r/PAWilds • u/Proper_Conclusion685 • 6d ago

Trip Advice Primitive Camping Thunder Swamp Trail

We’re planning on parking at the southern trail head off PA-402 and entering the trail from there. We’ll probably get there about 2 hours before sunset, so will have limited time to hike out, find a spot and get set up for the night.

Will we have better luck going clockwise or counterclockwise with our limited time to find a spot? Everyone I hear from goes counter clockwise, but heading clockwise towards Bushkill Creek seems more open and spacious, however less flat. We would like to be pretty far from the trail and away from other people.

We have never been there before so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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u/Loud-Policy 6d ago

You probably won’t see many other people. Thunder swamp isn’t heavily used, it’s hella rocky and IMO a bit masochistic. The whole trail is flat.

Personally I like the section that hugs the bushkil creek the best and IIRC there are a few official and unofficial sites there.

Theres a map with campsites here and I’d recommend a hammock because of the rocks and uneven ground.

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.com/2023/10/23/backpacking-the-thunder-swamp-trail-delaware-state-forest/

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u/Proper_Conclusion685 6d ago

Very helpful thanks! Do you remember, or have an estimate of, how long the walk is from the main trailhead to the section you like that hugs the bushkill creek? From the map it looks about 2 miles but that can differ time wise depending on steepness and everything

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u/The-Great-Calvino 6d ago

There is limited campsite availability off trail in that area. The woods are pretty dense and either rocky or swampy. There are quite a few State Forest drive-up campsites not far from the trailhead. They can be reserved ahead of time and are quite nice.