Best Tent Camping near New Tripoli, PA

Tent campers exploring the area around New Tripoli, Pennsylvania will find several backcountry options along the Appalachian Trail, with multiple primitive tent sites clustered near Lehigh Gap. The AT Ridge Campground and AT Overlook Campground provide ridge-top camping experiences with established fire rings and space for multiple tents. These primitive sites are accessible only by hiking in from the Lehigh Gap trailhead, making them suitable for backpackers rather than car campers.

The primitive tent sites near Lehigh Gap feature stone fire rings but lack amenities like running water or toilets. Campers must pack in all water or filter from limited seasonal sources along the trail. Most sites have flat, cleared areas for setting up tents, though some locations like the Woodpecker Trailhead site can become boggy after rainfall. The George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter provides a covered sleeping platform for through-hikers, with a nearby spring for water. No reservations are required for these walk-in tent sites, but campers should follow Leave No Trace principles and be prepared for high bear activity as noted on trail signage.

Tent campers at the ridgeline sites enjoy expansive valley views and unique natural settings. The AT Overlook Campground is particularly well-situated, offering tent sites with direct views of the valley from your tent door. The area features fields of ferns surrounding the campsites, creating a distinctive camping environment. Sites vary in their level of tree cover, with some offering hammock opportunities and others providing more open settings. Hikers should be prepared to carry all gear and supplies up sometimes steep and rocky trails to reach these backcountry tent locations. One camper noted, "This site is flat, dry, and not too rocky. 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."

Best Tent Sites Near New Tripoli, Pennsylvania (34)

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Tent Camping Reviews near New Tripoli, PA

982 Reviews of 34 New Tripoli 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.

  • 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.

  • Christina H.
    Aug. 29, 2019

    Round Valley State Park Campground

    Come for the jaw-dropping views. Review for Round Valley State Park Site 52

    Round Valley is certainly a must see for any type of outdoors person, or someone who appreciates relaxation in a gorgeous landscape. It is a semi-mountainous, forested setting with a very large "lake", which is really a man-made reservoir in the middle of a valley. 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. You will have to look very hard to find a more beautiful camping scene in New Jersey. Also, it's dog friendly!

    There is no car access to these campsites, you must keep your vehicle overnight in their south parking lot. If you have a camping registration you do not have to pay the fee to enter the park after you check in to the office. The only way to get to the campsites which are located on the other side of the reservoir deep in the woods, are by boating in, backpacking in, or biking in. If you are boating, kayaking, or canoeing to your site, be very careful and watch the wind warnings. If the wind-warning strobe lights go off you should get off of the water asap because the waters can get very rough and this place is nicknamed the Bermuda Triangle of NJ. We were originally going to boat in for a quick overnight, but at the last minute we decided we wanted a challenge. We backpacked 5.5 miles in on an August morning to site #52. The trail was mountainous, rocky, hilly, but for the most part in the shade. This is definitely not a walk through the park easy trail, pack light and don't bring coolers or wagons if you are hiking it. The first three miles are very rocky, with some larger rocks protruding from the ground, but from there on the trail turns into smooth asphalt to allow for ranger and emergency vehicles and it gets a lot easier. We were a bit sore the next day with a couple of mild blisters but we were still able to easily do the 5.5 mile hike back in the afternoon. Someone who does a lot of hiking and backpacking will find the trail easy, but with little to no experience you may struggle. My dog is a 7 year old retriever with minor joint issues and the trail was a piece of cake to her (she even carried all of her own gear).

     These are truly primitive sites with only a few drinking water pumps scattered about and some primitive outhouses, however, you never feel completely alone here because the campsites are not spaced too far apart. My honest opinion: filter or purify your water right from the reservoir if you have the option, because you may be far from a pump, or it may be temporarily closed, and the reservoir water tastes good and is cold. I also opt to skip the outhouses too because they are never clean and always stink unbearably no matter where they are. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted. If you must bring alchohol,  bring a little in a subtle container and do not bother the other campers. Swimming is also technically not permitted but there were many people swimming and we swam also and no one was bothered.

    Now onto our campsite. Site 52 was nearly perfect. The views were to die for. We were able to clearly see the water past the trees from our tent and from our picnic table. The trip to the water was just a few yards away by a footpath carved through tall grass. Unfortunately, the guests before us were very dirty and there was fresh trash scattered about our spot, so we had some cleaning to do when we arrived. The other downside to this spot is you could just barely see site 53 from your spot, which wasn't a huge deal but it wasn't total privacy. Since the surrounding campsites are just barely spaced out to give enough privacy, you can clearly hear your neighbors if they are being noisy. Keep that in mind if you are being the noisy one too. The park strictly enforces its rules and if you are being a nuisance you will be escorted off the property. We saw it first hand on our overnight trip. Our neighbors were college-age, very loud and rowdy, chugging beers and smoking (both are not permitted so don't make it obvious if you are doing either). Suddenly it got quiet and we look over and there are 3 cops at their site arresting them. We were thankful that it got quiet after that, but it was short lived, right before the sun set our other neighbors boat in and start playing music loudly and chopping wood, this continued until around 1am. We would have complained but we were just too tired and kept just falling back asleep. But seriously please don't be that guy.

    Onto the the tl;dr!

