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 Paupack, PA
4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent campsites in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area near Paupack, Pennsylvania offer diverse primitive camping experiences, particularly along the Delaware River. Namanock Island and Sandyston Boat In Campsites provide tent-only options accessible solely by water, requiring canoes or kayaks for access. These sites, maintained by the National Park Service, operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are designed for overnight river travelers continuing downstream to other primitive tent locations.
Most walk-in tent sites in this region feature basic fire rings and limited amenities, with campers needing to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Sites typically accommodate 1-6 tents depending on location, with larger group areas at Rivers Bend Group Campground. The terrain consists primarily of natural clearings with forest duff or riverside rocks. Access to most primitive tent campgrounds requires careful planning, as many are boat-in only from designated river access points. The National Park Service maintains these backcountry tent locations with specific usage rules, including one-night stay limits at island sites.
Delaware Water Gap tent camping provides exceptional seclusion, especially at water-accessible sites like Hornbeck's River Campsites and Alosa Boat In Campsites. Tent campers find riverside locations with natural surroundings and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. At Steam Mill Campground in nearby Stokes State Forest, walk-in tent sites offer access to hiking trails, including connections to the Appalachian Trail. Many locations provide strategic access to waterfalls, historic sites, and multi-day paddling routes. Primitive toilet facilities exist at some locations, though many require campers to handle waste disposal themselves. A review mentioned, "Namanock has never provided a bad stay, regardless of storms, cold, hot, or what not, the campsite is always eager to provide you with a great night. It is almost always spotless, rarely will you even have to cross paths with other humans while staying here."
Best Tent Campgrounds near Paupack (48)
1. Namanock Island — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"There is a ten dollar fee per day to park your car so bring cash as the parking area is not always manned and you’ll have to leave the fee in an envelope that is available just past the entrance."
"They are a first come, first camped, set up, but I have not once in 6 years, (multiple trips per year), ever found anyone in the site ahead of me."
2. Sandyston Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"This camping site is a set of 6 sites on the New Jersey border maintained by the National Park Service."
"There is no public road access to the campsite. Secondly, the site is maintained by the NPS,(National Park Service) within the DWGNRA, (Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area)."
3. Caffrey Recreation Area
4. Steam Mill Campground
"Campsite is flat, grassy, some rocks to avoid, one tree in center, large fire ring, picnic table, short walk to the pit toilet, short walk to the water spigot that is always running and ice cold, short"
"Fire rings don't seem centered on their cement bases, but other than being aware of the edges as a tripping hazard this is not an issue -- no worse than any other rock or root. "
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
5. Kunkelli Rapids
6. Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"It had 5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables and a real full sized bathroom only 100 yards away."
"You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife."
Check Availabilityfrom $5 - $75 / night
7. Minisink Campground
8. Rivers Bend Group Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"Four outhouses centrally locates and a pump well that did not work. Quiet surrounding. To your right down a small hill is the flat brook that funnels out into a large “U” bend of the Delaware river."
5 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $100 / night
9. Hornbeck's River Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Check Availabilityfrom $16 / night
10. Bushkill Creek Boat In Campsite — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"The only site on the PA side of the at the start of the S-bend in Zone 4 - great to have no neighbors, though we could hear some noise across the water from the 6 Peters sites on the other side. "
Check Availabilityfrom $16 / night
Drive Time
- 31 min from Scranton, PA
- 58 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 20 min from Binghamton, NY
- 1 hr 25 min from Allentown, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Paupack, PA
72 Photos of 48 Paupack Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Second District Brew FarmS
Sandyston Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Namanock Island — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Hornbeck's River Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Ratcliff's River Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Steam Mill Campground
Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Walter's Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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Tent Camping Reviews near Paupack, PA
938 Reviews of 48 Paupack 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.
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.
- WWill W.Guide
Lackawanna State Park Campground
Car camping
Stayed October 14 without reservations because website showed lots of availability. Office was closed (M-F 8-4) so submitted honor system envelope with cash and stayed at Site 041 on Carpenter loop. Shower building was a short walk and was spacious enough. Water temp didn’t quite reach hot but was warm enough.
Electric kept on tripping breaker.
Leo C.ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Daniel C.ScoutHillside Campgrounds
Stay away... Unless you like 70 y/o men acting like high schoolers
This clothing-optional campground has a highly toxic, intrusive, and vindictive environment. During my stay, the seasonal permanent residents('perms') subjected me to intense harassment, inappropriate sexual advances, and severe social retaliation/rumor-spreading when those advances were rejected. The situation escalated to the point where an employee had to intervene for my safety. Furthermore, despite management allowing my photo to be taken in costume at a party, I was intentionally blocked from the community group where the photos were posted, leaving me unable to monitor how my image was being used. Avoid this place if you value your privacy, personal boundaries, and safety.
