Best RV Parks & Resorts near Mount Carmel, PA

We spent four nights here (May 13-17, 2022). This is a nice, well run, family oriented CG (a lot of kids on the weekend) with reasonably level pull through and back-in gravel sites (quite a few long term campers).

There are many activities available: swimming pool, recreation hall, fishing pond, biking, hiking/walking, mini golf, jumping pillow, playground, basketball, shuffleboard and more. 

The office store is nice (ice cream and pizza made to order!). The laundry room was clean. We did not make use of the bathrooms or showers.

Golf carts are available for rent so there was a lot of traffic(some towing portable waste tanks).

Pay attention to the Theme Weekend Events– they will be crowded and there could be an additional fee. We were charged$20 for the Care Camp Weekend.

The cable TV and WiFi were good as was cell phone reception.

We would stay here again.

I don’t know if the Amish camp, but regardless, if you’d like to experience what it’s like to go camping in Amish country then Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort has you covered. First of all, whenever I see that word ‘resort’ I always wonder – is it really a resort? And, well, while we're on that particular question, what makes a place a resort in the first place? In my estimation, a resort has to have a pool and likely some of those splash pools, probably gated or requires some sort of secure admittance, full of recreation options, is a restful respite and (very probably) features a Tiki Hut or some version of an outdoor bar that is serving up delicious libations. Apart from that very last amenity, this particular RV campground destination ticks most of the boxes.

So, should you be looking for an authentic Quaker environ to enjoy some of the best of what the great Keystone State has to offer, then you might want to give PA Dutch Country RV Resort some consideration, but before you do, you’ll need to secure a membership with Thousand Trails in order to access this, and indeed the other 250 or so other campgrounds this camping conglomerate has throughout the US. The biggest downside to this particular campground is its very close proximity to the PA Turnpike, which while convenient, might detract a bit from the peace & quiet you might be expecting when here at your new-found camping ‘resort.’ That said, as the PA Dutch Country RV Resort rests at a slightly higher elevation than the turnpike, I have to admit, we really didn’t notice much of any noise coming from the highway and what’s more, this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility.

Should you decide to leave ‘the reservation’ for any reason, you’ll be engulfed by the incredibly rich, verdant countryside populated by incredibly rural residents who’s ancestors settled this vast rich farmland a few hundred years ago. Today, the Pennsylvania Dutch countryside (of which my Irish ancestors intermingled with a long time ago) is 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 New England well-preserved charming towns that you will be sure to encounter. So, if you have camping on your mind, discovering a spot like PA Dutch Country RV Resort places you in the heart of one of the most picturesque natural landscapes anywhere in the Keystone State.

Should you need directions to this campground, it’s just off Exit 44 of PA Turnpike or Exit 60 & 60A off of I78. Here at PA Dutch Country RV Resort you’ll encounter a destination offering up 267 back-in and pull-through slots with full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage) for RVs in the midst of a fairly decent wooded surrounding with about 6 tent sites offering 15 amp electric and running water. You will discover that no matter where you look on this property, you will have to contend with sloping land as this campground appears to be situated right on the side of a heavily wooded hill. That said, we didn’t have any problems laying out our campsite that came with the standard-issued picnic table and in-ground fold-up fire ring. Don’t have an RV, 5th Wheeler or Tent? Not a problem, as the good folks here at PA Dutch Country RV Resort will rent you one of their 3 cottages for the night.

As previously mentioned, with the term ‘resort’ there should be a ton of amenities that one conjures up and PA Dutch Country RV Resort does not disappoint with plenty of amenities, inclusive of: 3 fairly massive restroom & shower facilities, Wi-Fi service (at a cost), trading post / camp store, swimming pool, walking paths, clubhouse/ office, playing card room, church service, crafts & arts, family bingo, community library, mini golf course, basketball court, horseshoe pits, kids playgrounds, fire pit, designated picnic & BBQ areas, ranger station, recreation hall, cornhole, basketball court, designated dump stations, water stations, ice for sale, propane refueling station, RV storage, Laundry-O-Mat and pet friendly.

