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Best Tent Camping near Shinglehouse, PA

415 Reviews

Tent campsites near Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania include a mix of established state park grounds and primitive dispersed sites in surrounding forests. Patterson State Park Campground provides rustic tent sites with basic amenities, while Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite in the Allegheny National Forest offers free primitive tent camping with no facilities. Colton Point State Park, located on the western rim of Pine Creek Gorge, features walk-in tent sites that provide more seclusion than the typical campground experience.

Tent campers should prepare for variable conditions across these locations. Patterson State Park offers drinking water via a manual pump, clean vault toilets, and picnic tables, but lacks showers or electrical hookups. Sites are first-come, first-served with limited privacy between camping spots. The forest floor at most sites consists of natural surfaces with minimal grading. Forestry Road Dispersed has multiple spots along the main forest road where tent campers can either drive in or hike short distances to more secluded backcountry tent sites. Many primitive areas follow a "pack it in, pack it out" waste management approach, requiring campers to carry all trash when departing.

Walk-in tent locations at Colton Point State Park provide a more immersive woodland experience. The sites require a short hike from parking areas, making them less accessible but more peaceful than drive-up options. Trails connect directly to the West Rim Trail system and Turkey Path, which follows a stream with waterfalls down into Pine Creek Gorge. Sites include fire rings and are pet-friendly. According to one visitor, "Unlike Leonard Harrison, Colton Point on the western rim of the Pine Creek Gorge isn't a tourist hub. The campsites are private and you get to hike in varying amounts of distance." In Forestry Road areas, tent campers reported finding "multiple spots along the main forest road, some where you can drive your car in and tuck it back, others where you can't take your car at all," making these ideal for backcountry tent camping experiences.

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Best Tent Sites Near Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania (27)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Shinglehouse, PA

5 Photos of 27 Shinglehouse Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Shinglehouse, PA

415 Reviews of 27 Shinglehouse Campgrounds

  • Mary S.
    Sep. 24, 2018

    Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    This is a great vacation area.....spend a week!

    Did you know this is NY's largest state campground? We stopped here on a rainy night, but what we saw convinced me we need to return. I know this campground is a vacation destination for families in western NY.

    Cain Hollow is in the Quaker Run area which includes Quaker Lake. There is another campground in the Red House Area, and there are also lots of cabins. This is definitely a 4 seasons park - hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing....

    I was able to take photos of a few sites the next morning. You can see that sites are private and you're definitely in the woods. There are food storage boxes at all campsites because you're in bear country.

  • Mary H.
    Jun. 13, 2019

    Upper Campground — Kettle Creek State Park

    Upper campground: Rustic, remote, restful

    The upper campground has a rustic feel, beautiful views and is a great location for wildlife encounters. While it has some amenities (electric on a few RV sites; scullery area near the pit toilets; showers available at lower campground), these grounds are away from the bustle of the outside world. We are tent campers, and without the need for hookup and never having been there, we reserved site 45--but do not recommend it for its challenging slope. When a loud, disrespectful family set up nearby that first night for a long weekend, we spoke with the camp host (helpful, amenable Jim), who suggested we ask about site 71, the most removed of all the sites. Went to the camp office and obtained it for the rest of our week-long stay--and it was perfect. (While it had a hookup that we didn't need/use, we did pay extra for it--but well worth the seclusion.) Super quiet back there and totally private. Some of the rustic tent sites looked lovely, too (did not note best site numbers; sorry), but we cannot recommend #71 enough. If you're an RV camper, however, the sites with the vista views overlooking the reservoir are amazing, if not somewhat close together. 

