This state park is at the top of the mountain and has a smaller lake perfect for a short kayak trip or fishing. Lovely views from the lake and very nice secluded sites. Our site was up a hill a little but we were good. We were right aside of flushing bathrooms and the dump station. We didn't like you had to go all the way out and around to dump and then out and around again to leave. Other than that very nice park with hiking trails, lots of beautiful pavilions, picnic areas, building that had food for sale, peddle boat and kayak rentals, fishing, beach area for swimming, multiple boat launches. Definitely need a bicycle to get to day use area as the loop is very long. Also, watch for no pets allowed signs as it is just the first part of the sites in Area A.

Beautiful views! What a beautiful campground. So many things to do here! Very family oriented. Pedal carts (some you had to push because the pedals were broken), mini golf, swimming pool, ceramic painting, hiking, fishing, bike riding, sluicing for gems, game room, camp store, ice cream, baked foods, even a winery was there with samples! There is really something for everyone. We stayed creekside so only had electric. The dump was up on the other side so had to pull a U turn, luckily our camper was small enough to make the turn. We really enjoyed this lovely, clean campground and would definitely come back again.

What a park! We loved it here and will definitely be back. This was the quietest campground we have ever stayed at. There was so much to do being on the bay. We went on a hike to check out the lighthouse. We visited an overlook and found a winery on-site. We tried to rent kayaks but there were no doubles available. Next time we will have our own. Our site was directly in front of a small playground with a slide, swings and monkey bars. It was great so our daughter (5) could go when she wanted and we were right there to play and watch. Baltimore is close enough for a day trip so we will plan that on our next trip. The bath houses were clean but no doors on the showers only curtains. The overlook was beautiful and had a winery on-site which was wonderful because it was so hot that weekend. We relaxed and cooled off and refueled and then went to get some milkshakes. We were celebrating our sons and my birthdays while there and enjoyed our long weekend unplugging and being a family.

Very nice family oriented campground nestled against the base of the mountains. I wish there was a better view of the beautiful mountain. Our site was a premium site that included a gas grill. Luckily, no one booked the cabins behind us that weekend or it would have been rather loud as the sites were close together even for a premium site. We were visiting friends in the area and they were able to visit for a small fee. They were then able to utilize the facilities so the kids could swim and play together. Nice playground with a small basketball court. We enjoy staying at state parks more because of the difference in site size but this was a nice change of pace.

If you love hiking and waterfalls then this is the place for you!! Absolutely beautiful displays of nature with over 20 waterfalls some as high as 90 feet! Hiking can be difficult so please be prepared and ensure you are cable of climbing several flights of wet, rocky, muddy steps. The campground itself was very clean with spacious sites. We stayed in the Small loop site 18 and it was in the back of the loop so it was quiet. We had a wonderful time at this park and would visit again in a few years when our kids are older. Our 5 year old did this hike (about 3 miles) and didn't complain she was tired until we got to the parking lot!

This state park is very quiet and clean. The sites were the biggest we've seen in our 20 plus years of camping. We had so much room for our kids and dogs to play it was fantastic. The lake was big enough for boating and kayaking along with fishing and hiking. We had a great time checking out the nature trails and the amphitheater. This place is very large and so are the sites. Facilities are pretty nice and your basic state park amenities. We were very happy and can't wait to come back and go into town to check out the potato chip factory tour in Hanover.

This campground was nice however we really felt like sardines packed in a can. Our site was nice however it backed up to a steep bank for the creek. We have a toddler so it was an adventure keeping an eye out all weekend. She listened well and it wasn't an issue. The playground area was nice enough to keep them busy for about an hour. They had bingo in the hall and I lasted for about 15 minutes until I was thirsty and wanted to go back to my site. They did have a nice lake and beach area with a dock for jumping. We relaxed and had good food and enjoyed our only "beach" time this year. The pool house bathroom was very nice and clean and they had laundry facilities as well. The camp store was very small and there was a small ping pong table in the playground area as well. Staff was friendly and helpful. We may try again in the future.

What a view! Out the rear of the campground was a spectacular view! It's too bad it is mainly seasonal sites back there. This campground is called Robin HILL for a reason. You will get you exercise walking to the pond, pool, capstone or basketball courts. The playground was luckily right across from us up on the hill. They also have a Frisbee golf course on site. There is a pond for fishing however we didn't have any luck. It had a lot of pond scum and there were a lot of duck families around. The pool was very nice and refreshing. I liked how the kid area wrapped around and connected to the deeper end. We enjoyed our time here and would try again but in the lower level.

This place has everything! Mini golf, playgrounds, indoor pool, outdoor pool, hot tub, kiddie pool, Cafe, arcade, camp store, pond with fishing, kayak and peddle boat rentals, hiking, fenced in dog area, walking trails. Not to mention all of the different cabins and specialty houses you can rent like the tree house, train caboose and others. Everything is very clean and the roads are paved which make it great for riding bikes. There are open field areas so you can drive RC cars, play volleyball, catch, Frisbee or whatever. Lots to do here and something for everyone. Nice size sites as well. Ours was nice with a lower fire pit area. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the seasonal site behind us had their solar lights on the whole time. They were very bright and made it difficult to enjoy the fire at night.

We love Knoebels and for anyone who has never been it is an amusement park in Elysburg, PA. It is in the mountains and fun for all ages. The best part is parking is free, park admission is free, tickets are reusable and never expire. So you can walk around and only pay for the rides you want to go on or buy an all day ride pass. We go the same weekend every year and usually stay at the campground. It is nice because you are right at the park but it is electric only hookups. They have water filling stations and a dump station but for the price it would be nice for more. There is also only one small playground at the very bottom of the grounds. I understand we are at an amusement park however this time of year they have modified hours. The sites were very close together as well. We had a friend stay directly behind us. We were all but on top of each other. The bath houses are in need of some updating but the were pretty clean so that was fine with me. I was just glad for a flushing toilet. We still had a fantastic time riding on the rides and eating awesome food. Can't wait u til next year.

