Best Tent Camping near Tobyhanna, PA
Tent camping near Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania includes several primitive and established sites within state forests and recreation areas. Manny Gordon Recreation Area in Pinchot State Forest offers tent sites with fires allowed and picnic tables, while the Appalachian National Scenic Trail provides more remote options like Kirkrige Shelter on Kittatinny Mountain. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, approximately 30 miles east of Tobyhanna, features multiple tent camping options including boat-in sites along the Delaware River.
Most tent sites in the region require campers to pack in their own water or filter from nearby streams, as drinking water is limited at primitive locations. Fire rings are common at established sites, though fire bans may be implemented during dry periods. The Appalachian Trail shelters and campsites typically feature primitive toilets but lack other amenities. Sites at Manny Gordon Recreation Area include picnic tables and designated fire rings, while more remote locations may have only basic stone fire rings. One camper noted that "the sites are maintained by the NPS and are in excellent shape" when describing island camping at Delaware Water Gap.
Tent campers in the Tobyhanna region experience varying levels of seclusion depending on location choice. Areas within Delaware Water Gap provide exceptional privacy, especially at boat-in sites like Namanock Island where, according to a reviewer, "you totally feel that your party is alone out on the river." Walk-in sites along the Appalachian Trail offer a true backcountry experience with access to extensive hiking networks. Most primitive tent sites feature natural forest cover providing shade during summer months. Wildlife sightings are common, with bears active throughout the region, particularly in Stokes State Forest where campers report seeing them on trails. Seasonal considerations include higher usage during summer weekends and fall foliage season, when securing first-come, first-served sites requires earlier arrival.
