The best camping near Locust Lake State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Locust Lake State Park adventure.

70% (6 reviews)

Sunrise lake views are the highlight for campers at this small state park.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Locust Lake State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Locust Lake State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Locust Lake State Park

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100 Mile View Camping

22 sites · RVs, Tents400 acres · Jim Thorpe, PA

The 100 Mile View Campground is located 3 miles from Jim Thorpe, the Lehigh Gorge State Park, Delaware, and Lehigh Heritage Trail, White Water Rafting, Steam Train Rides, Museums, Music Entertainment at Mauch Chunk Opera House, and Mauch Chunk Lake which is perfect for swimming, kayaking, paddle boating and fishing. You can get to all of these activities in 3 miles with no traffic by turning left out of our driveway and driving west on Flagstaff Road to Jim Thorpe. We offer hiking and mountain biking trails on our property and a variety of camping opportunities for parties with tents, campers, overlanders, and RVs. Our campsites are booked on ResNexus.com which does not charge additional booking fees for reservations made at our campground. 100 Mile View Camping is a family-run campground that is located in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania on a property that has 100 Mile East to West Panoramic Views. It is comprised of several parcels totaling 100's of acres that were purchased over the past 35 years. We have shared our property with hikers, bikers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts since day one. Our campground started with only 6 campsites, but with great reviews, we continue growing and have recently received the approvals to become one of the premier camping and outdoor resort destinations in the Eastern United States. Our founder, Jake Arner, has a passion for the outdoors and for people who show respect for nature and for other people. Jake genuinely enjoys sharing his property with others. This property and Jake's generosity have received 5-star reviews online from many people.

98%

(661)

Fairview Farms Airfield

15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents66 acres · Pine Grove, PA

The 66-acre property has been licensed as an airport (PS20) since the 1980s. It is currently an active, private airport. We don't sell fuel or offer services beyond camping so we primarily have only air traffic with few to no landings each year. In other words, it is very quiet here except during the occasional low pass. We are very eager for pilots to fly in and camp out! The beautiful sunsets and stargazing night skies are a real treat for anyone that comes to visit. Lots of deer, birds, and other wildlife can be seen out and about. Bring your telescope and binoculars to view all the property has to offer! Note that we are always working to improve our slice of heaven, thus we do have tools, vehicles, and equipment stored around the farm that if not used now will be one day. We appreciate your understanding that some areas are used for our personal / farm storage. If you're not into looking at our farmware, there are a few nearby campgrounds. The hot tub is located next to the owner's home. Guests are welcome to use this at any time but must reserve and pay for a time slot. * Book this through the Extras * We are within walking distance of Swatara State Park and close to the Appalachian Trail. Short drive to the local winery, bowling alley, pub/diner, and movie theater. Grocery stores and gas are also nearby. Miles of hiking, rail trail, single-track mountain biking, and kayaking are all right here! See our kayak and bike rentals under extras! Hershey Park is approximately a 30-minute drive from our location. Rausch Creek, Anthracite, and Reading off-road areas are also nearby. Note: Monthly rental discounts are available. Work-stay exchange programs are available. We are always looking for good reliable part-time help on the farm! Please ask! Fall leaves colors are looking awesome! Come enjoy the leaves by day and stars by night beside your campfire! Follow us on Instagram: @fairview_farms_airfield