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are an RVer or 5th Wheeler, the best sites IMHO are those that back up to the periphery and are northernmost up the slight embankment as you’ll have greater privacy and less noise being furthest away from all of the action in the center of this campground resort – these sites include: #C1– C5, #D9– D17 and #E44– E49; (2) Should you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or from the confines of your onboard mini-fridge, while there’s not a ton of restaurants around these parts, there are a few and they are pretty amazing, including favorites Brick Tavern Inn and The West End, McCoole’s @ The Historic Red Lion Inn and Sage Alley Brewery; (3) In the event that you need to replenish any of your supplies, rest assured as in nearby Quakertown, there’s a Giant & Aldi’s grocery store as well as a local Target, Walmart, TJMaxx, Kohl’s and Link Beverages to stock up on the 21+ liquid refreshment; (4) Should you be towing your canoe or kayak with you and are eager to get the beak of your waterbird wet, then head on over due east of Quakertown Campground to Nockamixon SP where there’s a sizeable, yet skinny lake just begging for you to navigate it and get some good, hard oaring in; and (5) As a tent camper, while there are only 6 or so spots to choose from, you’ll be happy to know that these are also located on the periphery, with #L1& L2 being southernmost, which I would avoid altogether as this places you too close to the highway) and #T9– T12, which are located northernmost and are the best tent campsites to book.

Happy Camping!

Very clean and we'll managed campground. Sites are a little close in some areas, but are nice. WSE at leach sure. There are cute cabins and a tent area. Great restaurant on site with music on weekends with local bands or DJs. New Owners have worked hard to improve the park. There are no permanent sites, but they do have seasonal sites. Everything from pop ups to big rigs can be seen. Nice clean pool and rest rooms. Clean well equipped laundry. Park is close to hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and larger and small towns. Huge playground ajoins the Park. Staff is friendly and helpful.

The campground has approximately 35 sites, most with water and electric, which is rare for many PA state parks. The sites are mostly level, gravel, and good sized for averaged sized RV’s. Larger rigs may have some issues with site length on a few sites, so check ahead of time, but there are a couple pull through sites. Fire rings and picnic tables are at each site, but no wifi in the campground area. We did have cell phone service at our campsite.

The sites along the outer side of the look are more wooded than the inner sites.  The bathhouse is modern, very clean and well maintained. A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground.

The campground is located across the road from the actual state park, which is beautiful and well maintained. A large lake is the centerpiece surrounded by multiple hiking trails, picnic areas, and a large swimming pool/aquatics area (in season). The road going to the park and campground is well maintained, with very wide shoulders for easy access, biking, and running. Fishing and boat rental are available on the lake.

We had a wonderful weekend at LBSP and plan to include it on our “Go-To” places to visit and camp.

While I suppose there’s no shortage of reasons as to why one would stop for a night or a week here at Pinch Pond Family Campground, we just so happened to stop by on our way to Harrisburg / Hershey and found this roadside campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76. Whether you’re hauling a 5th wheel, driving an RV or looking to pitch a tent, Pinch Pond has you covered, figuratively – as they offer virtually any type of camping, from RV and 5th Wheel to tent / primitive as well as cottage rentals – as there’s no shortage of trees and shrubbery everywhere around the perimeter (although not within) this particular campground.

Whether or not it’s true that this is the only family fun campground located between Hershey & Lancaster, what I will attest to is that this is one very all-inclusive campground that offers no shortage of outstanding amenities. Even before you arrive to the main office, you will appreciate the gated surroundings that ensure drive-by traffic doesn’t ruin your experience here. Once you park in front of the main office, you’ll spot the community pool right in front and once inside the office, you’ll be immediately greeted by two of the most hospitable desk staff. Here, you’ll check-in, get directions and may return to purchase any of the sundries, treats, ice cream and souvenirs that this place has ... or make your way back to the game room where you’ll find arcade games.