This cabin was absolutely amazing. It is off of a stone road in Rothrock State Forest in a gated community. The instructions for gaining access to the community and to the cabin were provided by the owners. We had two families here which were four adults and three children. There was plenty of room for everyone. There were two full bathrooms a small kitchen, dining area, a living room equipped with movies since there was no cable or internet service, a side room off of the kitchen with an electric stove which heated the property. There was also a side and rear deck equipped with a picnic table, chairs and a gas grill. There were also three fire pits around the property to choose from which was great. The back yard was huge and was great for the kids to run around and play football and tag. There was also a horseshoe pit with shoes provided. All kitchen items for eating and cooking were provided. There was a coffee pot as well along with a toaster. Hiking at nearby Trough Creek State Park was amazing and we went to see the Balanced Rock. We also went to Raystown Lake visitor area and checked out the beach area and got some nice photos of the lake. We then headed to the nearby town of Huntingdon and went to Ferguson's Pub for lunch. The food there was great and the owner and waitress were extremely nice. I highly recommend giving them a visit while in town. I recommend the chicken bacon ranch wrap! There is a nearby antique car museum as well and local shopping. There really is something for everyone to do here. Not to mention boating, hiking, camping at the state park and just enjoying nature at it's finest. We had such a relaxing time here I can't wait to come back!

We are avid campers ranging from our early days of remote, rustic tent camping with just the two of us and 20 years later upgraded to our travel trailer that houses our two kids and two dogs. We love going on different adventures and experiencing new ideas so when we came across Tentrr we really wanted to see what it was all about. This location was about an hour and a half away from our home so it was far enough to feel like we were getting away but close enough that we could be home quickly in case of an emergency since we decided to make this an adult trip. It was a beautiful drive to the campsite and we drove by a few times because I didn’t see the small Tentrr sign on the mailbox post. We eventually figured it out and we found the host aside of the dirt lane chopping wood. He greeted us and took up back to the campsite. It was at the far end of his property right up against the property line which was a small wire fence. We were a little disappointed at how close the neighboring structures were however that was behind the tents and didn’t impede the magnificent view looking out to the front of the campsite. He showed us around and made sure we were comfortable with everything. We had pre-ordered firewood and he already had it stacked by the firepit ready to be burned. We got settled in and unpacked our supplies and set up our camp. Already provided was a large canvas tent that housed a queen bed with two night stands along with some books, an air mattress pump, lantern and some bee spray. Behind that was another tent pad with a 4-6 person tent already set up with a queen size air mattress already blown up. It would have been perfect for another couple or kids. I was extremely excited to camp in a tent with a stove in it and once we had unpacked and the host left I noticed the stove was not in the tent. I was so disappointed. We packed assuming that there would be a stove to help keep us warm at night. It went down to 40 degrees that night so we had to make due with extra layers and bundle up but we made it through the night. However, the stove in the tent was the thing I was looking forward to the most and I feel like I didn’t get the whole experience. There were also two Adirondack chairs on a nice sized front deck of the tent along with tiki torches which definitely helped at night for late night trips to the bathroom. Along side of the tent was the privy and loo. Also provided was a small picnic table with cabinets which stored some additional supplies like baggies for the loo, paper towels, matches and newspaper for the fire. There was also a 5 gallon water container and we were advised of where we could fill up if need be which was just at the bottom of the field near the entrance to the campsite. However we also brought 5 gallons of water so we were good. There was also a small charcoal grill provided however we brought along our campstove because it is like an extension of me that I can’t camp without. Alongside the table were two hammocks. The way they were set up was a little awkward because they bumped into each other since there were only three posts they were hanging on. I tend to get really motion sick so I could only sit on it for a few minutes and had to get off. If you want to have a campfire at this site be prepared to walk for the firepit is a good distance away. Although you did get a nice view of the steer and sheep in the next field while watching the fire I think it would have been much better to put the pit out in front of the tent and hammocks instead of off to the side. When I make my site I like my fire to be in the center of my campsite whenever possible. The way this was set up made it feel like we were just sitting out in the middle of a field. Although, I really did enjoy being able to cook over the fire as there was a swinging fire grate on site. We roasted some jalapenos over the fire and then made jalapeno popper dip. It was awesome! We cooked dinner over the fire as well which was just as delicious. The best part of this trip was definitely the views. You look out over the field and see the mountains in the background with the river running between them and it just takes your breath away. We also happened to be camping when there was a full moon. The stars and moon were absolutely amazing. We got some great night shots and the moon is so bright it actually looks like the sun in the photos. As I mentioned earlier we did a lot of rustic camping and we did that in a state forest where we were the only people around sometimes for miles. We have also done the family campgrounds and state park camping as well. This site was probably a good compromise in between as far as how remote the site was and the noise factor. I think this would be great for a family who are just starting to get interested in camping and would like to experience it first without making a large investment into buying your own equipment. I would do this again for a special occasion however I don’t think I would spend that amount of money each time when I already have all of my own equipment and can go more remote camping for much cheaper. It was definitely fun and we had a very relaxing time just hanging out with our dogs and each other. The whole process was smooth from the booking online to checking out. Our host, Tigran, was very nice and communicated very well before and during our camping experience. This was a great way to social distance so if you need to get away this is a great place to start. Adventure is out there!

