Newmanstown, Pennsylvania sits at approximately 435 feet above sea level in the eastern foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The area experiences all four seasons distinctly, with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds near Newmanstown operate seasonally from April through November, with several closing during winter months due to snowfall and freezing conditions.
What to do
Fishing at Scott's Run Lake: French Creek State Park offers two fishing lakes with northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, and various panfish species. The fishing pond at Appalachian Camping Resort provides a more controlled environment. "Caught some cat fish in the pond," reports Michael K., who enjoyed combining fishing with other activities during his stay.
Rail trail access: Campers staying at Jonestown/Hershey KOA can access the Swatara Rail Trail directly from the campground. "Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking. The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc," notes Bobby S., highlighting the multiple activity options available.
Mini golf courses: Several campgrounds offer free or low-cost mini golf. Appalachian Camping Resort provides free mini golf where "You can borrow golf clubs but you do have to buy balls," according to Melissa Y., while other campgrounds charge a small fee for this family-friendly activity.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the thoughtful layout at French Creek State Park Campground, where "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," according to Jen R. The campground's design creates a sense of privacy despite being fully booked during peak season.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness receives consistently high ratings across most Newmanstown area campgrounds. At French Creek State Park, campers note "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes," highlighting the thoughtful amenities that make longer stays comfortable.
Seasonal activities: Starlite Camping Resort offers a rotating schedule of events throughout their May-November season. Elizabeth L. reports, "There are regular activities for all ages including bingo, crafts and live music," making it ideal for families seeking structured entertainment during weekend stays.
What you should know
Uneven terrain: Many campgrounds in the Newmanstown area sit on hilly terrain, creating leveling challenges. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, "Sites are pretty uneven," and Justin B. observed, "Unlevel is an understatement... every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground."
Highway noise: Several campgrounds are located near major highways for convenience, which creates noise concerns. Pinch Pond Family Campground sits near I-76, though its elevation and tree cover help reduce noise. Kathy L. notes another noise source: "Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby."
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds experience water quality problems. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, campers reported, "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay," suggesting bringing extra filtration for drinking water.
Tips for camping with families
Splash parks and pools: Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Eagles Peak offers excellent water features for children. Ashley S. notes, "The splash park is a lot of fun for both the kids and adults," making it ideal for summer visits when temperatures frequently reach the upper 80s.
Playgrounds and recreation: French Creek State Park Campground features "a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground" with "slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line," according to one reviewer, making it perfect for families with children of various ages.
Budget considerations: While most campgrounds offer similar amenities, pricing varies significantly. James F. described Eagles Peak as "expensive but very nice" with "very friendly and helpful staff," suggesting it's "a bit on the expensive side but for an occasional splurge it is wonderful."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Lake-In-Wood Campground, RVers should be aware of tight navigation. Mary C. warns, "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," suggesting arriving during daylight hours for easier setup.
Hookup configurations: Full hookup availability varies between campgrounds. French Creek State Park offers limited full hookup sites (specifically sites 1-7 and 39-47), while Lake-In-Wood provides more options but with potential space constraints. Edward M. describes it as "Very nice and clean campground" with "Some tight spots to navigate through."
Reservation timing: Popular pet-friendly campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. Starlite Camping Resort typically books completely for holiday weekends 3-4 months in advance. Craig F. recommends booking early: "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites."
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