Best Tent Camping near Reading, PA
Tent campsites near Reading, Pennsylvania range from secluded walk-in tent locations to county-managed campgrounds, with several tent camping areas in wooded settings. Hibernia County Park offers a popular tent camping destination with two distinct loops—Lake Loop and Fiddler's Loop—featuring primitive tent sites under tree cover. Shambala at Mystic Hollow provides creekside tent camping with 15 walk-in sites, while Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park and Evansburg State Park offer additional tent camping options within reasonable driving distance.
Most tent campgrounds in this region provide basic amenities for primitive camping experiences. Fire rings and picnic tables are common at established sites, though water access varies significantly between locations. Hibernia County Park features rustic tent campsites with pit toilets in the Fiddler's Loop area and flush toilets within walking distance, but lacks hookups or dump stations. Several parks enforce alcohol prohibitions. Sites typically have grassy or dirt surfaces with minimal privacy barriers between neighboring campers. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, tent campers should come prepared with full water supplies as potable water can be limited to shared spigots or distant facilities.
The tent camping experience in the Reading area varies by location, with privacy being a noted concern at some campgrounds. Deep Creek Campground offers large sites but minimal separation between campers, while Hibernia County Park provides more wooded surroundings. Walking trails connect many campgrounds to nearby lakes and streams, offering recreational opportunities beyond the tent sites themselves. Forest cover provides welcome shade at locations like Evansburg State Park, which features multiple hiking trails accessible directly from the tent camping areas. A review mentioned that at Hibernia County Park, "The walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful," highlighting the natural attractions that draw tent campers to these locations despite their primitive setup.
