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 Stroudsburg, PA
2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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Tent campsites in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area near Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania offer a mix of primitive and established options for outdoor enthusiasts. Jenny Jump State Forest provides tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables, while the Appalachian Trail corridor features multiple primitive tent sites including the Kirkridge Shelter on Kittatinny Mountain. Several campgrounds in the area cater specifically to tent campers seeking a more immersive natural experience away from RV hookups and developed facilities.
Most primitive tent sites require campers to pack in all necessary supplies including water, as drinking water is limited to established campgrounds like Camp Mohican Outdoor Center. Fire regulations vary by location, with some areas like Walter's Boat In Campsites prohibiting fires entirely. The terrain typically consists of forest floor with minimal site preparation, and many locations require advance reservations through recreation.gov or state park websites. Tent campers should be prepared for variable conditions, as sites along the Delaware River may experience seasonal flooding, while ridge-top locations can be exposed to wind and storms.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Stroudsburg offers exceptional access to hiking trails and water features. Many sites provide direct connections to the Appalachian Trail system, allowing for day hikes or extended backpacking trips. Riverside tent sites offer opportunities for fishing and paddling, though swimming may be prohibited in certain areas. Sites on Namanock Island provide a unique camping experience accessible only by boat. A camper described the island camping experience as "very peaceful, very private" and noted that "of all the places I have ever camped, having an entire island to yourself is a feeling I have never experienced anywhere else." Wildlife sightings are common, with bears active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage at all tent campgrounds.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Stroudsburg (45)
1. 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."
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. 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
4. Wooded Campground
"Perfect land for an overnight before hitting the trail. There’s open field and wooded options, and the hosts Mel and Jeff couldn’t have been more accommodating."
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $60 / night
5. 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
6. Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms
"This location was about an hour and a half away from our home so it was far enough to feel like we were getting away but close enough that we could be home quickly in case of an emergency since we decided"
from $125 / night
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 / night
10. Round Valley State Park Campground
"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"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."
Drive Time
- 39 min from Scranton, PA
- 40 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 20 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 1 hr 26 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Stroudsburg, PA
88 Photos of 45 Stroudsburg Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Walter's Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Wooded Campground
Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms
Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Ratcliff's River Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
BMR Operations, LLC dba Blue Mountain Resort By: BM Resort Management, LLC its Authorized Agent
Hornbeck's River Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Kittatinny Valley State Park Campground
Sandyston Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Scrub Mountain Retreat
Namanock Island — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Tent Camping Reviews near Stroudsburg, PA
1097 Reviews of 45 Stroudsburg 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.
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.
- Thomas B.Ranger
Tohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
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 Stroudsburg
Tent camping near Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania provides access to the 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which straddles the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The region sits at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,500 feet above sea level, creating diverse camping microclimates. Most campgrounds experience significant temperature drops at night, with summer evenings often 20-30 degrees cooler than daytime highs.
What to do
Fishing the Delaware River: At Alosa Boat In Campsites, campers have direct river access. As one camper notes, "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."
Hiking to mountain views: Campsites near Kittatinny Mountain offer exceptional access to viewpoints. A camper at Kirkrige Shelter explains, "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."
Water sports on Catfish Pond: When staying at Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, kayaking and canoeing are popular activities. A camper reports, "You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife. If you're there in the summer, I'd recommend taking a kayak around the lake and filling it with wild blueberries."
What campers like
Private camping spaces: Jenny Jump State Forest offers secluded sites that feel remote despite being accessible. One camper shared, "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."
Primitive camping with good amenities: Many campers appreciate the balance of natural settings with basic conveniences. A visitor to Jenny Jump noted, "Primitive, has bathrooms and water spigots. Good hammocking trees and wasn't crowded at all. Plenty of privacy from other sites."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Stroudsburg area is rich with wildlife observation possibilities. At Bushkill Creek Boat In Campsite, a camper appreciated the "lovely and secluded" location, noting it was "great to have no neighbors, though we could hear some noise across the water from the 6 Peters sites on the other side."
What you should know
Water sources vary by campground: Many primitive sites require carrying in water. At Walter's Boat In Campsites, a camper advises, "There is no public road access to the campsite... People found camping at this site that are not on a river trip or camped at the site for longer than one day can expect to receive hefty fines from the NPS."
Highway noise affects some sites: Despite the wilderness feel, some campgrounds experience road noise. At Jenny Jump State Forest, a camper mentioned, "This campground is a nice little hideaway not too far from the beaten path. You can hear some of the highway sounds from the campsites (especially the jake brake)."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: From outhouses to shower facilities, tent campers should research amenities beforehand. At Rivers Bend Group Campground, a visitor observed, "Four outhouses centrally located and a pump well that did not work."
Tips for camping with families
Start with established sites: For families new to camping in the Stroudsburg area, choose campgrounds with amenities. As a camper at Round Valley State Park noted, "Really nice spot to camp very peaceful and quit. Gorgeous sunset, beautiful views. Really helpful people at the office."
Consider shelter options: Some locations offer alternatives to tent camping that work well for families. A camper at Jenny Jump described, "The 'shelter' is what we would describe as a 'cabin'; four walls, a roof, locking door, locking windows, large picture frame front window, four beds(two bunks), a wood burning stove, and a porch."
Check proximity to trails: Family-friendly campgrounds often connect directly to easy hiking paths. A visitor to Jenny Jump mentioned, "This place was great, they allow dogs and had hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground."
Tips from RVers
Plan for minimal hookups: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Stroudsburg provide limited RV amenities. At Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms, a reviewer who normally uses a travel trailer noted when tent camping here, "I think this would be great for a family who are just starting to get interested in camping and would like to experience it first without making a large investment into buying your own equipment."
Consider tent camping instead: Many RVers report positive experiences switching to tents at these campgrounds. A usual RV camper at Round Valley explained, "Beautiful and quaint..a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature."
Know your access limitations: Many prime camping spots cannot accommodate RVs. At Round Valley, a camper warned, "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon... I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Stroudsburg, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Stroudsburg, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Stroudsburg, PA is Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail with a 5.0-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Stroudsburg, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Stroudsburg, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 45 tent camping locations near Stroudsburg, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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