Best Tent Camping near Wind Gap, PA
The Appalachian Trail corridor provides several backcountry tent camping options within 10 miles of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania. Kirkridge Shelter and surrounding tent sites on Kittatinny Mountain offer primitive camping for hikers, while locations near Lehigh Gap provide ridge-top tent sites with expansive views. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, located northeast of Wind Gap, contains additional tent campgrounds including Camp Mohican Outdoor Center.
Most tent campgrounds in the area are primitive with minimal amenities. Established fire rings are common at sites along the Appalachian Trail, though water sources are limited and seasonal. According to one visitor, "You can park on the side of Bangor mountain road where the Appalachian Trail crossed the road," making some backcountry tent sites more accessible than others. Walk-in tent locations typically require hikes ranging from a few hundred yards to several miles. Tent campers should prepare for varying terrain conditions—sites may feature packed dirt, rocky surfaces, or forest duff depending on elevation and location.
Tent-only sites on the ridge near Lehigh Gap offer exceptional views that vehicle-based campers cannot access. One camper described the AT Overlook site as "by far the best campsite option on this section of the AT" with flat terrain and a stone fire ring. For those seeking water access, Walter's Boat In Campsites in the Delaware Water Gap area provide riverside tent camping, though they're accessible only by canoe or kayak. The pine forest group site near Lehigh Gap creates a "quiet and secluded spot" with pine needle ground cover that provides natural padding for tent setups. Most walk-in tent locations remain less crowded than established campgrounds, particularly on weekdays and during shoulder seasons.