Best Tent Camping near Stockertown, PA
The Appalachian Trail corridor provides several primitive tent camping options near Stockertown, Pennsylvania, with multiple hike-in sites concentrated around Lehigh Gap. AT Ridge Campground and AT Overlook Campground offer tent-only sites with stone fire rings and scenic views of the valley. Several state parks within driving distance, including Round Valley State Park Campground in New Jersey, provide more established tent camping areas with varying levels of amenities and access requirements.
Most primitive tent sites along the Appalachian Trail near Stockertown require hikers to pack in all supplies, including water. The George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter area includes tent camping options but limited facilities. One camper noted that "you might want to keep moving to one of the next sites" if planning to tent camp rather than use the shelter. Sites at Lehigh Gap feature stone fire rings but no water sources, requiring campers to carry in their own supply. The terrain varies from flat ridgelines to more sloped areas, with some sites offering protection from weather while others provide better views.
Tent campers at AT Overlook Campground enjoy exceptional valley views directly from their tent doors. The site features a sizable stone fire ring and even a stone chair constructed by previous campers. A reviewer described it as "by far the best campsite option on this section of the AT" with "flat, dry, and not too rocky" terrain. Walk-in tent sites at Round Valley Recreation Area require a challenging 3-5 mile hike but reward campers with secluded waterfront locations. Many tent campsites in the region are surrounded by ferns and native forest, providing natural privacy screens between sites. Bear activity is common throughout the area, so proper food storage is essential for tent campers, especially at the ridgeline sites where warning signs are posted.