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OT- Best campgrounds on the east side of the state?

There are a couple of threads here about camping, but most of them are about campsites over this way. We are driving (in a car) to Boston (MA) at the end of the month. We are looking for a couple of campsites somewhere along the way to spread the drive over three days. The first night will definitely be in PA, but the second night could be in NY or CT?


My preferences: somewhere quiet, beautiful, tent-friendly, and maybe a nice bike trail nearby?

Her only requirement: flush toilets, and a shower


I see a ton of state parks along 80/84, but I figure some personal recommendations would be better than me randomly picking one of these places. Thanks all.


dwillen
2011-08-11 03:29:12

oh, just outside NY City are the Gunks... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawangunk_Ridge which are worth a stop... We always camped in someone's field with all the other climbers, a creek for a shower, but there should be lots in the area that would fit the bill. The cliffs are stunning and there's a lovely crushed limestone path along the base, not sure about bikes/pets policies but I don't remember it being particularly restrictive other than climbing activities.


Minnewaska Preserve touches Mowhonk Preserve but is a State preserve, http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/127/amenities-activities.aspx and DOES allow biking for sure, but I'm not sure where to camp nearby (there have to be places, it's a really popular and beautiful place).


Both are ~7-9 hours away from Pgh, depending on how you drive, so may not be as far as you'd like if you're sleeping 1 night in PA.


Have fun, and share what you find?


ejwme
2011-08-11 12:50:47

WORLDS END STATE PARK!


The south side of the delaware water gap is

totally remote and isolated, you can only

drive in and out on that road, like a rabbit

hole. The road is on bicycling magazines

must ride" roads. I rode it last year, it

was isolated, we were passed by 1 car in

40 miles. Lots camping on the water.

http://www.outdoors.org/publications/outdoors/web/cycling-new-jersey.cfm


steevo
2011-08-11 14:10:27

+1 to Delaware Water Gap. Right of I-80 a little bit east of Scranton makes it an easy one day drive from Pittsburgh.


swalfoort
2011-08-11 14:16:38

If you like swimming in lakes, Rickett's Glen is kind of cool - a lake on top of a mountain.


The state web says "The campground features hot showers, flush toilets, shaded sites, gravel parking spurs and a sanitary dump station."


It's a few miles east of Williamsport


mick
2011-08-11 21:14:29

These are all awesome suggestions. Thanks. We had an interesting day, and since ejwme asked, we ended up in the Pocono Lakes for our first night. The have this little campsite called the Comfort Inn (got the last room!). No place to stake my tent, but I didn't really feel like tenting through in a hurricane. I really had my heart set on Worlds End too. Maybe another time!


dwillen
2011-08-28 01:54:30

Oh, and just to keep it on-topic, I had a lovely bike ride across the parking lot from the car to my room.



Anyone ever go biking in a hurricane? :)


dwillen
2011-08-28 02:09:16

happy travels! what a crazy time to be driving east.


tabby
2011-08-28 02:36:44

I haven't gone biking, but I have been on a tent at the beach in a hurricane.


Not my most glorious camping weekend, but better than the "almost-suffocated-when-tent-got-covered-in-ice-from-freezing-rain" night.


That poor tent went through a lot.


mick
2011-08-29 16:28:04

Man, I love the ocean, but at times like these, it seems like 7 hours away, on top of a large hill, seems just about right.


edmonds59
2011-08-29 18:51:57

^ this


humblesage
2011-08-29 19:31:46