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Mauch Chunk Lake Park
1 review for Mauch Chunk Lake Park
I almost don't want to write this and give away a great spot. But if you'll promise to be a quiet respectable camper, I'll tell you a secret. Mauch Chunk Lake Park near Jim Thorpe, PA is a great tent campground.
So you need to get out of town, and all you have is a tent outfit. Well, so many campgrounds accept trailers or RVs that you are frequently out of luck. This Carbon County run park allows those pop up campers, although its challenging for them as the sites are not designed for them, but otherwise only tents rule. So you neighbor won't have a generator and a TV. For about $30 a night (for non-Carbon County folks like us) you get a place to park one car (parking for additional cars is available outside the camping area) a site big enough for two, sometimes three tents, a picnic table, and a fire ring. The campsites are wooded and separated by low growth, so they feel surprisingly private.
The facilities are cleaned daily in the morning, so they seem better than bathrooms I've seen in may bars, and the showers actually can have hot water (especially if you wait till afternoon after the rush). I've never actually waited for a shower, and usually am there by myself. Bring a 8 foot string. Huh? Well, the shower valve only remains on while being held on, so if you tie a string to to valve and stand on it, it will remain on for you. There is a basin with running water for dish or clothes washing. You can fill jugs for water, but I think I'd boil it first. I don't know that there is a problem, but I'd rather be safe.
There is a 10 PM quiet time, which is rather strictly enforced, and a not alcohol (showing) rule which is definitely enforced. You will see rangers, but they are generally very nice. The only problem with this place which we've encountered, in fact, is that the rangers are off at 2AM, and once one of the sites started playing music and partying after they went off. That only happened once though. Generally, people are quiet and respectful.
If you go on a weekend, you'd better reserve in advance. It gets nearly or totally full. However the crowds leave Sunday, and last time we were there we had no neighbors Sunday and Monday nights withing 100 yards.
Oh, your fee also buys access to the "beach" , which for those of us who go to the Atlantic seems quaint, but it turns out to be a nice, clean man made beach and well guarded swimming area on the very clean Mauch Chunk Lake. There is also a fishing pier, boat kayak and canoe bike rentals, and no jet skis! It is a big bass lake with pan fish, pickerel, and some big bass.
Finally, you'll need wood for you fire. There is a nice guy in a well marked place 1 1/2 miles up the street who sells crates of wood for $4. He is the officially sanctioned off season wood gatherer. Don't gather your own. It is illegal and bad for the woodland anyway.
When you are here, you are just outside Jim Thorpe, PA which is really coming into it's own as a New Hope north. Enjoy your stay! Just please, if you're camping next to us, keep your voice down, OK?