Pennsylvania requires permits for overnight stays. Russell Brook Road in New York allows drive-in access without permits.
Road conditions vary significantly between sites. Hickok Brook access requires high-clearance vehicles due to extremely rough roads with large potholes. According to Corey, "The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must." Most sites have limited or no facilities. The Appalachian Trail site has no water sources nearby; campers must stock up at Dunnfield Creek or Sunfish Pond. Several campers noted the AT site is "small and sloped for tent camping" but works well for hammocks.
Regulations differ by jurisdiction. New York state land at Hickok Brook requires permits from the county ranger's office, with only three designated camping spots available. The Appalachian Trail site prohibits ground fires and restricts camping to designated areas only. Campers report that Worthington State Forest strictly enforces camping only at designated sites. Bear precautions are necessary throughout the region, with bear boxes provided at some locations. All sites require pack-in, pack-out practices for waste management. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Pocono region, particularly during spring and fall.