    PROS:

    • Breathtaking scenery
    • Gorgeous crystal-clear water
    • Sites are in a beautiful wooded area
    • Sites have a picnic table and nice fire rings
    • You can boat, kayak, or canoe right into your spot if you have a water-access site, site numbers are posted to help you find your spot
    • Great spot to watch wildlife
    • Amazing spot for water sports, fishing, swimming, etc
    • Beautiful, scenic trails to hike or bike
    • Can confirm the sunsets are gorgeous 
    • Every site is dog friendly!
    • There is a lot of variety with the sites (water access or more into the mountain, full shade, partial, or no shade, how far they are spaced apart, etc) so you will be able to find the site that is perfect for you 
    • Paths that allow for emergency vehicles, police, and rangers keep the place safe and fun while giving you the remote feeling of a campsite
    • Lots of tinder and firewood available to gather
    • Our site had a couple clotheslines hung already
    • Each outhouse had bear-proof trash cans, very handy

    CONS:

    • Our site was left littered
    • Noisy, disruptive neighbors
    • Not full privacy (depending on the site)
    • Outhouses smelled like death and were terribly dirty and dark
    • Only 2 water pumps were working when we went, and they were both way too far, we brought a water filter and pumped our own water straight out of the reservoir 
    • The trail had a surprising amount of litter, mainly tinfoil and cigarette butts scattered along the trail. Perhaps the rangers could be more strict about littering
    • Mild boat noise at water-front sites

    **THINGS TO DO AT ROUND VALLEY **

    • Great fishing
    • Kayaking/canoeing/boating
    • Swimming
    • Beautiful hiking trails
    • Wildlife/bird watching
    • Mountain biking
    • Picnicking 
    • Relaxing
  • V
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Knoebels Campground

    Clean, quiet, inexpensive, fun place to camp!

    Knoebels campground is situated next to Knoebels amusement park and offers sites for tent campers and RVs, as well as cabins.

    There is electricity at every site but not water. There are fill stations throughout the campgrounds. Most sites are level and shaded. There are nice sturdy wooden platforms for tent campers.

    The bath houses are clean and well maintained. There are outside sinks with mirrors, laundry facilities, shower stalls, and toilet stalls. Or if you prefer there are also traditional bathrooms with showers.

    Quiet hours are enforced between 10p and 8a.

    Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Wood is available by the bucket near the check in building. Sites are inexpensive and are all a short walk, or free shuttle ride, to the park!.

  • Jim N.
    Apr. 29, 2019

    Hibernia County Park

    Hidden gem

    A nice primitive campground - good for a quick trip away. The campground is a county run one that works on a first come first serve basis, which is fine if there are others close by. They are wooded sites and have 2 loops. There is no store, but there a places close to get supplies. The park is dry, no alcohol. No hook ups either. There is an old mansion that gives tours on weekends.


Guide to New Tripoli

Campers visiting New Tripoli, Pennsylvania can explore additional tent camping options beyond the Appalachian Trail. The region sits in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet. Seasonal weather varies dramatically, with humid summers reaching into the 80s and winters dropping below freezing, impacting camping conditions and water availability throughout the year.

What to do

Water activities at Mauch Chunk Lake: Launch kayaks or paddleboards directly from lakefront campsites at Mauch Chunk Lake Park. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm. I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," reports Lisa S.

Hiking to primitive sites: Access secluded tent camping at Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite with multiple established fire areas. "A very large flat site with plenty of clear spots for multiple tents. This would work well for a large group. This site appears to be well-used and has several established areas for sitting and setting up a fire," notes Asher K.

River camping and biking: Camp alongside the Lehigh River at Riverview Park Campground with direct access to the D&L biking trail. "This is the perfect place for camping if you are adventuring out on the Lehigh River and want to get an early start or stay the night. The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit," explains a reviewer.

What campers like

Protected shelter access: The George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter provides hikers with covered sleeping during inclement weather. "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. There is also a spring nearby for filling up water," mentions Asher K.

Secluded group camping: Find pine-covered tent areas at AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap when camping with multiple people. "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area. This site sits a little ways back from the trail but is a nice quiet and secluded spot," says one camper.

Family-friendly atmosphere: Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers amenities that make tent camping New Tripoli more accessible. "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 on the campground and nearby," shares Mackenzie B.

What you should know

Water availability varies: Most primitive sites require carrying all water or filtering from limited sources. At the Woodpecker Trailhead campground, "There is no water available at the site itself but there were some small creeks along the trail coming up the hill or you can fill up at the nature center near the trailhead," notes a camper.

Site conditions after rain: Some tent camping areas near New Tripoli become wet after precipitation. "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," warns a reviewer about the Lehigh Gap Woodpecker Trailhead.

Weekend crowding: Popular established campgrounds can become noisy during peak times. "We visited in the summer on a weekend when it was full. The campsites are too close to each other and 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," reports Danielle F.

Tips for camping with families

First-time camper friendly: Beginners find Mauch Chunk Lake Park accessible for introducing children to tent camping. "GREAT first trip! The campgrounds were nice and there was a lot to do. Volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals. Also a lot to do in the nearby town," shares Danny M.

Beach access for kids: Swimming areas provide recreational options for families. "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!" notes Annette M., making this a good alternative to more rugged tent camping around New Tripoli.

Pack extra padding: Tree roots and rocks can make tent sleeping uncomfortable without preparation. "Many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters. Plenty of space away from neighbors," advises Amber M.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options near primitive areas: The immediate Lehigh Gap area primarily serves tent campers rather than RVs, with most sites requiring hiking access. Nearby established campgrounds like Mauch Chunk Lake Park offer some RV sites with hookups.

Reservations required: For RV camping at developed campgrounds, plan ahead. "Our site was for the most part clean, the fire pit was so full of ash and trash and giant rocks that we had to clean ourselves right when we arrived," explains one reviewer, highlighting maintenance issues that can arise at busy campgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

TheDyrt.com has all 34 tent camping locations near New Tripoli, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.