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The rolling hills surrounding Allentown, Pennsylvania feature a mix of established campgrounds and state parks catering to various camping styles within a 30-mile radius. Allentown KOA in New Tripoli provides family-oriented facilities with full hookups, while Nockamixon State Park Cabins offers more rustic accommodations approximately 20 miles southeast of the city. Quakerwoods Campground in Quakertown maintains a community atmosphere with seasonal campers and welcomes short-term visitors. Blue Rocks Family Campground near Lenhartsville sits below the Appalachian Trail, offering tent sites on higher ground and RV sites in lower sections. The region's campgrounds typically operate from April through October, with a few state park facilities remaining open year-round.
Reservation requirements vary significantly across the area, with most private campgrounds accepting bookings up to six months in advance. Pennsylvania state parks like French Creek State Park Campground implement a reservation window that opens 11 months before arrival. According to one camper at Quakerwoods, "The location is 90 minutes to NYC, 60 minutes to Philly and 20 minutes from Allentown and Bethlehem," highlighting the strategic position for exploring the broader region. Spring camping often encounters muddy conditions, particularly after rainfall. One reviewer at Locust Lake State Park noted, "It rained heavily during our first day there and the sites became extremely muddy," suggesting gravel sites offer better drainage. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours, with some private facilities conducting regular security patrols throughout the evening.
Waterfront sites at several campgrounds receive consistently positive feedback, though availability is limited. French Creek State Park features two lakes with fishing opportunities and boat rentals available seasonally. Tent campers sometimes report challenges at RV-oriented facilities, with one visitor noting, "We are tent campers and were placed at the far end of the campground... All of the locations around or close to the bathroom/shower rooms were RVs." Pennsylvania state parks generally maintain well-kept facilities with clean restrooms and hot showers included in camping fees. Proximity to hiking trails varies considerably between campgrounds, with some requiring short drives to trailheads. The region's fall foliage draws significant crowds in September and October, making advance reservations essential during this peak season. Wildlife sightings, including bears in more remote areas, add to the camping experience but necessitate proper food storage.
"The location is 90 minutes to NYC, 60 minutes to Philly and 20 minutes from Allentown and Bethlehem. Bucks County is a bit hard to explore and lower Bucks is a hike but, there is nothing closer."
"Tucked into the rolling farmland and lush hillsides of Bucks County just off Exit 44 of the PA Turnpike and Exits 60/60A from I-78, Quakerwoods Campground delivers a postcard-perfect countryside setting"
"This campground is nestled in rhe mountains of Pennsylvania. This campgound is family oriented, it has a pool, a store, a game room. They also do things for different holidays."
"We chose this campground mainly because it was close to home and we could camp and not miss my daughter's soccer practice/game. We were pleasantly surprised by the campground. "
"Nothing bad about this place, I love that it's set far enough away from the main road that you don't get the noise."
"Great camping, great hiking, pretty close to stores if you need anything. Staff is incredible!! Very polite, helpful, and just all around awesome People!!!"
"They have a lot of land so it’s easy to find a secluded spot to hang out away from paths and people!"
"Great place to picnic fish from land or boat, go for a nice scenic walk, go Kayaking, etc. If you don't own a boat, you can rent one right at the lake."
from $70 - $92 / night
Check Availability"According to hikers on the AT, this is what they call Pennsylvania, as they hike through this section of the state. And Blue Rocks Campground doesn't dissapoint."
"Blue Rocks family campground is close to I78 however it is still off the beaten path. It is very peaceful to camp here as you have different types of environments."
"Nice place, a bit to close to the highways"
"It was quite muddy so we moved our set up into the grass field, we reserved the majority of the sites in this location so it worked well. The RV spots seem nice and large."
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
"Campground Review: French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Store has most, if not all you essentials. ( had to get an extension cord because I forgot one of mine) so, if everything was positive, why did I give it four stars??"
"There are many beautiful sights around including the Delaware River, ringing rocks Park, and Nockamixon. The park is clean and well-maintained, the facilities are clean as well."
"Dump station location isn’t ideal on a busy morning."
"Just walking around the campground is beautiful. Will definitely come back, the best campground for complete family fun!"
from $52 / night
Check Availability"Great location lots of hiking trails right in the park and many more close by"
"Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. "
from $20 - $72 / night
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ScoutThought it was super cool that the owner of the campsite came through to see if anyone needed anything and make sure everything was going okay, I also thought the 5 gallon jug of water was a nice touch. The site was nicely laid out and had a great view of the gorge. Loved that we were back in the trees for a little more privacy. My dogs had a great time as well.
TravelerThe camp site was amazing. Everything is neat and clean and really beautiful place so quiet.
