Boulder fields, creeks, and wooded terrain characterize the landscape around Allentown, Pennsylvania, where camping spots sit at elevations between 400-1,000 feet. The region experiences cold nights during spring and fall with summer temperatures reaching the mid-80s. Many dog friendly campgrounds near Allentown have designated pet exercise areas and proximity to natural water features.
What to do
Boulder exploration: 1-2 miles from campsites. At Blue Rocks Family Campground, families can explore the unique glacier rock field adjacent to campsites. "Our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time. primitive but fun!" mentions Terri S. The campground also provides direct access to the Appalachian Trail with trailheads beginning inside the property.
Disc golf: 18-hole course available. Boulder Woods Campground offers a complete disc golf course with equipment rental and sales on-site. "They also have a disc golf course and they rent and sell discs. That's where we fell in love with disc golf," says Erik W. The course attracts tournaments throughout the season while providing casual play options for beginners.
Paddling: rentals available May-September. The lakes at Hickory Run State Park Campground provide water recreation opportunities with multiple access points. "We did take our inflatable kayak out on the water, and it was lovely! There is also a nice picnic area with grills and picnic tables right by the boat landing," notes Katie M. The park features 44 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult.
What campers like
Level parking areas: concrete pads at most sites. French Creek State Park Campground provides well-designed parking infrastructure that campers appreciate. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers," reports Jen R. The campground features separate loops with varying amenities and pet policies.
Kid-friendly activities: scheduled throughout summer. Weekend events for children remain popular at pet-accommodating campgrounds near Allentown. "We went on Father's Day weekend and they had nice arts and crafts for the kids to do for dad," Shannon C. shares about her experience at Colonial Woods Family Resort. Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities during holiday weekends with minimal additional fees.
Secluded tent sites: primarily in wooded areas. Tent campers can find private spots away from RVs at several locations. "Great secluded sites with clean facilities for when you need some civilization," notes Keith about Ringing Rocks Family Campground. The campground maintains separation between different camping styles while providing access to shared amenities.
What you should know
Golf cart traffic: common at seasonal sites. Many campgrounds permit personal golf carts with specific operating hours. "Many year round campers have golf carts. The one downside, some of the year round RV sites look run down and are gross looking," observes Karralee B. about Colonial Woods Family Resort. Some locations require proof of insurance for personal carts while others offer rentals.
Tent site terrain varies: check when booking. Soil conditions and surface materials differ significantly between campgrounds. "The tent sites are on dirt and not stone which we enjoyed, I hate stone under my tent," Karralee B. notes about Boulder Woods. Other locations use gravel or have rocky terrain that may require careful tent placement.
Bathroom facilities: inconsistent between loops. At Hickory Run State Park, "Some bathrooms are latrines, but they also have beautiful, fully updated showers and restrooms available," according to Bridget D. Many campgrounds maintain different standards between camping loops, with primitive areas typically having basic facilities while RV sections offer full-service bathhouses.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: centrally located. Allentown KOA provides multiple recreational areas for children of different ages. "Lots of kid friendly amenities as well as being very relaxing. Restaurants and stores less than 10 min away," notes Becky M. The campground includes a stream running through the property where children can explore under supervision.
Site selection strategy: reserve corner spots. Families with children should request edge sites for additional play space. "We had sites #32 & #34 in Loop B and the kids had a lot of room to run and play between the two sites," shares Jen R. about French Creek State Park Campground. End-of-row sites typically provide more buffer space and flexibility for family activities.
Noise considerations: weekday vs. weekend. Campgrounds experience significant differences in activity levels depending on timing. "It was quiet and our neighbors were respectful of the quiet hours and our space. It was a wonderfully peaceful weekend for us all," reports Ellen C. about her experience at French Creek State Park Campground. Mid-week stays typically offer quieter environments for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Parking assistance: available at some locations. Boulder Woods Campground offers staff assistance with RV positioning. "The spots are tight to get into but the staff will offer to park your camper using your vehicle. I let them park mine and I'm really glad I did," shares Erik W. Advance notification about arrival times helps ensure staff availability for parking assistance.
Size restrictions: some seasonal limitations. Campers planning extended stays should verify age restrictions for RVs. "They only allow seasonal campers to be 10 years old or newer. Ours is 13. Very disappointed," reports Caryn I. about Boulder Woods. Some campgrounds maintain stricter equipment standards for seasonal rentals compared to weekend stays.
Road conditions: narrow interior roads. Larger rigs face challenges navigating within certain campgrounds. "The roads are very narrow, pretty sizable boulders on both sides, trees are very low and need to be trimmed (almost took my ac out with a huge limb)," warns Brian C. about Colonial Woods Family Resort. Fifth wheels and larger motorhomes should verify access routes before booking.
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