The Appalachian Trail corridor near Nazareth, Pennsylvania sits at elevations between 500-1,600 feet, with rocky ridgelines dominating the landscape. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during day hours, dropping into the 50s at night. The region's mixed hardwood forests provide partial shade for most primitive camping areas, though many ridge campsites are exposed to direct sun.
What to do
Wildlife watching: Early mornings at Jenny Jump State Forest offer prime opportunities to spot local wildlife. One visitor reported, "When I was up here I came across a flock of wild turkeys who thoroughly scared me when they flew off."
Kayaking and canoeing: The reservoir at Round Valley State Park Campground offers water recreation opportunities with crystal clear water. A camper noted, "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water."
Hiking with elevation: Trails near the primitive campsites combine moderate to difficult terrain. Many sites connect directly to the Appalachian Trail, with one camper at Jenny Jump State Forest explaining, "It's also close to other local hikes like Mt. Tammany. The campgrounds and bathrooms were clean and well kept."
What campers like
Seclusion factor: Many tent camping areas near Nazareth offer significant privacy. At AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap, a camper described, "They are surrounded by a magical field of ferns and you can get views of both sides of the ridge with only a short walk down the trail."
Fire amenities: Most sites feature established fire rings, with some offering enhanced options. One camper at AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap shared, "Previous campers have also been kind enough to build up a sizable stone fire ring and construct a stone chair for enjoying the fire and view."
Natural padding: Pine needle ground cover creates comfortable tent sites at some locations. A review for AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap mentions, "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."
What you should know
Water planning requirements: Water access varies significantly between sites. For primitive Appalachian Trail sites, one camper warns, "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."
Weather protection considerations: Some sites offer better protection than others. At AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap, "The pine trees also provide a nice cover to make this a well-protected site in case of bad weather."
Tent site selection challenges: Ground conditions can be variable at sites near Nazareth. A camper at Lehigh Gap Woodpecker Trailhead Primitive Campground observed, "When I was here it had recently rained and the site was overall pretty boggy. The ground was relatively soft but without a good ground tarp, you might get a little wet."
Tips for camping with families
Start with partially-equipped sites: For families new to tent camping near Nazareth, gradually transition to primitive camping. One camper suggested, "I think this would be great for a family who are just starting to get interested in camping and would like to experience it first without making a large investment into buying your own equipment."
Choose sites with easier access: Some locations offer more family-friendly approaches. At Round Valley State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "If you get a site on the water, you can take a boat across to your site (check the site for regulations/restrictions) - in-season rentals should be available on-site."
Plan for night temperature drops: The Nazareth region experiences significant temperature fluctuations. One camper reported, "It went down to 40 degrees that night so we had to make due with extra layers and bundle up but we made it through the night."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: True tent camping is the dominant form near Nazareth, Pennsylvania, with few full-service RV sites. At Jenny Jump State Forest, one visitor noted, "You can hear some of the highway sounds from the campsites (especially the jake brake). 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."
Consider alternative shelters: Several locations offer cabin or shelter options that provide more comfort than tenting but less than RVs. A camper at Jenny Jump State Forest described, "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."
Weekend timing considerations: Weekday visits often provide more solitude and space for any type of camper. A visitor advised, "During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road."
