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.

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Best Tent Sites Near Wind Gap, Pennsylvania (43)

    1. Jenny Jump State Forest

    14 Reviews
    Johnsonburg, NJ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 459-4366

    "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!"

    "It is set up nicely for primitive camping and you are able to hike out straight from the campsite(which is always a plus!). Theres a great look out point as well."

    2. Kirkrige Shelter / Kittatinny Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    1 Review
    Stroudsburg, PA
    8 miles
    Website

    "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."

    3. Round Valley State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Lebanon, NJ
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 236-6355

    "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."

    "This campground is hike in or boat in. The campsites are primitive and include a fire ring as well as a picnic table."

    4. Camp Starry Night at Gulyan Farms

    1 Review
    Mount Bethel, PA
    11 miles

    $125 / night

    "This location was about an hour and a half away from our home so it was far enough to feel like we were getting away but close enough that we could be home quickly in case of an emergency since we decided"

    5. Wooded Campground

    1 Review
    Blairstown, NJ
    16 miles
    Website

    $59 - $60 / night

    "Perfect land for an overnight before hitting the trail. There’s open field and wooded options, and the hosts Mel and Jeff couldn’t have been more accommodating."

    6. Walter's Boat In Campsites — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Shawnee on Delaware, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 426-2452

    $16 / night

    "There is no public road access to the campsite. Secondly, the site is maintained by the NPS, (National Park Service) within the DWGNRA, (Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area)."

    7. George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter

    1 Review
    Palmerton, PA
    18 miles
    Website

    "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."

    8. AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap

    1 Review
    Palmerton, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (610) 760-8889

    "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."

    9. Camp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Unity House, NJ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-2727

    $5 - $75 / night

    "It had 5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables and a real full sized bathroom only 100 yards away."

    "You can rent kayaks and canoes and swimming is allowed on Catfish Pond -- plenty of fish, snapping turtles, and other wildlife."

    10. AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap

    1 Review
    Palmerton, PA
    18 miles
    +1 (610) 760-8889

    "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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 43 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Wind Gap, PA

1009 Reviews of 43 Wind Gap 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.

  • 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.

  • Christina H.
    Aug. 6, 2019

    Stokes State Forest

    Stokes State Forest: A nature-lovers dream (Review for Shotwell Campsite)

    I would definitely recommend this campsite to anyone wanting a beautiful, remote setting, but with all of the conveniences that the campgrounds offer. Anyone from a beginner to an expert would enjoy Stokes. Whether it be just a short, relaxing weekend trip or an adventure-packed week long trip, this place has the potential to be whatever you make it.

    Pros:

    • Has the perfect balance of feeling secluded without feeling completely alone in the middle of nowhere; the campsite we were specifically on was just far enough to be remote-feeling and fully private with trees surrounding it

    • Cute little pond right on the campgrounds

    • Our site had a fire ring, a picnic table, and a large sturdy pole with a hook for your lantern/mesh dry bag/etc

    • Even, rocky, yet soft enough ground to sleep on, many trees available for hammock camping

    • There was a huge, nasty storm one night that we stayed there, with terrible downpour and flash flood warnings, our site was elevated and did not get flooded

    • A lot of firewood and kindling in the area to be gathered, or you can buy firewood right from the office

    • Lots of stuff to do in the area for nature-lovers and outdoors-enthusiasts (Hiking trails, fishing/fly-fishing, sightseeing, mountain-biking, kayaking/paddle-boarding (rentals in the area if you do not own), hunting, swimming, horseback riding, waterfall-hunting, bird/wildlife watching (there are hawks, rabbits, owls, deer, toads, snakes, turtles, frogs, foxes, bats, salamanders, many interesting bugs, beavers, and bears in the area, you never know what you will see), lots of beautiful brooks and streams throughout the entire park, many awesome remote areas to set up your hammock and relax) Whoever said that there wasn't much to do here is just either not an outdoors person or straight up lying!

    • Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash

    • There are outhouses scattered around, or if you are really needing a clean restroom where you can wash your hands, the park office's restroom is always open and very clean

    • Can be buggy at night time however, I was pleasantly surprised to have experienced zero mosquito bites and ZERO ticks on ourselves and even our dog (however she did have a leech on her from playing in the brook all day). We moderately used bug spray on ourselves and the dog had her flea and tick topical on.

    • Beautiful view of the stars on a clear night (Which can be breathtaking especially to city folk or those that cannot see stars from their homes)

    Cons:

    • Can hear the traffic from 206, but generally gets much quieter at night

    • Campsites are close enough that you may occasionally hear other groups if they are being very loud (We were next to a group campsite that had a very noisy party crowd, but could really only hear them at their loudest, and we weren't bothered)

    • Tent sites are located just off the dirt road where people travel to get to their sites, which means other campers' cars will occasionally pass right through your area. If this bothers you, be sure to book a site as far back as possible. Ex: Site T137 should have no vehicle traffic but your own and is the most remote of that area

    • Water fill stations can be a bit busy at certain times

    • Our fire ring rack was bent, but luckily we came prepared with our own rack to place on top of it and it worked out

    • Lots of poison ivy in the area, if you are not immune to it be very mindful of where you are stepping!

