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!
Camping near Portland, PA
13 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area dominates camping options near Portland, Pennsylvania, with Worthington State Forest Campground providing riverfront sites along the Delaware River. Within a 30-minute drive, campers find diverse accommodations ranging from primitive boat-in sites on Namanock Island to full-hookup RV parks like Driftstone Campground with its 190 sites. Camp Taylor Campground in nearby Columbia, New Jersey offers a mix of tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options with amenities including a lake and proximity to the Lakota Wolf Preserve. The Pocono Mountains region east of Portland features additional options including the Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA, which remains open year-round, and Mountain Vista Campground with its wooded settings.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. The National Park Service maintains strict regulations for river campsites, with one reviewer noting, "This site is only accessible by canoes or kayaks. People found camping at this site that are not on a river trip or camped at the site for longer than one day can expect to receive hefty fines." Weather patterns bring humid summers with occasional thunderstorms and cold winters that close many facilities. Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region, particularly in state forests and the Delaware Water Gap area. Cell service remains spotty in valleys and remote areas, with most coverage limited to campgrounds near major highways like I-80 and Route 209.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, particularly those along the Delaware River. One camper at Worthington State Forest described their experience: "The tent camping area was right along the river, some sites with direct access. Our site was level, huge, had a good table and lantern hook. Plenty of places for tent and shelter, plus tons more space." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with campers reporting deer, various birds, and occasional bear sightings. Primitive island camping on Namanock Island offers exceptional stargazing, with a reviewer noting, "Once darkness falls there are no lights to be seen in either direction, up or down river." Some developed campgrounds receive criticism for prioritizing RVs over tent campers, with one visitor to Mountain Vista Campground reporting, "Tent campers were placed at the far end of the campground, far from bathrooms."
Best Campgrounds near Portland (200)
1. Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"The tent camping area was right along the river, some sites with direct access, some you'd have to walk a little more to the larger access areas."
"Full bathrooms are located behind campsite #15 (clean flushing bathrooms, with motion-sensed lighting, showers, dishwashing sink), but easily accessible from campsites nearby."
2. Camp Taylor Campground
"Positives: sites are decent sized with fire pits and picnic tables. easy access to hiking, convenient to a beautiful vineyard, peaceful region, and the most amazing wolf preserve is right next to you. "
"They were knowledgeable about the surrounding towns, their campground, and basically everything nature related. This was our very first night camping in an RV (we were renters at the time)."
Check Availabilityfrom $33 - $42 / night
3. Driftstone Campground
"Driftstone is set on a beautiful location on the Delaware River. River Road on which it is located, is picturesque and quiet enough to run, walk or bike on."
"Driftstone is a gem of a campground at a great location on the Delaware. Easy access to Delaware Gap Recreation Area. Sites are pretty spacious with water and electric hookups."
Check Availabilityfrom $64 - $74 / night
4. Mountain Vista Campground
"Love the Campground except our site is near a fairly busy road which takes away from that beautiful tranquility. They have camouflaged it as best they could. Friendly staff. Lots to do."
"Close to Bushkill Falls which we hiked. 👍"
5. Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA
"We wish there was easier access to bike and hike trails so we didn't have to drive to a location but overall a comfortable and positive experience."
"We were very into socially distancing, and said so when we made our reservation. We were assigned a perfect site for this."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $250 / night
6. Jenny Jump State Forest
"The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean."
"All the sites are set up nearby the office where people are all day should you ever need anything. The workers are super friendly and regularly make rounds of the grounds."
7. Delaware River Family Campground
"Only complaint is we got a site next to a seasonal camper who did no maintenance at all. Other than that it was pretty cool."
8. Cranberry Run Campground
"A shady spot with a creek nearby and good cell service. They have a pool. The surrounding area/town is really nice."
"With my sister in-law leading this adventure I buckled up and made the 500+ mile drive as prepared asi thought i could be."
Check Availabilityfrom $44 - $72 / night
9. Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South
"The campsite is beautiful and lovely to walk around, the outside campground cats are the best part though ❣️"
"Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity."
10. Great Divide Campground
"All the positive reviews about this place are accurate! Beautiful, clean, well maintained, lots to do, great value for your $$"
"Very scenic with a small lake, a pond & surrounded by woods. This is also the most expensive campground on our trip at $96.11 a night."
Drive Time
- 46 min from Allentown, PA
- 47 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr 11 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 17 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Portland, PA
594 Photos of 200 Portland Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms
Camp Taylor CampgroundJ
Driftstone Campground
Camp Charles CampgroundsD
Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Wooded Campground
Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2
Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Walter's Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOAM
Mountain Vista Campground
Jenny Jump State Forest
Recent Reviews near Portland, PA
1125 Reviews of 200 Portland 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.
Stuart K.LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
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.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendRound Valley State Park Campground
Peaceful Wilderness Escape for Adventurous Families
There's something wonderfully special about escaping into nature where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birds singing and the gentle movement of water along the shoreline. Nestled among the wooded hills surrounding the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir, this rustic SP campground offers families a chance to disconnect from everyday distractions and enjoy a little wilderness adventure together. Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light. Once you've arrived, you'll find secluded, wooded campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, but the beautiful reservoir, scenic hiking trails, fishing and kayaking opportunities more than make up for the lack of modern conveniences. Our kids loved exploring the woods, spotting wildlife and gathering around a crackling campfire at night to share stories beneath the stars. For families comfortable with the hike, I'd recommend choosing one of the campsites along the reservoir shoreline for the lovely water views and peaceful surroundings. Just remember that swimming is limited to the park's designated beach area. Round Valley isn't your typical family campground, but for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping under the stars and making wonderful memories together, it's a beautiful place to experience nature at its finest!