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
Kathy L.RangerHickory Run State Park Campground
Beautiful forest
Gorgeous forested area in the Poconos. We stayed on the Rattlesnake Loop which was lovely. Sites not super private but most nestled in trees. The only bummer was that that Campground Loop didn’t have any direct links to the trail network and was far from it. The other Campground Loop was closer to trails and office. Would return!
- KKelly B.Guide
Stephens State Park Campground
Great last min getaway
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
Guide to Paupack
Tent campsites near Paupack, Pennsylvania are scattered throughout state forests and along waterways in the Pocono Mountains region. The area sits at approximately 1,300 feet elevation and experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping months. Many primitive sites remain accessible through mid-October when fall foliage creates dense canopies of red and orange above campsites.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 15-minute walk from Hornbeck's sites to Hornbeck Creek waterfall via the McDade Trail. "After pitching your tent, a short walk upriver on the trail will bring you to the Dingman's Campground, whose store has ice cream and cold drinks and to Hornbeck Creek waterfall trail," notes Ross R. in a Hornbeck's River Boat In Campsites review.
Packrafting trips: 4-mile route from Milford Beach to Namanock Island. "I have now taken my packraft to the island twice and have had a fantastic trip each time! The sites are maintained by the NPS and are available on a first come first served basis," explains Derek W., who recommends starting early in the day to secure a spot.
Trail connections: Access Appalachian Trail from several campgrounds. At Steam Mill Campground, "The campground is along the Blue Loop trail, providing either an easy walk along the stream or an easy/moderate hike that connects to the AT with views at Sunrise Mountain. I made a fairly easy 9-mile loop," reports Kristan V.
What campers like
Isolation on river islands: Campers value the seclusion of water-accessible sites. "Once night falls the absence of light sources beyond your camp remind you that you are truly alone in the wilderness," writes John B. about Sandyston Boat In Campsites.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers abundant animal sightings. "Lots of nature and animal sounds day and night, saw deer, doves, robins, woodpeckers, quail(?), chipmunks, squirrels, skunk(?), and heard frogs," notes Dwight D. about Steam Mill Campground.
Night sky visibility: Without light pollution, stars are exceptionally visible. "The camp site is VERY spacious, we have used 5 tents at one time here, 6 or more boats, and when you add the main campfire as well as the couple minor fires through-out the camp that were burning, there was no feel of crowding at all," describes one camper at Namanock Island.
What you should know
Bear safety protocols required: Bears are active throughout the camping areas. "There are bears in this area, and while I've not seen one in the campground, I have seen them on the trails while staying here. I store my food in my car overnight and toss garbage bags in the dumpster nightly as well," advises Kristan V.
Island camping time limits: Most river sites have one-night stay restrictions. "People found camping at this site that are not on a river trip or that are camped at the site for longer than one day can expect to receive hefty fines from the NPS," warns John B. in a Namanock Island review.
Water level fluctuations affect access: River sites can be challenging to reach during certain seasons. "Due to fluctuating water levels all of the islands that are used for camping have a cut wall cliff style approach, but these sites have a very steep and above average height to the shoreline making unloading both more tiring and more of a hazard than I prefer," explains a Sandyston Boat In Campsites review.
Tips for camping with families
Group sites available: Larger families should consider designated group areas. "Large field with multiple group campsites with bearboxes, fire pit and garbage cans at each site. Four outhouses centrally locates and a pump well that did not work," writes Christopher W. about Rivers Bend Group Campground.
Shelter options for beginners: State forest cabins provide comfort for families new to camping. At Jenny Jump State Forest, "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!!" shares Dwight D.
Off-peak timing reduces crowds: Weekday trips significantly increase site availability. "I have only ever gone during the week so I have not had any issue securing one of the four available sites but would recommend getting their earlier if you intend to go during the weekend," advises a Namanock Island reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for tent campers with vehicles: Choose campgrounds with flat, clear tent sites close to parking. "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," warns Seth K. about Jenny Jump State Forest.
Supply run planning: No stores exist near many primitive camping areas. "The only problem we encountered was that there wasn't a store close by for ice or other essentials, although the main office does sell firewood. They close at 4pm, though, so be sure to get there before then!" advises Kelsey K.
Boat-in sites with emergency access: Some primitive river sites have emergency road access. At Alosa Boat In Campsites, "There is an emergency pick up/access road available as well with contact from the park. Reservations are required for this site," notes Stephanie S.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Paupack, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Paupack, PA is Namanock Island — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area with a 4.9-star rating from 8 reviews.
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What is the best site to find tent camping near Paupack, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 48 tent camping locations near Paupack, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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