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Best Tent Camping near Walnutport, PA

1,032 Reviews

Tent camping options near Walnutport, Pennsylvania focus primarily on primitive sites, with several established campgrounds offering tent-specific areas. Hikers can access multiple tent sites along the Appalachian Trail near Lehigh Gap, including the AT Ridge Campground, AT Overlook Campground, and George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter. The Lehigh Gap area provides several primitive tent sites that serve as stopping points for through-hikers or weekend backpackers, while Mauch Chunk Lake Park in nearby Jim Thorpe offers more developed tent camping facilities with picnic tables and fire rings.

The terrain at tent sites varies considerably throughout the region. Appalachian Trail campsites typically feature stone fire rings and space for multiple tents, though ground conditions can be challenging after rain. One camper noted that the AT Ridge Campground "is 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." Most primitive sites lack amenities, with no potable water, restrooms, or trash service available. Campers should pack in all necessary supplies and be prepared to filter water from natural sources or travel to designated water points. Bear activity is common in the area, so proper food storage is essential.

Tent campers seeking views should prioritize the ridgeline sites near Lehigh Gap. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, the AT Overlook Campground is "by far 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." Morning fog often settles in the valleys, creating dramatic vistas at sunrise. These hike-in sites require good navigation skills and physical preparation, as most are accessible only via moderately difficult trails. The primitive nature of these campgrounds appeals particularly to those seeking solitude and natural surroundings. Sites typically accommodate 1-3 tents, making them ideal for solo hikers or small groups rather than large camping parties.

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Best Tent Sites Near Walnutport, Pennsylvania (36)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Walnutport, PA

77 Photos of 36 Walnutport Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Walnutport, PA

1032 Reviews of 36 Walnutport Campgrounds

  • Ra F.
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park

    OK, but camping gets a low rating.

    The park is lovely, but the camping facilities are subpar, primitive and lack any kind of privacy. I bike toured there. The only potable water was from a near-broken water fountain at the public rest rooms and no electrical connection to recharge electronics. There was also a fair amount of road noise at night. Bathhouse OK, but just basic. Tent spots are just lined up against one another facing a service road.

  • Doug W.
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Valley View Group Campground

    Beautiful River Site

    This is a great campsite right on the river. There are 5 different sites all nicely marked out. Each has its own fire ring. There is also a central area with a big fire ring for everyone to get together. Bear boxes at each site for food storage.

  • Laure D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2020

    Locust Lake State Park Campground

    Serenity on the lakes

    Pretty campground with lots of lake views. We arrived just before dark which was good because the sites were not level front to back. Most sites had a slope but there were some level sites. You can kayak, canoe, paddle board, and fish on the lake. There are 2 boat launches. The store wasn’t much to speak of. Bath houses were clean. We walked around the lake on a paved level path. They advertise no alcohol. This is near the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine tour which we loved. It’s near the Yingling Brewery tour.

  • B
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Tohickon Valley County Park

    One stop shop for adventure!

    This place is amazing! everything you could want, from tent and RV camping to cabin rentals. They also have a pool and playground. some of my favorite parts of this park are a good 100’ rack wall perfect for climbing, great fishing, trails for miles that even connects to the AT, and when scheduled they open the dam up stream for som world class whitewater rafting.

    As for some things that aren’t listed. this is no alcohol permitted in the park due to it being a state park, however that all depends on how open you are about it and the Park rangers. Cell phone service is limited last time I was up there in 2012 only people with Verizon Wireless had any reception. Also there is no WiFi. No hookups or camp store.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 25, 2022

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Campsites Jammed Closely Together

    PROS 

    Reserved 328 days prior to arriving

    $13.50 senior discount 

    Immediately greeted by Loop C camp host who was extremely friendly and helpful 

    Site C3 parking pad level asphalt 

    Metal frame wooden picnic table that was moveable 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon our arrival 

    Some vegetation between sites provided a bit of privacy from neighbors sites 

    Park is 21 miles from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Catch National Park Service 90 minute trolley tour at the Visitor Center. 