In addition to offering up laundry, super-clean and well-kept restrooms with showers, there’s also WiFi throughout the campground as well as select ethernet ports (both for a fee, which is a bummer), designated dump stations and dumpsters, soccer field, propane refill tank, kid’s playground and even a barn. Clear in the back of the property, you’ll find a small fishing pond. Scattered throughout the grounds are picnic tables and in-ground fire rings with grills. Should you be driving an RV, the slots are level and feature small stone surface with all of the typical hook-ups (30 / 50 electric amp, water, sewage and Cable TV). Oh, and if you don’t have an RV, 5th Wheeler or even a tent, no worries, as there are also 7 or so cottages that you can rent.

Downsides? Well, let’s come back to that ‘inconvenient’ proximity to interstate 76. For starters, while it is RIGHT NEXT to the highway, it’s not a simple or EZ path to navigate as you’ll have to basically get off the turnpike and essentially drive around a 5 square mile bit of PA Dutch countryside just to arrive back right next to the highway, but on the other side where Pinch Pond Family Campground is at. Maybe driving completely out of the way to arrive here encourages transient passerbys to stay away, but one thing is for certain – you’re not going to get away from all of that highway traffic noise. Second, you’ll note that while most of Pinch Pond is divided into little neighborhoods, for the most part, the entire campground is completely wide open so there is very little privacy apart from a few select locations (where I make recommendations in the Insider’s Tips section). Next, and I really wished someone had let us know this before we agreed to stay, but there’s a shooting range near the property, so at all hours you will hear target practice going on, especially in the wee early hours. Lastly, while the pricing feels pretty affordable for full hook-up (30 / 50 amp) @$57-$67 / night and 20-amp+ water hook-up@ $54-$64 / night, I thought the pricing for primitive (read: no electric or water hook-ups) @$52-$62/ night to be akin to highway (yes, pun intended because you’re right next to one here!) robbery.

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While it irked me a bit that Pinch Pond likes to ‘pinch pennies’ by offering early arrivals / late departures for $3/ hour, in a crunch, providing that accommodations are available, it’s not the worst option to take advantage of if you need some extra time; (2) If you’ve never visited an Amish community, you should definitely take advantage of this very unique location by exploring Lancaster County where you can find a number of horse & buggies to take a trip in to take in the absolutely gorgeous Pennsylvania Dutch countryside in a very unique way; (3) From a foodie standpoint, take my word for it, there is VERY little around these parts and what you can find nearby are local joints, which we loved BTW, including: Mount Gretna Hideaway, Gus’ Keystone Family Restaurant, Kountry Kitchen Family Restaurant, Forklift & Palate Restaurant as well as Mount Joy Family Restaurant; (4) If you are traveling in these parts with kids, there’s a handful of really great places to check out like the most obvious nearby location being Hershey Park, Chocolate Factory, Gardens & Museum, but there’s also Laserdome located just due south of Pinch Pond Family Campground by about 20 minutes or just due east is a really cool Wolf Sanctuary that is a refuge for these four-legged friends complete with guided tours; (5) IMHO the best campsite locations are actually the ones designated for primitive tents as they are all located in the rear of the property and therefore quieter and more removed from the rest of the somewhat crowded campground – for RVers, I would recommend sites #102–120, again, in the far rear or sites #308– 317 along Angler’s Way; and (6) If you are thinking about staying here during the Renaissance Faire, which apparently is a VERY BIG thing in these parts, you are going to want to book your spot as soon as possible.

Happy Camping!

This is a very dated camp ground lacking charm. The majority of sites are permanent with workmen. In the website is boasts amenities like game room, play ground and pool, the game room was a shack, play ground was nice and the pool is large but was in need of major maintenance. We did get a pull through site which was nice, but it was right next to a very busy road as is a lot of the sites. The site we had was water, electric and sewage which was convenient. Customer service is lacking. I was surprised that this camp ground got such a good rating in the GS camp ground book. It would be fine for an overnight if you’re on the road but not really a place for a weekend or extended stay.