Camping near Craley, Pennsylvania encompasses sites along the Susquehanna River with elevations ranging from 300 to 600 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winters often dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds operate from April through October with several offering extended weekend camping opportunities during early spring and late fall.
What to do
Hiking the Mason Dixon Trail: Access trailheads near Otter Creek Campground which connects to scenic river views and wooded paths. "Beautiful hiking in the area, which was the reason we went out there in the first place!" noted one visitor who found the location ideal for trail access.
Water recreation on Pinchot Lake: The 340-acre lake at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers fishing, boating, and lakeside relaxation. "We also did some hiking and jogged the Quaker Race Trail... it was a little confusing at times as it actually crossed the disc golf course in that area multiple times and it was not well blazed," shared one camper detailing trail conditions.
Disc golf courses: Multiple courses available within a 30-minute drive, including two 18-hole layouts at Gifford Pinchot. "Some of the groups can get rather loud especially when there are a bunch of teens," mentioned one reviewer about weekend crowds at certain courses.
Kayaking on Otter Creek: Launch directly from camping areas for paddling adventures on calm waters. "The boat launch is in great shape and with the close islands makes it great to put the kayaks in this huge gorgeous river! Then throw in Otter Creek... it's a great adventure paddling up the creek," explained a visitor describing water access points.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Tucquan Park Family Campground offers secluded camping areas set back from main areas. "The primitive sites are back in the woods which kept us nice and cool on hot July nights. The location also kept us fairly bug free," reported one camper about the natural insect protection provided by site placement.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive consistent maintenance at several campgrounds despite heavy weekend use. "Bath house is located at top of steep hill and bathrooms were not very clean. So if you don't have a camper to use, you might not like the bath house situation," cautioned one reviewer about specific location challenges.
Family-friendly activities: Regular scheduled events occur throughout camping season at most locations. "They had a lot of events that people participated in like candy bar and regular bingo, corn hole and horse shoe tournaments and a dj," noted a visitor highlighting organized recreation options at Tucquan Park.
Proximity to attractions: Old Mill Stream Campground provides direct access to area highlights. "Nice campground with a creek that runs along the backside of the campground! Even though the amusement park wasn't open yet, kids still had a good time!" shared a camper regarding off-season visits.
What you should know
Weather impacts: Flash flooding affects riverside sites during heavy rain periods. "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground," warned a visitor at Circle M RV & Camping Resort about specific drainage issues.
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds close completely from November through March. "The grounds are well-kept, and aside from the 8pm Saturday night golf cart parade that was beyond loud, it's been really quiet and peaceful," noted one camper about specific weekend noise patterns.
Train noise: Railroad tracks near several campgrounds create periodic disruptions, particularly at sites closest to tracks. "It was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking," mentioned a camper regarding noise management strategies.
Varied pricing: Rates range from $35-70 per night depending on hookups and season. "At 35/night during peak season for a primitive site it's a little above our usual budget. However we found it to be well worth it," explained a visitor regarding value considerations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Consider site proximity to play areas for convenience but potential noise. "There is a nice pavilion right aside of the playground which was only one road behind us. We could hear our son from our campsite," explained a parent about monitoring children from Pequea Creek Campground.
Swimming options: Pool availability varies widely between locations, with some requiring additional fees. "There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," clarified a visitor about specific swimming policies.
WiFi considerations: Internet connectivity remains inconsistent across most properties. "The campground WiFi does not reach the primitive sites and I had 0 cell/GPS service on the entire premises (my carrier is AT&T)," noted one camper about specific connectivity challenges.
Holiday activities: Book well in advance for themed weekend events. "We spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!! It gets very full on the weekends here," shared a parent about specialized holiday programming and resulting capacity issues.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup challenges: Bring extended hoses for some sites with distant connections. "Cons: Bring 50 ft of hose for water hook up and an extension cord with a converter. The water hook ups are randomly placed, ours was 2 sites away," advised an RVer at Muddy Run Rec Park.
Site selection strategy: Request specific site numbers after researching campground maps. "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level," mentioned one RV owner about site quality variations.
Leveling requirements: Pack additional leveling blocks for sites on slopes or uneven terrain. "Sites were of ample size and well spaced. Sites were level," confirmed a camper about specific preparation needs.
Dump station timing: Plan for morning congestion at single-station facilities during busy checkout days. "There is a sanitary dump station available, but on busy weekends expect a line during peak checkout times," reported a seasonal camper about facility usage patterns.
