Camping areas near Blue Marsh Lake include both seasonal and year-round options across southeastern Pennsylvania's rolling hills at elevations between 300-800 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer daytime temperatures typically reaching 80-90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds within a 30-mile radius of the lake offer sites that accommodate various camping styles from primitive tent camping to full hookup RV sites.
What to do
Hiking at Appalachian Trail access points: Sites at Blue Rocks Family Campground connect directly to trail networks, including the Appalachian Trail. "Lovely camp site with access to a lot of amenities, all the while keeping a 'primative' feel. Super easy access to Appalachian trail. Trail heads begin inside the campsite," reports Amy C.
Boulder field exploration: The unique geological formations at Blue Rocks 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!" notes Terri S., highlighting an activity that children can enjoy without specialized equipment.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Sun Valley Campground maintains fishing areas where catches are common. Most campgrounds near Blue Marsh Lake allow fishing without additional permits for registered campers. Weekend anglers often report success with bass and panfish. Jim C. notes Sun Valley is a "Weekend stay here and instead of leaving on Sunday, we booked another day. Great swimming pool, immaculately clean bathrooms and showers."
Trout stream fishing: For dedicated anglers, limestone trout streams offer technical challenges. "My main reason for venturing out into the area was the beautiful limestone trout streams. Technically difficult to fish I only experienced the most modest success," shares Ed P. about Hickory Run Family Camping Resort.
What campers like
Private, wooded campsites: French Creek State Park Campground offers secluded sites with natural barriers. "As long as you don't stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site. There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors," explains Jen R., highlighting the privacy many campers seek.
Year-round accessibility: Some campgrounds maintain winter operations. "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," notes Galit P. about French Creek State Park, one of the few dog friendly campgrounds Blue Marsh Lake visitors can access during winter months.
Level, well-maintained sites: Site preparation varies by campground, with many offering prepared tent pads. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports Jen R., addressing a practical concern for many campers.
Spacious tent areas: Tent campers find dedicated sections at most campgrounds. Dan X. appreciates how "Stopped over for a night on a drive, good cell service and lots of foliage between sites keeps them pretty private. Plenty of space, picnic table, fire ring, basic bathroom facilities."
What you should know
Quiet hours enforcement: Campgrounds like Sill's Family Campground strictly monitor evening noise. "The staff was very strict. When they say 11 o'clock quit hour they mean it. They made us out are fire and go to bed," notes Dawn T., highlighting how policies affect evening activities.
Site selection considerations: Loop selection impacts your camping experience. Ellen C. from French Creek advises: "We stayed in Loop C, which is the only dog friendly loop in the campground, on sites 35, 37, 39, & 40. Thankfully, a short walk to the bathroom facilities for us tent campers."
Pay showers: Some facilities require quarters for shower operation. Jim C. notes about Hickory Run: "The bathrooms were a little different, you have to pay $.25 to take a shower. We weren't expecting that!"
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds near Blue Marsh Lake operate April through October, with limited winter camping options. Check individual campground seasons as they vary considerably, with some only open April 1-November 1.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake-In-Wood Campground offers multiple play areas for different age groups. "Huge pond for fishing, miniature gold, nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool. Goats to pet and watch," describes Jen R., highlighting attractions beyond standard playground equipment.
Water activities: Multiple swimming options exist for hot summer days. "My kids went fishing and every cast they caught a fish, some were small... but hey the kids had fun," reports Michelle E. about Hickory Run's fishing lake, noting the reliable catch rate that keeps children engaged.
Site layout considerations: Loop selection affects family camping experience. "We were in the D loop which is rustic with no hookups. Quiet, very few people mid-week. Spacious sites," explains Cheryl K., describing how loop selection impacts noise levels.
Specialized family weekends: Many campgrounds schedule themed weekends with activities. Holiday weekends often feature additional programming like hayrides, movie nights, and organized games designed specifically for children.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "Our site was a drive-through but slanted. There wasn't much room on our site to do anything else," notes Mary C. about Lake-in-Wood, addressing a common RV setup issue.
Site size limitations: RVers should verify site dimensions before booking. "Check in is as 3pm, we showed up at 2:45 after a 7 hr drive and they made us pay $15 extra. Sites were average," advises Michael K. about Appalachian Camping Resort.
Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have narrow internal roads. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," warns Mary C., highlighting navigation challenges for larger rigs.
Buddy sites awareness: Avoid unexpected proximity issues by understanding site layouts. "We were unaware that our site was a buddy site... The buddy site was very narrow and since our buddy arrived first we had no choice but to park farther down on the site to avoid our awnings touching and that left us very uneven," explains Melissa Y.