Travelerwe loved both of our stays here! it was mine and my partner’s first time camping and we had a great experience. the layout was really nice, and easy to get to. the bathrooms were really close to walk to and VERY clean! the only issue we faced was the closeness of the other campsites. we went during off season and during the week, so it didn’t really affect us but i can see how this place can get crowded and a little noisy during peak season. with all the being said, it was WONDERFUL!! we LOVED the late checkout (3pm) and loved the peaceful atmosphere! i would definitely recommend this place for beginner campers!
GuidePulling into Site 11 at Edgemere Flag Ridge feels like discovering a hidden campsite that most people pass right by. The site sits comfortably off the beaten path, giving it a secluded feel without being difficult to reach. Access was easy and any standard vehicle should have no trouble getting in. Traffic on the adjoining road was minimal, which added to the quiet atmosphere.
Amenities are basic, consisting of a picnic table and fire ring, so do not expect much beyond the essentials. That said, the surrounding woods made up for it with plenty of easy to gather firewood nearby, which was a refreshing change from some other public sites.
At night, the sky opened up nicely for stargazing and made for a peaceful camping experience. Cell service was intermittent, enough to occasionally check in if needed but spotty enough to still feel disconnected. If you are looking for a quiet, simple campsite with a sense of seclusion and easy access, this one is worth considering.
ScoutThe campsite is beautiful and lovely to walk around, the outside campground cats are the best part though ❣️
ScoutWe stopped here overnight on our way down south. Very convenient location, nice large lawn with beautiful tall shade trees, bathroom was extremely clean and you can see were just recently renovated. They had a pool and some basic playground equipment. Pet friendly. You have to enter the camping area by driving through an RV and truck storage area first. We would stay here again .
GuideStayed at Silver Lake for a two night camping trip and overall had a solid experience, with a few drawbacks.
The campsite itself is decent in size and easy to set up on, but it’s located along a fairly active road. Expect a couple vehicles per hour, including louder trucks, which takes away from the secluded feel. There are also signs the area may have been used for roadwork dumping in the past, with some leftover blacktop visible.
That said, the site works well for a functional camp. Plenty of nearby downed wood for fires, and the area has a good “working camp” feel if you don’t mind putting in a little effort. We had no issue gathering firewood and keeping a fire going, even after rain.
Weather was rainy for most of the trip, but a simple canopy setup made it manageable. The site drains reasonably well and didn’t turn into a mess.
Wildlife wise, ticks were present, so plan accordingly with repellent and checks.
We also had a brief visit from a forest ranger checking on smoke in the area. Interaction was professional and quick.
Overall, this is a good spot if you’re looking for a straightforward, no frills campsite and don’t mind some road noise. If you’re prioritizing privacy and a true backwoods feel, you may want to explore other sites in Delaware State Forest.
RangerI've hiked the A.T. through New Jersey, and this is probably my favorite NJ A.T. campsite. The only downside is that there is no water, so depending on which way you come in (nobo or sobo), you'll have to collect water before you get here from either Sunfish Pond, or one of the streams before the climb up here. There are 2 privies, one newer, and also a great spot to watch the sunset. Plenty of campsites, and during peak season there is a caretaker on site.
LegendLike always we like to begin our camping season with a Easter Weekend Trip, my husband's family is partial to the Lancaster Area, so we headed there to Sun Retreats Lancaster. As we drove up I loved the look and location of the campground. You could see there was a indoor pool setup, arcade, playground, store, ice cream, mini-golf and a huge lake and that was everything we saw from the truck. We pulled up to a gate and a guy came out of the shed next to it to check us in.
The campground looked well maintained, the sports were on both sides of the lake and they offered many different options like woods or open, pull through or back up. We choose a really wooded site. It was tight getting in but I can't complain I don't drive the truck. It seemed like there was a fair amount of seasonal sites but they didn't overwhelm the place. I could see also a lot of cabins there were some shaped like teepees, a frontier cabin, and a caboose. They had a fair amount of open grass to play and enjoy. You can bring your own golfcart or they have on site rentals also.
They had an activity list that would help keep everyone busy, they had a mini golf course that was in great shape, an arcade which was definitely lacking in the game department, I think there was 4 pinball machines, 2 Skee ball, 3 racing games, and the play to you win machine. The playground x2 were both in great condition with a lot to keep kids playing on. I can only comment on the indoor pool which at the time was said to be under construction however still open, the water was on the colder side and the hot tube the same temp as the pool, the ceiling had been ripped off so the iron rusting beams were exposed and rust falling down. The kids still went in the pool unfortunately the air from the open window made them too cold so we didn't stay long. I am hoping it will be finished because the concept of the indoor-outdoor pool area looks so fun.
