Ironwood Trail & Private Campsite

     It took seven years to carve this winding trail and two-level scenic  campsite into the wooded hill behind my home.  Now completed, I feel inspired to share their solitude and beauty with others who will appreciate it. From the top of a steep drive, a brief but precipitous hike leads you high up very quickly through a mature forest to some steps that lead the first of two camping locations leveled within clefts of rocks forming a pair of overlooks. A soft, level campsite awaits you there under a canopy of trees where you will find everything you'll need for a small-scale forest outing.

     The lower level either stands alone (1-2 persons) or serves as a base camp for the Northwest Expansion area (3-4 persons) a very short hike away.  (Please inquire about additional campers.) The expansion features a roomy 13 x 15ft groomed tenting surface, a stone fire ring with steel fire pit, and plenty of extra space to spread out.  It provides an additional layer of privacy and a (leaf-permitting) northwest view that usually includes a sunset.

     [Note: A booking of 3 or more campers reserves both the original lower level and the upper Northwest Expansion camping areas.  Keep in mind that the technical nature of the trail to reach the upper level makes it unsuitable for children under 10 years old.]

     Hundreds of feet away, there are a few homes residing below the camps, but you are high enough above the world below to enjoy a sense of separation from it.  Were these camping areas part of any state or commercial campground in Pennsylvania they would easily be among the best tenting sites in the state.  Even among Hipcamps we were awarded a top-ten rating in 2018 and 2019 - and we've improved since then. People love it here.

      Guests will find a huge, well-stocked chest of supplies at the lower level to furnish virtually any extra thing(s) that may help you camp in comfort, from a Coleman cookstove and table, an air pump, a kettle, a 8x10 tarp, plates and cups and cutlery-there's even a Scrabble game and playing cards. You get the idea.  ** We ask our guests to arrive prepared with their own supplies and to use the supply box as a backup for items that may have been forgotten or to fill in for things they do not want to purchase for a single outing.** (Please do not depend solely on the camp supplies to meet ALL of your camping needs!)  We took items on most camping lists and tried to have them waiting in the box so you can visit without worrying about forgetting anything. 

      Firewood bundles can be purchased in advance or at any time during your stay. We try to keep an abundant supply in a woodpile at the trailhead that you purchase as needed via cash, Paypal or Venmo.  Wood can easily be gathered, there are even hatchets and saws in the supply box for cutting fallen branches down to size.  We also provide a two-person hammock, plastic Adirondack chairs, battery powered lanterns, citronella torches, etc.  Cell chargers and jugs of drinking water are available upon request.    

     In addition to overnight stays, daytime and evening hours are available too for morning bird walks, lunch breaks, herbal retreats, sunset cookouts--whatever guests might imagine doing in the privacy of the outdoors. The woods are teeming with resident species of woodpeckers, owls, warblers and more, and vultures and hawks and can almost always be seen riding thermals overhead. If you're lucky the turkeys will come to roost in the woods above the area as they often do. The best part is that no one else will know you are up there.

     Tree climbing and treetop camping are welcome and encouraged for anyone looking for a good place to hang their gear and enjoy the view.  There are scores of great campsites waiting to be discovered up there for experienced and responsible climbers.

     Please read our reviews by selecting the most recent first to get the most relevant information and feedback from our guests.  We hope to see you here sometime soon!