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RoundStone

12 sites · Tents400 acres · Weatherly, PA

We are a family owned campground nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, on the outskirts of the famous Poconos. We offer rustic tent sites and log cabins on nearly 400 acres. The property has been in our family since the late 1800's, initially operating as an ochre mill. We are near the historic town of Jim Thorpe, Whitewater Rafting Adventures, Hickory Run State Park, Lehigh Gorge State Park, Tuscarora State Park, and more. If you would like to stay for one night during the week or one night on a weekend during November-April, please get in touch and I can adjust the booking specifications. Otherwise, weekends are typically a two night minimum. Please feel free to send us a message with any questions. PLEASE NOTE: - Our tent sites are rustic with NO electric or running water. Porta-Johns are available throughout the grounds. (Some sites are closer to port-a-johns than others.) We do not provide potable water or showers but we allow responsible use of the stream for cleaning. - FIREWOOD: Due to the threat of invasive pests, we do not allow firewood to be transported onto the grounds. We have firewood for sale for $7 per crate. You can pick and crate your wood at the wood pile on the grounds at your convenience. Please bring cash if possible or get in touch at the end of your stay to pay via Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle. -We have a variety of wildlife in the area, including BLACK BEARS. Please follow 'Leave No Trace' protocols and be mindful of trash and food throughout your stay. Keep your coolers in your vehicles and take garbage to the dumpster frequently. We have a dumpster available to you on the grounds. -Check in is contactless. Upon booking, you will receive directions to your site. -Three night minimum: Memorial Day Weekend, 4th of July Weekend, Labor Day Weekend. -Only some of our sites are available here on Hipcamp. Please get in touch with us for more options if you have a larger group or if you are interested in a cabin.

97%

(17)

Solace Cabinette

1 site · Lodging15 acres · Lebanon, PA

The rustic Cabinette is nestled on 15 acres, a comfortable walking distance to the beautiful Berry Patch bnb main house. Truly unplug from the crazies and experience quiet and solitude, surrounded by nature, while enjoying the view outside or thru the skylight ceiling inside the cabin. Camp cook over the fire pit or order a hot breakfast from the main house kitchen. Currently there are no outdoor amenities but those can be found in the main bnb house as well. Explore nearby parks, riding/walking trails or if you are feeling more like tourists, Hershey, Lancaster, and Lititz provide plenty of options to consider.

GreenHills Camp

3 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Birdsboro, PA

** Early check in (Only when confirmed with Marty the night before via text.) @@@ BIG GROUPS @@@. please message us if you want the whole campground to yourselves. (make sure the dates are open) Please do not mislead about the number of guests you will have, its very easy for us to check. Please be honest! Any attempt to mislead will result in booking termination and or permanent ban from campground. NO ATVs. Quiet hours start at 10pm - 9am. Music and noise has to be low not to disturb other campers. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ PLEASE order your fire wood before booking date, we dont have extra fire wood laying around, Please dont order wood when you arrive to camp (order before booking date ) 2-3 bundles of wood lasts all day so please order accordingly to what you will need. (You can always bring your own firewood or when you arrive go into the woods and collect loose dry branches/firewood from the ground, there is plenty., If you are looking for peace and complete seclusion, this is the place for you to camp, you will not hear or see any cars once you enter the campsite. Property is located one hour outside of Philly and 2hours away from NYC. 30 beautiful acres with woods and open fields, lots of wildlife, On site parking... after it rains mushrooms like (chicken of the woods) pop out everywhere all you have to do is look. In the summer it smells like flowers all day long, its truly beautiful. This property offers about 6-7acres of fields and 23 acres of woods, the landscape is flat and hills. Places to visit near by! 1. Exeter scenic river trail -park closes at 6pm 2.Berks natural ephraim -hiking 3. Birdsboro waters -park closes 8pm 4. Horseshoe trail -hiking 24/7 5.Birdsboro preserve -park 24/7 6.French creek - state park closes 9pm 7.schulkill river trail -hiking 24/7 8.Rustic Park - closes 9pm 9.Trailhead - Cocalico double trail - hiking Most of these are 4-10mile range from campground ⛺️ Animals you can spot: on campground property. Deer Fox Coyote Turkey Rabbit Turtles Beavers Squirrels Chipmunk Learn more about this land: pitch your tent or park your rv and enjoy the seclusion and silence, 3-4 miles away from major grocery stores and shopping plazas this property is unique and one of a kind, its located in a valley with woods around it and 2 big fields, lots of wildlife including deer turkeys and rabbits, seen daily.

