Round Valley State Park Campground near Clinton offers wilderness camping accessible only by hiking 3-6 miles or by boat. The reservoir spans 2,350 acres and reaches depths of 180 feet, providing a distinctive camping experience compared to other options in the area. Sites are primitive with basic amenities including water pumps, fire rings, and picnic tables.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: Launch directly from waterfront sites at Round Valley State Park Campground where the water is clear and ideal for paddling. "Beautiful and quaint..a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature," notes Ryan M. Another camper shares, "We paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear."
Wolf preserve tours: Visit the Lakota Wolf Preserve adjacent to Camp Taylor Campground for a unique wildlife experience. "There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance. It's one of our favorite places to camp," says Julie F. Tours leave from the campground twice daily on weekends.
Rock exploration: Bring a hammer to Ringing Rocks Family Campground to experience the unusual musical rocks. "The rocks really do ring when hit with another rock," confirms Kathie M. This natural phenomenon creates metallic sounds when struck, making for an unusual outdoor activity.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at Mountainview Campground. "The campsites are spacious and the facilities are clean," says Emily. Another reviewer notes, "Campsites are a good distance from each other. Plenty of open field as well as wooded areas."
Wilderness camping feel: Despite being accessible, many sites maintain a remote atmosphere. "This is a great campground that is super private and quiet - great for getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature," says Agbi B. about Round Valley. The hike-in requirement keeps the sites less crowded.
Bathroom facilities: Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities. At Tohickon Valley County Park, "The bathrooms were reasonable" according to Lee D. At Colonial Woods Family Resort, one camper notes that "The bath house with showers was clean."
What you should know
Boat access considerations: For Spruce Run Recreation Area, kayaks and boats provide access to many sites. "You can launch your kayak easily from the shore," explains one reviewer. However, water levels can change seasonally, affecting access.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter availability. For example, Spruce Run is open "April 1 to October 31" according to their official season.
Noise levels: Highway noise affects some campgrounds. At Jenny Jump State Forest, one camper mentioned, "My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night." Similarly, at Delaware River Family Campground, a reviewer notes it "is between a highway and the Delaware River. The highway is a trucking highway."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Colonial Woods Family Resort offers numerous family activities. "The pool and splash pool for toddlers was clean with a lifeguard on duty at all times," reports Nicole S. The campground also features "a playground, lake where you could fish, cornhole, and minigolf."
Quiet hour enforcement: Camp Taylor maintains strict quiet hours. "Unlike many other campgrounds we've been to, they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night, so you can have an actual peaceful and quiet night around the campfire," explains Dan B.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. At Spruce Run, they maintain "life guarded swimming area" according to Jocelyn G. This provides a safer environment for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection at Spruce Run: For RV camping at Spruce Run Recreation Area, "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs," advises Douglas P.
Limited hookups: Many sites offer only partial hookups. "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV," suggests Ruette W.
Size restrictions: Larger RVs face challenges at some campgrounds. Colonial Woods reviewer Brian C. warns, "This place is not the place for you if you have a fifth wheel. The roads are very narrow, pretty sizable boulders on both sides, trees are very low and need to be trimmed."
