Camping near Shartlesville, Pennsylvania offers varied terrain with elevations between 400-700 feet in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Most campgrounds in the region open from April through October, with some sites sitting on slopes that require careful leveling. The area sees moderate rainfall even in summer months, with thunderstorms common in July and August.
What to do
Hiking to Pinnacle Rock: Access the Appalachian Trail directly from Blue Rocks Family Campground for spectacular hiking opportunities. "It's right at the base of one of the most popular hiking trail, The Pinnacle. It's nestled in the woods and is very rustic. Really gives you that camping feel!" notes Darrien K. The trail offers challenging terrain leading to panoramic views.
Fishing in multiple lakes: Cast your line at Locust Lake State Park Campground where success rates are high, especially for children. "I went there with my son and a friend. We did some kayaking and fishing, it was good! We went in July, and it did rain some," shares Paul J. The park contains both warm-water species and seasonal stocking of trout.
Explore boulder fields: The namesake rock formation at Blue Rocks offers unique geological exploration. "Our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time. primitive but fun!" reports Terri S. These glacial rock formations create natural playgrounds for children and adults alike.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: French Creek State Park provides secluded camping areas with natural separation. "There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well. There are three separate loops to camp at, Loop C is the only loop that allows pets, plus an area for large group camping which can accommodate anywhere from 30 to 60 people," explains Jen R. Most sites feature trees and brush between them, increasing privacy.
Year-round access options: Unlike most seasonal operations in the area, some campgrounds remain open during winter. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby," reports Galit P. about French Creek State Park Campground. This provides options for cold-weather camping when most facilities close.
Clean facilities despite rustic settings: The maintenance at several campgrounds receives consistent praise. "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes. Very nice playground area and clean," notes Jen R. about French Creek. Many campgrounds offer modern bathroom facilities with regular cleaning schedules.
What you should know
Site selection matters: The terrain can create challenges with some campgrounds having significant elevation changes. "It's been 15 years since I've been there, but it was just as I remembered. Sites were a little small and rocky/rooty, but we made it work," advises Joe F. about Locust Lake State Park. Research site maps carefully before booking.
Seasonal crowds impact experience: Peak summer weekends bring significant visitor numbers to popular campgrounds. "We usually stay here for the first trip of our season. It's always clean and the staff are real friendly," shares Jonathan F. about Jonestown/Hershey KOA. Booking well in advance is essential for summer holidays.
Weather preparation essential: The region experiences variable conditions with sudden storms possible. "We had 3 families and sites (2 campers & 1 tent) all sites were decent sizes. We had lake front access to put kayaks in and fish which was awesome. Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach. Beach area was nice. Only downside to our trip was poured every night and one whole day," reports Dawn R. about Locust Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Waterfront activities for kids: Numerous family-friendly water features provide entertainment options. "We were able to fit 5 diapers, a large bottle of suntan lotion, a pack of wipes, snack container, travel changing pad, Matador large NanoDry towel, Matador droplet wet bag and a bottle of milk on the side in the drink pocket. There was still plenty of room to spare," shares Jen R. about hiking with children at French Creek State Park.
Playgrounds and organized activities: Mountain Springs Camping Resort offers structured entertainment for different age groups. "A very nice campground for the family. Super nice and friendly staff. Large size pool for the bigger folks and a walk in pool for the toddlers. Fun activities for all to enjoy," notes Ray B. These amenities provide options during inclement weather.
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds feature animal viewing opportunities. "Goats to pet and watch. There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others," shares Jen R. about Lake-In-Wood Campground. These interactions create memorable experiences for children.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require careful setup due to uneven terrain. "For $80 bucks I expected more. The place is run down and almost feels abandoned. The ring in the pool suggests the water level has been low for a long time. The H sites are somewhat swampy," cautions Felix S. about Robin Hill Campground. Bring extra leveling blocks when camping in this region.
Hookup configurations: Check specific site amenities before booking. "Great place. No water hook up. No sewer hook up. Just electric at certain sites. Convenient paved walking path all around the lake, swimming lake with beach, nice playground for kids," notes Brandon W. about Locust Lake State Park. Many parks offer electric-only sites with central water access points.
Navigation considerations: Access roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "Decent campground, we had a large, fairly shaded, not to horribly out of level site. A lot of seasonal campers that were very nice people. Very nice camp store," advises Jim C. about Mountain Springs Camping Resort. Research site access and turning radius requirements when traveling with larger RVs.
Ranger