    We wanted to encounter wildlife; went looking for it and found it! Everything seemed to be about an hour or more away on winding roads, but that was okay; love the meandering. We went to:  

    • Hyner View (gorgeous vistas -- and also came across a mama rattlesnake sunning on a back road and took photos from the safety of our car!); 
    • Pine Creek Gorge (Leonard Harrison State Park) more amazing views; 
    • Benezette to find elk (wild herd at dusk on Winslow Hill, complete with mama and baby--then three buck sauntering through town!); and 
    • lovely nearby Kettle Creek Vista. We also saw a few elk and lots of deer as we drove along the river's edge over the Leidy Bridge. 

    Pennsylvania is gorgeous!

    We also enjoyed meeting Julie at the Lock Haven Visitors' Center and had our only meal out at Deb's in Cross Fork. For ice cream treats (a weakness): Ice Shack near Lock Haven; Old Bull Cafe in Benezette; the kiosk at the top of Pine Creek Gorge. 

    A very restful, quiet week in early June was just what we needed, and Kettle Creek State Park Upper Campground was wonderful.

  • Travis S.
    Jun. 30, 2020

    Dewdrop

    Spacious

    Campsite layouts are non traditional with large driveways and often times the tables and fire rings are below the driveway.  With this layout you get more privacy with very few sites having and overlapping with other sites. Pitching a tent was easy on the driveway and fairly level. Some sites had large high sided fire rings which take away from the fireside relaxation of a shorter camp chair. 

    Bathrooms and shower house was below the standards of many of PA State Parks which we regard as the benchmark for campgrounds at reasonable prices. 

    Boating and biking all accessible from the grounds. No need to drive to the trails at Jakes Rocks.

  • Bill G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2020

    Willow Bay Recreation Area

    Quiet nights, Easy days

    Willow bay campground is run by the National Forest Service. The reservable lots are wide and numerous for a out of the way sight. The campground services tent sites, RV sites as well as small cabins with electricity. There is a central bathhouse near the oak loop. Closer to the boat ramp sites- most of which are tent ready, there are vault toilets. These sites are less than a mile from the North Country Trail. Other, smaller trails are here as well. The New York State lone is less than five miles away- providing access to Allegheny State Park. The closest town of note is Bradford, which is about 18 miles away. It has all you need to get your necessities. The cabins were small- one twin bed and a set of single bunks. You need to bring your own sheets. There is a small heater imbedded in the wall. It keeps things from getting too cold, as it was when I was there. Fire ring and picnic table provided. Charcoal grill as well. The only problem I had was with the wildlife. A mouse or something kep crawling in the space between the roof and ceiling. There is no cel service here, and you shouldn’t need it either. Places to visit are too numerous to mention, but I will give a shout out to the zippo case museum, absolutely a must.

  • David A.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Tiadaghton Campground — Tioga State Forest

    Tiadaghaton State Forest, PA

    Roadside site 1/4 mile from the nearest site. You can drive right to the site on Hackett Rd. Very secluded and peaceful. Picnic table and fire ring, but no water or latrine.

  • Paula L.
    Jun. 29, 2019

    Sinnemahoning State Park Campground

    Come inside to really enjoy all that’s outside!

    Adults and Children alike will love the park office / Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning State Park. Learn about this buildings green construction (LEED)geo thermal heat, rain water harvesting system, recycled materials and more! Step inside to view elk bear birds and other wildlife! Learn about the building of the dam and the early days of the CCC camps. If you can get the children out of the office or bring yourself to leave ... make a souvenir penny on your way out before walking across the parking lot and around the corner to visit the arch tree. This park is a long narrow park with a road running through it that is perfect for a bike ride or stroll. On one end is a wildlife viewing area, the other end offers great fishing and a boat launch. Between is a picnic day use area and a 35 site campground with a dump station, a modern restroom with flush toilets and showers. The restrooms and some campsites are ADA accessible. Electric hookups are available and each pet friendly camp site has its own picnic table, lantern hold and fire ring. Elk, eagles deer and many other varieties of wild life can be seen here on a regular basis! There is much to explore here during any season and even on a rainy day the kids will have the opportunity to learn about the world around them! 5 stars Sinnemahoning! What a treasure in the PA Wilds!

