Tent campsites near Pennsburg, Pennsylvania include primitive walk-in sites and boat-in locations within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level within Montgomery County's rolling Unami Creek watershed. Winter camping options are limited, with most facilities closing between November and April due to the area's cold winter conditions when temperatures can drop to the low 20s.
What to do
Hiking along creeks: Evansburg State Park offers multiple trail options near tent sites. "There is plenty of hiking trails. Only downside is having to haul gear by foot to the campsite. Some are further than others," notes a camper at Evansburg State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Various fish species inhabit local waterways near campsites. At Evansburg, a camper reports: "Great park to do everything outdoorsy including hiking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing. I caught a beautiful Brown Trout here a few weeks ago!" Fishing licenses with trout endorsements cost about $10.
Disc golf courses: Green Lane Park maintains a full course adjacent to camping areas. "Phenomenal disc golf course, hiking, and fishing," reports a visitor to Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park.
Wildlife observation: Many campsites offer opportunities to spot local fauna. At Boulder Ridge Farm, one camper mentions being "lulled to sleep by boo-book owls" and notes the property is "covered in gorgeous boulders" with "an abundance of wildlife."
What campers like
Seclusion at walk-in sites: Boulder Ridge Farm offers true backcountry feel close to town. "Great place to escape the stress of every day life. Plenty of fire wood, really cool huge rocks and waking up to owls was awesome," notes a visitor to Boulder Ridge Farm.
Clean facilities: Despite basic amenities, cleanliness stands out at most locations. "Beautiful campground. Clean restrooms, lots of open space!" reports one Green Lane Park camper. Another notes that "bathrooms however are nice and clean with plenty of them around the park."
Large fire rings: Cooking amenities vary between locations. One camper at Green Lane Park observed: "The fire rings are big and frustrating, the fire sits on a lifted grate so you go through wood like crazy." This helps explain why some campers may need more firewood than expected.
Water activities: Several parks offer access to lakes and streams for recreation. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, a camper shared: "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."
What you should know
Site privacy varies dramatically: Many campgrounds offer minimal separation between sites. "Green Lane Park is a lovely park with several well marked trails for hiking. The campgrounds are clean but the sites are way too close together and there is not any privacy," warns one reviewer.
Primitive facilities: Most tent-specific areas have limited amenities. "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," reports a camper at Green Lane.
Group camping restrictions: Some parks only allow organized groups. At Fort Washington State Park Campground, camping is "group-only policy means solo adventurers need to carpool or carry heavy guilt." However, it offers "2 fire pits per camp ground" and "they give you firewood."
Reservation requirements: Most locations require advance booking. At Hibernia County Park, a camper notes: "Hibernia annually hosts the 'Old Fiddlers Picnic' the second weekend in August. This is the only weekend that you are required to call in to reserve, and you must reserve both Friday & Saturday nights."
Tips for camping with families
Choose lake-access sites: Waterfront locations provide built-in entertainment. At Round Valley State Park Campground, "the water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water."
Pack extra padding: Rocky ground surfaces require preparation. At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, "many sites have exposed tree roots and rocks, recommend extra padding for tenters."
Prepare for mud: Some parks retain moisture after rain. One camper at Evansburg observed: "I've spent countless hours hiking and fishing in Evansburg. The only downside, I've ever experienced is I find Evansburg to be the muddiest State Park I've every experienced; I always bring a pair of sneakers to change out of my hiking boots."
Consider neighboring noise: Weekend camping can be lively. A Mauch Chunk Lake Park visitor reported: "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."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Only certain campgrounds accommodate RVs near Pennsburg. At Hibernia County Park, "there are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."
No dump stations: Plan for waste management. The same Hibernia County Park reviewer warns: "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home."
Site navigation challenges: Many campgrounds have tight access. "This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the 'sites' are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters. I wouldn't attempt to park an RV up there."
Creative leveling required: Expect uneven terrain. As one Hibernia County Park camper notes, sites "aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
