Eastern Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley surrounding Emmaus features a mix of established campgrounds and state parks within a 30-mile radius. Quakerwoods Campground in nearby Quakertown operates from April through October, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals with amenities like showers and a camp store. Nockamixon State Park Cabins provides a more rustic experience with cabin accommodations and water access. French Creek State Park Campground, open year-round, stands out with its 200 individual sites across four loops, including options for tent camping, RVs, and specialty lodging like yurts and cottages. Blue Rocks Family Campground near Lenhartsville features proximity to the Appalachian Trail with designated areas for both tent and RV camping. The Emmaus area offers diverse camping options for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, from family-friendly campgrounds with full amenities to more secluded campsites in natural settings.
Most campgrounds in the region require reservations during peak season from late spring through early fall. The typical camping season runs April through October, though French Creek remains open year-round. Campers should prepare for variable weather conditions, as spring rainfall can create muddy sites at some locations. As one visitor to French Creek noted, "Sites in the 180s along Locust Creek were severely flooded due to the downgrade of the loop, even after two full days of sunshine." Pet policies vary significantly between campgrounds and even between loops within the same park. French Creek's Loop C is the only dog-friendly electric loop, while other areas restrict pets entirely. Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, particularly in the rolling terrain near the Appalachian Trail.
Waterfront access represents a highlight at several campgrounds, with fishing opportunities at lakes and streams throughout the region. A reviewer at Lake Towhee County Park mentioned that while the lake is separate from the campground, "there is a sort of path from site 13" providing limited access. Family-friendly amenities receive consistent praise, particularly at Allentown KOA, which one camper described as "nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania" with "a pool, a store, a game room" and seasonal activities. Tent campers sometimes report feeling marginalized at more RV-oriented sites. One tent camper complained about a campground being "too bright at night because they leave the street lamps on all night" and noted that "tents are set up by the road on the outskirts of the camp." Site privacy varies considerably, with state park campgrounds generally offering more natural screening between sites.
"Tucked into the rolling farmland and lush hillsides of Bucks County just off Exit 44 of the PA Turnpike and Exits 60/60A from I-78, Quakerwoods Campground delivers a postcard-perfect countryside setting"
"If you find yourself careening around the picturesque country roads here in Bucks County you will discover Quakerwoods Campground (named of course after the previous tri-cornered hat-donning Quaker residents"
"This campground is nestled in rhe mountains of Pennsylvania. This campgound is family oriented, it has a pool, a store, a game room. They also do things for different holidays."
"We chose this campground mainly because it was close to home and we could camp and not miss my daughter's soccer practice/game. We were pleasantly surprised by the campground. "
"Nothing bad about this place, I love that it's set far enough away from the main road that you don't get the noise."
"Great camping, great hiking, pretty close to stores if you need anything. Staff is incredible!! Very polite, helpful, and just all around awesome People!!!"
$20 - $75 / night
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
"Campground Review: French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site."
"Nice place, a bit to close to the highways"
"It was quite muddy so we moved our set up into the grass field, we reserved the majority of the sites in this location so it worked well. The RV spots seem nice and large."
$70 - $92 / night
"They have a lot of land so it’s easy to find a secluded spot to hang out away from paths and people!"
"Great place to picnic fish from land or boat, go for a nice scenic walk, go Kayaking, etc. If you don't own a boat, you can rent one right at the lake."
"According to hikers on the AT, this is what they call Pennsylvania, as they hike through this section of the state. And Blue Rocks Campground doesn't dissapoint."
"Blue Rocks family campground is close to I78 however it is still off the beaten path. It is very peaceful to camp here as you have different types of environments."
"Store has most, if not all you essentials. ( had to get an extension cord because I forgot one of mine) so, if everything was positive, why did I give it four stars??"
"There are many beautiful sights around including the Delaware River, ringing rocks Park, and Nockamixon. The park is clean and well-maintained, the facilities are clean as well."
