Campgrounds near Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania sit within the northeast region of the state at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,800 feet. The area features a mix of deciduous forest and rolling hills surrounding several lakes and streams. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during day and drop to 55-65°F at night, with higher humidity levels from June through August.
What to do
Hiking at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground: The park features over 26 miles of hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. The Falls Trail System showcases 22 named waterfalls. "The hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained! and the hike back up was again steep but maintained! and you got different falls to look at both ways, I believe there are around 17 waterfalls there?" according to a review from Ricketts Glen State Park Campground.
Fishing at Frances Slocum State Park: The park's 165-acre lake offers fishing opportunities for bass, panfish, and trout. Shoreline fishing is accessible, with several fishing piers available. "The park is nice and very clean. There is also plenty to do with a pool, hiking trails, fishing, and a nice lake with boat rental," notes one reviewer at Frances Slocum State Park Campground.
Adventure activities at Blue Mountain: During non-winter months, the resort transforms its ski slopes into mountain biking trails. "If you choose adventure this is the place for you, ride the ski lifts up to the top of the mountain then you get to bike down it, they have rental bikes available or bring your own. You can also Zip line or swing through the trees if you would rather," mentions a camper from Blue Mountain RV and Camping Resort.
What campers like
Lake views: Many campgrounds feature lakefront sites with direct water access. "We stayed in the large loop, which is a peninsula on Lake Jean. Many of the sites have lake views," shares a visitor to Ricketts Glen State Park.
Spacious sites at Lake Glory: The campground provides larger sites with ample separation between neighbors. "We stay at lake glory every year while visiting Knoebels. It's so much quieter than Knoebels campground and so much more room. We love the creek side sites! Kids can wade in the water to cool off while parents are chatting and cooking just few feet away," notes a reviewer at Lake Glory Campground.
Clean facilities at Stonybrook: The rv campgrounds in Sweet Valley and surrounding areas maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. "The laundry area and shower rooms are beautiful and clean," writes a camper from Stonybrook RV Resort. Another notes, "This place has never come up in any of my searches for a campground but my wife was frantically trying to find a place to stay for Memorial Day weekend. They had one site left that we were lucky enough to grab and I'm glad we did."
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Several Sweet Valley area rv parks have limited operating seasons. Frances Slocum State Park Campground operates from "2nd Fri April to 3rd Sun October," while Lake Glory Campground runs from "April 15 to October 15."
Variable cell coverage: Mobile service can be unreliable at certain campgrounds. "There is no cell service or internet for AT&T users. (Verizon did have some service.)," explains a reviewer from Moyers Grove Campground.
Limited amenities at state parks: Pennsylvania state parks like Frances Slocum have basic facilities. "The bathhouse was clean but not adequate for 73 sites. The campground was about ¾ full and there was often a wait in the bathroom," notes a camper at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Several campgrounds offer swimming options besides lakes. "The pool was warm, clean and enjoyable. There's a nice playground and a GaGa pit. There's lots of space to walk your dog on leash but no dog park," shares a visitor to Stonybrook RV Resort.
Playground access: Check which rv campgrounds near Sweet Valley have updated play equipment. "The playground was really nice," says a reviewer from Splash Magic RV Resort, though others note that some parks need updates: "If I were them I'd add new stuff to playground and clean up the tent sites more," from a Lake Glory review.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to see local wildlife. "We enjoyed our weekend stay at Moyer's Grove. The sites were a nice size and were well shaded. The campground was quiet and peaceful. We saw deer daily. There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes," notes a camper.
Tips from RVers
Terrain considerations: The topography around Sweet Valley requires careful driving planning. "Our site was nice and level side to side," shares an RVer at Stonybrook RV Resort.
Full hookup availability: RV sites with complete utilities are available at several campgrounds. "The sites were all FHU. There seem to be many semi-permanent residents but plenty of room for transients like us passing through," notes a reviewer from Indian Head Campground.
Winter camping options: While many campgrounds close seasonally, a few remain open year-round. "We stayed here during the winter January-February no activities going on. It does offer beautiful views especially covered in snow. Has a heated pool and playground, laundry facilities and a small game. Shower/bathrooms are the best I've ever seen," says a winter camper at Stonybrook RV Resort.