s
sorcha A.
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TravelerShady Oak Campground
Easy access to Lancaster and Pennsylvania Dutch areas. Friendly, welcoming staff and plenty of colorful trees in the autumn. The only RV park in the area that is open year round.
Tent Camping near Summit Station, PA
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Tent campers exploring the eastern Pennsylvania highlands near Summit Station can find several established campgrounds within a short drive. Primitive tent sites are available at Mauch Chunk Lake Park near Jim Thorpe and at Hibernia County Park near Coatesville, both offering basic amenities for tent camping in wooded settings. The Appalachian Trail corridor also provides several backcountry tent camping options near Lehigh Gap, including established sites with stone fire rings.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Fire rings are common at established sites, though fire bans may be implemented during dry periods. Potable water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with Hibernia County Park offering limited water from a single spigot, while some AT primitive sites have no water access at all. A recent review noted, "Make sure to fill up before coming up the mountain" when referring to the ridgeline sites. Tent pads are generally unimproved, with many sites featuring exposed tree roots and rocks that may require extra padding for comfort.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Summit Station offers a range of environments from creekside to ridgetop. Riverside tent sites at Riverview Park Campground provide the soothing sound of flowing water, while ridgeline sites along the AT corridor feature expansive valley views. A camper wrote, "You can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door" when describing the AT Overlook Campground. Pine forest sites offer natural padding and protection from the elements, making them ideal for tent camping during inclement weather. Sites at higher elevations tend to be drier and less buggy but require carrying in all water. Many campgrounds implement quiet hours, though enforcement varies, so midweek visits often provide more solitude for tent campers seeking a peaceful backcountry experience.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Summit Station (27)
1. Shambala at Mystic Hollow
"Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers great creekside campsites for anyone looking to pitch a tent and enjoy some time by the water. Check them out and share your experience on the Dyrt!"
Check Availabilityfrom $40 / night
2. Mauch Chunk Lake Park
"Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone."
"Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
3. Rolling Hills Retreats
"Her boyfriend and I wanted to plan an outdoor camping trip but we’re completely over having no privacy, worrying about my reactive dog, feeling like we had to follow ridiculous rules when going camping"
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
from $160 - $380 / night
4. Hibernia County Park
"Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground."
"We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There’s running water available, porta potties are very clean and don’t smell and are lit with a street lamp. Very quiet at night."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $50 / night
5. AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap
"The only downside was my sleeping pad sprung a leak, so it wasn't the best night's sleep. But the site itself was great and I would camp there again."
"A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."
6. AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap
"You can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door and the space is flat, dry, and not too rocky."
7. Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
"Clean restrooms, lots of open space!"
"Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails"
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $30 / night
8. AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap
"This site is really 2 separate sites that are a short ways apart along the trail. They are both excellent spots to set up a tent if you plan on camping up on the ridge."
9. Riverview Park Campground
"The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit. They also have a bathroom facility up alongside the road."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $30 / night
10. George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter
"A single-level open-sided AT shelter near the Lehigh Gap trailhead. The shelter itself is well maintained and has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers."
Drive Time
- 29 min from Reading, PA
- 31 min from Lebanon, PA
- 47 min from Allentown, PA
- 59 min from Lancaster, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Summit Station, PA
39 Photos of 27 Summit Station Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Summit Station, PA
905 Reviews of 27 Summit Station Campgrounds
- RRussell A.
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!
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.
Peggy C.TravelerCountry Acres Campground
Lovely campground!
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
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.
Troy P.TravelerShikellamy State Park Campground
meh
i mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
- LLynn C.Scout
Old Mill Stream Campground
Never Again
The advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
- 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.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideBeacon Hill Camping
Great location
We stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
Guide to Summit Station
Tent camping opportunities near Summit Station, Pennsylvania include multiple primitive sites requiring different preparation levels. The region sits at elevations ranging from 400-1500 feet with moderate precipitation year-round, averaging 47 inches annually. Summer camping conditions typically feature daytime temperatures in the 70s-80s°F with cooler nights, especially at higher elevations.
What to do
Paddle on Mauch Chunk Lake: Located near Mauch Chunk Lake Park, the lake provides excellent kayaking and paddleboarding opportunities. "You can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," notes Lisa S.
Explore hiking trails: The Appalachian Trail corridor near AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap offers scenic day hikes through varying terrain. According to Asher K., the ridgeline sites are "surrounded by a magical field of ferns and you can get views of both sides of the ridge with only a short walk down the trail."
Disc golf and fishing: Green Lane Park provides multiple recreational options beyond camping. "Phenomenal disc golf course, hiking, and fishing" are available according to Benjamin C., making it a good option for active campers.
What campers like
Proximity to water features: Many campers appreciate waterside sites, with one camper at Riverview Park Campground noting that "sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit," creating easy river access.
Natural padding in pine forests: The pine needle ground cover at some sites creates more comfortable tent placement. At AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap, "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area," according to reviewer Asher K.
Ease of access for beginner campers: Some locations cater specifically to those new to camping. Mackenzie B. states Mauch Chunk Lake Park "is a great spot to go with people who haven't camped much before. It has flat tent spaces, generally clean bathrooms, and access to tons of things to do on the campground and nearby."
What you should know
Water access varies significantly: Many primitive sites require carrying in water. At AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap, campers should "be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."
Site privacy differs between campgrounds: Sites at Green Lane Park have minimal separation, with Jen noting "the sites are lined up next to each other along the campground driveway and there are absolutely no trees or shrubs between them."
Noise levels fluctuate by location and timing: Campground noise can vary based on popularity and season. One camper at Mauch Chunk Lake Park observed: "We visited in the summer on a weekend when it was full. The campsites are too close to each other and we were surrounded by very loud campers... It was not just 1 group; there were multiple parties making a lot of noise until after midnight."
Tips for camping with families
Look for flat, accessible sites: Families with young children benefit from sites with easier access. At Riverview Park Campground, sites offer convenience as "the park itself is located along the D&L biking trail that is on the bed of an old railroad," providing level entry points.
Seek locations with multiple activities: Hibernate County Park offers diverse recreation for children. "Great for families. My kids are age 3-12... The park ranger this weekend was the nicest and very helpful with directions to walk to the playground and indoor restrooms," notes Anna, mentioning additional amenities like "the children's pond...for well stocked fishing."
Consider campground bathroom facilities: Hibernia County Park has varying bathroom options. Jennifer S. explains, "There are only pit toilets in Fiddler's loop, however there is a bathroom with running water, flush toilets and electric outlets (no shower) within walking distance of the loop."
Tips from RVers
Check site sizes carefully: Many primitive sites cannot accommodate larger vehicles. Jennifer S. advises about Hibernia County Park: "As I said in the first paragraph, we mostly camp in a 28ft 5th wheel and though at first glance the sites don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18."
Prepare for limited or no hookups: Jennifer S. also warns: "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank. There is one spigot at the 'bathroom'."
Consider uneven terrain: Leveling can be an issue at the best tent camping near Summit Station, Pennsylvania. "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix," notes a camper about fitting RVs into the rustic sites at Hibernia County Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Summit Station, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Summit Station, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Summit Station, PA is Shambala at Mystic Hollow with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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Summit Station, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Summit Station, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Summit Station, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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