Blue Marsh Lake sits at 290 feet elevation in southeastern Pennsylvania's Berks County, offering 36 miles of shoreline across 1,147 acres of water. The surrounding region features rolling hills with mixed hardwood forests transitioning through distinct seasonal changes, making spring through fall ideal for camping. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s.
What to do
Hiking the Pinnacle Trail: Access this popular trail directly from Blue Rocks Family Campground, where you can explore the Appalachian Trail system. "It's right off the Pinnacle Trail so you have access to great hikes and amazing views. The campsite has a great community calendar," notes Lorie O.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Both Hopewell Lake and Scotts Run Lake at French Creek State Park Campground offer diverse fishing options. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," explains Jen R., who visited with her family.
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some locations remain open year-round. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! The honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early," reports Galit P. about her winter stay at French Creek.
Boulder field exploration: Unique geological features provide natural climbing opportunities for all ages. "Our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time. Primitive but fun!" shares Terri S. about her family's experience at Blue Rocks.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers consistently mention the privacy between sites at Hickory Run Family Camping Resort. "Sites are a decent size, but you're really on top of one another here. We were lucky to find a spot that had empty sites on both sides," notes Carrie P., highlighting the importance of site selection.
Yurt accommodations: For those interested in yurt camping near Blue Marsh Lake, options exist beyond traditional tent and RV setups. "There are also two Yurts and one cabin available for rental," mentions Jen R. about French Creek State Park, providing alternatives for those wanting more comfort.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms are frequently mentioned in reviews. "The bathroom at the campground is very nice and new... There are two large showers as well with very warm water," notes one visitor to French Creek, though they also mentioned occasional cleanliness issues during busy periods.
Pet-friendly loops: Designated areas welcome four-legged campers. "Loop C is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved," explains Jen R. about her experience at French Creek State Park.
What you should know
Weather preparedness: The region experiences rapid weather changes, particularly in spring and fall. "It rained and the water ran down hill. These people had a mess at their sites," reports Michelle E. about Dutch Cousin Campground, emphasizing the importance of selecting higher elevation sites.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "Our site was a drive-through but slanted. There wasn't much room on our site to do anything else," shares Mary C. about Lake-In-Wood Campground, highlighting the need for proper leveling equipment.
Quarter-operated showers: Some facilities require coins. "The bath houses were a little different, you have to pay $.25 to take a shower. We weren't expecting that!" notes Michelle E. about her stay at Hickory Run.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter availability. "The campground shares a property with a trailer park," mentions Jim C. about Mountain Springs, indicating that some sites have year-round residents while others close seasonally.
Tips for camping with families
Pool and splash park access: Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Eagles Peak offers water recreation beyond the lake. "The splash park is a lot of fun for both the kids and adults. Only downfall is the big hill to go back and forth to the activities," advises Ashley S.
Specialty accommodations: Unique lodging options appeal to families seeking novel experiences. "Lake In Wood Resort provides upscale glamping with private bathrooms, furnished interiors...They also have specialty rental cottages and a real tipi and caboose," describes Donna M.
Playground proximity: Consider campsite location relative to play areas. "Very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line," reports one family about their French Creek experience.
Nature programs: Educational activities engage children. "There is a very nice playground at the campground and at the lake, and an amphitheater at the campground where they hold events and Sunday morning church services," notes Jen R. about French Creek's family programming.
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Many campgrounds have tight roads requiring careful maneuvering. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," warns Mary C. about Lake-In-Wood Campground.
Full hookup availability: Services vary significantly between sites. "We had electric however no water or sewer hookup. There was a spigot for water at the next site over from us, so we didn't have to walk far to get fresh water," shares Jen R. about French Creek's partial hookups.
Pull-through considerations: Site angles affect ease of parking. "Pull throughs offer the best views. Some buddy sites also available in pull through area," advises April L. about Lancaster-New Holland KOA, noting the advantages of certain site configurations.
Golf cart rentals: Several campgrounds offer carts to navigate hilly terrain. "We also rented a golf cart 'Gnome Mobile' and had a ball driving around the property," mentions Donna M. about Lake-In-Wood, a helpful option for those with mobility concerns.