    • Our neighbor warned us that they got a flat tire after arriving at their campsite, and after searching their site found a bunch of nails almost intentionally thrown about. It's not the park's fault and the rangers were made aware of it. Carefully check your site after arriving for anything out of place and report to the office if necessary to keep these campsites safe and enjoyable.

    Points of interest nearby the campsite:

    • Big Flat Brook - A beautiful babbling brook that runs all throughout the area. Has great fly fishing for stocked rainbow trout. Access to the brook was only a short but beautiful hike north from our site through some thistle fields and woodlands.

    • Buttermilk falls (Tallest waterfall in NJ), Tillman Ravine, Dingmans Ferry/Falls, and my personal favorite, Silver Spray Falls - Multiple gorgeous waterfalls and ravines just waiting to be explored, all within ~15-20 min by car. I definitely recommend checking them out while you are camping here especially if you live far away from the area.

    • Sunrise Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain - Catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset on top of Sunrise Mountain, which is a pleasant, scenic car ride directly to the top where there is a small parking lot, a smelly outhouse, and a nice picnic table area with a great view. Rattlesnake Mountain is a part of the Appalachian Trail and is somewhat barren towards the top which makes for excellent views. Like its name, it's not uncommon to see many snakes in the area, rattlesnakes tend to hang out on the top and sunbathe on the rocks. Keep your pets on a leash and have a stick handy just in case, however, they will leave you alone if you keep your distance.

    • Lake Ashroe, Stony Lake, Lake Ocquittunk - Many lakes for multiple activities in the area such as fishing (trout stocked waters), kayaking, swimming (Stony lake has a beach area with lifeguards, restrooms, and picnic areas. Check their website for more info.)

    • Horseback riding - A few great horseback riding places nearby, some offering trail rides through the beautiful park.

    • Appalachian Trail - The widely-known Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only trail in the world, that runs all the way from Maine to Georgia goes right through this area. You may run into very interesting people from all over who are thru-hiking the AT.

    PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR VISIT. LEAVE NO TRACE. KEEP OUR PARKS BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.

  • M
    May. 17, 2015

    High Point State Park Campground

    Large Private Lakeside Sites

    We recently stayed at site 3 at the campground at High Point State Park in NJ. It was our first time there, and we were surprised at how nice it was.

    There are about 40 to 50 sites around Sawmill Lake. Many of these sites , like ours, are walk in sites (about a 50 yard walk) that sit lakeside. The sites were large and spread out, and we felt like we had a good amount of privacy.

    Our site had a picnic table, and a fire ring with a cooking grate. Although, we didn't have one, we saw some sites had tent platforms

    There are a few sites that sit higher up, and further from the lake, for RV and or car campers not looking to walk to there site. These had less privacy because they sit close to the road.

    The bathrooms with flush toilets were ok when we were there. There are water spigots around the campground, but there are no showers or sinks. It's noted that there is no camp store at the campground, and the closest grocery was about 1/2 hour away, so come prepared. They did sell firewood at the park headquarters , which is about 10 minutes away from the campground.

    It was pretty buggy (including ticks), so don't forget your deep woods.

  • 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.


Guide to Wind Gap

Tent campsites near Wind Gap, Pennsylvania sit at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,600 feet along the Kittatinny Ridge system. The area features rocky terrain with pine forests and oak woodlands that remain accessible from April through October. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity levels during July and August.

What to do

Hike the ridgeline trails: AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap offers access to spectacular fern-filled terrain. "Sitting up on the mountain in this area is a very peaceful experience as you can hear the wind blowing through the trees while watching the ferns sway back and forth," notes one camper who found the site ideal for ridge hiking exploration.

Water activities at Round Valley: Round Valley State Park Campground offers paddle-in camping with crystal-clear water access. "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water," explains one visitor who enjoyed the pristine conditions.

Wildlife observation: The tent camping areas near Lehigh Gap contain diverse wildlife. "When I was up here 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," reports one camper at AT Overlook Campground.

What campers like

Protected shelter options: The George W. Outerbridge AT Shelter provides structure for those who prefer not to tent camp. "The shelter itself is well maintained and has a raised covered platform for sleeping with plenty of space for lots of hikers. There is also a spring nearby for filling up water," notes a recent visitor who appreciated the shelter's amenities.

Flat, dry tent sites: Sites on the ridge offer practical advantages for tent setup. One camper at AT Overlook describes it as having space that is "flat, dry, and not too rocky. Previous campers have also been kind enough to build up a sizable stone fire ring and construct a stone chair for enjoying the fire and view."

Private camping experiences: Jenny Jump State Forest receives high marks for solitude. "The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog. However, we didn't mind as it was so private we felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves," explains one tent camper who stayed at site #34.

What you should know

Water access varies significantly: Many ridge sites have no water sources. "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge," advises a camper from AT Ridge Campground.

Bathroom facilities differ by location: Camp Mohican Outdoor Center offers proper facilities unlike many primitive sites. "The Group Campsite was really big. It had 5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables and a real full sized bathroom only 100 yards away," reports a visitor who appreciated these amenities.

Hiking difficulty to sites: Some tent camping requires significant effort. One camper at Round Valley notes: "It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort! If you get a site on the water, you can take a boat across to your site."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Wind Gap, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wind Gap, PA is Jenny Jump State Forest with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 43 tent camping locations near Wind Gap, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.