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Best Tent Camping near Shunk, PA

454 Reviews

Loyalsock State Forest surrounds Shunk, Pennsylvania with multiple tent camping options, including Slab Run Road, Yellow Dog Road, and Dry Run Road campsites. These primitive tent campgrounds provide access to the forest's extensive trail system and waterways. Rock Run Road and Grays Run Road campsites offer additional tent-only camping opportunities within the state forest boundaries. Most sites require minimal travel from Shunk, with the closest options being within a 15-20 minute drive through forested roads.

Tent sites throughout Loyalsock State Forest feature basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables. Most campsites have dirt or gravel tent pads with minimal site preparation. Water access varies by location, with many backcountry tent camping areas requiring visitors to bring their own water supply or filter from nearby streams. Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds, while more remote walk-in tent sites may have no facilities. Campers should note that cell service is limited throughout the region, particularly at primitive tent camping locations deeper in the forest.

In early fall, Colton Point State Park offers walk-in tent sites with greater privacy than drive-up options. According to reviews, "the campsites are private and you get to hike in varying distances," making them ideal for tent campers seeking seclusion. The park's Turkey Trail provides access to Pine Creek Gorge, nicknamed Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon. At Ravensburg State Park, tent campers noted that "bushes and trees between the sites create privacy" and that the raised tent pads work well for standard-sized tents. Sites near creeks allow for hammock setup and provide natural white noise, though some campers recommend choosing spots away from the road to minimize traffic noise.

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Best Tent Sites Near Shunk, Pennsylvania (48)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Shunk, PA

6 Photos of 48 Shunk Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Shunk, PA

454 Reviews of 48 Shunk Campgrounds

  • V
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Knoebels Campground

    Clean, quiet, inexpensive, fun place to camp!

    Knoebels campground is situated next to Knoebels amusement park and offers sites for tent campers and RVs, as well as cabins.

    There is electricity at every site but not water. There are fill stations throughout the campgrounds. Most sites are level and shaded. There are nice sturdy wooden platforms for tent campers.

    The bath houses are clean and well maintained. There are outside sinks with mirrors, laundry facilities, shower stalls, and toilet stalls. Or if you prefer there are also traditional bathrooms with showers.

    Quiet hours are enforced between 10p and 8a.

    Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Wood is available by the bucket near the check in building. Sites are inexpensive and are all a short walk, or free shuttle ride, to the park!.

  • Amy R.
    Jul. 16, 2019

    Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground

    RV/tent campground in a beautiful setting

    This is a gated campground that we stayed at 6/30/19-7/04/19. We are NOT an RV. We own a Napier tent that hooks to our truck so that we can sleep up in the bed. However, due to it being a holiday week, the tent sites were completely booked and they only have 4(which also have water& electric). The tent sites are located in the back of the campground behind the sports field within the trees. I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to see them but they have them pictured on their website. They let us book an RV site and it was rough setting up on a gravel RV site but we understood that we were not within a normal tent element and placed an extra tarp under the tent. The campground is located at the top of some beautiful and scenic driving through farmland in Pennsylvania and you will be 30 minutes from anything like shopping or small town amenities(we drove to Walmart after setting up to get our perishables since we drive up from Virginia). Our site had water and electric, was a drive through spot for a typical RV with a section to the side of the drive through for the fire pit and picnic table. We were located right next to the shower/bathrooms/playground and had some tree coverage and shade. A lot of the RVs in the campground are permanent sites and our neighbors never showed so we had a quiet buffer but it was not a noisy campground. It appeared that they cleaned the bathrooms twice daily and we were impressed with the cleanliness of the bathroom/showers. There were 4 in the building so we never had to wait. The staff were friendly and helpful. They had a store right next to the pool area that offered common items and RV'er might need with a small grocery area as well which included bundles of wood($6 honor system after hours) and Ice($1.78 per bag). We were allowed to run an account which we paid at the end of our stay. Our campsite was required to be paid at check in. The campground is 18 acres with gravel roads, a sports field, fishing, horse shoes, bocce ball, multiple playgrounds, a rec center with some games, claw machines etc. a splash pad and salt water pool. You will be doing a lot of walking or bring your bicycles like we did. They offer scheduled activities for holidays etc and various weekend activities. You can rent non electric boats and they offer catch& release fishing without a PA license in the lake. My son caught 2 sunfish :) They have guidelines for visitors and quiet hours(my cousin came to visit us in the evenings as she lived close by). We enjoyed camping here even if we were on an RV site. We booked site 211 which had the little bit of tree coverage and was located right next to the showers/bathrooms/playground with a quick walk to the lake for fishing. Most of the other available sites in the road ahead of us had no tree coverage but closer to the lake had more trees and shade. OR, just get an actual tent site :) but they are all the way at the back of the campground, furthest from the lake so I actually preferred our site.

