Best Campgrounds near Portland, PA
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area dominates camping options near Portland, Pennsylvania, with Worthington State Forest Campground providing riverfront sites along the Delaware River. Within a 30-minute drive, campers find diverse accommodations ranging from primitive boat-in sites on Namanock Island to full-hookup RV parks like Driftstone Campground with its 190 sites. Camp Taylor Campground in nearby Columbia, New Jersey offers a mix of tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options with amenities including a lake and proximity to the Lakota Wolf Preserve. The Pocono Mountains region east of Portland features additional options including the Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA, which remains open year-round, and Mountain Vista Campground with its wooded settings.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. The National Park Service maintains strict regulations for river campsites, with one reviewer noting, "This site is only accessible by canoes or kayaks. People found camping at this site that are not on a river trip or camped at the site for longer than one day can expect to receive hefty fines." Weather patterns bring humid summers with occasional thunderstorms and cold winters that close many facilities. Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region, particularly in state forests and the Delaware Water Gap area. Cell service remains spotty in valleys and remote areas, with most coverage limited to campgrounds near major highways like I-80 and Route 209.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, particularly those along the Delaware River. One camper at Worthington State Forest described their experience: "The tent camping area was right along the river, some sites with direct access. Our site was level, huge, had a good table and lantern hook. Plenty of places for tent and shelter, plus tons more space." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with campers reporting deer, various birds, and occasional bear sightings. Primitive island camping on Namanock Island offers exceptional stargazing, with a reviewer noting, "Once darkness falls there are no lights to be seen in either direction, up or down river." Some developed campgrounds receive criticism for prioritizing RVs over tent campers, with one visitor to Mountain Vista Campground reporting, "Tent campers were placed at the far end of the campground, far from bathrooms."
