Best Tent Camping near New Castle, PA

Tent campers near New Castle, Pennsylvania have several established campgrounds within driving distance. Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Campground in Ohio offers tent sites with fire pits and basic amenities, while Danner Primitive Campground provides a more secluded experience with hike-in access only. Quiet and Secluded, a private property campground, maintains highly-rated tent sites with more amenities than typical primitive areas.

Most tent sites in the region feature fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Danner Primitive Campground requires a 2-mile hike from the Kennerdell bridge trailhead to reach its eight riverside tent sites. The campground provides vault toilets with hand sanitizer and a spring water source that requires boiling before consumption. Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Campground offers drive-in access to tent sites with fires allowed and toilet facilities, though the bathroom access is somewhat distant from the camping area. Permits may be required for extended stays at certain locations, particularly at state forest sites.

The tent camping experience around New Castle offers varying levels of seclusion and natural settings. Danner Primitive Campground positions tent sites along the river edge with good spacing between sites, providing a remote feel despite cabins visible across the water. Mountain View Camps provides access to nearby hiking trails and fishing spots, making it suitable for outdoor enthusiasts seeking activities beyond the campsite. A camper noted that Quiet and Secluded lives up to its name, describing it as a "beautiful place" with "clean amenities" where the "host was very accommodating."

Best Tent Sites Near New Castle, Pennsylvania (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near New Castle, PA

7 Photos of 8 New Castle Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near New Castle, PA

495 Reviews of 8 New Castle Campgrounds


  • Kathleen B.
    May. 25, 2021

    Breakneck Campground

    Nice little campground

    Our first visit to this campground and we actually found from using this website! We wanted a secluded site and close to Pittsburgh. 

    We arrived around 7pm and there was no check in, we drove around for a while trying to find a spot with a fire ring per some helpful campers. There are two really nice spots by the water which were taken, and we only saw one other in the woods (the other 2 were hidden by a large group of people).

    We ended up finding a flat spot with some tree cover what was far enough from our neighbors but about as close as a bigger campground. Would be good for larger groups. Ton of flat land for tents but saw some people with smaller campers. Firewood is $5 a bucket and clean and dry. Bring a table cloth for the tables. 

    Portapot close by but full bath rooms and showers by main lodge. Lots of tent platforms that overlooked into the woods which would be fun, for a smaller 4 person tent though. 

    As another reviewer stated, there was a super loud group Friday night but Saturday was very peaceful and quiet and we met the owner who checked us in and apologized for the loud group and said he was still getting the campground ready for the season. The price is the same for either spots. 

    Short walk down cheeseman road to trail entrances to McConnells Mills State Park. Short drive to hells hallow or the covered bridge. 

    Overall we had a great time and will be back!

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2022

    Tomlinson Run State Park Campground

    Camping in the trees

    Electric Site 37 - pad is pretty level, plenty for our small camper and truck, on a slight hill to get to fire ring but lots of space to spread out. You could tent but not really a flat spot. We were near the non-electric cul de sac and a neighbor right across but not on top of each other. Trees are everywhere and wonderful during the fall season. We had a big night of rain and with the wind it dried up pretty quickly.

    Camp store - small, not a lot in it but may be end of the season items only. Mostly shirts and mugs and very little snack food. The camp store staff were all very friendly and helpful and the store has limited WiFi if you stood in the right spot. There is a laundry room available there as well.

    Dump station- 2 way and potable water on the other side of it. The only place to drop your trash too.

    Trails - lots of trails to choose from. Some were pretty easy some were a little hilly. My favorite was the fern trail - lots of ferns and a very pretty stream. Hiking poles are recommended especially if it rains.

    Playground - is available for kids and a huge shelter house too.

    Firewood is $6 a bundle and burns well, no slab cut.

    Water - have to go up to entrance as the water spouts are still shut off.

    Showers - in womens the shower on the left never got warm, other two were fine. There are 4 flush toilets.

  • d
    Jul. 24, 2018

    Jamestown Campground — Pymatuning State Park

    great spot for direct kayak/canoe put in.

    We stayed in site 218. this spot is in the smaller ( less crowded) part of Jamestown campground in Pymatuning SP. it is right on the water and has an easy access area for shore fishing and entering a kayak or canoe or some other water device. the site sits on a little bay and the otherside (more crowded) of the campground is across the water. the water is a little murky/ grassy but still good entry area. the campsite was spacious for a pa state park. the site is between the lake and the road. sites 212-222 look to be on the water with boat access, but 218 has the easiest entry. 220’s picnic Bench and fire pit sit next to the water with great views, but there is little shade. 218 had a great shady spot were you can hang 3 hammocks. there is no electricity at these sites and pretty much tent only. lots of tent space. the fire ring was decent but we moved it as it was right underneath a burnt tree. 218 was ADA accessible with a nice picnic table. restrooms were fairly close. clean... outdated, but clean.

