Several RV campgrounds near Newburg, Pennsylvania offer family-friendly accommodations amid the rolling mountains of central Pennsylvania. The region sits within the Appalachian highlands at elevations ranging from 700-1,200 feet, with camping options typically open from April through October. Most parks experience temperature swings of 20-30 degrees between day and night during camping season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Raystown Lake provides multiple fishing access points approximately 15-20 minutes from Timber Run Campground. "We fished at Tautman Run and Aitch - both were accessible and had lots of bluegill to steal our worms," notes one camper who stayed at the park during Bigfoot weekend.
Hiking trails: Prince Gallitzin State Park features numerous wooded trails for day hikes. A camper remarks, "So many trails so little time," while another specifically mentions being able to "see the lake and the camper from the same spot" while hiking through wooded areas near the water.
Water activities: The 8,300-acre Raystown Lake offers boating, swimming and kayaking opportunities. At Honey Bear Campground, campers can "paddle and hike year round and camp in the spring, summer and fall" with "several sites having beautiful lookouts over the lake."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent positive reviews at campgrounds throughout the region. A visitor at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA noted, "Bathrooms are Soo nice" while another mentioned that "the staff goes out of their way to ensure that you feel welcome."
Family activities: Weekend programming keeps families entertained at many parks. One visitor to Friendship Village Campground reported they "held a farmers market on Saturday and had a HUGE community yard sale which we thought was very cool!" Another visitor mentioned their children "played mini golf, jumped on the pillow, played on multiple playgrounds, enjoyed ice cream and went fishing."
Quiet atmosphere: For campers seeking tranquility, Nature's Getaway RV Park provides a peaceful setting. "Whether your stopping overnight on the way to somewhere or staying the weekend, this is a great place to park. We got the pull through at the end of one loop so we could face the woods," reported one camper.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds in the region feature hilly terrain that can affect site levelness. A visitor to Timber Run Campground noted that "the sites are hilly and in fact the whole park is on a hill." At Nature's Getaway, one camper mentioned "The site wasn't so level, but we made it work."
Seasonal considerations: The camping season varies by park, with most state parks operating from April through October. Crooked Run Campground runs "2nd Friday in April to last Monday in October," while private campgrounds like Honey Bear operate from "April 15 to October 15."
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to major roads. One reviewer at Friendship Village noted: "The only thing we didn't like was all of the road noise. This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long. The road noise made it hard to hear when we were sitting around the fire."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule around weekend events for maximum entertainment value. At Timber Run Campground, one family reports participating in "Bigfoot weekend... Friday night getting the offered $12 BBQ plate... Saturday was rock painting and then bingo and ended the night with a DJ dance party... Sunday we had pancakes and later a visit from RayCEP."
Multiple playgrounds: Friendship Village offers varied play areas for different age groups. A visitor notes, "There is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept" along with a "big and has a place for small or large dogs" in the dog park area.
Swimming options: Crooked Run Campground features a dedicated beach area for campers. "Great place for kids! We love staying at crooked run campground. Has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals. BMX track for kids," writes one frequent visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger RVs near Newburg, Pennsylvania, Friendship Village Campground offers level sites with appropriate space. A visitor recommends: "For big rig campers, you need to stay at the upper portion of the campground at sites 200-500. In my opinion, the best sites to stay at if you have kids are sites 145–171 as those are right beside the jumping pillow, playground and gaga ball pit."
Hookup availability: Full-service hookups are available at most private campgrounds. At Timber Run Campground, sites include "full hookups including 30/50 amp electrical service, water, and sewer connections on mostly gravel pads."
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for premium sites during peak seasons. "Our site was the only one available for that weekend and it was a premium with a large paved patio," reported one Timber Run visitor, noting the amenities included "a patio, 4 nice Adirondack chairs, a double glider, a weber propane grill and built in fire pit."
