The Mertztown area of Pennsylvania features a mix of family-oriented campgrounds and scenic retreat settings. Established facilities like French Creek State Park and Allentown KOA provide developed camping experiences, while smaller options like Rolling Hills Retreats offer more secluded settings. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate multiple camping styles, with RV sites, tent platforms, cabins, and glamping options available within a 15-20 mile radius. Several campgrounds like Blue Rocks Family Campground and Pine Hill RV Park feature full hookup services along with basic tent sites.
Camping season in eastern Pennsylvania generally runs from April through October, with most facilities closing for winter. "We stayed here a couple years ago. We chose this campground mainly because it was close to home and we could camp and not miss my daughter's soccer practice/game," noted one visitor about Allentown KOA. Road access to most campgrounds is well-maintained and suitable for RVs and passenger vehicles, though several facilities have gravel interior roads that can be challenging during wet conditions. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, with most campgrounds offering WiFi connectivity at the main buildings. Many campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when availability becomes limited.
The natural setting provides a key attraction for most campers visiting the Mertztown region. Campsites near water features receive particularly positive reviews, with the stream running through Allentown KOA frequently mentioned as an amenity. One camper described it as "a long winding road through the forest with a creek running below the road. Utterly magical." Proximity to outdoor recreation areas like South Mountain Trail and Little Lehigh Creek enhances the appeal for many visitors. Family-friendly amenities such as playgrounds, swimming pools, and game rooms are standard at the larger established campgrounds. Most developed campgrounds in the region maintain shower facilities, dump stations, and camp stores, though the quality and availability of these amenities varies by location and season.
$20 - $75 / 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."
"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. "
"Tucked into the rolling farmland and lush hillsides of Bucks County just off Exit 44 of the PA Turnpike and Exits 60/60A from I-78, Quakerwoods Campground delivers a postcard-perfect countryside setting"
"If you find yourself careening around the picturesque country roads here in Bucks County you will discover Quakerwoods Campground (named of course after the previous tri-cornered hat-donning Quaker residents"
"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!!"
"Nice place, a bit to close to the highways"
"It was quite muddy so we moved our set up into the grass field, we reserved the majority of the sites in this location so it worked well. The RV spots seem nice and large."
$58 / night
"It is set in a rural area surrounded by fields and pastures which makes for a peaceful setting. Roads and campsites are gravel and very easy for RVs of any size to navigate the roads and sites."
"I have a friend nearby, so she came to visit us and bring us dinner."
$20 - $30 / night
"Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails"
$160 - $380 / night
"completely over having no privacy, worrying about my reactive dog, feeling like we had to follow ridiculous rules when going camping so I came across the Dyrt then also found this spot only an hour away from"
"Nothing bad about this place, I love that it's set far enough away from the main road that you don't get the noise."
"Great camping, great hiking, pretty close to stores if you need anything. Staff is incredible!! Very polite, helpful, and just all around awesome People!!!"
ScoutWe stopped here overnight on our way down south. Very convenient location, nice large lawn with beautiful tall shade trees, bathroom was extremely clean and you can see were just recently renovated. They had a pool and some basic playground equipment. Pet friendly. You have to enter the camping area by driving through an RV and truck storage area first. We would stay here again .
RangerI've hiked the A.T. through New Jersey, and this is probably my favorite NJ A.T. campsite. The only downside is that there is no water, so depending on which way you come in (nobo or sobo), you'll have to collect water before you get here from either Sunfish Pond, or one of the streams before the climb up here. There are 2 privies, one newer, and also a great spot to watch the sunset. Plenty of campsites, and during peak season there is a caretaker on site.
GuideWe camp here several times thru out the year. Always an enjoyable stay. Staff is very friendly and accommodating.
LegendLike always we like to begin our camping season with a Easter Weekend Trip, my husband's family is partial to the Lancaster Area, so we headed there to Sun Retreats Lancaster. As we drove up I loved the look and location of the campground. You could see there was a indoor pool setup, arcade, playground, store, ice cream, mini-golf and a huge lake and that was everything we saw from the truck. We pulled up to a gate and a guy came out of the shed next to it to check us in.