    Shady Maple Smorgasbord...authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking…largest buffet in the USA…16 miles from French Creek SP 

    CONS

    $6.50 reservation fee for making my own on-line reservation 

    Horrible signage along PA-345. Never saw very small sign when we where intensely searching 

    Such a large overall park, but camping loop sites are jammed together

    Pitiful low water pressure  in Loop C

    Site sewer connection is high; needs to be knocked down to ground level 

    Short length of site caused creative tow vehicle parking 

    Loop C women’s toilet/shower building a big nasty mess Saturday 

    Trash dumpsters are on the main road near the campground check-in station (not walkable) 

    Noisy campground; 9pm quiet hour not enforced

    Lots of barking dogs 

    No wood sales in park 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon

  • Dwight D.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Jenny Jump State Forest

    Cute Comfortable Shelter

    This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! The "shelter" is what we would describe 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. Even compared to our glamping this was luxury!!

    There are eight shelters at Jenny Jump State Park. Shelter 2 is a minute walk from the restroom with sink/shower and water. Shelters 7 & 8 are even closer while 4 & 5 are the furthest, may an extra 5 minutes walk? The dead end means there isn't too much traffic, though the road is right there so you can wave to the other campers heading to the restroom or for hikes. There is a trail head at one of the parking lots. During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road. We got to see their dogs, so that was a bonus for us! Otherwise, this shelter is not situated too close to the other shelters and feels very private.

    We brought battery-powered lights since there is no electricity. There were coat hooks and a built-in shelf for our snacks, games, and other supplies. There was a picnic table and benches inside. We brought camping chairs for relaxing on the porch. We spent most of our time on the porch; cooking, chatting, and crafting while enjoying the sunshine and breeze.

    Oh, this shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not.

  • D
    Jul. 5, 2020

    Tobyhanna State Park Campground

    Good campground for families.

    My dog and I stayed for 2 nights in the rustic tenting area. We were the only campers Wednesday & Thursday. The family camp area features spaces (small areas for either RV campers or tents and cars) with a picnic table and fire ring and water (some have electricity). They also have shared facilities such as bathrooms and showers. However, they seemed a little too cramped fir me and I wasn’t looking for opportunities to socialize, so the remote tent site was my choice. The tent sites do not have water or electric, but do have picnic tables, a fire ring and share one large outhouse with clean pit toilets. There are 5 sites and they can accommodate (shared) multiple tent set ups. Also you need to park your vehicle in a designated lot which is very close to the sites. There are multiple easy hiking and biking trails that are well marked. A lake for fishing and a small sandy beach with a picnic area for families (unfortunately no dogs are allowed on the beach). There are 2 boat launch areas (one for the campers, and another for gen. public) which also has a boat rental business (dogs are allowed). There are black bears in the park so do not leave food out and dispose of all trash in the appropriate dumpsters.

  • Angel A.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Lower Lake Campground Northwoods Area — Promised Land State Park

    Northwoods Campground

    Big sites with 30 amp service available for RVs and trailers. Each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with an adjustable grate. The pull-through sites don’t offer much in the way of privacy, but that’s the trade off for convenience. There are two potable water spigots in the campground. The bathhouse offers warm showers, 2 dishwashing sinks, and a coin-operated washer and dryer. The facilities are kept very clean. On the weekends it can get pretty crowded, so it tends to be louder at night then, but the camp hosts and the rangers do a good job of enforcing quiet hours. Access points to several trails are very near the campground. As with all PA state parks, alcohol is prohibited. The park doesn’t have a camp store, however, there is a small general store on Route 390 (The Lake Store) just north of the park that would have any essentials you may have forgotten, as well as ice for your cooler.

  • Christina H.
    Aug. 29, 2019

    Round Valley State Park Campground

    Come for the jaw-dropping views. Review for Round Valley State Park Site 52

    Round Valley is certainly a must see for any type of outdoors person, or someone who appreciates relaxation in a gorgeous landscape. It is a semi-mountainous, forested setting with a very large "lake", which is really a man-made reservoir in the middle of a valley. The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for. You will have to look very hard to find a more beautiful camping scene in New Jersey. Also, it's dog friendly!

