The terrain surrounding Kutztown, Pennsylvania features heavily wooded ridges and valleys with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds near Kutztown remain open from mid-April through October, with nighttime temperatures often dropping 15-20 degrees below daytime highs even in summer months. Winter camping options are limited to a few year-round facilities that maintain heated bathhouses during colder seasons.
What to do
Hike the boulder field: Blue Rocks Family Campground in Lenhartsville provides access to unique geological features where children can explore. "Our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time. Primitive but fun!" notes camper Terri S. The campground also connects to popular hiking trails in the area.
Fish in stocked ponds: Lake-In-Wood Campground offers a large fishing pond stocked with multiple species. "Huge pond for fishing, miniature gold, nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool. Goats to pet and watch," shares Jen R. The pond is accessible to all campers with a valid Pennsylvania fishing license.
Tour local breweries: Campsites near Kutztown provide convenient access to regional breweries. "PA is beautiful in the fall. Nice campground with some trails and access to Pottsville - for the best brewery tour ever - Yeungling!" mentions Melanie Z. who stayed at Locust Lake State Park Campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural screening between sites at French Creek State Park. "We LOVE camping here as the campsites are not right on top of one another. There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well," writes Jen R. The park maintains three separate camping loops with varying levels of privacy.
Streamside camping: Several campgrounds offer water-adjacent sites. "Our spot backed up right to a creek and it was beautiful. It's very secluded, no highway noise," notes Matt R. about his stay at Allentown KOA. These sites typically cost $5-10 more than standard sites but provide ambient water sounds and easier fishing access.
Family-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained throughout the camping season. "We have stayed at French Creek in the past however, we have never stayed in Loop C before. This is the only loop that allows pets," explains Jen R., who also mentions dish washing stations with hot water at the bathhouse.
What you should know
Varying bathroom conditions: Facility quality differs significantly between campgrounds. "Bathrooms were just okay. Muddy floors - don't know how often floors are cleaned. Showers were odd - one large stall but no separate dressing area," reports Cheryl K. about French Creek State Park Campground.
Limited level tent sites: Finding flat spots for tents can be challenging in some areas. "It was kind of hard to find a level and rock-free spot large enough for our tent, but we managed!" shares Katie M. Rocky terrain is common throughout the region's campgrounds.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate between April and November. "We have been having a crazy amount of rain here in Pennsylvania so due to weather related issues we haven't been able to get out there until now," notes Ranger Jen, indicating how spring conditions can impact early season camping.
Tips for camping with families
Consider unique accommodations: Pine Hill RV Park offers standard sites plus unique options. "This is a no-frills RV Park. The campsites are nice, the park is clean, and convenient to I-78. It is set in a rural area surrounded by fields and pastures which makes for a peaceful setting," explains Nancy W.
Book far in advance for holiday weekends: Holiday periods fill quickly at popular campgrounds. "Spend the month of June 2021 at the campground. Full most of the time but, clean and beautiful. Never any loud noise even on the weekends," reports camper M W. Reservations often open 6-12 months in advance.
Pack for variable weather: The region's weather can change rapidly. "We had 3 families and sites (2 campers & 1 tent) all sites were decent sizes. We had lake front access to put kayaks in and fish which was awesome. Only downside to our trip was poured every night and one whole day," shares Dawn R.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Some campgrounds have tight navigation. "Roads and campsites are gravel and very easy for RVs of any size to navigate the roads and sites. The majority of their sites are pull-thrus catering to the many RVs that stop for a night or two," notes Nancy W.
Consider rental options: For those without RVs, Robin Hill Campground offers alternatives. "We choose Robinhill for our very first camping experience with our TT, we were not disappointed. Staff very friendly, it was nice and quiet and the bathroom was nice and clean," writes Kathy H. Cabins typically rent for $90-120 per night during peak season.
Prepare for varying hookup availability: Water and sewer connections are not universal. "No water hook up. No sewer hook up. Just electric at certain sites," advises Brandon W., referring to state park camping. Private campgrounds generally offer more full-hookup options but at higher nightly rates.
