Camping sites near Coplay, Pennsylvania benefit from the Lehigh Valley's moderate elevation of approximately 400 feet and transition climate zone, creating distinct camping seasons with summer highs in the mid-80s. Several campgrounds in the region sit along creek beds that can become saturated after heavy rainfall, requiring appropriate footwear and tent placement. Fall camping offers colorful foliage displays from mid-October through early November.
What to do
Boulder exploration: 15 miles from Coplay at Hickory Run State Park Campground, visitors can traverse the unique boulder field formation. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," notes camper Mike M. Bring a hammer to experience the geological wonder.
Creek fishing: Access without license for children under 12 at Quakerwoods Campground pond. The small fishing area contains bass and sunfish. "Just behind the campground is a pond that the kids love to visit and explore for fish, frogs and turtles," explains Christine D. No boats allowed on this small fishing spot.
Hiking to waterfalls: 2-mile moderate trail from Hickory Run campsites leads to scenic water features. "We hiked both with your 2 large dogs. Both of these trails had a creek and waterfalls," describes Shirley M. Trail connects directly to camping areas for convenient access without driving.
What campers like
Level sites with creek views: Jim Thorpe Camping Resort offers waterfront camping options with minimal setup effort. "Easy to back in. Didn't need leveling blocks as our site was nice and level," reports Angela. Sites near water tend to fill quickly during summer months.
Clean facilities: Ringing Rocks Family Campground maintains well-kept bathhouses and common areas. "Clean facilities. Secluded spots," notes Keith, while Erika T. mentions "Very clean campground, clean bathrooms and showers." Bathhouses include hot water with quarter-operated showers.
Mountain views: Multiple campgrounds offer ridge views beyond those mentioned in existing descriptions. "The sites in this loop were spacious and more in an open area, but we were along a wooded area which gave us some shade," writes Shirley M. about Don Laine Campground. Full hookup sites typically face the valley for optimal views.
What you should know
Muddy conditions after rain: Tent areas at several campgrounds can become saturated. "It's more like a permanent RV park than a campground. The rain made the dirt in the tent campground turn to pure mud and the picnic table was unusable because it was in the middle of it," warns Leah C. about Tohickon Family Campground.
Bear precautions required: Food storage protocols strictly enforced. "We were warned to be cautious about leaving food out as there have been some bear sightings," states Jennifer D. about Hickory Run State Park. Some campgrounds provide bear boxes; others require storage in vehicles.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly between providers. "Cell service is respectable in most parts of the campground," notes Shayna about Hickory Run, while other campgrounds have spotty reception. AT&T generally works better than other carriers in this region.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds for different ages: Evergreen Lake Campground offers facilities designed for various age groups. "Very friendly camp site and very helpful," states Eladio Q. The main play area includes equipment for ages 2-12 with ground padding beneath structures.
Halloween camping events: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Coplay offer special October programming. "We went on Halloween weekend and they had so much for the kids to do! Friendly staff and clean sites!" says Shannon C. about Ringing Rocks Family Campground. Activities typically include trick-or-treating, costume contests, and decorated campsites.
Hayrides on weekends: Scheduled rides through campgrounds occur Saturday afternoons. "Kids had a blast with hay rides and playground," shares Justin B. about his experience at Ringing Rocks. Most campgrounds offering this amenity run rides between 2-4pm during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Tight navigation in some areas: Don Laine Campground accommodates larger rigs but requires careful driving. "Very small campground. Can be tight getting around with a bigger camper if not experienced," advises Brandon W. Interior roads generally require slow speeds under 5mph.
Easy dump station access: Several pet-friendly camping facilities near Coplay offer convenient waste disposal. "They allow to dump and fill fresh water (sign at the entrance says that as well) for a small 10$ which is quite nice," states Christoph about Allentown KOA. Non-registered campers can sometimes access services for a fee.
Limited privacy between sites: Jim Thorpe Camping Resort has close quarters for RVs. "The RVs were parked so close together that none of us could use our awnings," explains Donna C. Sites along outer loops typically offer more space between neighbors than interior locations.
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