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 Skytop, PA
4 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers numerous tent camping options near Skytop, Pennsylvania, with several primitive tent campgrounds scattered throughout the region. Namanock Island provides boat-in tent camping approximately 4 miles down the Delaware River from Milford, while Camp Mohican Outdoor Center offers both drive-in and hike-in tent sites within the recreation area. Jenny Jump State Forest, located in nearby Blairstown, New Jersey, provides additional tent camping options with sites available from April through October.
Most primitive tent campgrounds in the Skytop area require campers to be self-sufficient, as amenities are limited. Sites at Namanock Island include fire rings and primitive toilets but no drinking water, requiring tent campers to filter water or bring their own supply. Many locations, including the boat-in sites along the Delaware River, operate on a first-come, first-served basis with one-night stay limits. Several campgrounds, such as Alosa Boat In Campsites, require reservations. Access varies significantly between locations, with some tent sites accessible only by water, while others offer hike-in or drive-in options with varying degrees of difficulty.
Tent campers frequently use these primitive sites as bases for exploring the extensive trail networks throughout the Delaware Water Gap region. The Appalachian Trail passes through Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, providing direct access to long-distance hiking opportunities. Areas farther from developed facilities offer deeper seclusion, with Namanock Island providing a particularly remote tent camping experience. According to one visitor, "It's a rare thing to camp on an island and Namanock is so serene and peaceful, you hear the water flowing gently all night." Another camper noted that "once night falls there are no lights to be seen in either direction, up or down river," creating exceptional stargazing opportunities for tent campers. Wildlife sightings are common, with bears active in some areas, requiring proper food storage in bear bags or vehicles.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Skytop (48)
1. Namanock Island — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"There is a ten dollar fee per day to park your car so bring cash as the parking area is not always manned and you’ll have to leave the fee in an envelope that is available just past the entrance."
"They are a first come, first camped, set up, but I have not once in 6 years, (multiple trips per year), ever found anyone in the site ahead of me."
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. Sandyston Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"This camping site is a set of 6 sites on the New Jersey border maintained by the National Park Service."
"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)."
4. Rivers Bend Group Campground — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"Four outhouses centrally locates and a pump well that did not work. Quiet surrounding. To your right down a small hill is the flat brook that funnels out into a large “U” bend of the Delaware river."
5 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $100 / night
5. 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
6. 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
7. Alosa Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
"Primitive site for multi day river trips. There’s usually always a port-a-potty at the campsite. Each area has its own fire ring and multiple river pull offs for easy finding and access."
6 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $16 / night
8. 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."
9. 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
10. 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
Drive Time
- 35 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr 7 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 14 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 24 min from Binghamton, NY
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Skytop, PA
83 Photos of 48 Skytop Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Ratcliff's River Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Walter's Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Hornbeck's River Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Sandyston Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Namanock Island — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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Tent Camping Reviews near Skytop, PA
1004 Reviews of 48 Skytop 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.
Daniel C.ScoutHillside Campgrounds
Stay away... Unless you like 70 y/o men acting like high schoolers
This clothing-optional campground has a highly toxic, intrusive, and vindictive environment. During my stay, the seasonal permanent residents('perms') subjected me to intense harassment, inappropriate sexual advances, and severe social retaliation/rumor-spreading when those advances were rejected. The situation escalated to the point where an employee had to intervene for my safety. Furthermore, despite management allowing my photo to be taken in costume at a party, I was intentionally blocked from the community group where the photos were posted, leaving me unable to monitor how my image was being used. Avoid this place if you value your privacy, personal boundaries, and safety.
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.
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 Skytop
Tent camping near Skytop, Pennsylvania offers rustic wilderness sites within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and surrounding forests. The region sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, surrounded by the Pocono Mountains, with seasonal temperature variations that make spring and fall camping particularly comfortable. Most primitive sites require boaters to pull off along riverbanks with varying degrees of shore accessibility, with campsites typically 40-75 feet from the water.