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The Lookout

4 sites · Tents20 acres · New Tripoli, PA

Our property consists of 20 acres of the beautiful Blue Mountain. At the Lookout you can see for 40 Miles across the valley below. With views from Allentown, Lyons and Reading. The area with the view is a shared area for both sites. Feel free to use the fire ring while you sit and watch the evening sky. It is breathtaking at night. At the bottom of the mountain there is a Gunclub with a shooting range and you will hear shooting from the property. Please note it is far away and there is no danger Our property is mostly the mountain side. But with an area that is flat for tent camping. The property is close to Route 309 but there is a camping area away from the road. Our land is next to the road and you will hear some road noise. We are next to National Parks land which also consists of the Appalachian Trail and also against the Pennsylvania Game Lands. You can walk up the street or trail to Thunderhead Lodge Restaurant. Leaser lake is a short drive if you like fishing or kayaking. The Wanamakers Store is a unique place to visit with amazing sandwiches. The Wanamakers and Kemton railroad is close by for a weekend train ride. Bear Rock Junction is close by for mini golf and ice cream. Eight Oaks Distillery is only a few minutes away. Several wineries and antique shops as well. You may also see Appalachian Trail Thru Hikers come thru our property to stay at the hostel. Please welcome our hikers as they come to rest their weary bodies. Welcome to the Lookout. We have made many improvements to our land but also try to maintain the beauty it is. We plan to keep upgrading our property. We plan to use the land for Recreational activites. We have a Hiker Hostel in the Building. The Building was previously the Blue Mountain Lookout Restaurant but has been neglected for approximately 20 years. We are trying to restore the property to bring it back to life.

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River Mountain Outdoors

5 sites · Lodging, Tents83 acres · Bloomsburg, PA

The history of the Pump House began in 1878, when three ambitious men hatched a plan for the world's first long-distance underground oil pipeline which would transport oil from well to refinery more quickly and efficiently than the horse-drawn wagons of the time. Pumping stations were needed every fifty miles along this long route to keep pressure on the pipeline so that the oil could reach its destination. Pump House Bed and Breakfast is one of the only properties in the country in which the both the original homes of the foremen and the large brick buildings remain. Doug, owner, has spent more than 20 years lovingly restoring these foreman houses as well as the large industrial brick buildings. The Brick Barn Hall once housed steam pumps to pressurize the pipe and keep the oil moving, and the Catawissa Cabin behind it served as the telegraph office. The Studio Hall contained boilers that produced the steam to power the pumps, while the adjoining Studio Cabin functioned as a blacksmith's workspace. Today, the buildings function as reception spaces for weddings and other special events, and house private suites as well as an art studio where Doug pursues his work and teaches drawing, ceramics, and stained glass classes. The Season House, one of the two foreman homes, features additional guest accommodations while Doug resides in the other foreman house. Visit and experience a piece of PA history! The 2004 This Old House feature on Doug's

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(66)

Grampy's Red Rock Rabbit Ranch

2 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Schwenksville, PA

50-some years ago, the legendary Grampy David made his way to The Red Rock Rabbit Ranch. There he resides: a good-hearted curmudgeon, a handyman, a grumpy, Ywengling-drinking philosopher, the wittiest mason, carpenter, roofer, etc. you'll ever meet. I'm his grandson, a documentary filmmaker helping to make ends meet here by sharing this glorious space with Hip Campers. 50 acres of serene woods, fields, a pond, and Mine Run Creek. This is a place to relax, to get in touch with nature and reconnect with the people you love. Spring Mount Adventures is nearby. The Perkiomen Creek Trail is only a mile away. Crawfish, sycamore trees, foxes, pileated woodpeckers, and more! Caring for the land: please do not collect your own firewood on the land. That wood is decomposing and contributing to the health of the forest, providing numerous habitats for bugs. Note on dogs: we run a dog-sitting business, so there may be a pack (2-5) of dogs that come through the woods with us on walks. All dogs we sit are friendly towards humans. Food recs: Raw Replenish in downtown Schwenksville has healthy smoothies and salads. Thai Spice is ten minutes away. Trouble's End brewing is 15 minutes away in Collegeville, with delicious beer and a Spicy Chicken sandwich.

