View Full Version : Suggestion? Overnight camping location near Philadelphia
trippclark
09-25-2012, 21:35
In about 3 weeks (Oct 17), I am heading out with 4 - 6 other friends to hike my next section on the Appalachian Trail. The trip will be starting at the Bear Mountain Bridge in NY and ending somewhere north of the CT state line. It is not reasonable to make the drive from South Carolina to New York in one day, and allow time to start the trail same day, so we will be driving most of the way on Wednesday to get within a couple of hours of our starting point. Then Thursday morning, we'll drive the rest of the way to NY and start our hike.
I am searching for a safe, legal, and inexpensive (or free) spot to camp for one night that is not too far off of I95 and is somewhere within 50 miles or so north or south of Philadelphia. We would be arriving at or after dark and departing soon after first light, so it need not be anything fancy. Since most of us stay in hammocks rather than tents, it would be important that it have trees (not an open field).
Any suggestions?
kayak karl
09-25-2012, 21:52
Lums Pond is 45 mile south of Philly and about 7 miles off 95 in Maryland
http://www.destateparks.com/park/lums-pond/index.asp
Wise Old Owl
09-25-2012, 22:16
KK you are sending them to DE? opposite of NY?
Ya need to land at JFK to get there. Philly to Bear is more than 119 as the crow flies. And ya going North too.... nothing to do with Philly... good luck the panning you posted has a few hiccups....
kayak karl
09-25-2012, 23:39
KK you are sending them to DE? opposite of NY?
Ya need to land at JFK to get there. Philly to Bear is more than 119 as the crow flies. And ya going North too.... nothing to do with Philly... good luck the panning you posted has a few hiccups....
they are driving from NC to 50 miles north or south of philly [I am searching for a safe, legal, and inexpensive (or free) spot to camp for one night that is not too far off of I95 and is somewhere within 50 miles or so north or south of Philadelphia] lums pond is 15 minutes below Wilmington, Del. route I95 is city from there all the way north past Trenton. not much legal camping, but a lot of dive motels :)
kayak karl
09-25-2012, 23:43
Bear Del to Philly http://goo.gl/maps/dHVDk
LIhikers
09-26-2012, 00:05
In about 3 weeks (Oct 17), I am heading out with 4 - 6 other friends to hike my next section on the Appalachian Trail. The trip will be starting at the Bear Mountain Bridge in NY and ending somewhere north of the CT state line. It is not reasonable to make the drive from South Carolina to New York in one day, and allow time to start the trail same day, so we will be driving most of the way on Wednesday to get within a couple of hours of our starting point. Then Thursday morning, we'll drive the rest of the way to NY and start our hike.
I am searching for a safe, legal, and inexpensive (or free) spot to camp for one night that is not too far off of I95 and is somewhere within 50 miles or so north or south of Philadelphia. We would be arriving at or after dark and departing soon after first light, so it need not be anything fancy. Since most of us stay in hammocks rather than tents, it would be important that it have trees (not an open field).
Any suggestions?
There must be a wally world along the way.
Do the still let people spend the night in their parking lot?
swjohnsey
09-26-2012, 09:36
There must be a wally world along the way.
Do the still let people spend the night in their parking lot?
Only in RVs.
Wise Old Owl
09-26-2012, 21:35
Now KK has straightened me out... (no harm done) there's a very popular campground that a Vet is running called Blue Rocks under the Pinnicle east of Hamburg, I have met the guy and family and you can section hike from the base or head over to Hawk Mountain. He is within 50 miles from Philadelphia - but this is nowhere near 95 as it is on the trail OR PM me and pitch in the backyard. in PAOLI might cook ya a meal.
http://www.bluerockscampground.com/
(http://www.bluerockscampground.com/)
BigHodag
09-26-2012, 22:27
Might contact Washington Crossing State Park just across the Delaware from Philly. I have only visited as a day user, but recall driving through the campground. The park is fairly easy to get to as its a few miles upstream of I-95 at the Delaware River.