If you are looking for peace and quiet then look no further! Hidden Acres Family Campground is the place you want to go. This wonderful campground is nestled in the farm land of Coatesville, Pa. There is a little something for everyone here and it is very reasonably priced and is equal to most sites we stay at…maybe even a little cheaper. It was $52 a night for water, sewer and electric. Amenities include camp store with slushies, ice cream and firewood, full size basketball and volleyball courts, game room, pool, laundromat, pavilions, freshwater catch and release pond for sunnies and bass and nearby parks and walking trails as well. If you hang a left out of the campground on your bicycle there is a development right across the street that makes a nice loop or if you take the second left onto Highpoint Lane, it will loop right around and take you right back out the way you came. It makes a nice loop if traveling with kids if the campground doesn't do it for you. There are two playgrounds, the larger one featuring one of the world's longest original steel sliding boards! There are also different terrain to choose from for your site. There are grassy, wooded areas with electric and water and would make nice tents sites as well or larger gravel sites with full hook ups. The seasonal sites seem to have the best spots which in a campground is usually the case. We were in the lower lot site 7 and it was rather large. It was right at a drop off of a good 30-40 feet which was a little stressful with a 3 year old but she listened and stayed away luckily. We definitely had to keep an extra eye out all weekend. 

The best part of the weekend was that we were celebrating out daughter's third birthday and the theme for the weekend was Christmas in July. They had Santa Claus visit and read the kids a story. They had their picture taken with a new Polaroid camera so it popped out a little photo and we were able to choose either a magnet or shelf picture frame. They even had little winter themed stickers to go over the photo as a border. They also had games and crafts for the kids. They also gave them so much candy and snacks and the most beautiful Christmas cookies. It was only $2 per child and they made out like bandits. 

The peace and quiet was exactly what we needed. Since we were near the pond once dusk came you could hear the frogs which was really cool. Other then that there was no traffic or any exterior noise pollution other then the noises from the campground. The staff was very friendly and helpful during the whole reservation process and checking in. We absolutely loved staying here and will definitely stay here again.

Blue Rocks family campground is close to I78 however it is still off the beaten path. It is very peaceful to camp here as you have different types of environments. You can be down near the creek and in the open more, in the wooded areas, or you can be near the corn field and glacier rock field. Our campsite had a great view of the glacier rock field and the corn field. Upon arrival we realized that our camper was not going to fit on the site we reserved. The office was very easy to work with and we easily traded sites. It worked out great as we were able to get a full hookup without having to pay anything extra! There were bath houses close by however they were still closed. The outhouses however we open for use which was nice for our friends who were tent camping. There is really something for everyone at this campground. There is a pool, playground, arcade, fishing pond, glacier rock field to explore and hiking trials. Not to mention a great place for bike riding as well. Our friends were able to camp right aside of us in their tent and use our RV site for cooking and campfire. We really enjoy it at this campground and are looking forward to going back again. We even staked out some of the good sites so next time we know exactly what we will be getting.

River Rock Adventures- Bainbridge, Pa- Lancaster County- Campground Review As a Ranger on The Dyrt, I sometimes receive compensation for reviews like this one. We just got back today from our weekend camping trip and we had so much fun that I couldn’t wait to come home and write about our adventure. We booked our trip on The Dyrt website. We immediately got confirmation our reservation request was received. We received a followup email a week before our trip. We were able to ask questions and ensure we were prepared for our trip. Our questions were answered and we were ready to go! The whole process was easy and we didn’t have any issues with making our reservation. This was a unique experience as you rent the entire campground. You pull back a stone road past the Northwest Lancaster Trail and just before the river there is a green cattle gate on your right. The gate is nice to keep closed since the trail is very close and we were told sometimes hikers get off course thinking that is the trail. As you pull back towards the river you see a large family size port o potty on your left and you pull back further into camp where there is a picnic table and covered kitchen area equipped with a charcoal grill/smoker combo and hand washing station. There was a nice area for us to keep our dry storage and food totes and to set up our camp stove for our cooking and prep area. There are two large tent pads directly a side of the river and three more tent areas in the wooded areas of the campground. In the rear of the property there was an awesome outdoor shower equipped with a filled solar shower ready for us to use. Near the two tent pads there was even a boat launch. We saw maybe about a dozen boats over the weekend so it wasn’t heavily traveled. When we arrived there was a very nice gentleman named Colby who met us and showed us around the grounds. He explained everything and gave us a welcome packet that had stickers, maps of the local attractions and hiking areas and general information about the area which was very helpful. As I mentioned they provided the solar shower filled with water, a 5 gallon container of fresh water and filled the hand washing station with fresh water which was fantastic to have as we had three children ranging in age from 10 to 2. Colby informed us that we were among the first 5 groups that had camped there. He said they would eventually like to be able to provide more items like tents, kayaks, bicycles, fishing gear and anything you would need for camping. We have our own camping equipment as we started out with very rustic, deep woods camping so that would not be a feature that would attract me to camping here. However, for someone who has never camped before and just wants to try it to see if they like it, I believe that would be a great idea so they don’t have to make a large investment into equipment they may only use once if they end up not enjoying camping. One of the major downfalls to camping here is that there is an electric plant directly across the river. It was loud on Friday night to the point where we were having to speak very loudly in order to hear each other. It was like a white noise so at least it put me to sleep when that time came. THANKFULLY, the plant shut down sometime early Saturday morning and it was quiet the rest of the weekend. I don’t know how it would be camping here during the week so BE AWARE! Despite the power plant there is really a lot to do so you shouldn’t be bored. As I mentioned there is the Northwest Lancaster Trail to walk along, ride your bike, geocache or check out the Edible Forest. We found some raccoon tracks in the mud down by the river and checked out the scenery of the York Haven Catwalk. You can fish, go out on the boat, hang by the river, relax in the hammocks provided. There is also a Ghost Town nearby and a historic mansion. There are three options for pricing. Option 1 is$90/night for three people and that includes 2 hammocks and 1 bundle of wood. Option 2 is$150/night for up to 6 people and that includes 3 hammocks and 2 bundles of wood. Option 3 is$200/night for up to 10 people and that includes 4 hammocks, 3 bundles of wood and fishing gear. You can also purchase additional fire wood, hammocks or rent fishing gear. We had a great time and made some great memories with our friends and families. Product Review: Grub Stick As a Ranger for The Dyrt I sometimes am provided products to use and review. This trip we used and reviewed a product called Grub Stick. It is a telescoping stick with interchangeable attachments. There are three different packages you can order. Basically, there is a small, medium and large package. The small is the basic with the stick, hotdog fork, smore cage and the tool to open the cage while hot. The medium includes two sticks, two hotdog forks, smore cage, hamburger cage, silicone hotpad, tool to open cages, bacon clip and the small and large grub tubes. The master kit comes with two of everything except the tool and bacon clip. I read some reviews on this product and some of them were not too good so I really didn’t know what to expect. However, I was pleasantly surprised. We started with using the burger attachment however we roasted pineapple slices and peach halves. Oh boy, were they delicious! I thought it worked perfectly for what we were trying to accomplish. The tool is very simple to operate to open the cages. The silicone handle really gives you a good grip so you don’t slip and burn your hand on the hot cage. Next, we made the pizza tube recipe on the grub sticks website. We took pizza dough and wrapped it around the large grub tube. We cooked it over the fire until it was golden brown and it easily slipped off of the tube. Our string cheese was already softened so we did not use the hotdog attachment to soften as directed on the website. Next, we added pizza sauce and dug in. They were delicious! I can’t wait to try cinnamon rolls or crescent rolls next time! After we ate dinner we made smores. We got out the smore cage and I will tell you folks, this was the one attachment I was not sure I was going to like. We built our smores and closed the cage and over the fire it went. You definitely have to rotate it and make sure you get your marshmallow toasted. Otherwise, if you don’t you will just have a burnt graham cracker and non-toasted marshmallow and hard chocolate. Nobody wants that. I also wasn’t sure if I would like my graham cracker toasted. Well folks, I was completely wrong. They. Were. Awesome! We also toasted some marshmallows using the fork and didn’t have any problem with them sliding off. We let the centers of the marshmallows cool and collapse and then added some Irish Cream. I wasn’t a big fan as you will see in my pictures but everyone else enjoyed them. I absolutely cannot wait to use this again and try different recipes. Pros: Silicone handled tools made them extremely easy to handle and use. All kits come with a handy carrying bag so you don’t lose all of the pieces. The attachments were very easy to change out and use. The telescoping feature is great. It is a thicker pole also, not thin like some of the others I have bought in the past. Cages can be used for multiple purposes. The grub tubes were a great way to be able to“bake” without using a dutch oven. Cleaned up nicely after using. This is the perfect set for cooking if you are a single person or a couple who are backpacking. Cons: Unless you have multiple grub sticks it would take forever to cook for a lot of people. This worked great to make some appetizers and desserts however I couldn’t imagine cooking a full meal for a group of people. The bacon clip should be able to handle a little thicker bacon. I did not have any problem with this but according to other reviews some people had issues with the attachment screw breaking. I don’t have too many bad things to say about this product. I really was skeptical at first but I am now a believer. I had so much fun using this and I can’t wait to do it again. Thanks for reading and happy camping!

