Best Dispersed Camping near Tannersville, PA

The Pocono Mountains surrounding Tannersville, Pennsylvania feature a mix of dispersed camping options within an hour's drive, primarily along the Appalachian Trail corridor and nearby state forests. Designated backpacker sites like the Appalachian Trail Backpacker Campsite 2 in neighboring New Jersey provide primitive overnight options for hikers, while Thunder Swamp Trailhead in Pennsylvania offers more accessible dispersed camping. These sites typically accommodate tent camping with minimal amenities, catering to self-sufficient outdoor enthusiasts seeking natural settings rather than developed facilities.

Rough access roads with significant potholes limit vehicle types at many sites, with high-clearance vehicles recommended for reaching trailheads. As one camper noted at Hickok Brook, "The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping." Permit requirements vary by location, with New York state lands requiring permits from county ranger offices. Water availability presents a consistent challenge, particularly at Appalachian Trail sites where campers must "stock up on water at Dunnfield creek natural area, or wait until Sunfish pond," according to visitor reports. Most sites lack facilities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out waste.

Campers consistently mention limited site availability as a consideration when planning trips to the area. At Hickok Brook, visitors describe finding "only 3 spots" and note that during holiday weekends, the areas can quickly reach capacity. The Appalachian Trail designated sites receive positive reviews for hammock camping with "good trees for hammocking" and bear boxes provided, though tent campers may find some areas "small and sloped." Sites near lakes tend to be more popular but come with seasonal challenges including insects. The region's camping experience balances solitude with basic amenities, with one visitor summarizing their experience as a "perfect balance of community and space" with options to camp "nearer to others" or in "secluded spots."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Tannersville, Pennsylvania (5)

    1. Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    2 Reviews
    Shawnee on Delaware, NJ
    12 miles
    Website

    "I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre."

    "We had thought there was a shelter (there isn’t) but it was fine. No ground fires. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!"

    2. Thunder Swamp Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Unity House, PA
    14 miles

    "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking. Went down Saw Creek trail to a marsh."

    "Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

    3. Bake Oven Knob

    1 Review
    Andreas, PA
    30 miles

    "This spot is both part of the Appalachian Trail and a day hiking area for the Bake Oven Knob, which is a high point on the Blue Mountain ridge of the Appalachian Mountains near Germansville, Pennsylvania"

    5. Hickok Brook

    2 Reviews
    Barryville, NY
    39 miles

    "I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must."

    "Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Tannersville, PA

7 Photos of 5 Tannersville Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Tannersville, PA

4 Reviews of 5 Tannersville Campgrounds


  • R
    Jul. 12, 2017

    Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    Small but kind of your only option

    I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre. Also it's a little on the small and sloped side for tent camping, but I was in a hammock and it was a great place for that!

    That being said, as you enter the Worthington State Forest there are signs and hand painted maps indicating that this is the only place you can sleep in the forest. So if this is your timing, this is where you'll be sleeping! The site itself is unmarked when you come to it, but it's the only pretty obvious camping spot on the trail so it's not hard to find.

    Stock up on water at the Dunnfield creek natural area, or wait until Sunfish pond. There are lots of signs around Sunfish pond itself that there's no camping allowed.

  • Corey
    Jun. 17, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Beautiful but buggy lakeside tent sites

    I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere. Very gorgeous but not rv friendly.

  • Katharine T.
    May. 31, 2022

    Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    Perfect balance of community and space

    We stayed here during our section hike through the DWG on the AT. There’s plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. We’ll maintained w bear boxes provided. Good trees for hammocking. We had thought there was a shelter (there isn’t) but it was fine. No ground fires. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Small, don't blink you'll miss it.

    There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY. Really is a nice quiet place. It's Labor Day weekend, see how many people try to cram in to the very limited camping area. Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county.


Guide to Tannersville

Dispersed camping near Tannersville, Pennsylvania offers overnight options within Delaware State Forest and along sections of the Appalachian Trail. The area features elevations ranging from 400-1600 feet with mixed hardwood forests dominating the landscape. Most rustic sites in this region require campers to practice Leave No Trace principles with limited or no facilities available.

What to do

Hiking from trailheads: Thunder Swamp Trailhead provides access to extensive trail networks in Delaware State Forest. As camper Jason R. notes, "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking. Went down Saw Creek trail to a marsh."

Rocky overlook exploration: Bake Oven Knob offers a short but challenging hike to panoramic views. "The hike to the overlook is really lovely; short and rocky," reports Dani T., who frequently overnights in the parking area.

Lakeside recreation: Primitive camping spots near water bodies provide fishing and swimming opportunities during warmer months. At Hickok Brook, campers find "beautiful but buggy lakeside tent sites" according to Corey, who visited the area with a pickup truck.

What campers like

Natural seclusion: The dispersed sites throughout the region offer varying levels of privacy. Katharine T. described Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 as having "plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too."

Hammock-friendly terrain: Many sites feature suitable trees for hammock camping. Katharine T. also noted that AT camping areas are "well maintained w bear boxes provided. Good trees for hammocking."

Parking access: Several trailheads serve as informal overnight spots for self-contained campers. Benjamin H. described Thunder Swamp Trailhead as "a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

What you should know

Permit requirements: New York state lands require camping permits obtained from county ranger offices. Gregg T. learned this firsthand at Hickok Brook: "Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land."

Limited site availability: Most dispersed camping areas contain only a few established spots. At Hickok Brook, Gregg T. observed, "There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping."

Water access challenges: Plan to carry all necessary water. At Appalachian Trail sites, Renee Z. advises to "stock up on water at Dunnfield creek natural area, or wait until Sunfish pond."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection considerations: Choose sites with level ground for tent setups. Renee Z. cautions that some backcountry sites can be "a little on the small and sloped side for tent camping," making them less ideal for families with multiple tents.

Bear safety precautions: Utilize provided bear boxes at designated sites. Thunder Swamp Trailhead connects to trails with wildlife presence, so proper food storage is essential when venturing into backcountry camping spots.

Supply planning: Pack all necessities before arriving. Gregg T. recommends, "Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY."

Tips from RVers

Vehicle clearance limitations: High-clearance vehicles are necessary for accessing many rustic camping areas. Corey found Hickok Brook challenging: "The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping."

Overnight parking options: Some trailhead parking lots permit overnight stays. Dani T. shares about Bake Oven Knob: "I've overnighted in my van here a bunch, no problems. This spot is both part of the Appalachian Trail and a day hiking area... There are two large lots."

Size restrictions: Most dispersed camping locations near Tannersville cannot accommodate larger RVs. Small vans and truck campers have better success at trailhead parking areas like Thunder Swamp and Bake Oven Knob where overnight parking is typically tolerated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Tannersville, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Tannersville, PA is Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Tannersville, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Tannersville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.