The rolling hills surrounding Leesport, Pennsylvania feature a diverse range of camping options within a 30-minute drive. French Creek State Park Campground, located 15 miles southeast in Elverson, offers 200 sites across four loops with varying levels of hookups, plus yurts and cabins for those seeking more comfort. Blue Rocks Family Campground near Lenhartsville provides access to the Appalachian Trail with its distinctive "river of rocks" formation that gives the campground its name. The region balances developed RV resorts like Lake-in-Wood Campground and Appalachian Camping Resort with more rustic options, including primitive tent sites at Shambala at Mystic Hollow, a small 15-site campground known for its peaceful setting.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October, with only a few like French Creek State Park remaining open year-round. Heavy spring rains can create muddy conditions at some locations, particularly at Locust Lake State Park where campers have reported flooding in lower-elevation sites. As one visitor noted, "It rained fairly heavily during our first day there and the sites became extremely muddy, so be prepared if rain is in the forecast." Reservation requirements vary by campground, with state parks typically accepting bookings up to 11 months in advance. Many private campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours between 10 PM and 8 AM. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage may be spotty in more remote areas.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with several campgrounds offering lake or creek access. At Locust Lake State Park, campers appreciate the "lake front access to put kayaks in and fish" along with "great walking paths around the lake for kids to ride bikes." Family-friendly amenities are common at private campgrounds, with swimming pools, game rooms, and organized activities. The proximity to Pennsylvania Dutch Country adds cultural interest, with one reviewer describing the area as "a combination of rolling hills in a plush countryside punctuated by massive rolled bays of hay in the surrounding fields, covered wooden bridges and the occasional quaint well-preserved charming towns." Noise from nearby highways affects some campgrounds, particularly those close to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
$20 - $90 / 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."
"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."
$40 - $60 / night
"It rained the entire time I was there so we didn’t go in the pool but the campground is walkable, I was able to go running, there are things for kids to do, some animals to go visit on our walks, obviously"
"You must try the family style restaurants in the area, delicious and close by as well. Overall a great experience and I would go again for sure :-)"
"It was a nice size and was in a good location - near the ponds, pool, office, and bathhouse - but was still quiet! There were scheduled activities for kids and adults."
"We started our trip Friday afternoon, we pulled into the campground and they had a table set up outside to “check in.” We did not wait in a mile long line to park and go into the office."
"You will get you exercise walking to the pond, pool, capstone or basketball courts. The playground was luckily right across from us up on the hill. They also have a Frisbee golf course on site."
"This campground had been let go with poor management for many years, HOWEVER the new management and staff have really turned it around!!"
$60 - $73 / night
"Close to other stores and camping center."
"Large size pool for the bigger folks and a walk in pool for the toddlers. Fun activities for all to enjoy. All the campers that were there when we there are super friendly."
$20 - $29 / night
"We had lake front access to put kayaks in and fish which was awesome. Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach. Beach area was nice."
"Had a site close to the lake. Many sites (including mine) were not level. The sites sizes were a bit small and i would book during peak season. I would definitely return again off season."
"All of the sites are full electric and more than a few have very little space for a family size tent to be safely away from the fire ring. Ours had adequate distance but we got lucky tbh."
"Streams are close by, hiking trails are numerous and Hawk Falls was a high point of the park. Peaceful, crisp air and beautiful Surroundings."
"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. "
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.
GuideWe had to stop short of our intended site as we were caught in a flash rain and thunderstorm. More tents than should have fit parked here for the night.
GuideLots of seasonal parked campers and only a few campers here. Nice peaceful quiet stay. Our site was very spacious. Level side to side. Gravel site with plenty of room for our truck n trailer.
TravelerBeautiful clean campground. Super friendly staff. Was here on Halloween weekend. The main part of the grounds the sites are tight and packed in like sardines. The Lazy River section in far away from the noise of the super close train tracks. The pioneer section you are literally feet away from the tracks but the playground area is there. The shuttle to Hershey park is very convenient but we didn’t use it. Plan return during the summer season next year
GuideCamped here the night before doing Lehigh Gap, it was less than a mile from the parking at Blue Mountain Rd. (Official A.T. parking). The only downside was my sleeping pad sprung a leak, so it wasn't the best night's sleep. But the site itself was great and I would camp there again.
ScoutFirst timer visitors , had a blast , people were very helpful, nice and made us feel very welcomed!
TravelerBeen here many times always in the fall. Never been here in summer so have never used the pool. Great little store and small grill restaurant. The trails and the rocks are nice. Our site was very rocky and on an incline so hard to get the camper level. It was a “pop up/tent” site and we were in a small travel trailer so it’s understandable. Only criticism is the it’s very pricey for what you get. And there online booking system isn’t very accurate as it said they were sold out and there was many open sites all weekend. Would be much better it they made more sites have even basic electric.
ScoutExcellent stay. We spent 2 nights and had 2 sites. Big sites very quiet and the staff I’d exceptional. Even better is the amazing price!
