Stephen R.
Guide
GuideRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
Tent Camping near Thornhurst, PA
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Tent campers exploring the Pocono region near Thornhurst, Pennsylvania can access a variety of tent-specific campsites spanning from established campgrounds to primitive trail sites. Manny Gordon Recreation Area in Pinchot State Forest offers tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables in a forest setting, while several Appalachian Trail primitive tent sites provide more secluded options. The Lehigh Gap area features multiple tent-only camping locations along ridgelines with views of the surrounding valley.
Most tent campsites in the region feature previously used fire rings and relatively flat terrain suitable for setting up tents. The primitive tent sites along the Appalachian Trail near Lehigh Gap require hikers to pack in all water, as there are no reliable water sources on the ridge. Sites at Manny Gordon have electric hookups available for tent campers, but no drinking water on site. One visitor noted, "Very open, plenty of space. Most campgrounds have previously stocked wood from other people, making setting up very convenient." Bear activity is reported in some areas, particularly along the AT corridor, so proper food storage is essential for tent campers.
The tent camping experience varies significantly between locations. Ridge campsites on the AT offer dramatic views and isolation from crowds, with one camper describing the AT Overlook site as "the best campsite option on this section of the AT" where "you can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door." Mauch Chunk Lake Park provides more amenities for tent campers including showers, toilets, and access to lake activities, though reviews indicate weekend crowds can create noise issues. Walk-in tent sites at Riverview Park Campground place campers directly along the Lehigh River with picnic benches and fire pits, providing convenient water access for paddlers. Most tent-only sites in the region require advance reservations during peak season.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Thornhurst (41)
1. Manny Gordon Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest
"Very open, plenty of space. most campgrounds have previously stocked wood from other people, makes setting up very convenient. lots of ticks tho so get your spray"
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
2. Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
3. 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
4. Scrub Mountain Retreat
from $30 - $35 / night
5. 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."
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. 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."
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. 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."
10. 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
Drive Time
- 26 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr 5 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 15 min from Binghamton, NY
- 1 hr 32 min from Reading, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Thornhurst, PA
59 Photos of 41 Thornhurst Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center
Scrub Mountain Retreat
BMR Operations, LLC dba Blue Mountain Resort By: BM Resort Management, LLC its Authorized Agent
Mauch Chunk Lake Park
Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Ratcliff's River Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Wooded Campground
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Hornbeck's River Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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Tent Camping Reviews near Thornhurst, PA
1102 Reviews of 41 Thornhurst 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.
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.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Beautiful Falls!
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
- 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.
Daniel C.ScoutHillside Campgrounds
Stay away... Unless you like 70 y/o men acting like high schoolers
This clothing-optional campground has a highly toxic, intrusive, and vindictive environment. During my stay, the seasonal permanent residents('perms') subjected me to intense harassment, inappropriate sexual advances, and severe social retaliation/rumor-spreading when those advances were rejected. The situation escalated to the point where an employee had to intervene for my safety. Furthermore, despite management allowing my photo to be taken in costume at a party, I was intentionally blocked from the community group where the photos were posted, leaving me unable to monitor how my image was being used. Avoid this place if you value your privacy, personal boundaries, and safety.
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 Thornhurst
Tent campsites near Thornhurst, Pennsylvania offer both primitive backcountry experiences and more developed options with basic facilities. The region sits at the northern edge of the Pocono Mountains where elevations range from 1,200 to 2,200 feet, creating varied terrain for campers. Seasonal considerations are important as summer temperatures typically remain in the 70s-80s°F while spring and fall nights can drop below 50°F, requiring proper sleeping gear.
What to do
Rafting on the Lehigh River: Access the river directly from Riverview Park Campground, where tent sites are positioned along the water with dedicated fire pits. "This is the perfect place for camping if you are adventuring out on the Lehigh River and want to get an early start or stay the night. The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit," notes one camper.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Trail access points near tent camping areas provide opportunities for day hikes or longer treks. The AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap offers primitive sites along the ridge. "They 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," according to a recent visitor.
Swimming and paddling: Several campgrounds provide lake access for water activities during summer months. "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!" mentions one camper at Mauch Chunk Lake Park. Another notes, "You can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many tent campers appreciate the room to spread out at Manny Gordon Recreation Area. "Very open, plenty of space. most campgrounds have previously stocked wood from other people, makes setting up very convenient," shares one reviewer, though they caution about "lots of ticks tho so get your spray."
Ridge views: The elevation of certain tent sites provides substantial views across valleys. At AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap, one camper explains, "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."
Shelter options: Some locations offer both tent sites and basic shelters. The George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter features "a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers" and "a spring nearby for filling up water," according to someone who stayed there.
What you should know
Water access: Many primitive tent sites require bringing your own water. At AT Overlook Campground, a camper advises to "be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."
Wildlife encounters: Bear activity is reported in multiple camping areas. "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," recounts one tent camper at AT Overlook.
Weekend crowds: Mauch Chunk Lake Park can become congested during peak times. A visitor observes, "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
Consider developed campgrounds: Families with young children may prefer sites with more facilities. "I believe it 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," explains a camper at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Check for amenities: Some tent camping areas lack basic facilities. "If you are planning on tent camping there isn't really any flat area to set up around the shelter so you might want to keep moving to one of the next sites," notes a visitor at George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter.
Look for recreation options: Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center combines camping with activities. "Rafting on the Lehigh with whitewater challengers was amazing. The campground is definitely great for Girl Scout or school groups," shares one visitor, though they warn it's not ideal "if you are looking for a peaceful campground" as there was "a movie shown at night, as well as music played late into the night."
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: At Jenny Jump State Forest, campers note that sites vary widely in comfort. One RVer explains, "The sites are hit or miss in terms of comfort, some have large, flat, clear spaces for multiple tents, some you have to wedge a tent to avoid rocks."
Consider noise factors: Highway sounds can affect some camping areas. A visitor to Jenny Jump State Forest mentions, "My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night" despite the park being "high up on a mountain and affords lovely views."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Thornhurst, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Thornhurst, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Thornhurst, PA is Manny Gordon Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State Forest with a 5.0-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Thornhurst, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Thornhurst, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 41 tent camping locations near Thornhurst, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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