Camping near Mertztown, Pennsylvania offers a mix of historic features and natural beauty at elevations between 400-1,100 feet above sea level. The region's foothills provide varied camping terrain with a humid continental climate that brings warm summers and moderately cold winters. Weather patterns can shift rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through August.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: French Creek State Park Campground provides multiple trail options for various skill levels. "There is lots of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds (perfect for our kids), the bathrooms were well maintained," shares Katie M. The park maintains over 35 miles of marked trails through diverse woodland settings.
Disc golf courses: Both Boulder Woods Campground and Green Lane Park offer dedicated disc golf courses that attract enthusiasts. "The course is huge and brings in groups who play for the day. They sell disc golf things in the store as well," notes Karralee B. about Boulder Woods. First-timers can typically rent equipment at Boulder Woods for $5-10.
Boulder exploration: The unique geological features at Blue Rocks Family Campground provide natural climbing and exploration opportunities. "Our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time," mentions Terri S. The boulder field extends for approximately 7 acres and contains rocks dating back to the last ice age.
What campers like
Creek access: Several campgrounds feature water features that campers consistently rate highly. At Allentown KOA, Matt R. notes, "Our spot backed up right to a creek and it was beautiful." These waterside sites typically book 2-3 months in advance during peak season.
Privacy between sites: French Creek State Park Campground receives praise for site spacing and natural barriers. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports Jen R. Most sites in Loop B provide 30-50 feet between camping units with natural screening.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer organized weekend events from April through October. "The campground has a very nice continental breakfast, free chair massages, and raffled off manicure and pedicures," Kim W. shares about Robin Hill Campground during Mother's Day weekend. Event calendars are typically posted 4-6 weeks in advance.
What you should know
Site conditions after rain: Multiple reviewers mention challenges with wet sites. At Tohickon Family Campground, Leah C. warns, "The rain made the dirt in the tent campground turn to pure mud and the picnic table was unusable because it was in the middle of it." Consider requesting elevated sites when booking during rainy seasons.
Road access variations: Getting to Allentown KOA involves navigating secondary roads. "The campground is a little far from I-78, but the roads were easy to navigate and it didn't take long to get there," notes Corby M. Most campgrounds in the region require 10-20 minutes of travel on country roads from major highways.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Green Lane Park, Tiffany B. observes, "Bathrooms however are nice and clean with plenty of them around the park." Request sites closer to newer bathroom facilities when making reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When camping with children, consider campgrounds with multiple play areas. "There is a pool, playground, arcade, fishing pond, glacier rock field to explore and hiking trials," Jen R. says about Blue Rocks Family Campground. Most playgrounds are centrally located within 5-minute walks of campsites.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer pools during summer months. Ellen C. notes about French Creek: "The pool was closed, but it looked nice." Most campground pools operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with hours typically 10am-7pm.
Kid-friendly hiking: Trails suitable for younger children exist throughout the region. "Lovely camp site with access to a lot of amenities, all the while keeping a 'primative' feel... Super easy access to Appalachian trail. Trail heads begin inside the campsite," explains Amy C. about Blue Rocks Family Campground. Look for loop trails under 2 miles with minimal elevation gain.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require additional effort for leveling larger rigs. At Robin Hill Campground, Linda F. notes, "Sites are swampy if they've had rain! Took us over two hours to disconnect because of mushy, muddy site!" Bring extra leveling blocks during spring and fall seasons.
Hookup variations: Electric service varies significantly between campgrounds. At Pine Hill RV Park, Nancy W. reports, "The sites were nice, albeit, pretty close to each other. For a one or two-night stay, this park is nice but I wouldn't call it a destination park." Most sites offer 30-amp service, with limited 50-amp availability.
Maneuverability considerations: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger units. About Allentown KOA, Brandon W. cautions, "Very small campground. Can be tight getting around with a bigger camper if not experienced." Rigs over 35 feet should request pull-through sites whenever possible.