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Shambala at Mystic Hollow

15 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Mohrsville, PA

Pitch your tent along Irish Creek under a canopy of Maples at Mystic Hollow. Irish Creek, which is a stream, is a tributary to the Schuylkill River. Site are a 5 minute walk from main house. The land is flat for walking to the camping area. A slight bit bumpy in a small area. I can manage just fine in flip flops but I did want to provide the information if anyone would be using a wheelchair. There is also a small bridge that goes over a small strip of wetlands. Fire rings are included. Tables can be provided. Just let us know ahead of time. I can haul your gear to your spot with tractor and wagon if needed. I have electric available. There is a port-a-potty close by. Showers and bathrooms are in the main house. Please let us know in advance if you would like to use them. Open fire cooking grills can be provided if needed. I have a sink set up for washing dishes, etc.. The fresh water is from our well located on the property. We are flexible with check-in and check-out times if we are not at full capacity. Just let us know ahead of time if you want to check in or out earlier or later. We allow dogs. They must be on leashes unless they are friendly and play well with others. You must clean up your dog's poop! No exceptions! We are 5 minutes from the Schuylkill River. 10 minutes from Ontelaunee Lake. 15 minutes from Blue Marsh. 15 minutes from the Appalacian Trail. Trail heads nearby would be Port Clinton, Hamburg, Bernville, Bethel, Blue Rocks, Kempton... 20 minutes from Hawk Mountain. We are an hour from Jim Thorpe. There are several wineries in the area including Long Trout Winery where wine is cool and hippy chicks rule! My favorite! Lots of wildlife in the area. Expect to hear owls, blue heron, cows, goats, chickens, horses, hawks, eagles, dogs, racoons and coyotes. There is a good chance of being visited by racoons at night if your food isn't stored away properly. Also, the deer may walk past in the middle of the night as well. We do also get wild turkey during different times of the year. Hiking, kayaking, tubing, fishing, mountain biking, bike trails, etc... all nearby. Sadly there are no fish in Irish Creek worth catching. The Crayfish are! As with any land situated along a water source, there is always a possibility of flooding. We flood maybe once a year, once every other year. If that should happen, we will assist in hauling gear. There is higher ground for tents to be set up if need be. There will also be rooms available to rent in the near future. Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions. 420 friendly. LGBTQ friendly. If you are coming from out of state: Pennsylvania has a quarantine order for untreated firewood entering the state to protect its forests from invasive species. Firewood must be kiln dried, heat treated, fumigated, or USDA certified to enter the state. However, commercially imported wood that has been heat-treated according to USDA regulations typically doesn't fall under these bans.

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Forest or field camping

2 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Shickshinny, PA

Learn more about this land:We have a large mowed field and multiple potential wooded sites. Hiking trails available on location. Rickett’s Glen State Park is within a short drive.

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(15)

West Creek Campground

15 sites · Lodging68 acres · Benton, PA

West Creek Campground is your premier glamping experience. With different sites to choose from and customizable levels of comfort, you are able to enjoy all that nature has to offer without compromising your needs. West Creek offers camping sites, canvas tents, Cabin and small huts! Only 8 miles from Ricketts Glen and with tons of other activities on our grounds and around us, it's the perfect nature getaway!

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Epic Creekside Tent Sites & Cabins