  • T
    Aug. 18, 2022

    Ricketts Glen State Park Campground

    Impromptu trip that we don’t regret!

    This trip was a bit impromptu so we assume most of the good sites were picked over. The site we stayed at was the perfect size for two people, not the biggest site in the campground but we had a bit of a buffer between our neighbors so we weren’t on top of other people. We were located at a bit heavily trafficked area because we were near the entrance of the campground and the restrooms. The state park was beautiful and had a lot of things to do. I recommend doing the Falls trail and to get onto Lake Jean. They have a concessions by Lake Jean that doesn’t only sell food and drinks but some ice and bundle of wood. Definitely bring a hammer because it’s near impossible to stake down your tent by hand because the turf is hard. Would definitely come again and do the primitive group camp option if I can. No cell service (Verizon) but if you drive 10 miles north up towards Lopez we were able to get a signal. This was a nice way to end summer!

  • 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.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2019

    Ricketts Glen State Park Campground

    Waterfalls!!

    The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike. The trails are very well marked. 

    We stayed in the large loop, which is a peninsula on Lake Jean. Many of the sites have lake views. The bathhouse was clean but not adequate for 73 sites. The campground was about ¾ full and there was often a wait in the bathroom. Showers looked reasonable but I did not use them.

    There were many tent campers in this loop, which does not allow pets (the other, smaller loop does allow pets). There are no hookups at all in the park. The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth. However, the water for the dishwashing sink was turned off as well as the water in the restroom at the trailhead. Since we had a reservation, we received a phone call in advance of our stay letting us know about this.

    There are trails to the beach, but we woke to rain the next morning, so we did not explore this. 

    One trash/recycle area a distance away from the campsites which seems typical for PA state parks. Alcohol is strictly forbidden– we were warned that if a ranger saw any alcohol outside of our vehicle, we would be cited. Quiet hours are 9 pm– 8 am, which is more restrictive than other state parks, however, some did not observe these quiet hours (a guitar-playing singing camper thought he was talented, but I disagree!)

  • Jackie F.
    Aug. 22, 2021

    Frances Slocum State Park Campground

    Good stay, great site!

    The goods: We had site 44 in the Stony Point loop and it was by far the largest campsite on the property. We had a thick covered wooded area to our right and a huge grassy area to the left. Was also an easy back in site as there’s an adjacent road (to parking and the amphitheater) right in front of it. All sites only have electric and only certain allow pets. Dump station had easy access and bathrooms, weren’t great but wasn’t the worst I’ve seen either.

    The not so good: mosquitoes and ticks can ruin a good trip, come prepared! Others in the campground were not honoring the quiet hours rules or the no alcohol rules. Some guy walked right in front of our site and threw up in a wooded area close by. Around the lake people leave their fishing bait and tackle on the ground so please be careful with your pups! Also, DO NOT take your pups to the water. There is a weird bacteria or algae currently growing in the lake, it’s completely visible. There are advisories around about it too.

  • Jennifer F.
    May. 10, 2020

    Worlds End State Park Campground

    Great campground

    I've been coming here every year for a while now. Overall, it has everything you'd want in a campground. They have one of the cleanest bathrooms I've seen yet while camping. The campsites are a good size. Certain sites have more privacy than others, I'd recommend the higher loop if you can. However, some of the sites on the lower loop are close to the road but the road noise isn't too bad. They have designated sites for pets. There are also primitive free sites that are first come first serve. In the colder months, they even have cabins you can rent out. Plenty of hiking and swimming nearby. We always hit up the Forksville General Store for breakfast before we leave. The food is sooo good. I recommend getting the sausage links. Also, the stars are incredible here! I usually come in the fall in October/early November. It's my favorite time to come because it's not extremely packed with campers and the leaves are beautiful. If you come in the fall, make sure you bring a cold weather sleeping bag or heater because the temp does drop. Seriously, a great campground you wont be disappointed!

  • Craig F.
    Jul. 9, 2019

    Ricketts Glen State Park Campground

    Great Hikes but RR conditions lacking

    Ricketts Glen State Park has amazing waterfall lined hikes and recreational lake activities. 