Roger V.
TravelerBake Oven Knob
solid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
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.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
Guide to Portland
Camping spots near Portland, Pennsylvania range from mountain woodland to riverside settings across the Delaware Water Gap region. The area lies at elevations between 300-1,600 feet with heavy tree cover providing natural shade at most campsites. Summer nights typically cool to the 50s even after hot days, making sleeping conditions comfortable for tent campers without air conditioning.
What to do
Hiking to wolf preserves: Camp Taylor Campground connects directly to mountain trails and the Lakota Wolf Preserve. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private... You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," notes Julie F.
Kayaking and river access: Driftstone Campground offers direct river entry points. "Accept the Delaware River from campground and kayak trips offered. Plenty of things to do," shares George. The campground maintains boat ramps suitable for small watercraft with rental options for those without equipment.
Stargazing opportunities: The region's limited light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. When camping at Jenny Jump State Forest, visitors gain access to an astronomical observatory operated on weekends by the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey. "This place was great, they allow dogs and had hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground," says Fransheska A.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention the woodland separation between sites as a major benefit. At Mountain Vista Campground, "The sites are all large, and easy to get in and out of. Sites include water, electric and cable," according to Kathy G. Many campgrounds maintain natural barriers of trees and undergrowth between sites.
Clean facilities: Reviews frequently highlight facility maintenance as a standout feature. "The bathrooms are super clean and had the nicest showers I have ever seen at a campground," notes Elke P. about Driftstone Campground. Many campgrounds offer private shower facilities rather than communal shower rooms.
Level terrain at riverside sites: Riverside campsites often feature the most level terrain in the region. "Our particular camp site was huge! There was plenty of room for us to spread out," explains Carol N. about her Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA experience. Riverside sites typically require earlier reservations due to their popularity.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Tent campers should research specific site layouts before booking. "Tent campers were placed at the far end of the campground, far from bathrooms," reports one visitor to Mountain Vista Campground, while another notes, "The tent sites all have water & electric, and have a picnic table and fire ring. The sites are fully shaded."
Noise levels vary significantly: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds more than others. At Delaware River Family Campground, a reviewer cautions, "This campground is between a highway and the Delaware River. The highway is a trucking highway so it is not a good spot if you are trying to get away to peace and quiet."
Cell service limitations: Mobile coverage varies dramatically by carrier and location. At Timothy Lake South, "The cell service for most providers is practically non-existent... try telling that to the two millennials that were staying with us," shares Jim G. Verizon typically provides the most reliable coverage in the region, with T-Mobile offering minimal service in many camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Great Divide Campground offers multiple water recreation options. "Kids had lots of fun on the free kayaks and pool. Staff was friendly and helpful. Campgrounds have lots of hills so be prepared to hike up and down," advises Jojo P. Many campgrounds maintain dedicated children's swimming areas separate from adult sections.
Weekend programming: Scheduled activities provide built-in entertainment for families. "The staff is friendly and helpful and they have a ton of great activities from kids carnival, craft beer tastings, farmers market, bingo...the list goes on!" notes J K. about Mountain Vista Campground. Activity schedules typically intensify during summer weekends and holiday periods.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. At Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA, "Our camp site was great (52), backed onto a wooded area and a big playground was directly in front of us, which worked out perfectly since we have school age kids," shares Penny C. Sites nearest playgrounds tend to experience more daytime foot traffic and noise.
Tips from RVers
Navigating steep access roads: Several campgrounds feature challenging approach roads. At Cranberry Run Campground, "Careful on the roads to the campsite, they're a bit on the bumpy side. Defo smaller roads than your usual ones. We have a minivan so we had to take our time on all the pot holes," advises Christine N. RVers should research specific approach route grades before booking.
Water pressure variations: Water systems in the region often deliver inconsistent pressure. "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi," notes Don C. about Timothy Lake South. RVers should use pressure regulators to protect their systems from potential damage.
Dump station access: Many campgrounds limit dumping to specific hours. "No sewer hookups and the dump station is difficult to get in and out with larger rigs," notes Jim G. about Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA. Some campgrounds offer mobile pump-out service for an additional fee, typically requiring advance scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Portland, PA?
What camping is available near Portland, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Portland, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 200 campgrounds and RV parks near Portland, PA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Portland, PA?
Which is the most popular campground near Portland, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Portland, PA is Worthington State Forest Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Portland, PA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Portland, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Portland, PA.
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