  • Zack B.
    Apr. 11, 2024

    Medix Run Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest

    Generic positive title

    Great tent site with lots of room. Have your own little driveway to park your car right next to the site. Comes with a picnic table and fire pit. Need lots of rope for setting up tarps as trees are far apart. Cute little stream in the back with a log crossing. No cell service, near town with free wifi. No toilets or garbage. Good amount of traffic coming down the road but isn't an issue at night time.

  • Christine J.
    Jun. 9, 2021

    Red Bridge Recreation Area - Allegheny National Forest

    Campground in Allegheny National Forest

    Nice location near the water. Campground has three sections to it. Once you come in the main enterance, off to your right are nice walk in tent sites. Off to the left are two loops for tent and RV camping. There are two bath houses, one near each loop. They each have three hot water showers, flush toilets and sinks. All sites have a fire ring. Some sites offer more shade than others. (We were at site #31 and it didn't have much shade.) Ice and firewood is avaliable. You are better off getting firewood down the road as you will get more wood for the money. Current price is $10 a bundle. Ice is only $2 a bag. Closest grocery store is in Kane. There are hiking trails nearby. The only thing that I didn't like was that it seemed that many of the sites were quite muddy because all of the grass was worn out. Not much grassy area for tents. Other than that it was great.

  • Michael B.
    Sep. 3, 2020

    Stony Brook State Park Campground

    Beautiful park. Too bad we missed the pool.

    Had a great time at Stony Brook State Park this week! The campground side doesn't open until around 11 we were told, and we reached at 8am, so we started at the North (day-use) side, parked there, hiked, ate, and eventually drove back to the other side, checked in, and set up camp. 😁 It was a very nice time. Due to the COVID-19 regulations, masks need to be worn in the bathhouse (except when brushing teeth or showering). Was a good, quiet, fun time, with a few other families nearby. The only negatives: *According to their website, the natural pool would be open the day we went. It was not. ☹️ *No alcohol permitted in the whole campgrounds. Fine for us, but annoying for many. From the trash in the bathhouse, looks like some were anyways. *No "camp store" - so if you forgot an essential item, you've got to go out from the park. Positive part: town is only 8 minutes away via car. Also, we got GREAT and easy burning from the people selling wood for $5/bundle just outside the campground entrance.

    All in all, a GREAT time! We all enjoyed it!

Guide to Shinglehouse

Tent camping near Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the rustic charm of the region's campgrounds. With a variety of options available, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and enjoy the great outdoors.

Tent campers should check out Patterson State Park Campground

  • This campground features a manual water pump and clean restroom facilities, making it a practical choice for tent campers looking for basic amenities.
  • Located near popular attractions like Cherry Springs State Park, it serves as a great overflow option for those seeking a quieter experience.
  • The open sites allow for stargazing, although tree coverage may obstruct some views of the night sky.

Tips for tent camping near Shinglehouse

  • Be prepared for rustic conditions at the Colton Point State Park Campground, where you'll find small sites with porta potties and no water hookups, perfect for those who enjoy a more primitive experience.
  • Bring your hiking gear to explore the trails around Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, which offers great hiking and biking opportunities in a peaceful setting.
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife, as the area is known for its natural beauty and diverse fauna, especially around the scenic views at Colton Point State Park Campground.

Local activities for outdoor enthusiasts

  • Enjoy hiking on the STS trail system that runs through Patterson State Park Campground, offering access to beautiful landscapes and outdoor adventures.
  • Experience the thrill of nearby attractions like mini golf and zip-lining in Sweden Valley, just a short drive from Patterson State Park Campground.
  • For those interested in fishing or boating, the proximity of Lyman Run State Park provides additional recreational opportunities, making it a great complement to your camping trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Shinglehouse, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shinglehouse, PA is Firefly Acres with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Shinglehouse, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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