But don't drive into Trenton proper - not even for gas. Use the 295/195 bypass through Trenton.
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/washcros.html#camp
Wise Old Owl
09-26-2012, 22:29
Great suggestion, loads of steath camp... been there done that.
trippclark
09-26-2012, 23:14
Now KK has straightened me out... (no harm done) there's a very popular campground that a Vet is running called Blue Rocks under the Pinnicle east of Hamburg, I have met the guy and family and you can section hike from the base or head over to Hawk Mountain. He is within 50 miles from Philadelphia - but this is nowhere near 95 as it is on the trail OR PM me and pitch in the backyard. in PAOLI might cook ya a meal.
http://www.bluerockscampground.com/
(http://www.bluerockscampground.com/)
WOO,
Thanks. I am still not 100% sure that we will go the I95 route this time. It we end up going via 77 and 81, this might be a good option. It is only about 40 miles further going 77/81 v 95. My gut feeling is that traffic is probably worse on 95, so I am back and forth on which is best . . . continuing to weigh the options.
GoldenBear
09-26-2012, 23:18
> Might contact Washington Crossing State Park just across the Delaware from Philly
In fifteen seconds I was able to find this info:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/washcros.html#camp
specifying that these campgrounds are only for groups.
Wise Old Owl
09-26-2012, 23:19
Well its a first for me - I havent made the offer before, although a few folk have camped here and in the Delco park with friends in the past... You are welcome.
Now KK has straightened me out... (no harm done) there's a very popular campground that a Vet is running called Blue Rocks under the Pinnicle east of Hamburg, I have met the guy and family and you can section hike from the base or head over to Hawk Mountain. He is within 50 miles from Philadelphia - but this is nowhere near 95 as it is on the trail OR PM me and pitch in the backyard. in PAOLI might cook ya a meal.
http://www.bluerockscampground.com/
(http://www.bluerockscampground.com/)
Gee WOO... I wanna camp in ur back yard too :banana... Still interested in the Black Forest Trail :-?...
Wise Old Owl
09-27-2012, 20:09
game on did you find the water sources or do I need to blow up the map... appears to be on high ground allot.. thats why I asked.
game on did you find the water sources or do I need to blow up the map... appears to be on high ground allot.. thats why I asked.
Game on??? Like Donkey Kong :eek:... Tripp is the guy who made my AT stickers to include SideKick ... Love that guy :D... Sent you a PM...
Wise Old Owl
09-27-2012, 21:03
OK lets do it/.
Check out Bulls Island State Park in NJ. Its not along I-95, but if you use Rt29, then US202, then I-287, its the same distance and prettier driving.
kayak karl
09-28-2012, 20:37
Check out Bulls Island State Park in NJ. Its not along I-95, but if you use Rt29, then US202, then I-287, its the same distance and prettier driving.
bull island is closed. got washed a out in the last flood. they're not going to rebuild the camp sites, but office is still there for biking/kayaking.
When you enter the I-95 zone between Washington and CT it you should consider time not mileage as your reference. I travel through this part of the country weekly and would recommend you stay away from it due to any time constraints you may put on yourself. Sure time of day affects this thinking but in general there is traffic all the time.
Consider I-81 to Harrisburg Area. Should you head east a bit on I-78 the AT crosses this highway with plenty of trees to hang from. Cabellas Outdoor further east in nearby (Hamburg PA)
From there back to I-81 to I-84 to Rt 9W south past West Point to Bear Mountain, NY
Oh, there is a Gander Mountain just off I-84 in Middletown NY
Give this some thought... I-95 stinks and unpredictable.
Reference: I live in eastern CT (just off I-95) and make every attempt to avoid NJ, DE and MD portions of I-95 if at all possible.
If you take I-81 and I-78 through PA, then look into the Rt-501 shelter on the AT. Its a couple hundred yards from the trailhead parking. Take the Bethel exit off of I-78 and head north. Parking is on the right at the top of the hill.