The staff was extremely helpful and super friendly. The store was fully stocked with everything you could want. The bathrooms were all kept so clean and in working order with hot water. We enjoyed the area we ventured out to see the Choo Choo barn, the green dragon flea market, and kitchen kettle village which are a must if your in the area. We also choose to hike the Welsh Preserve and Money Rock. The lake had a path you could walk completely around and you could choose to fish if that's your thing.
I would definitely return to this campground again, we had 8 sites in total and we all really thought it was a wonderful place and really enjoyed our holiday weekend there. It was very busy but the staff was present but not overbearing. People were very respectful and friendly.
Campgrounds surrounding Allentown, Pennsylvania provide diverse accommodation options ranging from primitive tent sites to full-service RV hookups and cabin rentals. The area features several family-oriented facilities like Quakerwoods Campground and Allentown KOA, both located within a 30-minute drive of the city. These mixed-use campgrounds typically offer water and electric hookups, with many providing sewer connections for RVs. State parks including Nockamixon State Park and French Creek State Park supplement these private options with cabin accommodations and natural settings approximately 20-30 miles from Allentown's city center.
Most camping areas in the region operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter availability. "We stayed here a couple years ago. We chose this campground mainly because it was close to home and we could camp and not miss my daughter's soccer practice/game," noted one visitor about Allentown KOA, highlighting the convenience of proximity to urban amenities. Weather considerations significantly impact camping experiences, with summer highs reaching the 80s and occasional thunderstorms. Fall offers spectacular foliage viewing opportunities but requires warmer sleeping gear as temperatures drop. Many campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours beginning at 11:00 PM, and advance reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer weekends and holiday periods.
Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere of streams and wooded settings as highlights of the camping experience. The Allentown KOA receives particular praise for its creek-side sites, with one visitor describing it as "utterly magical" with a "creek running below the road." Family-friendly amenities appear consistently across multiple campgrounds, including swimming pools, fishing ponds, playgrounds and organized activities. Several reviews note the prevalence of seasonal campers at certain facilities, which can affect the availability of prime spots for weekend visitors. Proximity to nearby attractions represents another advantage, with easy access to Pocono Mountain recreation areas, Dutch Country attractions, and Philadelphia day trips approximately 60 miles south, making these camping areas ideal base camps for exploring eastern Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free camping available near Allentown, PA?
Yes, there are several free overnight parking options near Allentown. The Home Depot — Allentown South offers convenient overnight parking close to Highway 78, making it a practical stopover location. For those willing to drive a bit further, Walmart — Phillipsburg Supercenter provides a spacious parking lot that can accommodate overnight stays. These locations are intended for self-contained vehicles and typically allow one-night stays. Remember to always check with store management upon arrival as policies can change, and practice good etiquette by purchasing something from the store and keeping a low profile during your stay.
What are the best campgrounds near Allentown, PA?
Quakerwoods Campground stands out for its strong community atmosphere, with seasonal campers who are welcoming to newcomers. The staff is friendly and the campground offers a genuine camping experience with a homey feel. For those seeking more amenities, Mount Pocono Campground in the Poconos is an excellent choice with its large swimming pool, toddler pool, and on-site store. The campground offers numerous family-friendly activities and facilities, with staff known for being welcoming and helpful. Both campgrounds are within reasonable driving distance from Allentown and provide different camping experiences depending on your preferences.
What KOA campgrounds are available in the Allentown area?
The Philadelphia-West Chester KOA is the closest KOA campground to the Allentown area. This campground offers the standard KOA amenities that campers have come to expect, including full hookup sites, cabin options, and family-friendly facilities. While it's not immediately in Allentown (about an hour's drive), it provides a convenient option for those loyal to the KOA brand. KOA campgrounds typically offer consistent quality with clean facilities, organized activities, and reliable service. For those willing to travel a bit further, there are additional KOA locations in the broader region, but the Philadelphia-West Chester location remains the most accessible option for Allentown visitors.
Are there any state parks with camping options near Allentown, PA?
Nockamixon State Park near Quakertown is one of the closest state parks to Allentown, offering cabin accommodations and various outdoor activities. The park features a lake for boating and fishing, plus miles of hiking trails. Another option is Hickory Run State Park Campground near White Haven, which provides drive-in camping with toilet facilities and sites that can accommodate larger rigs. The park spans over 15,000 acres with streams, boulder fields, and numerous recreational opportunities. Both parks require reservations, especially during peak season, and typically offer more affordable rates than private campgrounds while providing access to Pennsylvania's natural beauty.
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