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 New Ringgold, PA
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The Appalachian Trail corridor near New Ringgold, Pennsylvania offers several primitive tent camping options for backpackers and weekend adventurers. Tent-only sites along the ridgelines provide secluded backcountry experiences, particularly at AT Ridge Campground and AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap, both rated highly by hikers for their scenic views. Established campgrounds like Mauch Chunk Lake Park in nearby Jim Thorpe and Riverview Park Campground provide more accessible tent camping with basic amenities, while Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers creekside tent sites for those seeking water proximity.
Most primitive tent sites in the region feature stone fire rings but limited facilities. Campers should bring water when heading to backcountry tent sites, as drinking water is unavailable at most Appalachian Trail campsites. The terrain varies significantly, with ridgeline sites offering flat, dry areas for tent setup, while lower elevation sites may become boggy after rain. Basic pit toilets are available at established campgrounds, but backcountry tent campers should be prepared with proper waste disposal methods. Fire regulations are strictly enforced throughout the region, with some sites prohibiting alcohol consumption.
Walk-in tent sites along the Appalachian Trail provide exceptional views and solitude compared to drive-in campgrounds. According to one camper at AT Overlook Campground, "You can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door and the space is flat, dry, and not too rocky." Pine forest sites offer natural padding and weather protection, with a visitor noting that "pine trees provide nice cover to make this a well-protected site in case of bad weather." Tent campers at Riverview Park enjoy riverside locations with picnic tables and fire pits, making it convenient for those planning water activities on the Lehigh River. Wildlife sightings are common, with turkey and bear activity reported in the higher elevation camping areas.
Best Tent Campgrounds near New Ringgold (27)
1. Mauch Chunk Lake Park
"Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone."
"Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
2. Shambala at Mystic Hollow
"Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers great creekside campsites for anyone looking to pitch a tent and enjoy some time by the water. Check them out and share your experience on the Dyrt!"
Check Availabilityfrom $40 / night
3. AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap
"The only downside was my sleeping pad sprung a leak, so it wasn't the best night's sleep. But the site itself was great and I would camp there again."
"A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."
4. AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap
"You can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door and the space is flat, dry, and not too rocky."
5. Riverview Park Campground
"The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit. They also have a bathroom facility up alongside the road."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $30 / night
6. AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap
"This site is really 2 separate sites that are a short ways apart along the trail. They are both excellent spots to set up a tent if you plan on camping up on the ridge."
7. George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter
"A single-level open-sided AT shelter near the Lehigh Gap trailhead. The shelter itself is well maintained and has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers."
8. Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite (group)
"This site appears to be well-used and has several established areas for sitting and setting up a fire."
9. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
10. Scrub Mountain Retreat
from $30 - $35 / night
Drive Time
- 37 min from Reading, PA
- 43 min from Allentown, PA
- 50 min from Lebanon, PA
- 1 hr 6 min from Lancaster, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near New Ringgold, PA
47 Photos of 27 New Ringgold Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
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Tent Camping Reviews near New Ringgold, PA
988 Reviews of 27 New Ringgold 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.
Peggy C.
TravelerCountry Acres Campground
Lovely campground!
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
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.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Beautiful Falls!
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
Troy P.TravelerShikellamy State Park Campground
meh
i mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
- LLynn C.Scout
Old Mill Stream Campground
Never Again
The advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Council Cup Campground
Better than nothing
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideBeacon Hill Camping
Great location
We stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
Guide to New Ringgold
Tent campsites near New Ringgold, Pennsylvania range from basic Appalachian Trail sites at 1,600 feet elevation to developed campgrounds along the Lehigh River. The region sits within the northern reaches of the Ridge and Valley Appalachians, characterized by parallel mountain ridges separated by narrow valleys. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms that can create slick trail conditions.
What to do
Whitewater adventures: Book a rafting trip with Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center, where campers can combine overnight stays with daytime water activities. "Rafting on the Lehigh with whitewater challengers was amazing. The campground is definitely great for Girl Scout or school groups," notes Katie S.
Paddle boarding: Launch directly from lakefront sites at Mauch Chunk Lake Park to enjoy clear waters. "You can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," explains Lisa S., who appreciates the weekday calm on the water.
Biking access: The D&L biking trail runs alongside Riverview Park Campground, built on an old railroad bed. "The park itself is located along the D&L biking trail that is on the bed of an old railroad," shares Asher K., who recommends reserving sites in advance to avoid a $10 walk-up fee.
What campers like
Riverside tent sites: The water-adjacent tent camping areas offer convenient access for boating activities. According to Emma T. at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, "Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone. We set up the tent, kayaked on the lake, cooked up some dinner, watched a strawberry super moon rise over the lake."
Pine needle forest floor: The soft natural padding at AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap provides comfortable tent setups. "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area... The pine trees also provide a nice cover to make this a well-protected site in case of bad weather," notes Asher K.
Group-friendly layouts: Sites accommodate various group sizes and experience levels. Mackenzie B. says about Mauch Chunk Lake Park, "I've stayed here a couple times with groups. I believe it is a great spot to go with people who haven't camped much before. It has flat tent spaces, generally clean bathrooms, and access to tons of things to do."
What you should know
Noise levels vary: Campground noise can fluctuate significantly by location and timing. "We were surrounded by very loud campers. It was not just 1 group; there were multiple parties making a lot of noise until after midnight. There are supposed to be quiet hours, but they were not enforced," reports Danielle F. about weekend visits to Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Water supply planning: Most backcountry tent sites require bringing water. At AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap, Asher K. advises, "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."
Wildlife encounters: Bear activity is common in higher elevation camping areas. "When I was up here I came across a flock of wild turkeys who thoroughly scared me when they flew off. I was already on edge since there are several signs warning of high bear activity," shares Asher K. about AT Overlook Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: First-time campers find success at developed campgrounds. Danny M. reports about Mauch Chunk Lake Park, "GREAT first trip! The campgrounds were nice and there was a lot to do. Volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals."
Pack extra padding: Rocky terrain requires additional comfort layers for tent camping. "Many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters," suggests Amber M. about camping at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Check pet policies: Campground pet rules vary widely in the area. Despite being listed as pet-friendly on some websites, Blythe A. warns, "have not stayed here but this is listed as pet friendly on thedyrt.com but if you go to the park's website, pets are not allowed" about Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Despite busy campgrounds, strategic site selection can improve camping experience. Katie S. notes about Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite, "The campground was spacious and while it was likely full, it still felt secluded."
Fire pit preparation: Inspect and clean fire pits upon arrival. "The fire pit was so full of ash and trash and giant rocks that we had to clean ourselves right when we arrived," reports Corbin about Mauch Chunk Lake Park, suggesting campers bring tools for fire pit maintenance.
Weekend planning: Arrive early for prime spots during peak season. "If you go during the week, it's quite calm," advises Lisa S., implying that weekends bring more activity and potential competition for desirable sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near New Ringgold, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near New Ringgold, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near New Ringgold, PA is Mauch Chunk Lake Park with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
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New Ringgold, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near New Ringgold, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near New Ringgold, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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