Best Campgrounds near Mahanoy City, PA

Eastern Pennsylvania's Schuylkill County provides a range of developed campgrounds within a short drive of Mahanoy City. Locust Lake State Park Campground in Barnesville, approximately 7 miles southeast of Mahanoy City, offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups along a picturesque lake. Tuscarora State Park Campground, located nearby, extends the camping options with cabins, yurts, and glamping accommodations. Several family-oriented campgrounds including Lakewood Park Campground and Knoebels Campground complement the state park options, providing more amenities for campers seeking developed sites with water and electric hookups.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with many closing from late October through mid-April. Locust Lake State Park operates from "mid April to mid October," while some private campgrounds like Lakewood Park maintain a slightly longer season. Weather can significantly impact the camping experience, with several campers noting drainage issues during rainy periods. Campsite leveling presents challenges at several locations, particularly at state parks. A visitor commented, "Sites were a little small and rocky/rooty, but we made it work. Definitely go in the fall to soak up all the colors!"

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews throughout the area. Campers particularly value sites adjacent to Locust Lake, which supports fishing, kayaking, and swimming activities. Families with children appreciate the recreational options, including hiking trails, playgrounds, and beach areas. While state park campgrounds have some limitations regarding site size and hookups, private campgrounds often provide more amenities like showers, camp stores, and full hookups. Site privacy varies considerably across campgrounds, with some offering more seclusion than others. A camper noted about Locust Lake, "The sites are spaced pretty well but are not level at all. It was an effort to get our travel trailer close to level—a ramp of blocks was needed. The site was right on the path, which is right on the lake. Very convenient if you are going paddling."

Best Camping Sites Near Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania (158)

    1. Locust Lake State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Mahanoy City, PA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 467-2404

    $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."

    2. Tuscarora State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Barnesville, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 467-2404

    $49 - $90 / night

    "Good hiking trails were just a short walk away from our campsite. Would definitely go back again."

    "No water but directly across from facilities with basin sinks outside for cleaning dishes, etc. Each yurt has a huge deck, 2 picnic tables and fire pit."

    3. Lakewood Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Barnesville, PA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 285-8026

    $60 - $94 / night

    "They are in the process of adding lots more sites up away from the lake in the woods plus 2 bath houses. The sites along the lake are great, but be aware most of them are seasonal."

    "You’re not allowed to swim in the lake although you’re allowed to use floats. The area has not much to do unless you would like the state park, which is close by."

    4. Knoebels Campground

    24 Reviews
    Marion Heights, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 672-9555

    $59 - $160 / night

    "Knoebels campground is situated next to Knoebels amusement park and offers sites for tent campers and RVs, as well as cabins. There is electricity at every site but not water."

    "In addition to the campsites you have access to the campsite bathrooms which also have showers. They’re nothing special but they get the job done and are cleaned daily by staff."

    5. Hickory Run State Park Campground

    60 Reviews
    Albrightsville, PA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (272) 808-6192

    $20 - $72 / night

    "Great location lots of hiking trails right in the park and many more close by"

    "Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground.   "

    6. Blue Rocks Family Campground

    26 Reviews
    Lenhartsville, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (610) 756-6366

    "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."

    7. Lake Glory Campground

    15 Reviews
    Catawissa, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 356-7392

    $50 - $80 / night

    "This campground is only minutes away from Knobels Amusement Park. The campground itself was clean but not a lot of amenities being it’s part of the amusement park."

    "It’s a nice spacious campground next to the park."

    8. Jim Thorpe Camping Resort

    15 Reviews
    Jim Thorpe, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 325-2644

    "Makes it fun searching for a good position within the site, kinda like roughing it in the actual wild... so not really a complaint. Sites are not very private or secluded."

    "The sites were fine and I liked the location. Next to the creek where you can fish trout (don’t forget to buy a license). About 3 miles stroll along the creek to Jim Thorpe."

    9. Mauch Chunk Lake Park

    10 Reviews
    Nesquehoning, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 325-3669

    $20 / night

    "Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."

    "Beautiful lake beach and canoe and kayak rentals. There’s much to explore in the town Jim Thorpe and beautiful hiking close by."

    10. Rosemount Camping Resort

    1 Review
    Middleport, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 668-2580

    "occasionally stocked), badminton, horseshoes, golf cart friendly, A large pavilion with a large flatscreen display and community firepit is there for general use or for rental,  There is wifi by store and surrounding"

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Recent Reviews near Mahanoy City, PA

868 Reviews of 158 Mahanoy City Campgrounds


  • Sue B.
    Oct. 26, 2025

    AT Group Campsite near Lehigh Gap

    Good site for camping

    Camped 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.

  • K
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Beechwood Lodge Nudist Camp

    Great day trip

    First timer visitors , had a blast , people were very helpful, nice and made us feel very welcomed!

  • Marc P.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Blue Rocks Family Campground

    Very nice but a little pricey.

    Been 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.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Boulder Woods Campground

    This is a have to stay campground

    Excellent 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!

  • Ali P.
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Homestead Campground

    Here for a week

    Beautiful 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

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Locust Lake State Park Campground

    Edit: 1 star- Scout sites before paying!

    Beware: these sites are not travel trailer friendly.