The campground looked well maintained, the sports were on both sides of the lake and they offered many different options like woods or open, pull through or back up. We choose a really wooded site. It was tight getting in but I can't complain I don't drive the truck. It seemed like there was a fair amount of seasonal sites but they didn't overwhelm the place. I could see also a lot of cabins there were some shaped like teepees, a frontier cabin, and a caboose. They had a fair amount of open grass to play and enjoy. You can bring your own golfcart or they have on site rentals also.
They had an activity list that would help keep everyone busy, they had a mini golf course that was in great shape, an arcade which was definitely lacking in the game department, I think there was 4 pinball machines, 2 Skee ball, 3 racing games, and the play to you win machine. The playground x2 were both in great condition with a lot to keep kids playing on. I can only comment on the indoor pool which at the time was said to be under construction however still open, the water was on the colder side and the hot tube the same temp as the pool, the ceiling had been ripped off so the iron rusting beams were exposed and rust falling down. The kids still went in the pool unfortunately the air from the open window made them too cold so we didn't stay long. I am hoping it will be finished because the concept of the indoor-outdoor pool area looks so fun.
The staff was extremely helpful and super friendly. The store was fully stocked with everything you could want. The bathrooms were all kept so clean and in working order with hot water. We enjoyed the area we ventured out to see the Choo Choo barn, the green dragon flea market, and kitchen kettle village which are a must if your in the area. We also choose to hike the Welsh Preserve and Money Rock. The lake had a path you could walk completely around and you could choose to fish if that's your thing.
I would definitely return to this campground again, we had 8 sites in total and we all really thought it was a wonderful place and really enjoyed our holiday weekend there. It was very busy but the staff was present but not overbearing. People were very respectful and friendly.
LegendTucked just off Route 309 north of Quakertown, Melody Lakes Country Estate feels far less like a traditional campground and much more like a quiet, semi-permanent residential community, with a small pocket of opportunity for the occasional overnight RV stay if you happen to time it right.
While my review from a few years ago provides a ton of detail, I thought I would follow up that review with a topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS along with a smattering of new photos.
HIGHLIGHTS:(1) Peaceful, tucked-away setting surrounded by wooded acreage that gives the property a calm, removed feel from nearby roads;(2) Access to a range of community-style amenities including a pool, clubhouse, playground, and small fishing ponds;(3) Proximity to Quakertown makes it relatively easy to access groceries, restaurants, and basic supplies within a short drive;(4) Nearby outdoor options like the Upper Bucks Rail Trail provide a great outlet for hiking and biking;(5) Close to local gems like Kathy’s Country Kitchen, which is well worth the stop if you’re passing through.
LOWLIGHTS:(1) Extremely limited RV availability, with only a handful of spots, making it unreliable for spontaneous overnight stays;(2) Not a true campground experience, as the majority of the property is made up of semi-permanent or seasonal residences;(3) No tent camping options whatsoever, limiting flexibility for different types of campers;(4) Entrance is easy to miss with minimal signage, requiring careful navigation or prior knowledge to find;(5) Unclear availability of full hookups due to the limited number of transient sites and lack of consistent turnover.
Happy Camping!
LegendTucked into the rolling farmland and lush hillsides of Bucks County just off Exit 44 of the PA Turnpike and Exits 60/60A from I-78, Quakerwoods Campground delivers a postcard-perfect countryside setting with wide-open skies, neighboring hay fields, rustic barns and charming small towns that feel pulled straight from a New England travel guide. With roughly 170 RV sites, a small collection of tent sites and several rental campers, the campground strikes a balance between peaceful rural escape and full-featured family campground energy.
HIGHLIGHTS:(1) Gorgeous pastoral setting with surrounding farmland, rolling hills and a distinctly peaceful countryside atmosphere;(2) Excellent full-hookup RV infrastructure with mostly back-in sites offering 30/50 amp electric, water and sewer, along with flat pads, picnic tables and in-ground fire rings;(3) Exceptionally strong amenity package including adult and kids swimming pools, mini golf, baseball field, RC track, shuffleboard, fishing pond, game room, playgrounds, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, cornhole, themed weekends, bingo and Saturday wagon rides;(4) Clean and plentiful facilities including four well-kept restroom and shower buildings, laundry, camp store, dump stations, water stations, propane refills and ice sales; and(5) Outstanding access to regional attractions including Nockamixon State Park for kayaking and canoeing, plus great nearby dining at Brick Tavern Inn, McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn and Sage Alley Brewery.