This is a very nice cabin with three bedrooms, a loft area and 1.5 bathrooms, LR, kitchen and small dining area. There is a large deck with a few chairs and a picnic table. You travel down a non-paved road and into the middle of absolute peacefulness. I sat on the porch for about an hour trying to hear something other than acorns falling, birds chirping and airplanes to no avail. There is a fire pit area however due to the rain we had all of the wood was wet and we were not able to get one started. The sofa in the LR was broken. It almost looked like someone jumped off of the balcony onto it. There was a bachelor party in there just before us so it looks like that had a good time. Also, all of the beds were absolutely not comfortable AT ALL. My back hurt so badly I almost slept on the floor. There is a TV there but no cable however there is internet so they have Hulu, Netflix, ROKU, Amazon Video and a lot of other ways to watch shows if you want. There is a washer and dryer, air conditioning and a wood stove for heat. They also have a crib for infants and a high chair which was very nice as we had a 1 year old at the time. The kitchen was also stocked with appliances, dishes, cups, cooking items, silverware and amenities so we didn't have to drag everything plus the kitchen sink along. Pets are allowed however there is no smoking. You have to be at least 25 years old to rent the cabin. Raystown Lake is very close by and so is Trough Creek State Park. There is a suspension bridge at the park, Balanced Rock and Rainbow Falls. We had a fantastic time and look forward to heading back to the area again someday soon. Everything was stocked very well and we definitely enjoyed our stay.

French Creek State Park

Loop C Site 36

Hey everyone! Ranger Jen here with my first camping trip of the season for 2019. We have been having a crazy amount of rain here in Pennsylvania so due to weather related issues we haven’t been able to get out there until now. We absolutely love camping at French Creek for several reasons. The first has to be the sites. As long as you don’t stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site. There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can’t even really see your neighbors. Secondly, the price you pay for what you get is extremely cost effective. It cost us $65 for the weekend plus a $6 service fee for using the Reserve America website. We had electric however no water or sewer hookup. There was a spigot for water at the next site over from us, so we didn’t have to walk far to get fresh water. This is a great place to stay for a family or the outdoor enthusiast as there is so much to do. There is a huge lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks. A huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake. There are trails for mountain biking or hiking, a frisbee golf course, playground at the campground and at the lake, and an amphitheater at the campground where they hold events and Sunday morning church services. Not to mention close by there is Hopewell National Furnace and St. Peter’s Village with shops and restaurants and hiking trails as well. There are also two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish, kayak, canoe or just relax by. There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish. If RV or tent camping is not your thing there are also two Yurts and one cabin available for rental as well.

We have stayed at French Creek in the past however, we have never stayed in Loop C before. This is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved, and we didn’t have any problems as we took our walks around the loop. At the bath house there are two sinks for washing dishes and a counter to set them on which is nice. They are deep sinks also with HOT water. I was very disappointed in the cleanliness of the women’s bathroom. Let me just say I went one time and didn’t go back. Luckily, we have a cassette toilet in our camper. Normally, I just use that in the middle of the night but not this time. The campground hosts were nice and helpful however I don’t think they are responsible for cleaning the bathrooms. However, someone should look into having it done ASAP.

