RV campgrounds near Barnesville, Pennsylvania range in elevation from 800 to 1,400 feet with significant temperature swings between daytime and overnight hours, especially in spring and fall. The area's rolling terrain means most campgrounds have at least some slope to their sites, and visitors should plan accordingly. Campers commonly report spotty cell service in the more mountainous sections north of the Lehigh Valley.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Blue Mountain RV and Camping Resort features an on-site disc golf course that makes good use of the varying terrain. "Great place for Adventure, Blue Mountain Resort...If you're into Disc golf this place has that too," notes one reviewer. The course remains open in all seasons.
Fishing options: The ponds at Stonybrook RV Resort provide accessible fishing without leaving the property. "Caught some cat fish in the pond," mentions a visitor. Several campgrounds offer catch-and-release fishing but require Pennsylvania fishing licenses for adults.
Pennsylvania Dutch exploration: Driving the rural back roads provides access to authentic Amish culture within 25 minutes of several campgrounds. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," shares a visitor to PA Dutch Country.
What campers like
Clean facilities: The maintained bathroom facilities at Pinch Pond Family Campground receive consistent praise. "The laundry area and shower rooms are beautiful and clean," notes a reviewer. Many campgrounds in the region have upgraded their facilities in recent years.
Affordable entertainment: Family-friendly activities often come at no additional cost. "The pool was open until 10pm everyday. This campground has free mini golf. You can borrow golf clubs but you do have to buy balls," explains a visitor to Appalachian Camping Resort.
Natural surroundings: Lake-In-Wood Campground offers a blend of wooded sites and open spaces. "The campground is walkable, I was able to go running, there are things for kids to do, some animals to go visit on our walks, obviously a lake, and it's close to stuff in Lancaster area," according to one tent camper.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close for winter. "We stayed during the winter January-February no activities going on," notes a Stonybrook RV Resort visitor. Pine Hill RV Park maintains seasonal operation from April through November with full hookups and big rig accommodation.
Site conditions: After rainfall, some campgrounds experience drainage issues. "Sites are swampy if they've had rain! Took us over two hours to disconnect because of mushy, muddy site!" warns a Robin Hill visitor. Request higher elevation sites when booking during rainy seasons.
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds sit near highways or other noise sources. "There's a shooting range near the property, so at all hours you will hear target practice going on, especially in the wee early hours," reports a visitor to Pinch Pond. Request sites farther from roads when making reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Thousand Trails Hershey offers multiple play areas with newer equipment. "The playgrounds are great and well-maintained with seemingly new equipment," notes one camper. Most playgrounds close at dusk, so plan afternoon activities accordingly.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds have pools open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "Their pool looked very nice although we did not use it," comments a Stonybrook visitor. Some campgrounds charge additional fees for pool use, so confirm costs before arrival.
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained during peak season. "There was bingo, crafts, a vendor craft show, hot dog eating contest for adults and kids, candy scramble in the dark for adults and kids," describes one family at Appalachian Camping Resort.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain creates uneven sites at many campgrounds. "We were unaware that our site was a buddy site...we had no choice but to park farther down on the site to avoid our awnings touching and that left us very uneven. It was a hill and no matter how many times we adjusted, we just could not get leveled," shares an RVer about Appalachian Camping Resort.
Access considerations: Entrance roads can present challenges for larger rigs. "Just one thing—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," advises a Stonybrook RV Resort visitor.
Site spacing: RV campgrounds near Barnesville vary widely in how close sites are positioned. "The sites are nice, albeit, pretty close to each other," notes a visitor to Pine Hill RV Park. Research site dimensions before booking larger rigs.
