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Best Tent Camping near Nesquehoning, PA

1,054 Reviews

Tent camping options surround Nesquehoning in eastern Pennsylvania's Carbon County, with established tent sites along the Appalachian Trail corridor and at developed campgrounds like Mauch Chunk Lake Park. Walk-in tent sites are particularly abundant near Lehigh Gap, where primitive campsites provide access to ridgeline views and forested settings. Several tent campgrounds in this region serve as popular base camps for hikers exploring the Appalachian Trail's Pennsylvania section.

Most walk-in tent locations require hikers to carry all necessary supplies, as amenities are minimal at primitive sites. The AT Ridge Campground and AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap offer stone fire rings but no water sources, requiring campers to fill up before ascending the mountain. A visitor commented, "By far the best campsite option on this section of the AT - you can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door." Tent sites at Mauch Chunk Lake Park provide more amenities, including drinking water, toilets, and picnic tables, though some campers report exposed tree roots and rocks that necessitate extra padding for tent floors.

Tent campers experience varied terrain across these locations, from the pine needle-padded forest floor at the AT Group Campsite to the sometimes muddy conditions at sites near trailheads. The George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter area includes a spring for water access, though flat tent sites near the shelter are limited. A recent review noted, "The pine trees provide nice cover to make this a well-protected site in case of bad weather." Riverside tent camping is available at Riverview Park Campground, offering convenient access for paddlers with dedicated tent-only sites along the Lehigh River. Most walk-in tent locations on the Appalachian Trail remain uncrowded during weekdays, though prime viewpoint sites may fill on weekends as they attract both overnight campers and day hikers.

Best Tent Sites Near Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania (32)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Nesquehoning, PA

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Tent Camping Reviews near Nesquehoning, PA

1054 Reviews of 32 Nesquehoning Campgrounds

  • Ra F.
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park

    OK, but camping gets a low rating.

    The park is lovely, but the camping facilities are subpar, primitive and lack any kind of privacy. I bike toured there. The only potable water was from a near-broken water fountain at the public rest rooms and no electrical connection to recharge electronics. There was also a fair amount of road noise at night. Bathhouse OK, but just basic. Tent spots are just lined up against one another facing a service road.

  • Doug W.
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Valley View Group Campground

    Beautiful River Site

    This is a great campsite right on the river. There are 5 different sites all nicely marked out. Each has its own fire ring. There is also a central area with a big fire ring for everyone to get together. Bear boxes at each site for food storage.

  • Laure D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2020

    Locust Lake State Park Campground

    Serenity on the lakes

    Pretty campground with lots of lake views. We arrived just before dark which was good because the sites were not level front to back. Most sites had a slope but there were some level sites. You can kayak, canoe, paddle board, and fish on the lake. There are 2 boat launches. The store wasn’t much to speak of. Bath houses were clean. We walked around the lake on a paved level path. They advertise no alcohol. This is near the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine tour which we loved. It’s near the Yingling Brewery tour.

  • B
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Tohickon Valley County Park

    One stop shop for adventure!

    This place is amazing! everything you could want, from tent and RV camping to cabin rentals. They also have a pool and playground. some of my favorite parts of this park are a good 100’ rack wall perfect for climbing, great fishing, trails for miles that even connects to the AT, and when scheduled they open the dam up stream for som world class whitewater rafting.

    As for some things that aren’t listed. this is no alcohol permitted in the park due to it being a state park, however that all depends on how open you are about it and the Park rangers. Cell phone service is limited last time I was up there in 2012 only people with Verizon Wireless had any reception. Also there is no WiFi. No hookups or camp store.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 25, 2022

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Campsites Jammed Closely Together

    PROS 

    Reserved 328 days prior to arriving

    $13.50 senior discount 

    Immediately greeted by Loop C camp host who was extremely friendly and helpful 

    Site C3 parking pad level asphalt 

    Metal frame wooden picnic table that was moveable 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon our arrival 

    Some vegetation between sites provided a bit of privacy from neighbors sites 

    Park is 21 miles from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Catch National Park Service 90 minute trolley tour at the Visitor Center. 

    Shady Maple Smorgasbord...authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking…largest buffet in the USA…16 miles from French Creek SP 

    CONS

    $6.50 reservation fee for making my own on-line reservation 

    Horrible signage along PA-345. Never saw very small sign when we where intensely searching 

    Such a large overall park, but camping loop sites are jammed together

    Pitiful low water pressure  in Loop C

    Site sewer connection is high; needs to be knocked down to ground level 

    Short length of site caused creative tow vehicle parking 

    Loop C women’s toilet/shower building a big nasty mess Saturday 

    Trash dumpsters are on the main road near the campground check-in station (not walkable) 

    Noisy campground; 9pm quiet hour not enforced

    Lots of barking dogs 

    No wood sales in park 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon

  • Dwight D.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Jenny Jump State Forest

    Cute Comfortable Shelter

    This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! 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. Even compared to our glamping this was luxury!!

    There are eight shelters at Jenny Jump State Park. Shelter 2 is a minute walk from the restroom with sink/shower and water. Shelters 7 & 8 are even closer while 4 & 5 are the furthest, may an extra 5 minutes walk? The dead end means there isn't too much traffic, though the road is right there so you can wave to the other campers heading to the restroom or for hikes. There is a trail head at one of the parking lots. During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road. We got to see their dogs, so that was a bonus for us! Otherwise, this shelter is not situated too close to the other shelters and feels very private.

