Primitive camping options surround the Tatamy, Pennsylvania area with numerous trails and access points along the Appalachian Trail. The region features elevations ranging from 400 to 1,500 feet with weather patterns that make spring and fall ideal for tent camping near Tatamy. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F with higher humidity, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions in the 60-70°F range.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Set up base camp at AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap and explore the ridge trail. The campsite offers panoramic valley views that can't be beat. A camper noted, "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."
Wildlife watching: The ridge areas near Lehigh Gap feature diverse wildlife including wild turkey and bears. "When I was up here I came across a flock of wild turkeys who thoroughly scared me when they flew off. I was already on edge since there are several signs warning of high bear activity," shared one tent camper at AT Overlook.
Water activities: Visit Round Valley State Park Campground for water sports on the 2,350-acre reservoir. "The reservoir can turn into the Bermuda Triangle at any moment—be careful," warns one visitor. The reservoir is 180 feet deep in the middle and offers opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing for trout.
What campers like
Privacy and solitude: Tent camping near Tatamy provides genuine wilderness experiences. At Jenny Jump State Forest, "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," reported one camper.
Ridge camping experiences: The ridge areas offer unique tent camping environments. At AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap, campers enjoy "a magical field of ferns and you can get views of both sides of the ridge with only a short walk down the trail."
Crystal clear water: The region's waterways provide exceptional clarity. At Round Valley, a camper mentioned, "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water."
What you should know
Water access challenges: Many primitive sites require planning for water. At AT Ridge Campground, there's no water available, so hikers must carry in all supplies. Similarly, at AT Overlook, "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."
Hike-in difficulty levels: Some campsites require significant effort to reach. At Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite, the site is "a little removed from the trail so make sure to keep an eye out for it." For Round Valley, a visitor warned, "The hike is a 3 mile minimum 6 max."
Weather considerations: The ridgeline tent camping areas can experience significant wind and temperature fluctuations. One camper at Jenny Jump noted the campground is "high up on a mountain and affords lovely views," but also mentioned "the noise from the highway was quite loud at night."
Campsite selection timing: Many primitive sites fill quickly during peak season. A camper at Wooded Campground shared, "My husband and I got a late start coming down from Brooklyn to the DWG, and realized we'd need a place to stay. We found this site of HipCamp and it was a God send!"
Tips for camping with families
Site selection importance: Choose more accessible sites when tent camping near Tatamy with children. At Wooded Campground, "There's open field and wooded options, and the hosts Mel and Jeff couldn't have been more accommodating. Mel brought firewood for the campfire and helped us load up on water."
Consider shelter alternatives: Jenny Jump State Forest offers shelters that work well for families. One visitor described them 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."
Trail proximity: Sites with direct trail access simplify family activities. At Jenny Jump, a camper appreciated that they "allow dogs and had hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground."
Water access planning: For families camping at water sites, prepare for boat or hike access. At Round Valley, a camper noted, "If you get a site on the water, you can take a boat across to your site (check the site for regulations/restrictions) - in-season rentals should be available on-site."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: True tent camping near Tatamy dominates, with few developed RV sites. At Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms, options exist for both tent and small RVs, though most sites are primitive.
Transition from RV to tent: Some RVers enjoy hybrid experiences in the region. One camper shared, "We are avid campers ranging from our early days of remote, rustic tent camping with just the two of us and 20 years later upgraded to our travel trailer that houses our two kids and two dogs."
Access road conditions: Many campgrounds have rough access roads unsuitable for larger RVs. A Camp Starry Night visitor noted they "drove by a few times because I didn't see the small Tentrr sign on the mailbox post," highlighting the difficulty finding some sites.