    There is no car access to these campsites, you must keep your vehicle overnight in their south parking lot. If you have a camping registration you do not have to pay the fee to enter the park after you check in to the office. The only way to get to the campsites which are located on the other side of the reservoir deep in the woods, are by boating in, backpacking in, or biking in. If you are boating, kayaking, or canoeing to your site, be very careful and watch the wind warnings. If the wind-warning strobe lights go off you should get off of the water asap because the waters can get very rough and this place is nicknamed the Bermuda Triangle of NJ. We were originally going to boat in for a quick overnight, but at the last minute we decided we wanted a challenge. We backpacked 5.5 miles in on an August morning to site #52. The trail was mountainous, rocky, hilly, but for the most part in the shade. This is definitely not a walk through the park easy trail, pack light and don't bring coolers or wagons if you are hiking it. The first three miles are very rocky, with some larger rocks protruding from the ground, but from there on the trail turns into smooth asphalt to allow for ranger and emergency vehicles and it gets a lot easier. We were a bit sore the next day with a couple of mild blisters but we were still able to easily do the 5.5 mile hike back in the afternoon. Someone who does a lot of hiking and backpacking will find the trail easy, but with little to no experience you may struggle. My dog is a 7 year old retriever with minor joint issues and the trail was a piece of cake to her (she even carried all of her own gear).

     These are truly primitive sites with only a few drinking water pumps scattered about and some primitive outhouses, however, you never feel completely alone here because the campsites are not spaced too far apart. My honest opinion: filter or purify your water right from the reservoir if you have the option, because you may be far from a pump, or it may be temporarily closed, and the reservoir water tastes good and is cold. I also opt to skip the outhouses too because they are never clean and always stink unbearably no matter where they are. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted. If you must bring alchohol,  bring a little in a subtle container and do not bother the other campers. Swimming is also technically not permitted but there were many people swimming and we swam also and no one was bothered.

    Now onto our campsite. Site 52 was nearly perfect. The views were to die for. We were able to clearly see the water past the trees from our tent and from our picnic table. The trip to the water was just a few yards away by a footpath carved through tall grass. Unfortunately, the guests before us were very dirty and there was fresh trash scattered about our spot, so we had some cleaning to do when we arrived. The other downside to this spot is you could just barely see site 53 from your spot, which wasn't a huge deal but it wasn't total privacy. Since the surrounding campsites are just barely spaced out to give enough privacy, you can clearly hear your neighbors if they are being noisy. Keep that in mind if you are being the noisy one too. The park strictly enforces its rules and if you are being a nuisance you will be escorted off the property. We saw it first hand on our overnight trip. Our neighbors were college-age, very loud and rowdy, chugging beers and smoking (both are not permitted so don't make it obvious if you are doing either). Suddenly it got quiet and we look over and there are 3 cops at their site arresting them. We were thankful that it got quiet after that, but it was short lived, right before the sun set our other neighbors boat in and start playing music loudly and chopping wood, this continued until around 1am. We would have complained but we were just too tired and kept just falling back asleep. But seriously please don't be that guy.

    Onto the the tl;dr!

    PROS:

    • Breathtaking scenery
    • Gorgeous crystal-clear water
    • Sites are in a beautiful wooded area
    • Sites have a picnic table and nice fire rings
    • You can boat, kayak, or canoe right into your spot if you have a water-access site, site numbers are posted to help you find your spot
    • Great spot to watch wildlife
    • Amazing spot for water sports, fishing, swimming, etc
    • Beautiful, scenic trails to hike or bike
    • Can confirm the sunsets are gorgeous 
    • Every site is dog friendly!
    • There is a lot of variety with the sites (water access or more into the mountain, full shade, partial, or no shade, how far they are spaced apart, etc) so you will be able to find the site that is perfect for you 
    • Paths that allow for emergency vehicles, police, and rangers keep the place safe and fun while giving you the remote feeling of a campsite
    • Lots of tinder and firewood available to gather
    • Our site had a couple clotheslines hung already
    • Each outhouse had bear-proof trash cans, very handy