    We brought battery-powered lights since there is no electricity. There were coat hooks and a built-in shelf for our snacks, games, and other supplies. There was a picnic table and benches inside. We brought camping chairs for relaxing on the porch. We spent most of our time on the porch; cooking, chatting, and crafting while enjoying the sunshine and breeze.

    Oh, this shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not.

  • D
    Jul. 5, 2020

    Tobyhanna State Park Campground

    Good campground for families.

    My dog and I stayed for 2 nights in the rustic tenting area. We were the only campers Wednesday & Thursday. The family camp area features spaces (small areas for either RV campers or tents and cars) with a picnic table and fire ring and water (some have electricity). They also have shared facilities such as bathrooms and showers. However, they seemed a little too cramped fir me and I wasn’t looking for opportunities to socialize, so the remote tent site was my choice. The tent sites do not have water or electric, but do have picnic tables, a fire ring and share one large outhouse with clean pit toilets. There are 5 sites and they can accommodate (shared) multiple tent set ups. Also you need to park your vehicle in a designated lot which is very close to the sites. There are multiple easy hiking and biking trails that are well marked. A lake for fishing and a small sandy beach with a picnic area for families (unfortunately no dogs are allowed on the beach). There are 2 boat launch areas (one for the campers, and another for gen. public) which also has a boat rental business (dogs are allowed). There are black bears in the park so do not leave food out and dispose of all trash in the appropriate dumpsters.

  • Angel A.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Lower Lake Campground Northwoods Area — Promised Land State Park

    Northwoods Campground

    Big sites with 30 amp service available for RVs and trailers. Each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with an adjustable grate. The pull-through sites don’t offer much in the way of privacy, but that’s the trade off for convenience. There are two potable water spigots in the campground. The bathhouse offers warm showers, 2 dishwashing sinks, and a coin-operated washer and dryer. The facilities are kept very clean. On the weekends it can get pretty crowded, so it tends to be louder at night then, but the camp hosts and the rangers do a good job of enforcing quiet hours. Access points to several trails are very near the campground. As with all PA state parks, alcohol is prohibited. The park doesn’t have a camp store, however, there is a small general store on Route 390 (The Lake Store) just north of the park that would have any essentials you may have forgotten, as well as ice for your cooler.

  • Alaina Z.
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park

    Beautiful facilities, rocky sites

    Pros: -beautiful new bathrooms -private lakeside walk-in sites -beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless -the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked.

    Cons: -chunky bluestone gravel on the sites, so bring a sleeping pad! -has a beach but it's not much to look at -sites have nice sizable fire pits, but they are very tall. It's difficult to cook over them, and sitting around the campfire in the evening is a much less visually appealing experience than I'd like

    We stayed in site 157. Accessible via a path from the designated parking space to the site about 2 minute walk. Lakeside, but visibility not great due to vegetation. All sites have little trails down to the water.

    Site 174 by the road and less private, but prettily overhung by evergreens.

    The cabins look very nice inside.

Guide to Nesquehoning

Primitive campsites near Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania cluster along the Lehigh River valley and surrounding ridges at elevations between 400-1,600 feet. Temperatures average 45-80°F from spring through fall with typical Appalachian precipitation patterns. Many tent camping areas require advanced planning due to limited space and seasonal access restrictions at primitive sites.

What to do

Water activities on Mauch Chunk Lake: Paddle sports are popular at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, where campers can bring or rent equipment. "You can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," notes Lisa S. The beach area provides swimming opportunities during summer months.

Whitewater rafting excursions: The Lehigh River offers class II-III rapids accessible from nearby campsites. "Rafting on the Lehigh with whitewater challengers was amazing," reports Katie S. about her stay at Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center, which combines camping with river adventures.

Mountain biking access: The D&L Trail follows an old railroad bed and connects directly to several campgrounds. "The park itself is located along the D&L biking trail that is on the bed of an old railroad," explains Asher K. about Riverview Park Campground, making it convenient for cyclists exploring the region.

What campers like

Riverside campsites: Sites at Riverview Park Campground position campers directly beside the Lehigh River. "The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit," writes Asher K., highlighting the straightforward amenities.

Protected forest settings: Pine forest camping areas offer natural shelter and comfort. "The pine trees provide a nice cover to make this a well-protected site in case of bad weather," notes Asher K. about AT Group Campsite, describing the cushioned pine needle ground cover.

Group-friendly spaces: Many areas accommodate larger parties with multiple tent sites. "A very large flat site with plenty of clear spots for multiple tents. This would work well for a large group," observes Asher K. about Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite, noting its established fire ring and sitting areas.

What you should know

Water availability varies: Many primitive sites require carrying water. "There is no water access at the site so make sure to fill up before coming up the mountain," warns Asher K. about Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite. Plan accordingly for your water needs.

Site reservations: Some campgrounds require advance booking. "Just make sure if you are going to stay here that you reserve a site in advance since they will charge you an additional $10 if you show up without planning," advises Asher K. about Riverview Park Campground.

Noise levels at established campgrounds: Busier campgrounds experience more activity noise. "It was not just 1 group; there were multiple parties making a lot of noise until after midnight," reports Danielle F. about her stay at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, noting that quiet hours weren't enforced during her visit.

Tips for camping with families

Lake activities for children: Scrub Mountain Retreat provides access to water recreation suitable for various ages. "GREAT first trip! The campgrounds were nice and there was a lot to do. Volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals," shares Danny M. about nearby recreational options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nesquehoning, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nesquehoning, PA is Mauch Chunk Lake Park with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.

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