For campers wanting horse-friendly options near Bath, Pennsylvania, the surrounding region offers several alternatives. Located at an elevation of about 420 feet in the Lehigh Valley, Bath experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows often below freezing. Local campgrounds provide access to the Delaware River watershed and Appalachian Mountain foothills, creating diverse terrain conditions.
What to do
Kayaking at Promised Land State Park: Located about 45 miles north of Bath, Pickerel Point Campground offers water activities on two lakes. "I had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," notes Kelly F., who enjoyed the waterfront setting.
Fishing opportunities: The area's waterways support multiple fishing experiences. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, Frank J. mentions, "Boats/Kayaks can be rented" and the reservoir contains numerous fish species, though he cautions about the "very cold" showers that are "cold water only."
Hiking trails: The region features extensive trail networks with varying difficulty. At Mountain View Campground, Christina H. describes how "We set up camp and went for a little walk around to explore a bit. There were some open fields, some hunting trails with tree stands, and some remains of old structure foundations."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate well-spaced camping areas. At French Creek State Park, Ellen C. describes that "sites were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent" but notes "The set up was relatively easy, although one person might have some difficulty."
Wildlife encounters: Natural surroundings offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. Christina H. from Mountain View Campground reports an exciting evening: "I've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here. Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!"
Night sky viewing: Dark skies allow for stargazing. Scott A. from Mountainview Campground notes their site was a "Great spot for stargazing" while offering "Very clean and quite" conditions with basic but clean bathing facilities.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities range from basic to well-maintained. At Stokes State Forest, W L. explains, "The cabin features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend" including "toilet, bathroom sink, mirror, plenty of hooks to hang jackets and coats."
Seasonal closures: Many facilities operate on limited schedules. Jules T. from Spruce Run Recreation Area warns about summer crowding: "There were a decent amount of people on Friday, but significantly more on Saturday" and notes "park employees and park police drive around through the day."
Noise considerations: Sound travels between some sites. Zoltan P. from Tuscarora State Park describes the remote setting: "No noise pollution. No light pollution. No large towns anywhere near here all towns with very minimal population" and mentions that "No one will bother you here you get a car driving by here and there."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature child-friendly play areas. At Lower Lake Campground, Daniel G. reports it's "~3 hour drive from NYC, and a wonderful campsite with good weather in the summer - not too hot during the day and nice and cool overnight," though it can be "a little crowded and you can overhear everyone around you."
Swimming options: Lakes and pools provide water recreation. Paula R. from Pickerel Point Campground states, "Loved camping on Pickerel Point. Kids had a great time!" She appreciates that "the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc."
Educational activities: Some parks offer organized programs. Ellen C. from French Creek notes that beyond camping, there are "two lakes in French Creek, Hopewell and Scott's Run and each contain many species of fish. We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric, water and sewer access varies by campground. According to Ruette W. from Spruce Run, "I can not speak to the condition of the bathrooms, I stopped going into them 6 years ago as soon as I bought a cassette toilet to avoid them" but praises the "sites on the water are just so nice." She adds that "They do a great job of mowing the grass on the sites."
Site accessibility: Level sites with adequate clearance matter for larger rigs. At Camp Mohican Outdoor Center, Dan X. describes different accommodation types: "The Group Campsite was really big. It had 5-6 platforms, privys, big fire ring, a grill, a beatbox, a large pavilion w/picnic tables and a real full sized bathroom only 100 yards away."
Weather considerations: Seasonal conditions affect RV camping experience. Sarah from Mountainview Campground explains her site was "pretty spacious. The showers were free and clean with hot water and decent pressure. The landing for the camper was even with gravel and the rest of the site was mostly even."