  • Britt B.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Breakneck Campground

    Perfect Spot to Explore McConnell's Mill

    Breakneck is a private campground on the edge of the McConnell’s Mill State Park. They offer RV sites, tent camping and cabins. The tent camping is either grassy, flat sites or on an elevated timber platform overlooking a gorge. They also offer walk-in tent sites down by the creek which are beautiful. 

    We were lucky enough to be able to to camp down by the stream. There are designated fireplaces. It is quite a walk up the hill to the campground amenities, but worth it to feel secluded down by the creek. From our campsite we walked along the creek into McConnells Mill State Park and joined the covered bridge trail. Approx. 30min walk along the creek down into McConnells Mill State Park. 

    The campground sells firewood and has great amenities. Note: there is no phone reception at the tent sites by the creek. They welcome fury friends!

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Mill Creek Camping — Berlin Lake Wildlife Area

    Beautiful but no peace and quiet

    Camp hosts were amazing and our spot was large and pretty. Our neighbors however were absolutely obnoxious. Just screaming obscenities nearly the whole time and were definitely drinking even though no alcohol is allowed in the park. Rangers drive by very frequently yet do absolutely nothing even after quiet hours start. Maybe it's not always like this but I may never return because of it. I want a nice quiet and relaxing time not put up with screaming drunks and kids. Also there was so much traffic constantly!

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2022

    Shenango Campground

    Huge COE

    After getting off I80, our RV GPS wanted to take us on a wonky route, so we followed Waze and the campground’s(CG) web instructions that took us across the causeway on N. Hermitage Rd, then a right turn off on Birchwood Rd, which led us to take a left turn back across N. Hermitage Rd to get back to the Shenango Rec Area turn. Once we got to the CG, check in was quick and very easy. Just happened, our next door neighbor/camp host checked us in and told us we could get water off their site so we proceeded straight to site 199 that’s a back in with electric(50/30 AMP) only plus one of the better spaced sites in the CG. We had to maneuver a couple of times to get into the 90 degree site but the road was wide with no obstacles to prevent swinging into the site. We quickly found out that our 50 AMP connection had issues and after reporting it, a maintenance crew came within 20 minutes and fixed a bad breaker. We got 3 bars on Verizon and a handful of OTA channels. Due to the amount of mature trees, satellite would be iffy depending on your site. There are no FHU sites(camp host sites have electric& water). Electric sites are centrally grouped within the loops and spaced closer together than most COEs. The majority of the sites within this CG are dry camping and they too are fairly close together. The sites right on the lake were all dry camping. With all the dry camping sites in this CG, its nice that they allow generator use during non quiet hours. Quiet hours here are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. There are water spigots periodically located within the loops and the CG map identifies where they are. There’s also a two-lane dump station located near the entrance but there is no potable water. There are signs stating no alcohol in the park, but people were openly drinking. We also noted that the contractors who clean the restroom/shower facilities start early in the morning and close the facility while cleaning, which was inconvenient for the dry campers just waking up. If we were to stay at this CG again, we’d come during the week and get a dry camping site on the water.

  • K
    Jun. 25, 2021

    Jefferson Lake State Park Campground

    Quiet and Beautiful

    This smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning. You need to be careful when booking, especially if you are trying to pitch a tent, as some sites are quite sloped. Our site was huge and right next to the water spigot.

  • C
    Jun. 28, 2021

    Jamestown Campground — Pymatuning State Park

    Another trip to Jamestown Campground

    My family has visited Pymatuning park many times now and try have used a variety of spots at Jamestown campground. It is large, offering multiple options for campsite types. It’s a standard PA state park campground offering bathrooms (bathrooms are older, but are being renovated July-August 2021) showers, fire ring, picnic table, etc. Campsites J-106 thru J-116 are well shaded, but are alongside route 322 which maintains consistent traffic at all hours. If the noise is not an issue, this run of tent sites are well spaced, and offer easy access to the facilities. To be away from the road (and nearer to the lake) sites J-120 thru J-128 are closer together but can be quieter (depending on your neighbors…)

    The beach area is clean, and raked often. It has a playground and volleyball court. On Friday’s they have a family movie night at the amphitheater. Most Saturdays in the summer they offer crafts and activities for kids at the beach.

    The surrounding area also has plenty of activities to offer: Local restaurants, ice cream, hiking, kayaking/boating, fishing, etc.

