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 Minisink Hills, PA
4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent campsites near Minisink Hills, Pennsylvania are primarily concentrated in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, with several primitive options accessible by boat or on foot. The Kirkridge Shelter along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail offers tent camping with scenic views, while Jenny Jump State Forest provides tent sites with more amenities about 25 miles from Minisink Hills. Camp Mohican Outdoor Center features walk-in tent sites and platforms situated near Catfish Pond within the recreation area.
Most primitive tent campgrounds in the Delaware Water Gap require specific access methods, with several sites only reachable by canoe or kayak. Walter's and Alosa Boat In Campsites offer riverside camping strictly for paddlers on multi-day river trips. Fire rings are common at established sites, though some locations like Walter's have restrictions enforced by the National Park Service. Vault toilets are available at some locations, while others like Bushkill Creek Campsite have no facilities. Several sites require reservations, and campers should note that the NPS limits stays to one night for river travelers at boat-in tent sites.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Minisink Hills varies significantly by location. Kirkridge Shelter area provides four tent spots with fire rings adjacent to panoramic mountain views along the Appalachian Trail. Sites can be accessed by parking on Bangor Mountain Road and walking down Kittany Road to where the trail crosses. Tent campers should prepare for varied terrain and potentially challenging river access at boat-in sites. According to a review, "The path up to the campsite from the river gets a little steep, but not bad" at Bushkill Creek Campsite. Riverside tent sites offer seclusion and scenic water views, though local fishermen occasionally use the same access points. Wooded Campground provides both open field and forested tent sites that serve as excellent staging areas for hiking into the Delaware Water Gap.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Minisink Hills (44)
1. Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"It had 5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables and a real full sized bathroom only 100 yards away."
"You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife."
Check Availabilityfrom $5 - $75 / night
2. Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
"This spot is right next to a beautiful view on the side of Kittany Mountain and just off the Appalachian trail. There is 4 spots to set up at all of which have a spot for a fire."
3. Wooded Campground
"Perfect land for an overnight before hitting the trail. There’s open field and wooded options, and the hosts Mel and Jeff couldn’t have been more accommodating."
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $60 / night
4. Mohican Walk-In Campsites
"The Mohican Outdoor Center is just steps away from the Appalachian Trail in Southern New Jersey. No matter what your adventure needs, there are many different outing and lodging options."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $40 / night
5. Walter's Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"There is no public road access to the campsite. Secondly, the site is maintained by the NPS, (National Park Service) within the DWGNRA, (Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area)."
Check Availabilityfrom $16 / night
6. Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms
"This location was about an hour and a half away from our home so it was far enough to feel like we were getting away but close enough that we could be home quickly in case of an emergency since we decided"
from $125 / night
7. Rivers Bend Group Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"Four outhouses centrally locates and a pump well that did not work. Quiet surrounding. To your right down a small hill is the flat brook that funnels out into a large “U” bend of the Delaware river."
5 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $100 / night
8. Bushkill Creek Boat In Campsite — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"The only site on the PA side of the at the start of the S-bend in Zone 4 - great to have no neighbors, though we could hear some noise across the water from the 6 Peters sites on the other side. "
Check Availabilityfrom $16 / night
9. Alosa Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"Primitive site for multi day river trips. There’s usually always a port-a-potty at the campsite. Each area has its own fire ring and multiple river pull offs for easy finding and access."
6 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $16 / night
10. Round Valley State Park Campground
"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light."
Drive Time
- 41 min from Scranton, PA
- 43 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 17 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 23 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Minisink Hills, PA
81 Photos of 44 Minisink Hills Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Walter's Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Wooded Campground
Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms
Ratcliff's River Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Hornbeck's River Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Kittatinny Valley State Park Campground
Sandyston Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
BMR Operations, LLC dba Blue Mountain Resort By: BM Resort Management, LLC its Authorized Agent
Steam Mill Campground
Namanock Island — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Tent Camping Reviews near Minisink Hills, PA
1086 Reviews of 44 Minisink Hills 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.
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.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendRound Valley State Park Campground
Peaceful Wilderness Escape for Adventurous Families
There's something wonderfully special about escaping into nature where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birds singing and the gentle movement of water along the shoreline. Nestled among the wooded hills surrounding the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir, this rustic SP campground offers families a chance to disconnect from everyday distractions and enjoy a little wilderness adventure together. Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light. Once you've arrived, you'll find secluded, wooded campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, but the beautiful reservoir, scenic hiking trails, fishing and kayaking opportunities more than make up for the lack of modern conveniences. Our kids loved exploring the woods, spotting wildlife and gathering around a crackling campfire at night to share stories beneath the stars. For families comfortable with the hike, I'd recommend choosing one of the campsites along the reservoir shoreline for the lovely water views and peaceful surroundings. Just remember that swimming is limited to the park's designated beach area. Round Valley isn't your typical family campground, but for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping under the stars and making wonderful memories together, it's a beautiful place to experience nature at its finest!
- WWill W.Guide
Lackawanna State Park Campground
Car camping
Stayed October 14 without reservations because website showed lots of availability. Office was closed (M-F 8-4) so submitted honor system envelope with cash and stayed at Site 041 on Carpenter loop. Shower building was a short walk and was spacious enough. Water temp didn’t quite reach hot but was warm enough.
