Best Tent Camping near Wilkes-Barre, PA
Tent camping options near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania range from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites along the Appalachian Trail. Manny Gordon Recreation Area in Pinchot State Forest offers spacious tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables, while Mauch Chunk Lake Park provides tent-only camping with lakeside views approximately 30 miles south of Wilkes-Barre. Several primitive tent campsites can be found along the AT near Lehigh Gap, offering hikers multiple overnight options.
Most tent campsites in the region feature established fire rings and relatively flat tent pads, though surface conditions vary considerably. Walk-in tent sites at Riverview Park Campground provide direct river access but require campers to carry gear from the parking area. A review noted that "previous campers have been kind enough to build up a sizable stone fire ring" at some primitive sites. Tent-only areas in Pinchot State Forest typically include picnic tables and access to vault toilets, while backcountry camping along ridgelines may have limited or no facilities. Campers should be prepared for ticks during warmer months, as one visitor mentioned there were "lots of ticks so get your spray."
Areas along the Appalachian Trail ridgeline provide tent campers with scenic views and peaceful surroundings. AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap features primitive tent sites surrounded by fern fields with views from both sides of the ridge. In summer months, tent campgrounds near water bodies like Mauch Chunk Lake become quite popular, with one camper describing the lake as "beautiful, very clean and picturesque and perfect for swimming." Tent-only sites generally offer more seclusion than mixed-use campgrounds, particularly during weekdays. Primitive tent camping areas along the AT require hikers to pack in water, as most ridge sites lack water sources. Some tent campsites provide stone seating areas around fire rings, enhancing the camping experience with thoughtful amenities built by previous visitors.