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 Reeders, PA
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The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area near Reeders, Pennsylvania offers diverse primitive tent camping options, with several backcountry sites accessible along the Appalachian Trail. Kirkridge Shelter on Kittatinny Mountain provides free hike-in tent camping with basic toilet facilities but requires a permit. Tent campers seeking more amenities can explore Jenny Jump State Forest, located about 20 miles east, which features walk-in tent sites with drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Wooded Campground offers tent-only sites with drinking water and fire access through drive-in, hike-in, or walk-in options.
Most tent campsites in the region feature natural terrain with minimal site preparation, requiring campers to select level spots for pitching tents. Fire rings are common at established sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply, particularly during dry summer months. Bear activity is prevalent throughout the area, necessitating proper food storage. Primitive tent camping areas typically provide vault toilets or pit privies, though spacing between facilities varies widely. Water availability differs significantly between campgrounds, with some offering pumps or spigots while others require filtering from natural sources. Campers should prepare for limited cell service at more remote tent sites.
Tent campers frequently report greater solitude at walk-in sites compared to drive-in campgrounds. According to reviews, AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap offers "excellent spots to set up a tent if you plan on camping up on the ridge," with stone fire rings and views from both sides of the ridge. One visitor at Round Valley Recreation Area noted that midweek camping provides "peace and quiet" compared to busier weekends. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting deer, birds, and occasional bears on nearby trails. Sites along waterways like Namanock Island in the Delaware River provide unique tent camping experiences with "pristine" conditions, though these require boat access and limit stays to one night.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Reeders (43)
1. Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
"This spot is right next to a beautiful view on the side of Kittany Mountain and just off the Appalachian trail. There is 4 spots to set up at all of which have a spot for a fire."
2. 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
3. Walter's Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"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)."
Check Availabilityfrom $16 / night
4. Wooded Campground
"Perfect land for an overnight before hitting the trail. There’s open field and wooded options, and the hosts Mel and Jeff couldn’t have been more accommodating."
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $60 / night
5. Mohican Walk-In Campsites
"The Mohican Outdoor Center is just steps away from the Appalachian Trail in Southern New Jersey. No matter what your adventure needs, there are many different outing and lodging options."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $40 / night
6. Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms
"This location was about an hour and a half away from our home so it was far enough to feel like we were getting away but close enough that we could be home quickly in case of an emergency since we decided"
from $125 / night
7. Mauch Chunk Lake Park
"Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone."
"Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
8. Manny Gordon Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest
"Very open, plenty of space. most campgrounds have previously stocked wood from other people, makes setting up very convenient. lots of ticks tho so get your spray"
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
9. 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
10. Scrub Mountain Retreat
from $30 - $35 / night
Drive Time
- 32 min from Scranton, PA
- 41 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 20 min from Reading, PA
- 1 hr 32 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Reeders, PA
88 Photos of 43 Reeders Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Walter's Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
BMR Operations, LLC dba Blue Mountain Resort By: BM Resort Management, LLC its Authorized Agent
Wooded Campground
Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms
Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Scrub Mountain Retreat
Ratcliff's River Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Hornbeck's River Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Mauch Chunk Lake Park
Sandyston Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Tent Camping Reviews near Reeders, PA
1136 Reviews of 43 Reeders 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.
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!
- 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.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Council Cup Campground
Better than nothing
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
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.
- Thomas B.Ranger
Tohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
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!
Guide to Reeders
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area near Reeders, Pennsylvania spans 70,000 acres with elevations ranging from 300 to 1,600 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during daytime hours, while nighttime temperatures can drop into the 50s even during summer months. Many tent sites throughout the region require proper food storage containers due to active black bear populations.
What to do
Paddleboarding on Mauch Chunk Lake: Just 30 minutes from Reeders, visitors can launch paddleboards directly from lakeside campsites at Mauch Chunk Lake Park. "I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," notes one camper who frequently visits the lake.
Hiking at Jenny Jump State Forest: Located 20 miles east of Reeders, Jenny Jump State Forest offers several moderately difficult trails with scenic overlooks. A regular visitor mentions that "you are able to hike out straight from the campsite(which is always a plus!). There's a great look out point as well."
Kayaking Catfish Pond: At Mohican Outdoor Center, campers can rent kayaks for exploring the local pond. According to one visitor, "If you're there in the summer, I'd recommend taking a kayak around the lake and filling it with wild blueberries."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the space between tent sites in the region. At Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, one visitor noted, "The Group Campsite was really big. 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."
Lakefront camping access: At Mauch Chunk Lake Park, campers particularly enjoy waterfront sites. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm," advises a regular visitor who enjoys the clean, clear waters.
Beginner-friendly options: Many locations near Reeders provide good starting points for new campers. One visitor to Mauch Chunk Lake Park shared, "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."
What you should know
Seasonal toilet facilities: Most primitive sites have basic toilet facilities, though availability varies seasonally. At Bushkill Creek Campsite, a boat-in primitive site, one camper reported, "No privy that we found, but a good fire ring and plenty of space for tents. The path up to the campsite from the river gets a little steep, but not bad."
Traffic noise at some sites: Despite their natural settings, some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads. At Jenny Jump State Forest, a camper mentioned, "My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night."
Ticks are prevalent: Proper insect protection is essential when tent camping near Reeders, Pennsylvania. A visitor to Manny Gordon Recreation Area noted, "lots of ticks tho so get your spray."
Tips for camping with families
Shelters as alternative to tents: For families new to camping, shelters provide an easier introduction. At Jenny Jump State Forest, one family found that "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."
Kid-friendly swimming: Walter's Boat In Campsites on the Delaware River offer natural swimming spots. While the access requires boats, one camper notes, "We were able to leave the boats on the lower level,(yet more than high enough that the river is no issue), and camped on the upper level."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Families can spot various wildlife at most campgrounds in the area. One camper at Jenny Jump State Forest mentioned their campground was "close to other local hikes like Mt. Tammany. The campgrounds and bathrooms were clean and well kept. Great place to get away for the weekend with the family!!!"
Tips from RVers
Limited RV accommodations: True RV camping is limited near Reeders, with most sites being tent-focused. At Wooded Campground, visitors note the facilities are "Perfect land for an overnight before hitting the trail. There's open field and wooded options."
Water and electricity limitations: Many campgrounds near Reeders have limited or no hookups. At Camp Starry Night, one visitor had to adapt: "there was a 5 gallon water container and we were advised of where we could fill up if need be which was just at the bottom of the field near the entrance to the campsite."
Road access challenges: Some camping areas have difficult access roads. At Walter's River Campsite, a visitor points out that "this site is only accessible by canoes or kayaks. There is no public road access to the campsite."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Reeders, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Reeders, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Reeders, PA is Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Reeders, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Reeders, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 43 tent camping locations near Reeders, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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