Product Review

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time and this weekend I was testing Morsel Sporks. We had two sizes which were the XL and the mini. Upon ordering I was thinking the mini would be a good size for our almost 2 year old and my husband, son and I would use the XL’s. I was surprised at the size of the XL when they arrived in the mail. I was originally thinking how am I going to use this gigantic thing but the more I used it the happier I was with the size.

Pros:

The XL is perfect for getting down to the corner of your bagged meals, scraping the sides of your bowl without the worry of scratching due to the rubber edges which also helps to conform to any hand. I used it to mix my pancake batter. The fork worked great to whisk the eggs and the spoon side was great for getting down into the mix to ensure it was all mixed in. I also made chili and it was great for stirring as you are not to fry with them however you can submerge them in hot water. We also used them to eat our chili. It was funny as my husband was using the spoon side and me the fork side. What do you eat your chili with? Let the great debate begin! P.S. – It was a think chili however I did end up flipping it over at the end to scrape my bowl with the spatula. What was especially nice with the XL was that once I did flip it over to use the other end my hand was able to stay in the same place and not get full of sauce. I can’t stand when I get something on my utensil and then it gets on my fingers. That was always a problem I had with other products like this in the past. The XL is 10.5 inches long and the mini is 7.5 inches long. The mini has been great to travel with for our daughter. She uses it to eat everything from applesauce, hotdogs, mac and cheese, ice cream, Rita’s and yogurt.  It is very lightweight (.6 oz mini, .85 oz XL) yet durable, so she can be rough with it and it holds up. Let’s be real, we all know our kids throw stuff. The material which is plastic is very easy to clean as well and doesn’t get greasy. I even use mine at work. #1 it cuts down on plastic wear in the garbage and #2 because the plastic wear is cheap, and it just bends under the pressure of just trying to eat. Seriously, it bends when I try to eat a salad. There is also a hole, so you can clip it to your pack. Plus, this product is made in the USA and they offer a lifetime guarantee as long as it is under normal conditions. There is also just a spoon/spatula that can be purchased along with a combo of the products. The cost is very reasonable and it is a lifetime guarantee so all the more reason to spend for the quality.

Cons:

I have done some research and have found that some left-handed people have some trouble using the product. Maybe if they angled the bottoms it would help. Also, it would be nice to have the XL handle size with the size of the mini ends. My husband who is a cancer survivor has issues eating due to reconstructive surgery on his jaw. He can only open his mouth so wide. He did okay but after a while it was making his mouth tired to be opening it to get it in his mouth. Maybe if it was a little slimmer it would help. The fork side is really pointy as well so if you have this in your backpack you may want to wrap something around it to ensure you don’t poke a hole in anything you don’t want a hole through. I think it would be cool to have a glow in the dark version of these products as well. There is not a sharp knife so if you are eating meat or something that requires cutting you will most likely need something else. Overall, I was very happy with this product. I will definitely be looking into getting some more.

Thanks for reading and happy camping!

Otter Creek Campground Review

Otter Creek is located at 1101 Furnace Rd, Airville, PA 17302 and is directly aside of the Susquehanna River and Otter Creek in York County. This campground is perfect for all kinds of people from family, campers, boaters, fishers, someone who is seeking rest and relaxation, peace and quiet, adventure seekers on the river, history enthusiasts, trail seekers, nature lovers and more!

We stayed over Labor Day weekend however it rained so badly on Friday night that York was flooded in several areas so we decided to stay home and leave on Saturday morning. I am so glad we did because roads we needed to travel on were closed and we wouldn’t have gotten through anyway. Luckily on Saturday we didn’t run into any problems on our travels.

The campground itself is up on the hill overlooking the river. As you pull into the driveway you are directed to the right and you pull up to a gate. We were buzzed in and followed the signs to check in upon arrival. The camp store was very nice with basic RV equipment and accessories. There was also a small variety of food available like peanut butter and jelly, milk, marshmallows, candy, gum and they also had hard Turkey Hill ice cream. Upon checking in we were greeted by a very nice woman behind the counter and received the information on the events planned for the weekend. We purchased our firewood (tractor bucket full for $35) and proceeded to our site #21. That was a great price and it lasted us for both nights we were there. We pulled around and found our site easily and got set up. Our site was very large and there was a wooded area between both sites aside of us. They both looked to be permanent sites. Once we had our popup set up and everything in order we were ready to start our fire and relax.

The campground was very family friendly. There was a nice playground with a rockwall, slides and swings. There was also a volleyball court along with two horseshoe pits. They had a few kid friendly events planned like the Hershey Zoo and Family Bingo. They also had a food truck on site on Saturday for a few hours. Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society. Across the river there was a wildflower sanctuary and Wind Cave that could be accessed by ferry or you can drive there and park along the road.

The river is only a short walk from the campground which is directly across the street at Otter Creek Picnic Area where there are private and public boat docks. You could easily fish from anywhere along the riverside and there was even an area where there were a few baby swings and open area for play. There was a small parking lot which would accommodate up to 10 to 15 cars. The parking lot is located on a series of corners so be careful when pulling into the lot.

Unfortunately, with all of the rain we have had here in Pennsylvania this summer the river was brown with mud and tree debris. There was no way any fish was going to see anything in that water. Our son wanted to try but the only thing he caught were branches. The ground aside of the river was also so saturated from flooding it was difficult to walk though without sinking into the ground. It was still very neat and relaxing to hear the rushing of the water from the campground.

There was one main bathhouse with flushing toilets, running water and pay showers. It was $0.50 for 6 minutes as per the sign however when I put my quarters in I got 7 minutes on the clock! I am not complaining. I made sure to use every second of that nice hot shower. There was plenty of room in the shower and stall however the shower curtain could have been a little bigger. It looked like a curtain for a single shower stall instead of a double which is what you would have needed. So the bench where my clothing was got a little wet and the floor in the dressing area was pretty flooded. Other than that it was very refreshing and well needed.

