Camping around Bethlehem, Pennsylvania offers access to both mountain terrain and river valleys, with elevations ranging from 300 to 600 feet throughout the region. The Appalachian foothills provide a backdrop for most campgrounds in the area, with sites typically experiencing mild spring temperatures ranging from 45-70°F and summer temperatures between 65-85°F. Most campgrounds in the area sit on former farmland that has been converted for recreational use.
What to Do
Disc golf enthusiasts: Boulder Woods Campground features an extensive disc golf course that draws dedicated players. "Great disc golf course," notes Benjamin C., who found the campground "a great little getaway." The course is designed with multiple difficulty levels and terrain variations.
Hammock spots: Trails at Nockamixon State Park Cabins provide ample hammock hanging opportunities away from high-traffic areas. As Beatrice G. mentions, "This is a great place to pitch a hammock and hang out for a few hours. They have a lot of land so it's easy to find a secluded spot to hang out away from paths and people!"
Musical rock formations: Take a hammer to the famous Ringing Rocks formation near Upper Black Eddy. "Lovely trails and the rocks are something else," says Gregg G. about visiting Ringing Rocks Family Campground, which sits just minutes from this natural phenomenon where rocks emit metallic sounds when struck.
What Campers Like
Creek-side camping: Many sites at Tohickon Family Campground back up to running water. "The rustic barn and meadow by the creek was exactly what my wife and I wanted for our special day," explains Harry L., who actually held his wedding at the campground. Sites near water tend to fill first, especially during summer months.
Stream access for cooling off: At Allentown KOA, campers appreciate waterfront sites. "Our spot backed up right to a creek and it was beautiful," shares Matt R., who gave the campground 4 stars. The stream provides natural white noise for sleeping and recreation opportunities during hot weather.
Primitive tent sites: Several campgrounds offer more secluded options for tent campers seeking privacy. "The tent sites are very close together, and when we stayed the RV campers get really rowdy at night past quiet hours," notes Erika T. about Ringing Rocks Family Campground, suggesting tent campers should request sites away from RV areas for a better experience.
What You Should Know
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds close completely between November and April. Little Red Barn Campground operates only from "April 1 to November 1," while others like Ringing Rocks Family Campground operate on similar schedules, making winter camping options extremely limited.
Weather challenges: Terrain can become problematic during wet weather. "It becomes Flooded or turns into A mudPit," warns LU D. about tent camping at Tohickon Family Campground after rainfall. Sites positioned on higher ground generally drain better than those in low-lying areas.
Bathroom access concerns: At Little Red Barn Campground, bathroom placement creates challenges for tent campers. "Only one bathroom and it's very far from the primitive sites," points out Kelsey K., who despite this issue gave the campground 4 stars. Campers should consider this when selecting sites, especially for nighttime needs.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer structured recreation for children. Shannon C. notes about Boulder Woods: "This is a great campground. Bill and Kate are friendly and helpful. They have so much to do for kids!!" Weekend programming is typically more robust than weekday offerings.
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds feature swimming pools to keep children entertained. At Colonial Woods Family Resort, "The pool and splash pool for toddlers was clean with a lifeguard on duty at all times," according to Nicole S., who enjoyed her weekend trip despite noting pool hours were somewhat limited.
Special weekend events: Themed weekends are common during peak season. "We went on Halloween weekend and they had so much for the kids to do!" shares Shannon C. about Ringing Rocks Family Campground. Call ahead to determine what activities are scheduled during your planned visit.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Many campgrounds in the area have size limitations. "If we still had our smaller travel trailer this review would've been at least 4 stars. However this place is not the place for you if you have a fifth wheel," warns Brian C. about Colonial Woods, citing "narrow roads, pretty sizable boulders on both sides, trees are very low and need to be trimmed."
Dump station congestion: Morning checkouts can create backups at dump facilities. Nathan R. notes about Colonial Woods: "Dump station location isn't ideal on a busy morning. I heard they might work on a second dump location and was told to ask if it's ok to stick around until it dies down if our site isn't needed soon."
RV site selection: At Quakerwoods Campground, campers report varying site quality. Stuart K. observes it offers "170 mostly back-in slots with full hook-ups (30/50 amp electric, water and sewage) for RVs ranging between $55-$49 in the midst of a fairly decent wooded surrounding, although less so on the interior of the campground and more so on its perimeter."