12 sites · Tents150 acres · Spring City, PA

On 150 acres along the beautiful French Creek lies a special place away from it all. Here, you can enjoy the solitude of the woods yet have the convenience of nearby restaurants, activities, and stores. The property boasts the large and beautiful French Creek, access to canoes or bring-your-own flotation, and gentle walking trails. It's also easy to venture out to countless destinations if desired, which will no doubt satisfy the nature lover, foodie, historian, or outdoor adventure enthusiast. See below! Cool, Quaint, and/or Historic Towns to Visit... o Phoenixville o Pottstown (Revitalization is on!) o Birchrunville  - Butterscotch Pastry  - Birchrunville Store Cafe  - The Cob Studio o St. Peters Village  - St. Peters Bakery  - Excursion Ciders  - Horseshoe Trail - Bouldering along the scenic French Creek o Historic Yellow Springs  - Village History https://www.yellowsprings.org/about/yellow_springs.html  - Art Studio https://www.yellowsprings.org/index.html  - SALT Performing Arts https://www.saltpa.com/ o Kimberton Village  - Kimberton Whole Foods  - Kimberton Inn  - Stonehouse Grill  - Excursion Ciders Some Nearby Restaurants... o Kimberton Inn o Oori Korean o Hares Hill Brewery o Stonehouse Grill o Brandywine Bistro and Distillery o Collective Coffee and Bakery o Ludwig’s Grill and Oyster Bar o The Stables Beer Garden o Bloom Southern Kitchen o Bella Trattoria Our Local and Hyper-Local Markets... o Red Dog Market o Kimberton Whole Foods o Far Away Farm Country Corner Grocery Stores are very close! o Kimberton Whole Foods o Red Dog Market o Ludwig’s Village Market o Giant Grocery Store in Pottstown So Much Hiking and Biking... o Hopewell Big Woods https://frenchandpickering.org/hopewellbigwoods/ o Coventry Woods https://northcoventrytownship.com/parks-recreation-commission/coventry-woods-pr/ o Welkenweir https://welkinweir.org/ o French Creek State Park https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/FrenchCreekStatePark/Pages/default.aspx o Warwick County Park https://www.chesco.org/4628/Warwick-Park o Marsh Creek State Park o Schuylkill River Trail https://www.chesco.org/4644/Schuylkill-River-Trail o Natural Lands Trust  - Bryn Coed https://natlands.org/bryn-coed-preserve/  - Crow’s Nest https://natlands.org/crows-nest-preserve/ Ohhh, the Water... (any Van Morrison fans?) o Marsh Creek State Park boat rentals https://www.marshcreeklake.com/ o French Creek State Park https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/FrenchCreekStatePark/Pages/default.aspx Historic Sites... o Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site https://www.nps.gov/hofu/index.htm o Warwick Furnace Ruins at the Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve o The Mill at Anselma o Springton Manor Farm https://www.chesco.org/4627/Springton-Manor-Farm Art Activities Around Town... o The Cob Studio https://www.thecobstudio.com/ o Historic Yellow Springs Art Studio https://www.yellowsprings.org/index.html o SALT Performing Arts https://www.saltpa.com/ Other Local Activity o Warwick Furnace Farms, an amazing Lavendar Farm, Yoga, Art, and more! https://www.warwickfurnacefarm.com/ o Nature - https://frenchandpickering.org/educational-events/month/2023-05/ o Hot Air Balloon Rides - https://air-ventures.com/ o French Creek Iron Tour June 11, 2023 Equestrian stuff o Sheeder Mill Farm https://smfhorses.com/ o Hope Springs Farm at Marsh Creek https://hopespringshorsefarm.com/index.html o 80th Annual Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show & Country Fair

The best camping near Locust Lake State Park guide

Overview

About

Locust Lake is the glittering centerpiece of the eponymous state park, framed by the forested slopes of Locust Mountain. Take to the water to boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, fish for trout and bass, or enjoy ice skating and ice fishing during the winter freeze. Hiking trails loop inland through the forest, but the most scenic is the 1.3-mile bike trail that circles the lake. Campers can stay right by the lakefront at Locust Lake State Campground—tent sites sit by the swimming beach on the north bank and RV sites by the boat launch to the south.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve the park’s 282 campsites, which include tent-only sites and 88 electric hookup sites, via the Pennsylvania State Parks website.
Campsite reservations open 11 months in advance and can be booked up until noon on the day of arrival. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Campsites can book up fast, especially if you want a lake view. Aim to book at least three months in advance for summer or holiday weekends.

When to go

Camping season in Locust Lake State Park runs from the start of the Southeast trout season (typically early April) through the third weekend in October. The park stays open year-round, with seasonal activities taking place on and around the lake, but wintertime sees far fewer crowds. Time your visit for fall for the most colorful views—fall foliage peaks in early October, and the lakeside blazes red and orange.

Know before you go

Locust Lake State Park is set 50 miles northwest of Allentown. Parking is limited, and day-use visitors must use the parking at the entrance—a half-mile walk to the park.
There are no admission fees for Pennsylvania State Parks, but campsite booking fees apply.
Park facilities include a camp store and boat rentals (open during camping season), a boat ramp and fishing piers, restrooms, picnic areas, three playgrounds, and a dump station.
Fires are only permitted in grills and fire rings, and complete fire bans are possible during dry periods.
You can bring your own boats, and electric motors are permitted, although restrictions apply. Swimming is only permitted at the swimming beach.
ADA-accessible campsites, fishing piers, and parking spots are available.