What to do
Kayak to island sites: Namanock Island requires paddlers to launch from Milford Beach, about 4 miles upriver. "Namanock has never provided me a bad stay, regardless of storms, cold, hot, or what not, the campsite is always eager to provide you with a great night," notes John B., who also mentions that "the 2021 season has brought a few minor but very important changes to the island. There are now only 3 approved sites on the entire island."
Explore waterfalls: Several falls are accessible from riverbank camping with moderate hiking. "If you paddle across the river from the site, it is only a 10-15 minute hike along the road on the Pennsylvania side of the river to reach Raymondskill Falls. A 'must-see' if your stopping here," shares one camper about Sandyston Boat In Campsites.
Night sky viewing: Due to minimal light pollution, campers can experience exceptional stargazing. "Tucked away on the New Jersey side of the river, about a 1/4 mile after the Nanamock Access, you will find the 6 sites that make up Sandyston Canoe Campground. It's a very quiet area, as there is no access to the general public," making it ideal for night sky observation.
What campers like
Sense of isolation: Many river sites offer complete seclusion. "The camp site is VERY spacious, we have used 5 tents at one time here, 6 or more boats, and when you add the main campfire as well as the couple minor fires through-out the camp that were burning, there was no feel of crowding at all," reports a visitor to Namanock Island.
Wildlife encounters: Camp Mohican Outdoor Center provides opportunities to see local fauna. "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," notes Shawn B., who adds that "the AT runs right through the camp."
Multi-day river options: Many paddlers appreciate the sequential campsite arrangement. "You are limited to one night on the island though as the expectation is that you will continue down river to other primitive sites," explains one camper, creating a natural river journey progression with different overnight options.
What you should know
Site availability variations: Most river sites operate first-come, first-served with one-night limits, but Alosa Boat In Campsites requires reservations. "Primitive site for multi day river trips. There's usually always a port-a-potty at the campsite. Each area has its own fire ring and multiple river pull offs for easy finding and access," notes Stephanie S.
Seasonal maintenance issues: Some sites suffer from overgrowth in summer months. One camper described Ratcliff's River Campsites as "extremely over run, the grass was knee high or higher" in May, adding "Then you add in the amount of ticks and flying pests, and again, choose this site wisely."
Access challenges: Shore conditions can be challenging. "Due to fluctuating water levels all of the islands that are used for camping have a cut wall cliff style approach, but these sites have a very steep and above average height to the shoreline making unloading both more tiring and more of a hazard than I prefer," warns a reviewer about certain river campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Platform sites for easier setup: Jenny Jump State Forest offers both tent sites and more structured options. "This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! The 'shelter' is what we would describe as a 'cabin'; four walls, a roof, locking door, locking windows," reports Dwight D.
Sites with bathroom access: Choose locations with facilities when camping with children. "The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog. However, we didn't mind as it was so private we felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves. The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean," shares Kelsey K.
Wildlife education opportunities: Bring field guides to identify local species. "This place was great, they allow dogs and had hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground," writes Fransheska A., who noted that Jenny Jump State Forest provided excellent opportunities for nature observation.
Tips from RVers
Group camping options: Rivers Bend Group Campground accommodates larger gatherings with RVs. "Large field with multiple group campsites with bearboxes, fire pit and garbage cans at each site. Four outhouses centrally locates and a pump well that did not work. Quiet surrounding," notes Christopher W., adding that "to your right down a small hill is the flat brook that funnels out into a large 'U' bend of the Delaware river."
Limited hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Skytop have minimal RV amenities. Tent camping is predominant, with only select sites offering electric or water connections. Sites with RV accommodations often require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when campgrounds reach capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Skytop, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Skytop, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Skytop, PA is Namanock Island — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area with a 4.9-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Skytop, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Skytop, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 48 tent camping locations near Skytop, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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