The campground is on about 4 acres. It was uphill in parts so it was nice to be able to walk our two dogs around in a large circle without having to leave the campground. They were pretty pooped by the time we got back and were ready to rest by the fireside. There was a nice pavilion right aside of the playground which was only one road behind us. We could hear our son from our campsite. There were also several outhouse buildings where there were two or four stalls with a sink. It was an outhouse but with a regular toilet with seat and lid. The only difference was there was a hole instead of flushing. We were right in the middle of two and close enough to the main bathhouse as well so we had several options for restroom use besides the one in our popup.

We all had a fantastic time and I would highly recommend this campground if you are looking for an affordable, out of the way, off the beaten path,  peaceful and relaxing time to just be lazy and do whatever you feel at the moment. We love to travel to different campgrounds to check out new things and see nature however I am going to add this campground to my list of places for a return visit.

Camp Review

I had the pleasure of staying at Camp Serranova which is for non-profit organizations with our cub scout pack from Thursday night to Sunday morning. We had an absolute blast! The camp is privately run and sits back in the woods of Macungie, Pa. It is minutes down the road from Bear Creek Mountain Resort and about 25 minutes from Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown.

There are a few camping options available at the camp for your non-profit organization.

Individual Tent Camping Sites = $50.00 per weekend, per site.

Unlimited Group Tent Camping = $100.00 annually per group.

Adirondack Cabins = $90.00 per weekend. (5 Cabins each sleeps 6 total 30)

Memorial Lodge [lower building] = $125.00 per weekend.  (Cabin sleeps about 25)

Bender Building [upper building] = $150.00 per weekend.  (Cabin sleeps about 35)

Entire Camp = $300.00 per weekend.

We were supposed to stay in the Adirondack Cabins which were really neat. They were three sided structures with about a 6 foot roof overhang. They were then screened in and there were 6 bunks that were just plywood. You would definitely want to bring a sleeping pad or pool float or child’s air mattress to sleep on. You cannot drive directly up to the cabins. You need to park down below and walk up the side of the hill approximately 100 yards away to get to the cabins. There is an outhouse nearby however there is no running water. They were in the process of building a pavilion for an Eagle Scout project so we had to stay in the Memorial Lodge. We had to pack up our stuff we already lugged up the hill and move all the way to the other side of the camp. This was annoying as I had my stuff all ready to go and had my 1 year old daughter with me and had to relocate. However, I was glad we were in the cabin as we got a few really bad thunderstorms over the weekend.

Once we arrived at the Memorial lodge we were set up in a few minutes. There were two separate rooms for sleeping quarters. The adults stayed in the smaller room which had seven beds. The large main room is where the boys slept. There was a loft area with two ladders to climb up and most of the boys slept up there. A few slept down below which I am sure was much cooler! There was a large wood stove in the middle of the room and two picnic tables. There was a kitchen as well equipped with a refrigerator, gas stove top with flat griddle and two burners, microwave and toaster oven. Off of the back of the cabin was a large deck with three picnic tables and two sets of stairs off of the deck which lead to a large fire pit and out into the woods. It was very peaceful and beautiful. Some yellow leaves were even starting to fall as the wind blew from the incoming storms and I can only imagine how beautiful it would be to stay there during fall.

There was a large pond about 50 feet from the cabin which was great because the boys had a wonderful time fishing at their own leisure. The main fish that was caught was trout. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures with the catches! We also used the pond for the boats the boys built out of sticks and string and all equipped with a tea candle. They worked in teams and built a total of four boats. Each one was unique and they had all day to work on them. We all assembled before dinner on Friday and tied the boats together about five feet apart. We set all of them in the water and lit the candles. The boys stood back on the bank about ten feet and once the boats were floating they all launched small pebbles and rocks at the water. The goal was to put out the candle, not sink the boats. It didn’t take long for all of the candles to go out but they had a great time throwing stones. Not only that they worked together to build something and they all had fun.

There was a large open grassy area with a hill aside of the pond by the pavilion. This hill was absolutely perfect for the 100 foot tarp we used for our giant slip and slide! Normally I would have been in line with the boys however I have had experience with slip and slides and let me tell you my body does not recover like a 9 year old boy would recover. So I passed and just watched the shear joy and fun on their faces as they were cruising down the hill. We used some soap and hooked up a hose to the water faucet near the upper cabin. I said earlier there is no running water however there are two faucets to get fresh water. There are no bathrooms or sinks in the cabins or out houses that have running water.

In the afternoon after the thunderstorm rolled through the boys spent the afternoon making tool boxes. We had a pre-cut kit and they had to arrange in the correct order, insert the nails and hammer together. We had a branding iron in the shape of the a fleur de lait which is the boy scout symbol. An adult was branding the bottom of the tool boxes and after that was done the boys stained them. It really brought out the branding very nicely and they all looked great. The rest of the afternoon the boys had free time and spent it by fishing, hiking, playing in the fort they created, playing games, whittling or sleeping. Please note - all boys have to have pocket knife training before they are allowed to carry and use a knife on their own. Also, the fort they created was dismantled and no trace was left behind when we left. They ended the evening by making jiffy pop (which some boys have never seen before!!) and glow bracelets and necklaces. They couldn’t wait for lights out after we gave them the glow items.

The camp was extremely quiet and peaceful. Some of the grass was a little high which was concerning considering tick season is full blown right now and Pennsylvania is experiencing an invasive new tick species. So we were constantly having the boys check themselves for ticks. The caretaker was very friendly and tried to accommodate us however he could considering we couldn’t stay where we originally booked. Overall I give this camp a 4.5 star rating. We are looking forward to coming back here next year and staying in the Adirondack Cabins.