"Lake Towhee Park Campground: Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). I rate based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy."
"Very secluded and set back in the woods, but only a short drive to Nockamixon. Would definitely stay again!"
$20 - $30 / night
"Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails"
ScoutWe stopped here overnight on our way down south. Very convenient location, nice large lawn with beautiful tall shade trees, bathroom was extremely clean and you can see were just recently renovated. They had a pool and some basic playground equipment. Pet friendly. You have to enter the camping area by driving through an RV and truck storage area first. We would stay here again .
RangerI've hiked the A.T. through New Jersey, and this is probably my favorite NJ A.T. campsite. The only downside is that there is no water, so depending on which way you come in (nobo or sobo), you'll have to collect water before you get here from either Sunfish Pond, or one of the streams before the climb up here. There are 2 privies, one newer, and also a great spot to watch the sunset. Plenty of campsites, and during peak season there is a caretaker on site.
LegendLike always we like to begin our camping season with a Easter Weekend Trip, my husband's family is partial to the Lancaster Area, so we headed there to Sun Retreats Lancaster. As we drove up I loved the look and location of the campground. You could see there was a indoor pool setup, arcade, playground, store, ice cream, mini-golf and a huge lake and that was everything we saw from the truck. We pulled up to a gate and a guy came out of the shed next to it to check us in.
The campground looked well maintained, the sports were on both sides of the lake and they offered many different options like woods or open, pull through or back up. We choose a really wooded site. It was tight getting in but I can't complain I don't drive the truck. It seemed like there was a fair amount of seasonal sites but they didn't overwhelm the place. I could see also a lot of cabins there were some shaped like teepees, a frontier cabin, and a caboose. They had a fair amount of open grass to play and enjoy. You can bring your own golfcart or they have on site rentals also.
They had an activity list that would help keep everyone busy, they had a mini golf course that was in great shape, an arcade which was definitely lacking in the game department, I think there was 4 pinball machines, 2 Skee ball, 3 racing games, and the play to you win machine. The playground x2 were both in great condition with a lot to keep kids playing on. I can only comment on the indoor pool which at the time was said to be under construction however still open, the water was on the colder side and the hot tube the same temp as the pool, the ceiling had been ripped off so the iron rusting beams were exposed and rust falling down. The kids still went in the pool unfortunately the air from the open window made them too cold so we didn't stay long. I am hoping it will be finished because the concept of the indoor-outdoor pool area looks so fun.
The staff was extremely helpful and super friendly. The store was fully stocked with everything you could want. The bathrooms were all kept so clean and in working order with hot water. We enjoyed the area we ventured out to see the Choo Choo barn, the green dragon flea market, and kitchen kettle village which are a must if your in the area. We also choose to hike the Welsh Preserve and Money Rock. The lake had a path you could walk completely around and you could choose to fish if that's your thing.
I would definitely return to this campground again, we had 8 sites in total and we all really thought it was a wonderful place and really enjoyed our holiday weekend there. It was very busy but the staff was present but not overbearing. People were very respectful and friendly.
LegendTucked just off Route 309 north of Quakertown, Melody Lakes Country Estate feels far less like a traditional campground and much more like a quiet, semi-permanent residential community, with a small pocket of opportunity for the occasional overnight RV stay if you happen to time it right.
While my review from a few years ago provides a ton of detail, I thought I would follow up that review with a topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS along with a smattering of new photos.
HIGHLIGHTS:(1) Peaceful, tucked-away setting surrounded by wooded acreage that gives the property a calm, removed feel from nearby roads;(2) Access to a range of community-style amenities including a pool, clubhouse, playground, and small fishing ponds;(3) Proximity to Quakertown makes it relatively easy to access groceries, restaurants, and basic supplies within a short drive;(4) Nearby outdoor options like the Upper Bucks Rail Trail provide a great outlet for hiking and biking;(5) Close to local gems like Kathy’s Country Kitchen, which is well worth the stop if you’re passing through.
