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Best Dispersed Camping near Minisink Hills, PA

4 Reviews

Dispersed camping options near Minisink Hills, Pennsylvania concentrate primarily along sections of the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 in nearby Columbia, New Jersey offers primitive camping with bear boxes but no water sources. Campers note it has "plenty of space" with both communal and "secluded spots," making it suitable for hammock camping on sloped terrain. The nearest water is at Sunfish Pond, approximately a half-mile hike.

Thunder Swamp Trailhead in Pennsylvania provides a simpler overnight option in a shaded gravel parking lot where permits are required. Campers report "no trouble" staying overnight with "tons of hiking" nearby. For those willing to travel farther, Bake Oven Knob along the Appalachian Trail features two large lots where overnight parking is tolerated. As one visitor noted, "You can park and sleep, or hike in and find a place for a tent." Fire restrictions apply at all these sites, with no fires permitted at any of these primitive camping locations.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Minisink Hills, Pennsylvania (5)

    1. Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    2 Reviews
    Shawnee on Delaware, PA
    3 miles
    Website

    "I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre."

    "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!"

    2. Thunder Swamp Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Unity House, PA
    11 miles

    "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking. Went down Saw Creek trail to a marsh."

    "Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

    3. Hickok Brook

    2 Reviews
    Barryville, NY
    37 miles

    "I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must."

    "Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county."

    4. Bake Oven Knob

    1 Review
    Andreas, PA
    36 miles

    "This spot is both part of the Appalachian Trail and a day hiking area for the Bake Oven Knob, which is a high point on the Blue Mountain ridge of the Appalachian Mountains near Germansville, Pennsylvania"

    5. Appalachian Trail Campsite

    Be the first to review!
    Palmerton, PA
    29 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Minisink Hills, PA

7 Photos of 5 Minisink Hills Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Minisink Hills, PA

4 Reviews of 5 Minisink Hills 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.

  • Corey
    Jun. 17, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Beautiful but buggy lakeside tent sites

    I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere. Very gorgeous but not rv friendly.

  • 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!

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Small, don't blink you'll miss it.

    There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY. Really is a nice quiet place. It's Labor Day weekend, see how many people try to cram in to the very limited camping area. Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county.

Guide to Minisink Hills

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Minisink Hills, Pennsylvania, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations to choose from, you can enjoy the great outdoors while embracing the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Minisink Hills, Pennsylvania

Dispersed campers should check out Thunder Swamp Trailhead

  • For those looking for a drive-in option, the Thunder Swamp Trailhead provides a unique experience, though be aware that a permit is required for camping in this area.

Enjoy scenic views while camping near Minisink Hills

  • The Hickok Brook site offers beautiful lakeside views, making it a perfect spot for those who appreciate nature's tranquility, but be prepared for a hike to access the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Minisink Hills, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Minisink Hills, 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 Minisink Hills, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Minisink Hills, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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