Located in eastern Pennsylvania, Newmanstown sits in Lebanon County with elevations around 400 feet and average summer temperatures in the mid-80s. The area features a mix of rolling hills and wooded terrain, making it ideal for both primitive camping and luxury glamping experiences. Several campgrounds remain open beyond the typical summer season, with some offering year-round accommodation options.
What to do
Hiking trails: French Creek State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "Lots of nice trails. If you don't want to hang around the campground there are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by," notes one camper.
Fishing opportunities: Several stocked lakes and streams provide excellent fishing near Newmanstown. "We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site," shares a French Creek visitor.
Local attractions: The Newmanstown area serves as a central hub for regional exploration. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, one camper points out, "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."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the Newmanstown region offer generous spacing between campsites. At French Creek State Park Campground, a reviewer appreciated that "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Activities abound for children at most locations. A visitor to Blue Rocks Family Campground shared, "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!"
Pool facilities: Swimming options are available at several campgrounds during warmer months. "The pool is awesome however it's not open very late nor does the staff open it at 11 and I usually had to chase someone down to unlock it," notes a visitor to Mountain Springs Camping Resort, showing pools are popular but hours may vary.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: While some campgrounds operate year-round, many have limited seasons. At Hickory Run Family Camping Resort, which operates April through November, a camper mentioned, "We liked camping here. My kids went fishing and every cast they caught a fish, some were small... but hey the kids had fun."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or activities. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, a reviewer warned, "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner."
Terrain variations: Sites can vary significantly in levelness across the region. "We were in the D loop which is rustic with no hookups. Quiet, very few people mid-week. Spacious sites," noted a French Creek State Park visitor, while another camper at Mountain Springs mentioned "Some campsites are unlevel."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Consider campgrounds with built-in entertainment options. A visitor to Blue Rocks Family Campground raved, "There is really something for everyone at this campground. There is a pool, playground, arcade, fishing pond, glacier rock field to explore and hiking trials. Not to mention a great place for bike riding as well."
Cabin options: For glamping in Newmanstown, Pennsylvania, cabins provide comfort with nature access. At Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Eagles Peak, a reviewer mentioned, "Took the kids and had a wonderful time. Cabins are a little expensive but beautiful."
Bathroom facilities: Check bathroom cleanliness and access, especially important for families. One camper at Hickory Run Family Camping Resort noted, "While the bathrooms were something out of a horror movie, this park is gorgeous," showing that priorities might need to be balanced when selecting a location.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your site based on your specific needs and preferences. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, an RVer advised, "This is my 3rd stay with a Thousand Trails campground and haven't been too impressed and wasn't expecting too much when we drove in. I was pleasantly surprised. The campground is huge but you're not stacked on top of your neighbor like the others."
Hookup considerations: Verify what utilities are available at your chosen site. "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites. Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy," reported a camper at Starlite Camping Resort.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some locations. At PA Dutch Country, a camper warned, "Campground loses a star because the sites are pretty uneven. Not just the one we're on but others as well. The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites."