Electric kept on tripping breaker.
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
- Thomas B.Ranger
Tohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
Kathy L.RangerHickory Run State Park Campground
Beautiful forest
Gorgeous forested area in the Poconos. We stayed on the Rattlesnake Loop which was lovely. Sites not super private but most nestled in trees. The only bummer was that that Campground Loop didn’t have any direct links to the trail network and was far from it. The other Campground Loop was closer to trails and office. Would return!
- KKelly B.Guide
Stephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
Guide to Minisink Hills
Primitive tent camping near Minisink Hills, Pennsylvania ranges from riverside sites accessible only by canoe to hike-in platforms along the Appalachian Trail. The area sits at elevations between 300-1,500 feet within the Delaware Water Gap, where summer temperatures average 75-85°F during peak camping season. Fall camping offers colorful foliage displays but requires warmer sleeping gear as overnight temperatures can drop to 40°F by late September.
What to do
Kayak rentals at Catfish Pond: Camp Mohican Outdoor Center visitors can rent kayaks and canoes for exploring the pond's wildlife. "If you're there in the summer, I'd recommend taking a kayak around the lake and filling it with wild blueberries," notes Dan X., highlighting seasonal foraging opportunities.
Day hikes with mountain views: The network of trails near Jenny Jump State Forest offers varied terrain for hikers. "We allow dogs and had hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground. It's also close to other local hikes like Mt. Tammany," shares Fransheska A., emphasizing the accessible trail system.
Riverside fishing: Walter's Boat In Campsites provides access to prime fishing spots along the Delaware. "As dusk fell, a small group of local fishermen came walking through the camp to access the river," reports John B., indicating the popularity of these fishing locations even among locals.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Jenny Jump State Forest offers secluded camping spots with room to spread out. "The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog. However, we didn't mind as it was so private we felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves," Kelsey K. mentions.
Primitive camping with convenient amenities: Despite being more rustic, many sites balance seclusion with basic facilities. "I really enjoyed this campground. Primitive, has bathrooms and water spigots. Good hammocking trees and wasn't crowded at all. Plenty of privacy from other sites," Lindsay D. reports about Jenny Jump.
Group camping facilities: Rivers Bend Group Campground provides excellent spaces for larger gatherings. "Large field with multiple group campsites with bearboxes, fire pit and garbage cans at each site. Four outhouses centrally locates and a pump well that did not work," describes Christopher W.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many river campsites have strict booking policies. "Primitive site for multi day river trips. There's usually always a port-a-potty at the campsite. Each area has its own fire ring and multiple river pull offs for easy finding and access. Reservations are required for this site," explains Stephanie S. about Alosa Boat In Campsites.
Access challenges: Campsites like Bushkill Creek require specific entry methods. "The path up to the campsite from the river gets a little steep, but not bad," notes Anna M., providing practical information about the terrain.
Limited supplies nearby: Pack everything you need before arrival. "The only problem we encountered was that there wasn't a store close by for ice or other essentials, although the main office does sell firewood. They close at 4pm, though, so be sure to get there before then!" warns Kelsey K.
Fire restrictions: Fire rules vary by campsite. At Walter's Boat In Campsites, fires are prohibited by the National Park Service, while other sites permit them but with specific regulations.
Tips for camping with families
Platform camping options: Camp Mohican Outdoor Center offers wooden platforms that keep tents dry. "Tent sites are either on the ground have wooden platforms. Cabins come in various sizes," mentions Dan X., highlighting options for families who prefer not to sleep directly on the ground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids can enjoy spotting local animals. "You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife," adds Dan X.
Shelter camping for beginners: For families testing camping without full equipment investment, shelters provide a comfortable introduction. "The 'shelter' is what we would describe as a 'cabin'; four walls, a roof, locking door, locking windows, large picture frame front window, four beds(two bunks), a wood burning stove, and a porch," describes Dwight D. from Jenny Jump State Forest.
Field site staging areas: Wooded Campground provides open fields ideal for families planning day trips. "Perfect land for an overnight before hitting the trail. There's open field and wooded options, and the hosts Mel and Jeff couldn't have been more accommodating," reports Katharine T.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent camping near Minisink Hills is primitive with few dedicated RV sites. Jenny Jump State Forest accepts RVs but with minimal hookups and no sewer connections.
Size restrictions: Sites that do accept RVs typically cannot accommodate large rigs. "This campground is a nice little hideaway not too far from the beaten path. You can hear some of the highway sounds from the campsites," notes Seth K. about Jenny Jump State Forest, one of the few areas suitable for smaller RVs.
Road noise considerations: When selecting RV-friendly campgrounds, be aware of highway proximity. "My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night," shares Jocelyn G. about Jenny Jump's higher elevation sites.
Water access with RVs: At Jenny Jump State Forest, RV sites include water hookups but have varying terrain. "The sites are hit or miss in terms of comfort, some have large, flat, clear spaces for multiple tents, some you have to wedge a tent to avoid rocks," warns Seth K.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Minisink Hills, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Minisink Hills, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Minisink Hills, PA is Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Minisink Hills, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Minisink Hills, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 44 tent camping locations near Minisink Hills, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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