Barnesville sits in the foothills of eastern Pennsylvania at approximately 1,306 feet elevation, featuring moderate humidity and temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 80°F in summer. The area's rolling hills and wooded terrain create natural boundaries between camping areas, with most sites experiencing light to moderate foot traffic during peak season from April through October. Drainage is generally good even after rain due to the rocky soil composition.
What to do
Boulder field exploration: At Hickory Run State Park Campground, visitors can walk across the 16-acre boulder field, a National Natural Landmark. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," notes camper Mike M.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers water activities on its clear, clean lake. "Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone. We set up the tent, kayaked on the lake, cooked up some dinner, watched a strawberry super moon rise over the lake," shares Emma T., adding that lakeside sites provide direct water access.
Hiking network: The region offers interconnected trail systems with diverse difficulty levels. "You can be down near the creek and in the open more, in the wooded areas, or you can be near the corn field and glacier rock field," explains Jen R. about Blue Rocks Family Campground's natural features, while at Hickory Run, trails are "rated from easy to difficult" with many featuring creek access and waterfalls.
What campers like
Quieter weekday experiences: For glamping close to Barnesville, Pennsylvania, timing matters significantly. "If you go during the week, it's quite calm," notes Lisa S. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park, adding that waterfront sites offer excellent paddle boarding launch points with "water so clean and clear."
Private yurt amenities: Unlike cabin options, yurts at Tuscarora feature distinctive layouts. "Each yurt has a huge deck, 2 picnic tables and fire pit," notes Mandy F., who also appreciates that "restrooms and showers are a hop, skip and jump from yurts and well maintained."
Direct trail access: Campers value sites with immediate hiking connections. "The campground is very close to lots of outdoor attractions and fun in the Jim Thorpe and Blue Mountain area," explains Danielle F., while at Blue Rocks Family Campground, Amy C. appreciates "super easy access to Appalachian trail. Trail heads begin inside the campsite."
What you should know
Seasonal booking requirements: Most luxury camping options have reservation conditions. "Peak season requires minimum 5 day reservation," notes a camper about Tuscarora's yurts. For weekend stays at popular sites during summer months, many campgrounds require booking 3-6 months in advance.
Wildlife considerations: The region has active wildlife. At Hickory Run State Park Campground, Jennifer D. mentions "we were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings," while Zoltan P. notes at Tuscarora: "There are bear in the region so be weary with your food."
Campsite variability: Site quality differs significantly within the same campground. "The inner loops have nice bathrooms. We were in the outer loop far from the rest of the campground and they only had ports potties and hand sanitizer," reports Sarah L. about Hickory Run, advising to "Hike to the waterfall, it is beautiful."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly facilities. At Stonybrook RV Resort, one visitor notes "There's a nice playground and a GaGa pit," while another camper mentions a "large open field in the loop we camped in with a swing set on it" at Hickory Run.
Swimming access: Water activities provide entertainment for children. "The lake was beautiful. Very clean and picturesque and perfect for swimming," notes Danielle F. about Mauch Chunk Lake Park, though she cautions about weekend noise levels as "there were multiple parties making a lot of noise until after midnight."
Child-friendly glamping: Luxury camping near Barnesville offers family-oriented options. At Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, Jared M. found it "Very family friendly and the staff are so nice. Very nice grounds and a lot to do for families," while another camper mentioned the "playground, pool, arcade, and office store."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RVers report uneven sites in the region. "The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because our site wasn't level and it took hours to get it right," explains Angie G. about her experience at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort.
Setup proximity: Campgrounds vary in site spacing. At Allentown KOA, Tarek S. notes "it felt like a parking lot with everything close to each other. Didn't have privacy camping," contrasting with Lake Glory Campground where Henry R. found "the sites are large, you have a middle of nowhere feel, full hook ups are a nice addition."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds present navigation challenges. At Stonybrook RV Resort, Matt S. advises: "The entrance made for a challenging entry up a steep grade, narrow roadway, and sharp turn in. I made it without problems, but it wasn't easy in a 45' motorhome towing a Jeep."
