Family-friendly campgrounds near Damascus, Pennsylvania offer rustic and premium options for tent, RV, and cabin campers from spring through fall. Most sites open between April and May, closing by mid-October, with a select few providing year-round access. The mountainous terrain around Damascus features several facilities located along the Delaware River, providing water recreation opportunities during summer months when temperatures average 70-85°F.
What to do
River activities: At Soaring Eagle Campground, campers access the Delaware River for fishing, kayaking and tubing. "Nice campground right on the Delaware river great for fisherman, hikers also great for tubing down the Delaware or canoeing," notes reviewer Mike S.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools as alternatives to natural water features. At Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, guests enjoy "a great swimming pool" along with planned activities for children throughout the season.
Animal interactions: Families can visit farm animals at select campgrounds. Pleasant Acres Farm features "goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground," according to Faith D., adding, "Very cool." Another visitor mentions the "amazingly beautiful miniature horse that wonders around its huge pin located in the middle of the campground."
Recreational sports: Many facilities maintain sports facilities and outdoor games. Timothy Lake South provides shuffleboard courts while Pleasant Acres offers mini-golf. Janelle G. notes they used their campsite space "to throw the frisbee, football and play badminton."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Keen Lake Resort Campground offers generous camping areas, particularly lakeside. "We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake," reports Shannon C.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer fishing access. At Soaring Eagle, fish in the Delaware River. Keen Lake visitors report, "The kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bath facilities stand out to visitors. "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground," writes Emily Z. about Keen Lake. Similarly, at Skyway Camping Resort, Ron H. observed it was "Very nice and clean."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate peaceful environments. Soaring Eagle Campground maintains "a more remote and rustic feel by preserving the trees, stream and riverfront property in a mutual state without concrete pads or driveways," according to Nichole P., who adds she has "been there on busy holiday weekends where it was full but still peaceful and private."
What you should know
Off-site garbage disposal: Some campgrounds require campers to transport trash to central collection points. At Pleasant Acres, Janelle G. reports "the garbage situation was the worst" noting that waste disposal areas were "very far away and without a golf cart (which they had none to offer) or a car, you're stuck."
Weather considerations: Campground terrain impacts weather responses. Lou R. mentioned that at Keen Lake, "when i did go and camp out for a week near the small pond part it rained and our campsite turned into a complete mud pit."
Limited cell service: Digital connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At Timothy Lake South, Nick E. reports "Cell service is awful for AT&T and our T-Mobile gateway. Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity."
Site selection matters: Location within campgrounds affects experience. At Timothy Lake South, "sites are kinda close together but it was fairly quiet even though it was full," notes Mary H. Soaring Eagle campers can choose between different environments - as Nichole P. states, "I have been there on busy holiday weekends where it was full but still peaceful and private."
Tips for camping with families
Check for scheduled activities: Family-oriented campgrounds provide organized events. At Rondout Valley RV Campground, Kasey M. found "a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes." Pleasant Acres offers "hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)" and "some organized activities."
Consider pet policies: Many campgrounds welcome pets, but restrictions vary. Keen Lake stands out as "pet friendly. They have a beach for swimming with your dogs," according to Emily Z.
Assess bathroom facilities: Family trips often depend on clean, accessible restrooms. At Pleasant Acres, Coffee&Camping T. notes "There are 2 showers for women and 2 for men," which may be insufficient during peak times.
Look for seasonal differences: Family experiences change throughout the open season. Janelle G. visited Pleasant Acres "in October so leaves were falling and it was perfect weather. There were not many campground employees around."
Tips from RVers
Site characteristics: RV sites vary in size, levelness and hookup options. At Tri-State RV Park, Brittany V. notes they have "full hook ups. No frills at the site but perfect for the commuting RVers just looking for somewhere safe to sleep for the night."
Winter access: Year-round camping options exist but are limited. Tri-State RV Park remains "open during the winter. Easy on, easy off. Lots of pull through sites," according to BENdejo. The campground offers "CLEAN bathrooms, showers, laundry. Super nice owners."
Highway proximity: Some RV parks trade natural settings for convenience. Michael H. describes Tri-State as "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot."
Road navigation: Access roads to campgrounds may present challenges. At Pleasant Acres, Bill B. warns "When you leave you have to drive the wrong way in the campground because of the low hanging trees the correct direction."
