L
Laurel D.
Traveler
TravelerCamp Swatara
Very family oriented
The sites ard nice, it's run by Mennonites, I believe. Lots of recreation for kids, quiet time respected and a service on Sunday morning. Full hookups for a very reasonable price.
Camping near Allentown, PA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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.
Best Campgrounds near Allentown (181)
1. Quakerwoods Campground
"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"
2. Allentown KOA
"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. "
3. Tohickon Family 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!!!"
4. Nockamixon State Park Cabins
"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 $130 - $164 / night
Check Availability5. Blue Rocks Family Campground
"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."
6. Boulder Woods Campground
"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."
7. French Creek State Park Campground
"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 $24 - $135 / night
Check Availability8. Ringing Rocks Family Campground
"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."
9. Colonial Woods Family Resort
"Dump station location isn’t ideal on a busy morning."
"The actual tent sites are next to the road, which is a shame because we seem to always get the crap locations furthest from the bathrooms, this makes no sense when RV’s have bathrooms and tents are basic"
from $52 / night
Check Availability10. Hickory Run State Park Campground
"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 $24 - $108 / night
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Drive Time
- 48 min from Reading, PA
- 1 hr 6 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 1 hr 7 min from Lebanon, PA
- 1 hr 12 min from Trenton, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Allentown, PA
433 Photos of 181 Allentown Campgrounds
Christine D.
Quakerwoods Campground
Kelly J.
Allentown KOA
Jackie F.
KOA Campground New Tripoli
Jessica V.
Tohickon Family Campground
Lee D.
Little Red Barn Campground
Karralee B.
Boulder Woods Campground
Luis B.
Evergreen Lake Campground
The Dyrt
BMR Operations, LLC dba Blue Mountain Resort By: BM Resort Management, LLC its Authorized Agent
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Stonybrook RV Resort
Jillian P.
Rolling Hills Retreats
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Ringing Rocks Family Campground
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Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
Recent Reviews near Allentown, PA
1067 Reviews of 181 Allentown Campgrounds
Sue B.
RangerCamp Mohican Outdoor Center — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Great lodging options and trails!
I've visited the MOC a bunch of times, and have taken training classes here also. There are campsites for tent camping, cabin stays where you can rent a whole cabin or rent a bunk in a cabin with others. There is a store as well as food options. It's a great place to visit whether you grab a meal, a bunk, or just take a hike. The Appalachian Trail crosses through here also.
- AAnastasia M.Traveler
Tobyhanna State Park Campground
Awesome lakeside camping 🤩
We were looking for a lakeside campground with a spacious campsite that could comfortably fit two large tents and two vehicles. We chose Tobyhanna State Park, and it turned out to be absolutely wonderful.
We stayed at Site 113, which had plenty of space on the right side of the campsite for two large tents, with enough room to park two vehicles as well. While the campsites are fairly close to one another, most visitors come here to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, and everyone seemed very respectful of each other’s privacy.
Just a one-minute walk from our campsite, there was a very clean restroom, hot showers, and a laundry facility. Right next to it, there was a volleyball court, as well as easy access to the lake with a boat launch and great spots for fishing.
On our very first day, the park rangers warned us that bears sometimes visit the campground, so they recommended storing all food in the car overnight. We followed their advice and had no issues.
Overall, I would give Tobyhanna State Park a perfect 10 out of 10. We had an amazing experience and will definitely be coming back!
MsTrailBlazer 🏔.RangerLocust Lake State Park Campground
Probably won't be back
Check in was a Doozy. I have never treated like that....and my friend that checked in an hour earlier got the same attitude. I have also never been to a state Park that wanted me to check in every time I drive past the station. And to top it off, anyone could park at the visitors parking lot and come through at any time. Second night, I swear drone or someone was on our site in the middle of the night. Flashed Twice. Scared at that point. Only one car at a site. Never actually saw a ranger drive through
- MMakylie P.
ScoutRinging Rocks Family Campground
incredible find
i stumbled on this searching for something almost immediately off the interstate, but with little-to-no booking available for a reasonable price elsewhere local. we detoured about 25 minutes to get here, and it is just incredible. the scenery is gorgeous, they have a camp store with oodles of stuff, there’s a huge playground, and the camping areas are dispersed well and offer beautiful scenic privacy. i wish i could make this place my home. amenities are well taken care of, they have showers in the bathroom, as well as an on-site laundry facility. they have complimentary wifi, which i appreciate with AT&T. signal is slim to none without it. overall, 5/5 stars from my family.
- JJohn S.Scout
Quakerwoods Campground
Great place. Friendliest people
The staff is the GREATEST. They are knowledgeable and helpful. The grounds are clean. The shower rooms are clean and large. Laundry room is perfect. They have pull-thrus, back ins and tent sites. Dog stations are placed throughout the park. The campers are also the friendliest. You can always tell the condition of the camp by the quality of the people staying there.. everyone was respectful, courteous and friendly. We stayed in July, 2026 and would DEFINITELY stay again next time we are thru PA.
Frank J.TravelerSwartswood State Park Campground
The campground is open
The campground was closed in 2024 for renovations. It is now open. I did a tour of the campgrounds but did not stay there. FYI, generators are NOT allowed at all at this campground. I did not see electric or water hookups. There are three loops. Each has it pros/cons. Sites 30-33 are near the bathroom facilities, sites 34-50 are more secluded, sites 52-65 are closer to the lake.
Nicole H.TravelerTobyhanna State Park Campground
Great fishing
The foliage and trees helps it feel private although there’s someone on both sides and across from you, luckily we were alone for the weekend bc it wasn’t fully booked. Bathrooms and showers were very clean and had potable. Each campground has lake access but it’s very critter heavy so I recommend the main fishing dock area. Caught a bullhead catfish around 11 pm 8 in. Recommend small rods under 6 ft. Staff was very friendly and super easy to extend our stay another day. $50 2 nights out of state res.
Matt S.
LegendFrench Creek State Park Campground
Quiet Park with a Tight Fit
We spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
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Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
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Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
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The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
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Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
- Probably. While the site geometry required a little extra setup muscle, it’s hard to beat the location if you're visiting the area or catching the balloon festival.
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Guide to Allentown
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?
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?
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?
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?
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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