LOWLIGHTS:(1) Interior sections of the campground offer less tree cover and privacy compared to the wooded perimeter sites;(2) Tent camping is limited in number and clustered separately, which may feel slightly isolated to some campers;(3) Restaurant options are not immediately adjacent, requiring a short drive for dining;(4) Weekend popularity and themed events can increase noise and traffic levels; and(5) RV rates trend toward the higher end during peak season.
Happy Camping!
LegendTucked into the rolling, wooded hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort offers a unique blend of peaceful countryside and activity-packed camping, all just a stone’s throw from the PA Turnpike.
While my review from a few years ago provides a ton of detail, I thought I would follow up that review with a topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS along with a smattering of new photos.
HIGHLIGHTS:(1) Expansive campground with 250+ sites offering full hookups, giving plenty of options for both short stays and longer visits;(2) Resort-style amenities including pool, mini golf, clubhouse, playgrounds, and organized activities that keep families engaged throughout the day;(3) Beautiful wooded setting with dense tree coverage that creates a surprisingly secluded feel despite proximity to major highways;(4) Ideal location for exploring Pennsylvania Dutch Country, with scenic farmland, covered bridges, and charming nearby towns just minutes away; and(5) Strong sense of community with events like bingo, crafts, and family activities that give it that classic ‘summer camp” vibe.
LOWLIGHTS:(1) Sloped terrain throughout much of the campground can make leveling a bit tricky depending on your site;(2) Close proximity to the PA Turnpike may be a concern for some, even though tree coverage helps reduce both noise and visibility;(3) Wi-Fi is not complimentary and can be an added cost, which feels a bit dated for a“resort” experience;(4) Membership requirement through Thousand Trails can be a barrier for first-time or casual campers; and(5) Limited tent site availability compared to the large number of RV sites, making it less flexible for non-RV travelers
Happy Camping!
LegendSet just off I-76 in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, Pinch Pond Family Campground& RV Park is a large, all-in-one, family-focused campground with a layout that feels more like a small neighborhood than a traditional woods-only campsite. While its proximity to the highway makes access easy, the property itself is gated, organized into distinct camping zones and packed with amenities that clearly cater to longer stays and families looking for built-in entertainment.
HIGHLIGHTS:(1) Full-service resort-style amenities including pool, playground, arcade, laundry, propane refills, dump stations, sports field, picnic tables and in-ground fire rings throughout the property;(2) Wide variety of lodging options including RV sites with 30/50 amp hookups, water, sewer and cable, primitive tent sites, and multiple on-site cottages for non-campers;(3) Gated entrance and very welcoming, helpful staff at check-in with a well-stocked camp store offering snacks, ice cream, sundries and souvenirs;(4) Strong family appeal with fishing pond, barn, open play areas and space for kids to roam safely; and(5) Excellent location for regional attractions including Hershey Park, Chocolate World, Amish countryside tours and the nearby wolf sanctuary with guided educational tours.
LOWLIGHTS:(1) Immediate proximity to I-76 means persistent highway noise day and night with no real sound buffer;(2) Access is oddly indirect despite being next to the turnpike, requiring a several-mile loop through countryside roads to reach the entrance;(3) Overall layout is wide open with limited natural privacy between many RV sites;(4) Nearby shooting range produces frequent target practice noise, especially noticeable during early morning hours; and(5) Pricing for primitive tent sites feels disproportionately high compared to full-hookup RV rates.
Happy Camping!
ScoutThis is our 3rd time at this park, it is one of our favorites. Well maintained, very quiet. We stay in Loop A (full hookup) pet friendly. Sites are spacious, generally large but they are all back-in sites.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mertztown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mertztown, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 178 campgrounds and RV parks near Mertztown, PA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mertztown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mertztown, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 82 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mertztown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Mertztown, PA.
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