Located in eastern Pennsylvania's Berks County, Shartlesville sits at approximately 500 feet elevation and serves as a convenient base for exploring Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The area's camping season typically runs April through October, with fall bringing cooler temperatures in the 50-70°F range. Most campgrounds near Shartlesville are situated among rolling hills with partial shade from deciduous forests.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake-In-Wood Campground offers a sizeable fishing pond on-site where families can try their luck. "The campground is huge. The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees... They have a big lawn in the middle which rolls down to the lake," notes a camper who visited Lake-In-Wood.
Explore Amish country: Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country places you near authentic Amish experiences. "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," shares one visitor who appreciated the cultural immersion.
Mini-golf: Several campgrounds feature on-site mini-golf courses for family entertainment. "The campground had numerous activities set up all throughout the day and there was something for everyone... This campground has free mini golf. You can borrow golf clubs but you do have to buy balls," reports a camper at Appalachian Camping Resort.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many reviewers specifically note the cleanliness of bathroom facilities near Shartlesville. "The bathrooms were heated, and okay. I didn't care for the shower curtain system it seems less private," mentions a visitor to Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, while another camper at Spring Gulch Resort Campground noted, "Upper showers were much better, no bugs and water was hotter. Heated spa/pool in upper area are a bonus."
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature both indoor and outdoor swimming facilities. At Thousand Trails Circle M, a camper enjoyed that they have "an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site." The variety of water recreation options makes these rv sites near Shartlesville, Pennsylvania popular during summer months.
Wooded settings: Campsites with mature trees provide welcome shade and atmosphere. "We were in loop 700 - very nice, new and well-maintained area with mature trees and lovely fall colors," notes a visitor to Sun Valley Campground, highlighting the natural surroundings that enhance the camping experience at many locations.
What you should know
Shooting range proximity: Several campgrounds sit near shooting ranges, which may impact noise levels. "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner. If your out and about, it won't be an issue," warns a reviewer at Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in this region operate April through October/November. "Very large park. Showed up on Wednesday, and was assigned a spot in loop 700 up on a hill in the center of a ring of trailers, past a lot of full-timers," notes a camper at Sun Valley Campground, reflecting the mix of seasonal and transient campers common in this area.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise. "Downside? Well, let's come back to that 'inconvenient' proximity to interstate 76. For starters, while it is RIGHT NEXT to the highway... you're not going to get away from all of that highway traffic noise," explains a visitor to Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with scheduled events. "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!! It gets very full on the weekends here," shares a family who stayed at Thousand Trails Circle M, emphasizing the popularity of themed weekends.
Pool temperature: Some campgrounds maintain heated pools for comfortable swimming. "The pool was warm, clean and enjoyable. There's a nice playground and a GaGa pit," notes a visitor to Stonybrook RV Resort, highlighting amenities that keep children engaged regardless of weather conditions.
Playground accessibility: Consider proximity to play areas when selecting a site. "The playground was luckily right across from us up on the hill. They also have a Frisbee golf course on site," mentions a camper at Robin Hill Campground, showing how site selection can enhance the family camping experience near Shartlesville.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many RV sites in the region require additional leveling equipment. "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers... Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground," warns an RVer who stayed at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Sewer connection placement: Check sewer connection height before setup. "One star taken away because fire pit is within feet from poop sewer connection of neighbor. Thankfully, they didn't use it, but imagine if they had as we were cooking over the open fire," notes a camper at Appalachian Camping Resort, highlighting a practical concern for RV campers.
Site selection strategy: Early arrival improves your chances for better sites at first-come-first-serve campgrounds. "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you," advises an experienced RVer about camping near Shartlesville, Pennsylvania.