  • M
    May. 31, 2024

    Jamestown Campground — Pymatuning State Park

    Pymatuning Jamestown

    Quiet park. Some road noise from campsite J100 but US route 322 is lightly traveled. Typical tent site with fire ring and picnic table. Across street from bath house with shower and toilet which was clean.


Guide to New Castle

Tent camping sites around New Castle, Pennsylvania typically open from April through October with closures during winter months at most established locations. Several campgrounds provide tent-specific sites with varying degrees of privacy and amenities. The region experiences moderate summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, making weather preparedness essential for campers planning multi-day stays.

What to do

Fishing access: Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Campground offers proximity to local fishing spots where campers can enjoy freshwater fishing opportunities during spring and summer months. According to Frederick B., "Camping in a tree farm has been cool! Clean bathroom, office to charge electronics and a campsite with firepit was great."

Hiking opportunities: Mountain View Camps provides convenient access to multiple trail systems for day hikes. Richard C. notes, "Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn."

Mountain biking: The terrain surrounding Mountain View Camps features dedicated mountain bike tracks suitable for different skill levels. The natural landscape includes both wooded and open terrain sections, creating varied riding experiences for cycling enthusiasts.

What campers like

Peaceful atmosphere: Quiet and Secluded campground delivers on its name with minimal noise disturbance. Clyde A. mentions, "Rolled up on the later side but was welcomed kindly by the owner Bill. Beautiful spot. Clean amenities!"

Riverside settings: Danner Primitive Campground positions campsites along the water's edge, creating direct river access. Casey L. describes, "There are 8 sites spread out along the edge of the river, some being closer together than others. They are level and clear, each with a new picnic table and nice fire rings with adjustable grates."

Charging facilities: Pioneer Trails Tree Farm provides access to electrical outlets, allowing campers to recharge devices. This feature proves particularly valuable for bicycle tourists and those needing to maintain communication during their outdoor stay.

What you should know

Water sources: Danner Primitive Campground offers natural spring water that requires treatment before consumption. According to Casey L., "There is a spring for water which says to boil before drinking. There is also a big display board with state forest info and maps."

Accessibility limitations: Most primitive tent sites require some hiking to access. The Danner campground specifically requires "about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge" according to visitor reports, making it unsuitable for those with mobility constraints.

Bathroom facilities: Toilet proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. Andrew O. from Pioneer Trails notes, "Only wish toilet access was a little closer for the women," indicating that some sites require walking a distance to reach restroom facilities.

Tips for camping with families

Tree farm activities: Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Campground offers unique exploration opportunities among tree plantations. Andrew O. shares, "My family and I had a great time. It was very easy and relaxing. The trees were quite the entertaining experience for the kids."

Wildlife viewing: Children may enjoy wildlife spotting at Mountain View Camps where Richard C. mentions possible sightings of "an albino fawn" among other natural encounters, creating educational opportunities for young campers.

Site selection: When camping with children at Danner Primitive Campground, consider the hiking distance required. The 2-mile access trail may prove challenging for families with very young children or those carrying substantial camping equipment.

Tips from RVers

Electric hookup availability: Quiet and Secluded offers electrical connections for small RVs and tent campers needing power. Tom J. confirms the positive experience stating, "Beautiful place. Host was very accommodating. Great time."

Site spacing considerations: Most campgrounds near New Castle feature relatively limited spacing between sites, affecting privacy levels for RV campers. When possible, request corner sites or those positioned at the ends of camping areas for maximum separation from neighboring campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there tent campgrounds with electricity near New Castle?

Mountain View Camps offers tent camping with electrical hookups near New Castle. This campground provides convenient access to electrical amenities while still enjoying the tent camping experience. You'll be close to hiking trails and fishing spots, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who don't want to completely disconnect. For those seeking a more rustic option with some amenities, Colwells Campground near Knox is within reasonable driving distance and provides electrical sites for tent campers. Always call ahead to confirm current electrical availability and rates.

What camping options are available close to New Castle?

The New Castle area offers diverse camping experiences for all preferences. Quiet and Secluded provides a peaceful private camping experience with clean amenities and friendly hosts. For those seeking more primitive adventures, Danner Primitive Campground offers hike-in or paddle-in only sites about 2 miles from the Kennerdell bridge trailhead. The surrounding region also features options like Crystal Springs Campground and Lake Village at Pymatuning within driving distance, offering a mix of amenities from basic tent sites to full RV hookups. Most local campgrounds are seasonal, typically operating from spring through fall.

Which is the most popular tent campsite near New Castle, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near New Castle, PA is Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near New Castle, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near New Castle, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.