    We booked two nights but upon arriving, we realized that there was no way to fit our trailer (only 25 ft). Trees were growing up in all the sites that were available and most of the ones without trees in the way were pointing in the wrong direction for backing into and NONE were level. Called the office, they told us what other sites were available and we tried every one. Only one was remotely suitable for a travel trailer and we had to drive the wrong way through the loop to be at the right angle to even try backing it in. No luck. I’m honestly shocked that they label some of these sites as RV friendly because wow. We left and had to find other accommodations. Trying to get a refund and currently navigating their phone system/trying to get a refund. Three phone conversations later and I’ll have to call another number on Monday to get the right person to issue the refund. We’ve never stayed at PA parks before but if they’re all like this, then it makes it really hard to plan when some sites are fine for trailers and some aren’t even close. Just heads up.

    UPDATE: Called back during business hours and got the “park manager.” Could only give a partial refund for one of the two nights. I said that they weren’t clear on the condition of the sites and he said there was nothing he could do about it.

  • M
    Oct. 6, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Hard with a large group

    Harder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Stoevers Dam Park

    Park is closed. We were kicked out.

    LThe park is a beautiful city park. There are 7 small, level, back-in sites with electric, a picnic table and fire pit. We arrived in a Sunday and you have to call for a permit, but the office is only open on M-F during working hours. At 8 pm, a police officer told us the park was closed because of a bear, but that they had not gotten around to putting up signs. Wound up in a Walmart instead.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Dog owners read!

    There’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!


Guide to Mahanoy City

Campgrounds near Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania range across varied terrain with elevations between 800-1,200 feet in the Appalachian coal region. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 80°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Fall camping is particularly popular when hardwood forests display vivid colors and temperatures drop into the 40s at night.

What to Do

Boulder field exploration: At Hickory Run State Park Campground, visitors can experience the famous boulder field, a National Natural Landmark. "The Boulder Fields are one of the coolest places I've ever visited, partially because they were so unexpected. Don't twist an ankle, but you can play hide and seek to an extent as there are small depressions in the fields," notes camper Amber A.

Hiking trails: The region offers extensive hiking networks with varied difficulty levels. Blue Rocks Family Campground provides immediate access to the Pinnacle Trail. A visitor commented, "It's right at the base of one of the most popular hiking trail, The Pinnacle. It's nestled in the woods and is very rustic. Really gives you that camping feel!"

Paddling opportunities: Many area lakes support kayaking and fishing. "The sites are very close to one another. We lucked out in Bermuda Triangle as there was a little more space and we were further away from some of the noise. The sites are clean and well maintained," a Knoebels camper noted about their waterfront experience.

What Campers Like

Off-season weekday camping: Weekends and summer months bring crowds to many campgrounds, but camping mid-week offers a more peaceful experience. A camper at Mauch Chunk Lake Park observed, "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm."

Lake activities: Lakewood Park Campground receives praise for its water access. "The lake is was nice and had a small dock perfect for fishing," noted Scott H., while another camper shared, "Checkin was quick and no fuss. Friendly staff, grounds look well taken care of. The pond is a very nice amenity."

Mushroom hunting: The dense forests and adequate rainfall create ideal conditions for mushroom enthusiasts. "Really nice park! Great hiking trails! Lots of mushrooms! Nice walk-in sites for camping," remarked Annette M. about Locust Lake State Park.

What You Should Know

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain requiring preparation. At Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, one reviewer noted, "The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because our site wasn't level and it took hours to get it right. After that... we had the best time!!"

Limited RV sites at some parks: Tuscarora State Park offers limited RV access. "This park has no tent camping. They offer cabins and yurts, but have no sites for people to set up tents. The main attraction for this park is their lake," explains camper Tiffany K.

Cell service variability: Digital connectivity varies significantly. "I absolutely love camping here! If you want to be disconnected, literally because there is no cell service, then this is the place for you," reports Jen R. about Tuscarora.

Tips for Camping with Families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "This place really has something for everyone! Classic cars, huge playground, lots of activities, friendly staff. The best part was hiking in the boulder field!" reports Gayle B. about Blue Rocks Family Campground.

Waterfront activities: Lake Glory Campground provides water-based recreation suitable for different ages. "We stay at lake glory every year while visiting Knoebels. It's so much quieter than Knoebels campground and so much more room. We love the creek side sites! Kids can wade in the water to cool off while parents are chatting and cooking just few feet away," shares Eiron S.

Amusement park proximity: Several campgrounds offer easy access to Knoebels Amusement Park. "Great place to camp with family," Glenn H. said of Locust Lake State Park, which makes a convenient base for park visits.

Tips from RVers

Late season preparation: Fall camping requires additional planning for RVers. "PA is beautiful in the fall. Nice campground with some trails and access to Pottsville - for the best brewery tour ever - Yeungling! Check out the Jim Thorpe fall fest and Hershey Park," recommends Melanie Z.

Hookup variations: Expect different hookup capabilities across parks. At Tuscarora State Park Campground, yurts offer surprising amenities: "Yurts have heat and fans. Full size refrigerator, stove and microwave. No water but directly across from facilities with basin sinks outside for cleaning dishes, etc," explains Mandy F.

Site selection research: RVers should thoroughly research sites before booking. "Beware: these sites are not travel trailer friendly. We booked two nights but upon arriving, we realized that there was no way to fit our trailer (only 25 ft). Trees were growing up in all the sites that were available and most of the ones without trees in the way were pointing in the wrong direction for backing into," cautions Chelsea B. about their experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mahanoy City, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mahanoy City, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 158 campgrounds and RV parks near Mahanoy City, PA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mahanoy City, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mahanoy City, PA is Locust Lake State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 31 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mahanoy City, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Mahanoy City, PA.