Product Review

This trip was the perfect opportunity to try out a product I was testing. As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time and this weekend I was testing Nature’s Coffee Kettle. Believe me, coffee was an absolute necessity this weekend. We only got about 5 hours of sleep the first night so I was not looking forward to making coffee the next morning. However, all I had to do was boil water. Easy right? Absolutely!! All you need is hot water and you open the top of the package and slowly pour in one cup of water. Let it steep and it will slowly flow to the bottom of the bag. That’s right! It brews right in the bag!! Then, after the first cup drains you pour in the rest of the three cups. Each bag makes four cups of coffee. I didn’t want to overfill so I pre-measured out four cups prior to boiling in my tea kettle. It is important to read the directions and follow them in order to ensure a great cup of coffee. Once it brewed for about five minutes, or after you cook three packages of bacon, it was ready to drink.

Pros:

I was completely surprised at how simple it was. I twisted off the cap and poured out a delicious cup of Colombian coffee. The bag was warm but not hot. I didn’t need a heating pad or anything to hold it but beware it can get very warm. It had a wonderful aroma and had a great bold taste. I added my creamer and oh the taste was exactly what I needed as it helped wake me up and get me going for the day. It is a resealable bag so I was able to continue to drink the coffee as the day went on even though it had cooled off. I actually rather enjoyed it as a cold coffee maybe even more so than hot. It was great to be able to walk around the camp and carry my coffee kettle everywhere with me. A great cup of coffee was only a reach away at all times. It really made it nice not having to stop what I was doing to walk back to the cabin to refill my cup considering sometimes we were pretty far away from the cabin.

Cons:

Since the bag is reusable I wanted to make sure it was dried out completely before storing. I had to prop the bag upside down and it kept falling over. It would be nice if there was a stand available to help hold the bag up so you can dry it out for your next use. If you are backpacking or on the road you also may not have a measuring cup nearby. I would suggest marking a line on the bag so you know where to stop so you don’t overfill.

Other than those two suggestions I really didn’t see any other cons about this product. I think the company did an overall fantastic job in their design. They have minimal waste and have created a product that is extremely versatile and affordable. This product allows you to be able to enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or hot apple cider on the go and wherever you go. Camping, hiking, in the car, at your child’s sporting events, add to your emergency kit, backpacking or at home. They even make refills that you can order since you can use the kettle multiple times. They have several different flavors of coffee such as guatemalan, french roast, sumatra, blueberry and hazelnut. They also have a variety pack as well. I am very excited to get and try out some of their other products. I give this product a 5 star rating! I was super impressed and will definitely be purchasing more in the very near future!

Campground Review

French Creek State Park is a 7,526-acre Pennsylvania state park in North Coventry and Warwick Townships in Chester County and Robeson and Union Townships in Berks County which is approximately 15 miles southeast of Reading. This is a beautiful state park with so many wonderful activities. There really is something for everyone here and if you can’t find it you aren’t looking very hard. We LOVE camping here as the campsites are not right on top of one another. 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. All sites do not have a water hook up but there is water available and some sites have electric. For an electric site it was the standard State Park fee of 33.50 per night. Also, since this is a State Park there is no alcohol allowed. The Park Rangers drive by regularly which is nice in case you are having any problems or just have general questions about the park. Another feature about this campground which is nice is that they have campground hosts. These are volunteers who stay at the site long term and help out changing tags at sites, cleaning up trash, helping campers with problems or questions, etc. You get to camp for free by being a host so if you are interested in this there is information available on their website. We had some friends who camped with us so we were able to rent two sites aside of each other which was great. We had sites #32 & #34 in Loop B and the kids had a lot of room to run and play between the two sites. We were able to book our sites online which was also a nice feature. The website is very easy to use and you can also call a phone number and they can help you book your stay at any State Park. All sites have a flat paved area for your camper. If you have a large camper or 5th wheel you may need to double check what sites can accommodate your RV to ensure you have enough room. It was nice to just be able to back up our camper and have it mostly level already. Mostly every site that I saw also had a grassy area which is fantastic when you have young kids. I am not a fan of all gravel sites! Our picnic table was definitely in need of replacement. If you leaned on it the wrong way the whole thing would shift and the benches were coming off. The other table at the other site was sturdier and much newer.

The bathroom at the campground is very nice and new however it is a little on the dirty side. I don’t know if they have anyone who goes around to clean the bath houses but it certainly was in need of cleaning. There are two large showers as well with very warm water. I was able to shower with my infant daughter and had no issues with trying to maneuver around while holding her. There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line. All kids and adults agreed it was the most fun! If you don’t want to hang around the campground there are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by. There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish. Ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored. There is also a pool and another playground near the park office. Not to mention the many trails for walking, hiking or biking as well! There are a ton of picnic tables too so you can take a lunch and just sit by the lake to relax and have a bite to eat. We have also attending an Orienteering event here which was nation wide and really exciting. People came from all over the country to attend which was really a great experience. There is also a frisbee golf course in the woods to make it even more interesting and competitive. The trees definitely make it harder! I have come to realize that I am not good at golf, frisbee or regular. Oh and don’t forget about the horseback riding! Please bring your own horse - no rentals available. If you are local I would recommend bringing some of your own firewood. There is not a camp store where it is available for purchase. You can find some for sale from the neighboring homes but it’s not always a guarantee. If you can’t find enough to keep you busy at the campground or park there are a few attractions nearby. There is the Reading and Berks County Visitors Bureau and Chester County Visitors Bureau, State Game Lands 43, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and Daniel Boone Homestead.

We really enjoyed camping here again and look forward to our next overnight trip. We like it so much here we take day trips here. It is such a beautiful area with all of the trees and natural beauty. I would give this campground a 4.5 rating since there were a few things that definitely needed some upkeep and cleaning.

Product Review

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. This trip I was testing some gear from Matador Packable Adventure Gear. I tested out three products, The large nano towel, the droplet wet bag and the daylite 16 backpack. All products are very small in size. For example, the backpack and towel were not much bigger than a playing card and the droplet bag was about the size of a half dollar. The only issue I had ordering from their website was what product to choose!