TravelerBeautiful park. Looks like only 2 of the spots are for campers, rest are full time residents. The farther back you go in the park the worse condition the rv are. At time of visit the closest bathroom was under repair, it happens. Aggravating issues: Dump station has no water. People walk their dogs right thru your camp site and then don’t pick up after them.
But yea, beautiful place
At the eastern edge of Berks County, Leesport sits at approximately 300 feet above sea level in the lower Schuylkill River watershed. The region's camping season typically runs from April through October, though winter camping options exist at select parks. Most Leesport-area campgrounds experience heavy rainfall in spring, with August being the driest month for tent campers.
Fishing opportunities: At Locust Lake State Park Campground, the 52-acre lake contains multiple species for anglers. "We had lake front access to put kayaks in and fish which was awesome," notes one visitor. The park permits ice fishing in winter months when conditions allow.
Boulder field exploration: The distinctive glacier rock formation at Blue Rocks Family Campground provides a unique outdoor experience. "Our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time," shares one camper. The formation extends across several acres and connects to hiking trails.
Appalachian Trail access: Multiple campgrounds offer proximity to the Appalachian Trail with day hike options. "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," reports one Blue Rocks visitor.
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention site separation at French Creek State Park Campground as a significant benefit. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," shares one reviewer. The park's four camping loops provide different experiences based on hook-up needs.
Lake activities: Water access ranks highly in camper satisfaction. "Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach. Beach area was nice," writes one Locust Lake visitor. Multiple lakes in the region offer swimming, kayaking, and fishing opportunities from spring through fall.
Site variety: The range of camping options allows visitors to match their preferences. At Mountain Springs Camping Resort, "Our campsite was very large and spacious with a lot of shade which was really nice." The region offers everything from open meadow sites to densely wooded locations.
Weather considerations: Spring rains impact camping conditions significantly. A French Creek visitor noted, "We tented in loop D…the only bad part was that it was kind of hard to find a level and rock-free spot large enough for our tent, but we managed!" Always bring extra tarps during wet seasons.
Reservation timing: State parks fill quickly, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods. For the best sites at Hickory Run Family Camping Resort, plan ahead: "Sites are best in the 140-160 loop." Reservations for popular weekends often need to be made 6-11 months in advance.
Traffic noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise, particularly those near Interstate 78. At Appalachian Camping Resort, one camper reported, "VERY loud noise from the Interstate." Request sites furthest from major roads when making reservations.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer playground facilities for children. At Allentown KOA, "2 different playgrounds and a pool that could use some updating. Staff was very helpful and accommodating." Most public playgrounds are open from dawn to dusk.
Creek exploration: Stream access provides natural entertainment for children. "Our site was on a little stream which was relaxing," notes a Blue Rocks visitor. Parents report that small creeks offer safer water play than lake shorelines for younger children.
Biking opportunities: Paved trails at several campgrounds accommodate young cyclists. "Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach," reports a Locust Lake camper. Bring bikes with good tread as trails can become muddy after rain.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the Leesport area have uneven terrain. A Robin Hill camper noted, "Sites are swampy if they've had rain! Took us over two hours to disconnect because of mushy, muddy site!" Bring additional leveling blocks, especially for spring camping.
Hookup variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds and even within the same park. "There wasn't much room on our site to do anything else. The fire ring was about all the room allowed," shares a Lake-in-Wood visitor. Check site dimensions carefully when booking, especially for larger rigs over 30 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I camp near Leesport, PA?
Several quality camping options surround the Leesport area. French Creek State Park Campground offers peaceful camping with easy hiking trails and a lake about 20 minutes from Leesport. For those seeking an authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Country experience, Appalachian Camping Resort near Shartlesville provides a convenient base just a short drive away. Blue Rocks Family Campground and Robin Hill Campground are also excellent options within 30 minutes of Leesport, offering wooded settings and proximity to local attractions. If you're looking for free overnight parking while passing through, several retail locations in the region permit overnight stays for self-contained RVs.
What family-friendly activities are available at Leesport campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Leesport offer abundant family activities throughout the camping season. Pequea Creek Campground provides river tubing opportunities and hosts entertaining events like music bingo on Saturday nights. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA features typical KOA family amenities in a beautiful countryside setting. Many area campgrounds offer swimming pools, fishing ponds, planned weekend activities, and playgrounds. Some locations organize movie nights, craft sessions, and holiday celebrations during peak season. The surrounding area enhances family camping with attractions like covered bridges, roadside farm stands, and proximity to larger destinations including Lancaster and Hershey Park, making it easy to combine camping with regional sightseeing.
Are there RV hookups available at Leesport camping areas?
Yes, several campgrounds near Leesport offer comprehensive RV hookups. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country provides full hookup sites in Amish country with amenities designed for RVers. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park offers convenient RV sites despite being located near a highway. Most RV parks in the region provide water, electric, and sewer connections, with many accommodating larger rigs. Mountain Springs Camping Resort and Pequea Creek Campground also feature RV-friendly sites with hookups. It's advisable to call ahead during peak season (summer months) as the most desirable sites with full hookups tend to book quickly in this popular region.
Keep Exploring
