Within 40 miles of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, campers find a mix of wooded sites and open meadow camping areas spanning eastern Pennsylvania and into parts of New Jersey. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 200-500 feet above sea level and experiences humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F with moderate humidity, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park offers multiple fishing spots with largemouth bass and panfish. "Phenomenal disc golf course, hiking, and fishing," notes one visitor who appreciated the recreational diversity.
Swimming options: Lake Kandle in Sewell, NJ provides family-friendly water activities with unique features. "Lake with swing and fishing and two pools. No pets no alcohol no store but they have a snack stand," shares one reviewer who visited with children.
Miniature golf: Spring Gulch Resort Campground includes this classic camping activity, though some visitors note it needs maintenance. "Mini golf was fun but need to be regreened...several holes needed maintenance," according to a recent visitor.
Local exploration: RV camping near Jenkintown provides convenient access to Amish country attractions. "Hidden Amish Country Gem. This resort is a lot bigger than you would anticipate from the road/entryway. Tons of amenities for families," writes one camper about Spring Gulch Resort.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Little Red Barn Campground offers varying site privacy depending on camping style. "The Tent sites are The Best Thing about this Place, They are a lot more Private and spacious," notes one reviewer, while another mentions "primitive sites are very private, friendly staff, clean grounds."
Pool facilities: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools as popular amenities. "The pool is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. There is also a separate kiddie pool," reports a Little Red Barn camper.
Entertainment options: Lake-In-Wood Campground provides diverse activities beyond basic camping. "Huge pond for fishing, miniature gold, nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool. Goats to pet and watch," according to a visitor who enjoyed the varied amenities.
Weekend programming: Seasonal events enhance the camping experience at many locations. "We went for Halloween, they had plenty for kids to do and was a pretty nice park. Sites were nice size and orderly," shares a camper from Spring Gulch Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds near Jenkintown operate from April through October/November with limited winter availability. "We've stayed here a couple times in past. Have family in the area. Grew up in this area so very comfortable and easy access to lots of places! This visit we stayed six months may to October," notes a visitor to Village Scene Park.
Site variations: Sun Valley Campground and others offer distinctly different experiences depending on site location. "Very large park. Showed up on Wednesday, and was assigned a spot in loop 700 up on a hill in the center of a ring of trailers, past a lot of full-timers," explains one camper.
Bathroom proximity: Consider facility locations when choosing sites. "Only one bathroom and it's very far from the primitive sites," cautions a Little Red Barn visitor, while another notes that primitive sites at this campground "are private and shaded but they are a hike to the bathroom."
Seasonal residents: Many parks have significant numbers of permanent or seasonal campers. "By far, the friendliest campground we have visited! Most of the sites are seasonal and we were placed amongst the seasonals. We immediately had multiple people offer insight as to how best approach the site," reports a Sun Valley camper.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp offers a quieter experience with access to regional attractions. "We stayed here in November-December to do some exploring around Jersey. Not a lot going on at the fam camp. Clean and gravel."
Space considerations: Prioritize campgrounds with adequate room between sites when camping with children. "Green Lane Park is a lovely park with a small campground. The spaces are right on top of each other with no tree cover between spots, so you'll definitely be right up on your neighbors," warns one camper.
Pool rules: Verify age restrictions and supervision requirements for swimming facilities. "The pool is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult," explains a Little Red Barn Campground visitor.
Weekend vs. weekday: Consider timing to manage crowds. "The weekend we were there they had A chicken dinner. It was actually very good. We experienced the hayride around the campground," shares a Lake-in-Wood camper, highlighting special weekend programming.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Village Scene Park offers unique positioning in a suburban setting. "Located 30 miles or so northwest from 'The City of Brotherly Love,' VSP is a hodge-podge of different living accommodations... Is this a place where you can roll up for one night and anchor your RV? Yep, it still is."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for site variations that may require additional equipment. "Sites were nice but in order to reach the electric connection, we were sloped slightly downhill side-to-side," notes a Little Red Barn visitor about their site conditions.
Maneuverability concerns: Some campgrounds present navigation difficulties for larger RVs. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," cautions a Lake-in-Wood camper about accessing their site.
Seasonal rental consideration: For longer stays, Sun Valley offers extended options. "My wife and I have been seasonal camper for 4 years and love it. We had visited numerous campgrounds and found Sun Valley to be the atmosphere there beyond our expectations," shares a regular camper.