Matador Day Light 16 Backpack

Pros:

1. The size is definitely a bonus as you can store this bag inside of another bag, purse, backpack, etc. to have in case you need it for more storage. It is extremely light weight and has a small bag to carry it in when not in use. It really wasn’t much bigger than a water bottle when it was all folded up.
2. I was skeptical at the size of the pack and wondering how much could this pack really hold. We went for a small hike around the lake - we were toting three kids, one of which was in a stroller. I was 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.
3. I was concerned with the strap size of the backpack as I have learned over the years I don’t like thinner strapped packs as they tend to dig into my armpits and shoulders. The straps were very thin as well as they are designed to be lightweight and breathable.
4. The bag is waterproof! The zippers are water resistant and seal keeping the wet out and the dry in. When we were hiking it was very warm and I was definitely sweating. My bag stayed dry and so did everything in it. When we were packing up a severe thunderstorm rolled through. The bag was in the rain and I was surprised that everything inside was dry! The rain just rolled right off!
5. It is very portable, light weight, the material is puncture proof, weather resistant and overall a great day pack for hiking, shopping, going to the beach, perfect for an amusement park or extra storage. It is extremely versatile.
6. There are two side compartments for water bottles which are deep and stretchy. They definitely keep your bottles in tack and can even handle an umbrella without worry of it falling out.

Cons:

1. I have broader shoulders and since it was a smaller pack it was a little bit of a struggle to get it on. I managed to shuffle myself into it with minimal struggle.
2. The material is very slippery. It did make it a little difficult to fold it down and pack back into the pouch. Once you get it so small it would just start slipping around. After a few tries we got it back in with no problem.
3. The thinner straps definitely started to dig into my armpits. I liked the breathable straps but think they should be a little wider.
4. It would be nice if there was an inside pocket. I guess you could use the pouch it gets stored it when not in use but it would flop all around if your pack wasn’t full.
5. There is not a lot of structure to the bag. Since the material is pretty thin whatever you pack in there you will feel sticking you if you don’t pack correctly.

Overall, I was very happy with the bag. It exceeded my expectations and am looking for any excuse to use this bag again!

Matador NanoDry Large Shower Towel

Pros:

1. The size of the silicone travel case is extremely convenient. You could throw this in any bag on your way to the beach, gym, pool or shower. The towel itself folds down very easily and folds back into the silicone case with ease.
2. I was absolutely AMAZED at the amount of water this towel can hold! I was able to shower and be completely dry - no damp areas whatsoever - and then I wrapped up my hair to dry. It held every drop of water - no leaks. I couldn’t believe how well it worked and will definitely be looking to purchase more! Plus, it was extremely quick drying! This towel is super duper thin. Once I hung it up it didn’t take long at all to dry!
3. I love, love, love that it is antimicrobial too! It will stay fresher longer.
4. The size of this towel is comparable to a normal shower towel. It is large enough to wrap around your body. Plus, it is extremely light weight. Once you open up your towel you will be amazed at how much it weighs. It is amazing how something so thin can absorb so much water!
5. The carrying case has a carabiner clip to hang up or clip to your gear for convenience and maximum portability. There is a snap loop on the towel to hang up or use to wrap your hair up and clip to hold. Plus it is machine washable.

Cons:

1. Even though the towel is a nice size it could still be a little bigger. My husband is 6’3” and he felt like he was using a dishcloth to dry himself off. It worked very well, but could offer an XXL possibly.
2. The carabiner seemed a little cheaply made. I would definitely make an upgrade to a little heavier duty clip.

Honestly, this was the product that I had the most doubts about its performance and it turned out I ended up loving this the most. I love it so much in fact I will be purchasing more in the future. It’s Christmas in July right?

Matador Droplet Wet Bag

Pros:

1. In real estate they say it is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. When you are backpacking I think it is about the SIZE, SIZE, SIZE. Well, your problems have been answered with the droplet bag. This thing is tiny but packs a huge punch. This is small enough to fit on a keychain! It has a silicone pouch the bag fits into that you can carry virtually anywhere!
2. The drawstring closure is a nice feature. Some drawstrings have bulky string that gets too bunched up and doesn’t allow the bag to fully close. That was not the case in this situation. The bag closed up tightly and even though the string is thin it seems strong.
3. It keeps the wet in or out - depending on your needs. I used the bag to put our daughter’s wet diaper and onesie in after she splashed around in the lake. I then threw the bag into our Matador DL 16 backpack and it didn’t leak or get anything else in the bag wet. We also tried keeping the wet out. We went to an amusement park and went on the Sploosh ride. You know - basically the giant log flume ride but in a boat. So we had our phones and money in the droplet bag and went on the ride. WE WERE SOAKED! It was a lot of fun and our phones and money were safe and dry!

Cons:

1. This is a key chain however the ring is very, very small. I have large hands for a girl - I can palm a basketball - and I had a very hard time trying to attach the ring to my bag. I would definitely recommend a little larger of a ring.
2. I had to fold and refold the bag a few times in order to get it back into the droplet shaped case. It took me a couple of tries but I finally succeeded! It doesn’t look as nice as it did when it arrived but it works.
3. The drawstring clip is a little small. (Remember, I have large hands for a girl) It kept slipping out of my fingers as I was trying to push the button down so I could draw the bag shut. I think you would have a hard time fitting a larger clip into the droplet bag once it is all folded up.

I definitely love the convenience of this product as you can clip it anywhere and go. You never know when you may need to keep something dry or have a bag for something wet. There is a large bag as well available which looks like it would be great for a family. I am overall extremely impressed with the quality, convenience, compactability and overall everyday use of Matador products. I look forward to expanding my collection for our future adventures! Please also check out my reviews on Macaroni Kid Reading under the Guides Tab / Day Trips and Destinations.