Camping near Spring City, Pennsylvania offers diverse terrain for outdoor recreation with elevations ranging from 200 to 800 feet above sea level across Chester County. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winter lows around 25°F. Campgrounds in this area typically operate from April through November with limited year-round options available primarily for RVs.
What to do
Fishing at local ponds: Lake-In-Wood Campground provides a stocked fishing pond for catch-and-release angling. "There is a big lawn in the middle which rolls down to the lake," notes Mary C., while Edward M. adds, "Nice fishing in the lake."
Mini golf courses: Spring Gulch Resort Campground offers a course that could use some updating but remains popular. "Miniature golf course could use some upkeep as there was trash strewn throughout the course," reports Jen R. Another visitor mentioned, "Mini golf was fun but need to be regreened….several holes needed maintenance."
Explore Amish Country: Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country serves as an excellent base for experiencing local culture. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," shares Jill R. The campground is surrounded by "incredibly rich, verdant countryside populated by incredibly rural residents."
Visit local shooting ranges: Several campgrounds mention nearby shooting facilities. "There was a quarry close by so you could hear the trucks beeping and the noise from there but that was the only negative thing," writes one camper at Lake-In-Wood. At Pinch Pond, a reviewer noted, "It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner. If you're out and about, it won't be an issue."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park receives praise for maintenance. "The ENTIRE campground was extremely clean and tidy," states Melissa Y., while another mentions "super clean laundry room and bathrooms." Michael W. adds, "Clean bathhouses, the people that run it are so nice and accommodating."
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out. At Stonybrook RV Resort, Matt S. notes, "Our site is level and beautiful— spacious and beautifully landscaped." Tara N. reports that Pinch Pond has "nice large sites, shade and sunny, full hookups."
Swimming pools: Thousand Trails Circle M offers both indoor and outdoor pools. "They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," writes Leanne B. At Pinch Pond, a camper noted, "Unlike most campgrounds, the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus for me."
Weekend activities: Scheduled events enhance many stays. Appalachian Camping Resort was praised by Melissa Y.: "The campground had numerous activities set up all throughout the day and there was something for everyone...bingo, crafts, a vendor craft show, hot dog eating contest for adults and kids, candy scramble in the dark for adults and kids, a dj Saturday night."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature sloping terrain. At Robin Hill Campground, Felix S. notes it's "in sole serious need of TLC," while Justin B. states, "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground."
Noise considerations: Highway and shooting range proximity affects several locations. At Pinch Pond, Kathy L. observes, "Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby. Fortunately our dog wasn't bothered by the sound of gunshots and it's only during the day."
Water quality varies: Some campers report issues with water systems. Justin B. at PA Dutch Country noted, "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close during winter months. Sun Valley operates from "April 1 to November 1," while Appalachian Camping Resort runs from "April 1 to October 31." Village Scene Park is one of few open "All year."
Proximity to attractions: Location factors heavily into campground selection. As one camper at Pinch Pond mentioned, it's a "nice location for PA Renaissance Fair goers" and offers "convenient [access] to Lancaster, Hershey, and Mount Gretna."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Appalachian Camping Resort offers play areas for kids. "Family friendly. Lots for the kids to do," writes Tracy O. The campground includes "store, pool, cabins, diner, and small kids park on site."
Game room options: Multiple campgrounds offer indoor recreation. At Pinch Pond, Melissa Y. shares, "Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT!"
Halloween celebrations: Fall camping often includes special events. At Circle M, Kasey M. reports, "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!"
Cottage availability: For families without camping gear, rental options exist. Kim W. notes about Robin Hill, "Although they do have sites for tents, this seems to be better suited for RVers and renting cabins. Many of the people we met during our stay are regulars."
Pool hours: Swimming access varies by season and location. "The pool was very nice and refreshing. I liked how the kid area wrapped around and connected to the deeper end," notes Jen R. about Pinch Pond.
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality: Full-service sites are available at most campgrounds. Nick E. at Village Scene Park found, "Sites are narrow and can feel cramped, so don't expect big pull-throughs." Stuart K. adds that it offers "Full-hookup RV sites with 30/50 amp, water, and sewer."
Dump station access: Several parks charge for this service. Stuart notes that Village Scene Park has a "$20 flat dump fee, opened 9-4pm M-F, but closed on the weekends."
Site selection strategy: Choosing locations wisely impacts experience. At PA Dutch Country, Sammii D. advises, "We chose a pull thru for its ease and the extra space it had being on the end." Stuart recommends "the best sites IMHO are those that back up to the periphery."
Early arrival fees: Some parks charge extra for extended hours. At Pinch Pond, "early arrivals/late departures for $3/hour" is available if accommodations permit.
Wi-Fi connectivity: Internet access varies widely. Lori at Sun Valley reported, "Cable does not work. No internet. 2 bars LTE on T-Mobile," while Stuart noted that PA Dutch offers "Wi-Fi service (at a cost)."