    The campground is comparable to many PA State Parks with a variety of different sized sites, some very close& small and some more private. There are no hook-ups in the campground. While Ricketts Glen has a lot to offer, the repeated conditions of the restrooms/bathhouses throughout the campground will be a deterrent in the future. The bathhouses were not maintained throughout the weekend and were very filthy by Saturday evening. Since there are no hookups, the number of bathhouses to camping sites is significantly lacking. Be aware that PA State park campgrounds are alcohol free and quiet hours start at 9:00PM.

  • Jonathan F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Canyon Country Campground

    Not bad

    This place was pretty decent. My only complaint was that the trees around our site were dead or at least had a lot of deadfall in them. I was laying in my hammock and the wind picked up so I sat up to observe if anything took off from our site and as soon as I sat up a big dead branch fell out of the tree and struck where my head had been. Needless to say I was very lucky! Other then that it was a great spot you could hike from the campground out to the Turkey trail or go check out the fire tower (It’s $5 per person and credit card only). The whole area is beautiful.

Guide to Shunk

Tent camping near Shunk, Pennsylvania centers on Loyalsock State Forest's 114,552 acres of wilderness in the Allegheny Plateau region. The forest's rugged terrain features elevations ranging from 800 to 2,140 feet with numerous creek valleys and rocky outcroppings. Fall camping season typically runs from September to mid-November with average temperatures between 35-65°F, requiring appropriate cold-weather gear for overnight stays.

What to do

Hiking Turkey Trail: At Colton Point State Park, the Turkey Trail offers challenging terrain for experienced hikers. "You follow a small stream filled with waterfalls down into the canyon," notes one camper who recommends this trail over more tourist-heavy options.

Creek exploration: The streams throughout Ravensburg State Park provide natural swimming opportunities. One visitor mentions, "There are few hiking trails; short and long that take you to beautiful views along the creek with a couple of places deep enough to swim."

Wildlife viewing: The Susquehanna River area attracts diverse wildlife. A camper at Riverside Acres noted, "Eagles fish here. You can too. Good beginning or end for a canoe trip."

What campers like

Natural sound barriers: The creek systems create ambient noise at Ravensburg State Park Campground. "You can set them up right by the creek, which is my favorite part," reports a regular visitor who enjoys hammocking near the water.

Secluded camping spots: Tent sites at Colton Point State Park offer privacy away from crowds. "Unlike Leonard Harrison, Colton Point on the western rim of the Pine Creek Gorge isn't a tourist hub," shares one camper who appreciates the less developed atmosphere.

Raised tent pads: Several campgrounds feature elevated areas for tent setup. One Ravensburg camper notes, "They have nice raised tent pads which are nice but we have a 10x20 tent so we pick a site that the pad is flush with the surrounding ground."

What you should know

Navigation challenges: Finding some campgrounds requires precise directions. A visitor to Ravensburg State Park advises, "Use lat and long coordinates for directions or you will be in the wrong spot," while another warns, "make sure they're taking you to the park via Rocky Road. Mine did not, and I ended up down a seasonal road."

Limited amenities: Most sites have minimal facilities. "No electric but there are spots to get water even placed throughout," reports a Ravensburg camper, which is consistent across most primitive sites in the region.

Seasonal considerations: Water noise levels vary by season and rainfall. One camper observed, "If you camp on the sites by the river, be prepared for lots of noise from the rapids. It had been raining quite heavily all day, so this may have impacted the volume levels."

Tips for camping with families

Trail difficulty assessment: Match hiking routes to ability levels. A visitor advises, "I highly suggest this park's Turkey Trail. Unlike Lenard Harrison's trail it's not so easy for EVERYONE to access, so you won't see near as many tourists."

Group site selection: Some campgrounds accommodate larger family gatherings. At Riverside Acres Campground, "Pavilion has tables, a braizer, and one electric outlet. Lawn big enough to play your sport."

Restroom availability: Bathroom facilities vary widely between campgrounds. Ravensburg offers "modern toilets and shower" according to a recent visitor, while other primitive sites may have only vault toilets or none at all.

Tips from RVers

Site spacing awareness: At Riverside Acres Campground, "Second row has water/electric, shade trees and lawn frontage. Inland row has sewer hook ups and the bath house."

Road access limitations: RV access varies significantly by location. One camper notes that many park roads involve "driving down into the valley, which can feel very steep at times," making larger rigs impractical.

Reservation reliability: Advance planning is essential. One RVer cautions about Riverside Acres, "Spoke to the owner 6 weeks prior to our intended stay, and planed on a 3 month stay. Called to confirm 2 weeks out as instructed and was informed she had no recollection she spoke with us."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shunk, PA is Slab Run Road Campsite — Loyalsock State Forest with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Shunk, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 48 tent camping locations near Shunk, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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