Best Dispersed Camping near Martins Creek, PA

Dispersed camping options near Martins Creek, Pennsylvania primarily consist of primitive sites along the Appalachian Trail and surrounding areas. The Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 in nearby Columbia, New Jersey offers free hike-in camping with bear boxes but no fires, water, or facilities. The site requires some self-sufficiency but provides good hammocking opportunities and scenic views. A camper noted, "There's plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too."

Thunder Swamp Trailhead in Pennsylvania provides another remote camping option, though it requires a permit. This gravel lot offers shade and serves as a base for extensive trail access. Bake Oven Knob, located on the Blue Mountain ridge of the Appalachian Mountains, allows overnight stays with vehicle access to two large parking lots. Campers can either sleep in vehicles or hike to tent sites. According to a review, "The hike to the overlook is really lovely; short and rocky." All these sites share similar characteristics: no drinking water, no fires allowed, no toilets, and a true off-grid experience requiring complete self-reliance.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Martins Creek, Pennsylvania (4)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Martins Creek, PA

4 Photos of 4 Martins Creek Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Martins Creek, PA

2 Reviews of 4 Martins Creek Campgrounds


  • R
    Jul. 12, 2017

    Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    Small but kind of your only option

    I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre. Also it's a little on the small and sloped side for tent camping, but I was in a hammock and it was a great place for that!

    That being said, as you enter the Worthington State Forest there are signs and hand painted maps indicating that this is the only place you can sleep in the forest. So if this is your timing, this is where you'll be sleeping! The site itself is unmarked when you come to it, but it's the only pretty obvious camping spot on the trail so it's not hard to find.

    Stock up on water at the Dunnfield creek natural area, or wait until Sunfish pond. There are lots of signs around Sunfish pond itself that there's no camping allowed.

  • Katharine T.
    May. 31, 2022

    Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    Perfect balance of community and space

    We stayed here during our section hike through the DWG on the AT. There’s plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. We’ll maintained w bear boxes provided. Good trees for hammocking. We had thought there was a shelter (there isn’t) but it was fine. No ground fires. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!


Guide to Martins Creek

Several primitive camping areas surround Martins Creek, Pennsylvania, with most spots located along the Appalachian Trail corridor. The Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 near Columbia, New Jersey offers hike-in tent sites about 14 miles northeast of Martins Creek. This free camping area requires no permits but prohibits fires, alcohol, and pets. The site lacks amenities with no drinking water, toilets, or trash service.

Thunder Swamp Trailhead provides vehicle-accessible dispersed camping north of Martins Creek in Pennsylvania. This basic gravel lot requires permits and offers shade but no facilities. A recent visitor mentioned, "It's a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me." Farther west, Bake Oven Knob offers roadside camping along the Appalachian Trail with parking for overnight stays. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "I've overnighted in my van here a bunch, no problems. There are two large lots. You can park and sleep, or hike in and find a place for a tent. There's also a trail shelter about a .5 mile in."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Martins Creek, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Martins Creek, PA is Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Martins Creek, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Martins Creek, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.