LOWLIGHTS:(1) Extremely limited RV availability, with only a handful of spots, making it unreliable for spontaneous overnight stays;(2) Not a true campground experience, as the majority of the property is made up of semi-permanent or seasonal residences;(3) No tent camping options whatsoever, limiting flexibility for different types of campers;(4) Entrance is easy to miss with minimal signage, requiring careful navigation or prior knowledge to find;(5) Unclear availability of full hookups due to the limited number of transient sites and lack of consistent turnover.
Happy Camping!
LegendTucked into the rolling farmland and lush hillsides of Bucks County just off Exit 44 of the PA Turnpike and Exits 60/60A from I-78, Quakerwoods Campground delivers a postcard-perfect countryside setting with wide-open skies, neighboring hay fields, rustic barns and charming small towns that feel pulled straight from a New England travel guide. With roughly 170 RV sites, a small collection of tent sites and several rental campers, the campground strikes a balance between peaceful rural escape and full-featured family campground energy.
HIGHLIGHTS:(1) Gorgeous pastoral setting with surrounding farmland, rolling hills and a distinctly peaceful countryside atmosphere;(2) Excellent full-hookup RV infrastructure with mostly back-in sites offering 30/50 amp electric, water and sewer, along with flat pads, picnic tables and in-ground fire rings;(3) Exceptionally strong amenity package including adult and kids swimming pools, mini golf, baseball field, RC track, shuffleboard, fishing pond, game room, playgrounds, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, cornhole, themed weekends, bingo and Saturday wagon rides;(4) Clean and plentiful facilities including four well-kept restroom and shower buildings, laundry, camp store, dump stations, water stations, propane refills and ice sales; and(5) Outstanding access to regional attractions including Nockamixon State Park for kayaking and canoeing, plus great nearby dining at Brick Tavern Inn, McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn and Sage Alley Brewery.
LOWLIGHTS:(1) Interior sections of the campground offer less tree cover and privacy compared to the wooded perimeter sites;(2) Tent camping is limited in number and clustered separately, which may feel slightly isolated to some campers;(3) Restaurant options are not immediately adjacent, requiring a short drive for dining;(4) Weekend popularity and themed events can increase noise and traffic levels; and(5) RV rates trend toward the higher end during peak season.
Happy Camping!
ScoutThis is our 3rd time at this park, it is one of our favorites. Well maintained, very quiet. We stay in Loop A (full hookup) pet friendly. Sites are spacious, generally large but they are all back-in sites.
GuideOwners are very friendly and helpful. Sites are large and roomy.
ScoutSmall family owed for 50 plus years. They care about their guests and treat everyone like they are part of the family. The only thing about this campground is that it doesn't allow tents. Only RVs and pull behind.
GuideThis is a trailhead, not a campsite. It is ranger enforced, I can confirm because it happened to me. Super nice ranger, but he said camping here is not allowed and considered “theft” since they do have sites available with purchase of a permit. You can find more information at reserveamerica.com under PA state parks. It is also right across from the Delaware State Forest District Office, so you can buy permits there as well. There is a campsite about a mile down the road from this trailhead that allows “motorized roadside camping” a.k.a. car camping. You can still try this gravel lot if you insist, just know you may be rolling the dice on this one.
Camping spots near Emmaus, Pennsylvania are scattered throughout the rolling hills of the Lehigh Valley where elevations range from 400 to 1,000 feet. The region typically experiences mild springs and falls with summer temperatures averaging in the 80s. Winter camping is limited to just a few locations as most campgrounds in this area close from November through March due to freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall.
Disc golf course access: Boulder Woods Campground features an extensive disc golf course popular with both campers and day visitors. "There is a disc golf course and they rent and sell discs. That's where we fell in love with disc golf," notes one visitor who discovered the activity during their stay.
