Dispersed camping near Emmaus, Pennsylvania sits at the edge of the Lehigh Valley, where elevations range from 400 to 1,000 feet, creating varied terrain for campers. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F, making May through October the prime camping months. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally with limited winter accessibility, though some provide year-round primitive sites.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Boulder Woods Campground offers an extensive disc golf course that draws enthusiasts from across the region. "It has boulders and woods. They also have a disc golf course and they rent and sell discs. That's where we fell in love with disc golf," shares a camper who stayed at Boulder Woods Campground.
Rock exploration: Bring a hammer to create unique musical experiences at Ringing Rocks. "Lovely trails and the rocks are something else," notes one visitor to Ringing Rocks Family Campground. The unusual geological formation allows rocks to ring with metallic sounds when struck.
Hiking options: Access the Appalachian Trail directly from some campgrounds for day hikes or longer treks. "Lovely camp site with access to a lot of amenities, all the while keeping a 'primitive' feel. Super easy access to Appalachian trail. Trail heads begin inside the campsite," explains a camper at Blue Rocks Family Campground.
Lake activities: Multiple lakes provide fishing and boating opportunities within 15-20 minutes of most campgrounds. "We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It was a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site," a visitor at French Creek State Park reports.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Some campgrounds offer more private spots for tent campers seeking quiet settings. "The tent spots are pretty much on top of each other, not much privacy. It's next to a farm so the sunrise is pretty nice. They deliver firewood to your site," notes a reviewer at Quakerwoods Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate clean bathroom facilities at several glamping locations. "Phenomenal disc golf course, hiking, and fishing," mentions a reviewer about Green Lane Park, highlighting the diversity of activities beyond just accommodations.
Seasonal activities: Weekend-specific themed events enhance the glamping experience, especially for families. "We went on Halloween weekend and they had so much for the kids to do! Friendly staff and clean sites!" shares a visitor to Ringing Rocks Family Campground.
Diverse accommodation options: From primitive tent sites to luxury glamping, the region offers varied stays. "French Creek State Park is a 7,526-acre Pennsylvania state park with so many wonderful activities. We LOVE camping here as the campsites are not right on top of one another. There are three separate loops to camp at, plus an area for large group camping which can accommodate anywhere from 30 to 60 people," explains a satisfied visitor at French Creek State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most glamping sites near Emmaus operate from April through October, with limited off-season availability. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers," reports a camper at French Creek State Park.
Site selection matters: Site quality can vary significantly within the same campground. "The sites are very close together. Site numbers are on the back of the sites, very hard to see from the road. Very few showers," notes one visitor to Colonial Woods Family Resort.
Weather considerations: Spring can bring muddy conditions at some locations with dirt tent pads. "We had a great Halloween weekend but we were down by creek so it was very muddy. Everything else about this campground was great!" shares a camper at Tohickon Family Campground.
Size restrictions: Some luxury glamping sites have limitations for larger RVs. "The roads are very narrow, pretty sizable boulders on both sides, trees are very low and need to be trimmed," warns an RVer at Colonial Woods Family Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select glamping sites with dedicated children's areas for downtime between activities. "Campground is cozy, friendly, and has a sweet sounding creek that you camp near. It has many kid friendly amenities as well as being very relaxing," explains a reviewer at Allentown KOA.
Organized activities: Several campgrounds offer structured programming for various age groups. "Great place to just relax. I have spent many weeks here, nice setup and spacious sites. The rocks really do ring when hit with another rock," explains a visitor to Ringing Rocks Family Campground.
Swimming options: Pools provide supervised water recreation at several glamping locations. "Great camping, great hiking, pretty close to stores if you need anything. Staff is incredible!! Very polite, helpful, and just all around awesome people!" shares an enthusiastic visitor at Tohickon Family Campground.
Boulder climbing: Natural rock formations at certain campgrounds provide unique play areas. "Our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time. Primitive but fun!" explains a visitor about Blue Rocks Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric service ranges from 30-50 amp depending on the campground, with full hookups available at premium sites. "All sites do not have a water hook up but there is water available and some sites have electric," notes a camper at French Creek State Park.
Site leveling: Many glamping areas feature paved or level sites for easier RV setup. "It cost us $65 for the weekend plus a $6 service fee for using the Reserve America website. We had electric however no water or sewer hookup," mentions an RV camper.
Accessibility challenges: Some luxury camping locations have narrow access roads that challenge larger rigs. "It can be tight getting around with a bigger camper if not experienced," warns a visitor to Allentown KOA about navigating the campground.
Seasonal restrictions: RV sites at glamping locations may have age restrictions for seasonal rentals. "Three years ago, we fell in love with this campground. We knew we had to find an RV and become seasonals. Fast forward, we bought one, went to talk to them... They only allow seasonal campers to be 10 years old or newer. Ours is 13," reports a disappointed visitor at Boulder Woods.
