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Treasure Island River Camping Introduce

For Pennsylvania residents seeking an escape that feels worlds away from the standard suburban campground, Treasure Island River Camping offers a truly unique wilderness adventure. Located right in the heart of Bucks County, this destination provides a rare opportunity to leave the mainland behind and set up camp on a historic island in the middle of the Delaware River. Unlike traditional commercial campgrounds where RVs and trailers dominate the landscape, Treasure Island is dedicated to the art of rustic, primitive camping. It is a place where the sounds of traffic are replaced by the gentle flow of water and the rustle of lush riverbank foliage, making it a premier choice for local outdoor enthusiasts who crave a more authentic connection with nature.

Treasure Island carries a rich legacy, formerly serving as a long-standing Boy Scout camp. Today, it has been reimagined as a private camping retreat that emphasizes privacy, peace, and river-based recreation. When you arrive at the riverbank in Pipersville, your journey begins with a short boat ride across the water, instantly separating you from the stresses of daily life. The island environment creates a natural sanctuary that is perfect for families, groups of friends, and solo travelers who are looking for something "off the beaten path." Whether you are a seasoned woodsman or a family looking to introduce your children to the joys of the great outdoors, the island provides a safe yet adventurous setting for a weekend getaway.

One of the most appealing aspects of Treasure Island for Pennsylvania locals is the sheer sense of space. Because the island is large and the number of sites is intentionally limited, campers enjoy a level of privacy that is rarely found in mainland parks. Each site is tucked away into the wooded landscape, often offering direct views of the shimmering Delaware River. The experience here is about slowing down—spending your mornings fishing from the banks, your afternoons tubing down the river currents, and your evenings gathered around a crackling campfire with wood that is often provided right on-site. It is a rugged experience, but one that is supported by attentive hosting and a commitment to preserving the island's natural charm.

  • Location and Accessibility:
  • The primary mainland access point is located at 575 River Rd, Pipersville, PA 18947, USA.
  • Accessibility is unique: guests must descend a series of wooden steps to the riverbank where a boat transport takes them over to the island.
  • Once on the island, an ATV service is often available to help transport heavy gear and supplies from the landing area to your specific campsite.
  • Parking is provided on the mainland, allowing campers to leave their vehicles in a secure area before embarking on the water crossing.
  • Because of the stairs and boat access, campers are encouraged to pack as efficiently as possible, though the host is known for assisting with the logistics of moving equipment.
  • Services Offered:
  • Boat transportation to and from the island for all campers and their gear.
  • Traditional primitive tent sites that are large, clean, and spaced for maximum privacy.
  • Outfitter tent rentals featuring covered mattresses for those who prefer a "ready-to-use" camping setup.
  • Provision of essential supplies, which may include firewood, jugs of fresh water, and bags of ice upon arrival to help manage the rustic conditions.
  • Propane grill access at specific sites, reducing the need to bring heavy cooking equipment.
  • River equipment rentals, including canoes and tubes, for exploring the surrounding waterways.
  • Personalized hosting services, with local knowledge provided by the on-site island caretaker to ensure a safe and enjoyable stay.
  • Features and Highlights:
  • Secluded Island Environment: Experience the novelty of camping on a landmass completely surrounded by the Delaware River.
  • River Activities: Direct access for river tubing, swimming, and fishing for local species like bass and shad.
  • Rustic Amenities: The island features essential facilities including picnic tables, fire rings with stacked firewood, and primitive restroom facilities (outhouses).
  • Recreational Areas: An open field area is available for group games, featuring entertainment options like corn hole and a gaga pit.
  • Hiking Trails: Well-worn paths circle the island, allowing guests to explore the former scout camp ruins and the diverse local flora and fauna.
  • Wildlife Viewing: The lush foliage provides a home for various birds and river wildlife, offering a peaceful backdrop for nature photography.
  • Kid-Friendly Atmosphere: The island is a fantastic "natural playground" where children can safely explore a controlled wilderness environment.

Contact Information:

  • Address: 575 River Rd, Pipersville, PA 18947, USA
  • Phone: Please contact the National Park Service or the designated private island host via their official booking platform for current availability and seasonal hours.

What is worth choosing about Treasure Island River Camping is the sheer departure from the "commercial" camping industry. For many Pennsylvanians, the typical campground has become too crowded or too loud. Treasure Island is worth choosing because it restores the quiet and the mystery of the outdoors. The transition of crossing the river by boat acts as a mental reset, signaling that your time on the island is dedicated entirely to relaxation and adventure. The privacy afforded by the large, wooded sites ensures that you aren't staring at your neighbor's tent, but rather at the trees and the water.

