Stephen R.
Guide
GuideRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
Tent Camping near Shickshinny, PA
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The Appalachian Trail corridor and surrounding state forests near Shickshinny, Pennsylvania offer numerous primitive tent camping options for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts. Riverview Park Campground provides tent-only sites along the Lehigh River, while Mauch Chunk Lake Park in nearby Jim Thorpe features lakeside tent campsites with more developed amenities. The AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap and AT Overlook Campground provide backcountry tent camping experiences with established stone fire rings and scenic views.
Most primitive tent sites in the region feature basic amenities like fire rings but require campers to pack in their own water. Tent campsites along the Appalachian Trail are typically accessible only by foot, requiring hikers to carry all necessary supplies. Sites at Riverview Park Campground include picnic tables and fire pits, with bathroom facilities located near the road. Ground conditions vary significantly, with some sites becoming muddy after rain. Campers should bring ground tarps for tent protection, particularly at lower elevation sites where drainage may be poor. Ticks are prevalent in warmer months, so appropriate insect repellent is essential.
According to reviews, the AT Overlook Campground offers exceptional tent camping with valley views visible directly from tent sites. One visitor noted, "You can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door and the space is flat, dry, and not too rocky." Campers at Mauch Chunk Lake Park report that weekday visits provide a quieter experience than busy weekends. The AT Ridge Campground features two separate tent sites surrounded by ferns, offering room for multiple tents. Pine forest group sites provide natural padding from pine needle ground cover and protection from weather. For tent campers seeking water access, Riverview Park's tent-only sites along the river provide convenient locations for paddling adventures.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Shickshinny (25)
1. 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
2. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
3. Scrub Mountain Retreat
from $30 - $35 / night
4. 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
5. Shikellamy State Park Campground
"Had a great time walking the trails and enjoying a picnic at the cliff-side pavilion."
6. AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap
"You can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door and the space is flat, dry, and not too rocky."
7. AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap
"The only downside was my sleeping pad sprung a leak, so it wasn't the best night's sleep. But the site itself was great and I would camp there again."
"A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."
8. Riverview Park Campground
"The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit. They also have a bathroom facility up alongside the road."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $30 / night
9. AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap
"This site is really 2 separate sites that are a short ways apart along the trail. They are both excellent spots to set up a tent if you plan on camping up on the ridge."
10. George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter
"A single-level open-sided AT shelter near the Lehigh Gap trailhead. The shelter itself is well maintained and has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers."
Drive Time
- 35 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr 5 min from Williamsport, PA
- 1 hr 24 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 32 min from Reading, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Shickshinny, PA
29 Photos of 25 Shickshinny Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Shickshinny, PA
669 Reviews of 25 Shickshinny Campgrounds
- RRussell A.
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!
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.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Beautiful Falls!
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
- 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.
Troy P.
TravelerShikellamy State Park Campground
meh
i mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
- 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.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Echo Valley Campground
Big sites with lots of trees
We only spent the night and didn't look at the amenities. The manager was very friendly and accommodating.
Guide to Shickshinny
Camping options near Shickshinny, Pennsylvania include both state forest lands and private campgrounds throughout the region. The area sits within the Ridge and Valley section of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,800 feet. Seasonal considerations affect tent camping conditions significantly, with spring bringing muddy conditions while summer months feature higher humidity and denser vegetation along trails.
What to do
Water recreation on Mauch Chunk Lake: The lake at Mauch Chunk Lake Park provides calm waters perfect for paddling. "You can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," notes Lisa S. The park offers kayak rentals and swimming at the beach area.
Whitewater rafting adventures: Located just 10 minutes from Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center, the Lehigh River offers exciting rafting opportunities. According to Emma T., "Stayed here for Riverfest and it was great. Bands throughout the night with beer and food."
Hiking access to Appalachian Trail: Multiple primitive campsites serve as bases for day hikes or through-hiking. The area contains numerous trail connections, with varying difficulty levels depending on elevation gain. A short drive from most campgrounds provides access to AT trailheads.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Tent sites along the Lehigh River and Mauch Chunk Lake give campers direct water access. One camper at Mauch Chunk Lake Park shared, "Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone... kayaked on the lake, cooked up some dinner, watched a strawberry super moon rise over the lake."
Pine forest padding: Natural ground cover in certain areas creates comfortable tent placement. A camper at AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap mentioned, "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."
Weekday solitude: Visiting tent campsites near Shickshinny on weekdays provides a notably different experience than weekends. Lisa S. noted, "If you go during the week, it's quite calm" at her lakeside site, while several reviewers mentioned weekends bring significantly more noise and activity.
What you should know
Bear activity: Areas along the ridge report frequent bear sightings, requiring proper food storage. One camper at AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap noted, "I was already on edge since there are several signs warning of high bear activity."
Water supply planning: Most primitive camping areas require carrying in your own water. "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge," cautions one hiker about the AT Overlook Campground.
Site reservation policies: Some campgrounds require advance booking or charge additional fees for walk-ins. Asher K. warns about Riverview Park Campground: "Just make sure if you are going to stay here that you reserve a site in advance since they will charge you an additional $10 if you show up without planning."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Some campsites specifically cater to first-time campers with more amenities. Mackenzie B. recommends, "I believe Mauch Chunk Lake Park 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."
Playground access: Several established campgrounds include play areas for children within walking distance of tent sites. These facilities help keep younger campers entertained during downtime at camp.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early morning and dusk provide the best wildlife spotting times near tent campsites. One camper at George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter encountered "a flock of wild turkeys" during their stay, indicating good wildlife viewing opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Limited options for larger vehicles: Most primitive camping near Shickshinny does not accommodate RVs. Amber M. notes even at established campgrounds, many sites have "exposed tree roots and rocks," making them challenging for RV leveling.
Electric hookups: For RVers requiring power, select sites at Mauch Chunk Lake Park provide electric hookups while maintaining a natural setting. The park's proximity to town makes it convenient for supply runs.
Road access considerations: Access roads to many camping areas feature steep grades and tight turns. Proper vehicle preparation and knowing your rig's capabilities prevent difficult situations on mountain roads with limited turnaround space.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Shickshinny, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Shickshinny, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shickshinny, PA is Mauch Chunk Lake Park with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
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What is the best site to find tent camping near Shickshinny, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Shickshinny, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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