Tent Campgrounds in Pennsylvania

Discover the best tent campgrounds across Pennsylvania. Get back to basics with traditional tent camping. From established sites with amenities to secluded wilderness spots.

20+ Campgrounds4.6★ AverageBest: May-September (peak season)

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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

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4.8

(326)

Cherry Springs State Park

Galeton

Wooded tent sites nestle among dense forest where the Milky Way sprawls overhead in stunning detail, unpolluted by artificial light for hundreds of miles.

Clear Creek State Park

Brookville

Tent campers choose from riverside primitive sites nestled among towering hemlocks or traditional campsites tucked into peaceful forest groves along the Clarion River.

Hearts Content Recreation Area

Bradford
Allegheny National Forest

Spacious campsites tucked beneath towering white pines and ancient hemlocks offer secluded tent camping where centuries-old trees create natural privacy screens. Summer nights bring the rare spectacle of synchronous fireflies blinking in unison through the old-growth forest surrounding your tent.

Tents

RVs

About Tent Campgrounds in Pennsylvania

Tent camping in Pennsylvania offers an extraordinary diversity of wilderness experiences, from the internationally recognized dark skies of Cherry Springs State Park to the ancient old-growth forests of the Allegheny National Forest. The Keystone State's 121 state parks and vast national forest lands provide tent campers with everything from primitive backcountry sites to well-appointed campgrounds with modern amenities, all set against backdrops of mountain ridges, pristine rivers, and glacially-carved valleys.

Best Time

Late May through mid-October offers the most reliable tent camping weather in Pennsylvania, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day when all facilities are fully operational and staffed. Spring camping from mid-April through May brings wildflower displays, migrating birds, and excellent trout fishing, though nights remain chilly and some campgrounds open on limited schedules.

What Makes It Great

Designated tent pads and flat ground
Fire rings and picnic tables
Varying levels of amenities
Scenic natural settings

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4.8

(64)

Kettle Creek State Park

Renovo

Tent sites nestle along Kettle Creek's banks with generous spacing between each spot, offering woodsy seclusion where the sound of flowing water replaces neighbor noise.

Hemlock giants create a cathedral canopy over spacious sites that nestle into Kettle Creek Valley's forested slopes, offering natural screening between camping spots.

Laurel Hill State Park

Somerset

Thick forest canopy surrounds each tent site in these Pennsylvania mountain slopes, where level ground and natural spacing between pines create secluded camping pockets.

Hills Creek State Park

Wellsboro

Tent campers choose from rustic wooded sites that offer seclusion beneath towering trees, all within walking distance of a pristine 137-acre mountain lake. Clean bathhouses serve the camping areas, while deer, wild turkeys, and songbirds regularly wander through camp as you sip morning coffee.

Raymond B Winter State Park

Mifflinburg

Halfway Lake mirrors towering oaks and pines that shelter 61 secluded campsites carved into central Pennsylvania's mountain valley, with dedicated walk-in sites that immerse tent campers deeper into the forest canopy.

Sinnemahoning State Park

Austin

Secluded tent sites nestle in a sprawling 1,910-acre valley where elk bugle at dawn and cell service disappears into wilderness silence. Clean facilities and well-maintained grounds provide comfortable amenities while keeping you immersed in Pennsylvania's backcountry solitude.

Black Moshannon State Park

Philipsburg

Spacious sites nestle along the edges of a rare boreal bog ecosystem, where amber-tinted waters and towering conifers create an otherworldly backdrop for your tent. The level, well-maintained grounds give easy access to dawn paddles across tea-colored lakes dotted with fragrant water lilies.

Cowans Gap State Park

Fort Loudon

Tent sites tucked into mountain forest offer genuine seclusion, with primitive options scattered around the 42-acre lake delivering an unbroken wilderness experience.

Greenwood Furnace State Park

Huntingdon

Thick forest canopy shelters 51 tent sites where mountain ridges and hemlock groves create natural barriers between neighbors. A six-acre lake reflects the surrounding peaks while historical iron furnace ruins add an unexpected dimension to morning trail explorations.

Tents

RVs

Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in Pennsylvania

Map of campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in Pennsylvania

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Map Key

Cherry Springs State Park

Clear Creek State Park

Hearts Content Recreation Area

Kettle Creek State Park

Ole Bull State Park

Laurel Hill State Park

Hills Creek State Park

Raymond B Winter State Park

Sinnemahoning State Park

Black Moshannon State Park

Cowans Gap State Park

Greenwood Furnace State Park

Promised Land State Park

Woodcock Lake Park

Poe Paddy State Park

Handsome Lake Boat Access Campground

Clarion River Campsites

Tuscarora State Forest

Tobyhanna State Park

Oil Creek State Park

View all 100 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Tent camping under pristine night skiesStargazing and astronomy observationHiking mountain trails and old-growth forestsTrout fishing in mountain streamsKayaking and canoeing rivers and lakesWildlife viewing including elk and black bears

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve Pennsylvania state park campsites up to 11 months in advance through the state's online reservation system, as prime weekend dates at popular campgrounds like Cherry Springs and Laurel Hill fill within hours of becoming available.
2Bring layers even in summer—mountain elevations mean 40-degree temperature swings between afternoon and pre-dawn hours are common, and a sleeping bag rated to at least 40°F is essential even in July.
3Pennsylvania's rocky terrain makes a quality sleeping pad crucial for comfort, and extra tent stakes help secure your shelter against afternoon thunderstorms that build quickly over mountain ridges.
4Black bears are present throughout Pennsylvania's forested regions, so store all food, toiletries, and scented items in your vehicle or bear-proof lockers where provided—never in your tent.

20 campgrounds ranked

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Curated for Tent Campgrounds in Pennsylvania

Tent Campgrounds in Pennsylvania FAQ

Pennsylvania offers 20+ tent-friendly campgrounds. We've ranked them based on site quality, natural setting, amenities, and user reviews.

Tent camping in Pennsylvania typically costs $15-35 per night at developed campgrounds. Some national forest and primitive sites may be free or under $10 per night.

Essential gear includes a quality tent, sleeping bag rated for Pennsylvania conditions, sleeping pad, camp stove, and appropriate clothing. Check weather forecasts and pack layers.