Additionally, the helpfulness of the staff makes the logistics of island camping much easier than one might expect. Having a host assist with gear transportation and provide firewood means you can focus on the "fun" parts of camping rather than the chores. For families, the island serves as a perfect educational tool, teaching children about water safety, resource management (since there is no running water at the sites), and the beauty of the Pennsylvania landscape. It is a memorable, high-value experience that offers a sense of exclusivity and adventure without requiring a trip out of the state.

Would you like me to help you create a packing list specifically tailored for island camping, or would you like to know more about the best times of year for river tubing in the Pipersville area?

Location

Customer Reviews

5.0
44 reviews
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Brian Sedor
Jul 21, 2025

This was a wonderful camping experience. Our host Hugh was very welcoming and helpful. The island is such a beautiful and peaceful place to be. Our camp site was very large, clean and private, there was plenty of firewood already split and stacked. We went tubing on Saturday, hiked around the island a few times, did some fishing and swimming in the river. It truly was a great, unique camping experience, way better than your typical campground. No running water isn't great but definitely doable for a weekend for most people. Maybe power will be restored in the future, but for now it's rustic camping at it's finest

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G
Jun 23, 2025

Not your average camping experience... We have camped yearly at the typical campground and thought we would try this for a new adventure. Our campground host, Hugh, was extremely helpful and carried many of our bags and supplies down the stairs to the boat that took us over to Treasure Island. From there we loaded our gear into an ATV and were given a tour of the former Boy Scout camps. We arrived to our Outfitters tent site and loved the riverside view. It was a hot and humid weekend and were very grateful for the 2 bags of ice and 2 five gallon jugs of water Hugh gave us. On Saturday we enjoyed the river tubing afternoon and Hugh even gave us a lift afterwards to get some hoagies, as the Hot Dog River Man is no longer open along the river and we had planned on that for our meal. Hugh also took care of a few camp site requests from us while we were gone for those few hours. There were only two other people on the island but they were at the opposite side, making it a very peaceful experience. There is an open area with corn hole and a gaga pit for entertainment. The open air outhouse was a short walk away and not as terrible as one would think. We did rent a canoe, but our site did not have water access and due to the heat and other activities, we never did use it.* A few things to note * There are many wooden steps down to the boat, so pack as light as possible. Bring bug spray, bug repellent and a fly swatter. I did not get a single mosquito bite (they usually love me) but there were many, many bugs since the area is very lush with trees and foliage. Bring as much ice as possible, it is a struggle to make it last for 2.5 days. We were very grateful for the propane grill and we did most of our cooking on that. There is plenty of firewood near the camp sites. The Outfitters tent had one full sized bed with a covered mattress. We were able to move the bed to the side enough to fit a single air mattress next to it. We did bring a small tent and also used the one provided by them for night 2 with our air mattresses, as the bugs were kept at bay a bit better that way. The River man hot dog stand no longer exists.

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Meagan Flickinger-Mihály
Sep 09, 2023

Excellent experience. We've been here a few times now, and we will always be back. The customer service is spot on, and the camp grounds are well maintained. The island is ..well, a treasure! A few suggestions: if using a lean to, bring a bug net. If booking a tent, keep in mind that the latrines for the tent spots are a little bit of a walk away, so maybe not good synergy if camping with kids. But, the one tent site on the far end of the island (its labeled as the stockade on the map) has an amazing sunrise vibe and is next to the best swimming spot. :) Definitely a "couples" sort of site. Past that, this was a great place to take the family. Thanks for such a good time!

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Charlene Ricketts
Aug 18, 2025

This place is camping at its finest. The feeling of exclusion was impressive. Hugh was our gide and his ATV tour of the island was one of the highlights of our trip. Hugh was very helpful with our gear and any questions we had. Since this island has no running water or electricity come prepared. We brought a pop up shower, power bank and a battery operated fan. They provide two 5 gallon jugs of water, one for hand washing and the other for drinking. They also provide a battery power pack that will enable you to inflate your air mattress and charge any small devices you may have. Overall this was one of the best camping trips we had will definitely return.

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Anna Marie Barrido
Aug 15, 2022

Me and my husband went for a River tubing and island tour yesterday. Check in times are in between 10am and 2pm. We checked in at 2pm. It’s an hour and a half drive away from where we live. We were welcomed by Nathan and drove us to our starting point. He gave us instructions to where we must float during the tubing and which side of the island we get off. It’s our first time to try tubing in the area and we did enjoy ourselves! We had our small cooler with us packed with ready to eat snacks and drinks. The river is peaceful and tubing from the bridge all the way to the island is one of the best experience I have this year. Nathan gave us a tour of the island before we returned back to our car. It’s a nice area where we can also camp for a minimum of two days. We played cornhole too which anyone can enjoy while touring the island. The overall experience is more than just 5 stars. Thank you Nathan and Treasure Island Outfitters for an awesome experience!