Hiking options: At Blue Rocks Family Campground, hikers can access the Appalachian Trail directly from the property. "Super easy access to Appalachian trail. Trail heads begin inside the campsite," explains a reviewer who appreciated the convenience. The campground sits at the base of The Pinnacle Trail, allowing campers to access panoramic views after a moderate hike.
Water activities: Scotts Run Lake at French Creek State Park offers fishing and non-motorized boating from April through October. Water conditions can vary seasonally, and some visitors note that "we spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site."
Natural features: The boulder fields at Blue Rocks Family Campground provide a unique camping environment. "Our campsite had a great view of the glacier rock field and the corn field," shares one camper. The campground's name reflects its distinctive terrain that appeals to families with active children who enjoy exploring.
Stream access: Several campgrounds offer sites positioned along small waterways. One reviewer at Tohickon Family Campground enjoyed "being right next to the stream. No fish in sight though. Sites were huge!" The gentle sounds of moving water add to the camping experience while providing a natural play area for children.
Privacy levels: Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park offers different privacy options depending on your preference. Site layout varies significantly between loops, as one camper notes: "We also checked out the other loops for future use and found Loop A to have very spacious, less rocky sites, however, there was little shrubbery between each site, making them less private than the sites in Loop C."
Tent site conditions: Several campgrounds have challenging terrain for tent campers. At Tohickon Family Campground, a camper warned that you should "not come if you're in a tent and it has been or will rain. It becomes flooded or turns into a mud pit." Similarly, at Boulder Woods Campground, "tent sites were not marked at all. No real clear boundaries of any of the tent sites."
Seasonal variations: Campground facilities change significantly throughout the season. Most locations open April 1st and close by November 1st, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During shoulder seasons, some amenities may be limited as one visitor discovered: "The pool hours are good they're from 11:00 to 7:00. The cafe is only open on weekends and the store is only open from like 10:00 to 4:00 p.m."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies widely between campgrounds. At Lake Towhee County Park, "the restrooms were dated and passable; I did not use the shower." Meanwhile, Boulder Woods Campground receives praise for cleanliness: "The bathrooms were nice and clean, showers were nice. There are a few bath houses that make the large camp ground have easy access to the bathrooms."
Playground access: Allentown KOA features multiple play areas for different age groups. "Two different playgrounds and a pool that could use some updating. Not much to do in that area or on the campground with kids," reports one family. The campground offers organized activities during peak season to keep children entertained.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We saw beautiful fawns drinking in stream," shares a family who camped at Allentown KOA. The creek that runs through the campground attracts various animals, making it an impromptu nature observation spot.
Entertainment options: Most campgrounds offer weekend activities during summer months. "Blue rocks is the best family campground within 5 hours of philadelphia. Hands down. They have everything you need from primitive sites to cabins to rent," notes an enthusiastic reviewer. Activities typically include hayrides, movie nights, and seasonal celebrations like Halloween weekends.
Site accessibility: Ringing Rocks Family Campground has varying site accessibility for larger rigs. "It can be tight getting around with a bigger camper if not experienced," warns one RVer. Many campgrounds in the region have tight turns or low-hanging branches that can challenge larger vehicles.
Hookup availability: French Creek State Park Campground offers limited full-hookup sites that book quickly. Sites with just electric hookups are more readily available, and campers note the convenient water access points: "We had electric however no water or sewer hookup. There was a spigot for water at the next site over from us, so we didn't have to walk far to get fresh water."
Leveling requirements: Boulder Woods Campground has sites requiring significant leveling. "The spots are tight to get into but the staff will offer to park your camper using your vehicle. I let them park mine and I'm really glad I did. It was super tight," explains a visitor who appreciated the assistance with parking on the uneven terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Emmaus, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Emmaus, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 181 campgrounds and RV parks near Emmaus, PA and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Emmaus, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Emmaus, PA is Quakerwoods Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Emmaus, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Emmaus, PA.
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