    CONS:

    • Our site was left littered
    • Noisy, disruptive neighbors
    • Not full privacy (depending on the site)
    • Outhouses smelled like death and were terribly dirty and dark
    • Only 2 water pumps were working when we went, and they were both way too far, we brought a water filter and pumped our own water straight out of the reservoir 
    • The trail had a surprising amount of litter, mainly tinfoil and cigarette butts scattered along the trail. Perhaps the rangers could be more strict about littering
    • Mild boat noise at water-front sites

    **THINGS TO DO AT ROUND VALLEY **

    • Great fishing
    • Kayaking/canoeing/boating
    • Swimming
    • Beautiful hiking trails
    • Wildlife/bird watching
    • Mountain biking
    • Picnicking 
    • Relaxing

Guide to Walnutport

Tent camping near Walnutport, Pennsylvania centers around the Lehigh Gap area, where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Lehigh River at an elevation of 900 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Several campgrounds offer access to the Lehigh River and connecting trails with varying levels of amenities and privacy options.

What to do

Water activities: lake and river: Mauch Chunk Lake Park provides both swimming and paddling opportunities. One camper noted, "Nice beach area and lake to kayak!" while another shared, "I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear."

Hiking: access multiple trails: Riverview Park Campground sites sit adjacent to the D&L Trail, a converted railroad bed. "The park itself is located along the D&L biking trail that is on the bed of an old railroad," according to one visitor who appreciated the convenience.

Local exploration: Jim Thorpe area: Mauch Chunk Lake Park serves as a base for exploring nearby Jim Thorpe. A camper shared, "You are in beautiful Jim Thorpe that has white water rafting in town, plus great restaurants and bars."

What campers like

Riverside camping: prime locations: Some sites at Riverview Park offer direct river access. "The sites are each tent only and located right along the river with a picnic bench and firepit," making them convenient for paddlers.

Pine forest setting: natural padding: AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap provides comfort for tent campers. One backpacker observed, "A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."

Group-friendly sites: spacious options: Lehigh Gap AT primitive campsite accommodates multiple tents. A camper described it as "A very large flat site with plenty of clear spots for multiple tents. This would work well for a large group."

What you should know

Weather considerations: prepare for rain: Some sites can become waterlogged after storms. At Lehigh Gap Woodpecker Trailhead Primitive Campground, a camper reported, "When I was here it had recently rained and the site was overall pretty boggy...without a good ground tarp, you might get a little wet."

Water availability: plan ahead: Most primitive sites require carrying or filtering water. One hiker at AT Overlook Campground advised, "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."

Weekend crowds: expect company: Mauch Chunk Lake Park gets busy during peak times. A visitor cautioned, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly option: Mauch Chunk: First-time campers can ease into tent camping at established sites. "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," shared one experienced camper.

Activity variety: keep kids busy: Recreational facilities add value for families with children. One visitor mentioned, "The campgrounds were nice and there was a lot to do. Volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals."

Site selection: watch for terrain: AT/Bypass Trail Split Primitive Campground offers grassy sites that might work better for families than rocky areas. A hiker described it as "a small grassy primitive camping site" that's less developed than other options.

Tips from RVers

Tent-only areas: know limitations: Many sites in the region cater specifically to tent campers. For example, Riverview Park Campground specifies "The sites are each tent only" with basic amenities not suitable for RVs.

Access challenges: road conditions: Reaching some campgrounds requires navigating narrow roads. Sites along the Appalachian Trail are typically accessible only by foot with parking at designated trailheads.

Alternative options: nearby RV sites: Tent campers at Mauch Chunk Lake Park should note that some areas accommodate RVs. One visitor observed, "Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Walnutport, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Walnutport, PA is Mauch Chunk Lake Park with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Walnutport, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Walnutport, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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