Pennsylvania Campgrounds Suggestions -- Eastern Half

[nomad297]

I know how to use all of the various online sites to locate campgrounds, and that is what I have been doing for the last two years. I have had some good luck finding suitable places, but I've had some bad luck, too. I thought I would post this question here and get some real-life suggestions. We have a 33' travel trailer. We prefer full hookups. We love the mountains and woods, but that's not critical. We don't need for there to be much to do in the area. We just like to get away and relax at the campgrounds. We bring our 13 year-old son and two English Setters with us, wherever we go. Our son is easily entertained and our dogs love the outdoors.

Thank you,

Bruce

[ljr]

RGar974417 wrote:

ljr wrote:
In east central PA almost to NY, Ives Run and Cowanesque. Both COE.

While they are both nice campgrounds,I don't remember them having full hookups.The OP seems to want full hookups.I would much prefer great parks like you mentioned over full hookups but that's me.

Yes, they do. Cowanesque only has a few but Ives Run now has 2 loops of FHU.

[livelylittlecam]

I forgot about Twin Grove. X3. Get a pull thru spot up on the hill in the newer section of the park. Very nice!! Nice views and very nice campground overall.

[Raymon]

RGar974417 wrote:

ljr wrote:
In east central PA almost to NY, Ives Run and Cowanesque. Both COE.

While they are both nice campgrounds,I don't remember them having full hookups.The OP seems to want full hookups.I would much prefer great parks like you mentioned over full hookups but that's me.

We were at Cowanesque this past summer. The sites have only water and electric, no sewer hookup.

Ray

[Seabeedaddy]

+1 Twin Grove

[LindaD]

Not sure if this is too far for you to travel but we have camped at Twin Grove RV Resort in Pine Grove, PA. We were last there a few years ago, at that time was a very nice park.

[todouble]

Pine hill in kutztown and oak creek in bowmansville. We like both and have been many times. Lake in wood is more kid oriented and is geared for them. both lake in wood and spring gulch are getting up there in price. Was at spring gulch two years ago and the pool was absolutely foul. Total turnoff

[livelylittlecam]

Hey Nomad,

We have several places that we love in the Eastern half of PA, and we have pictures and reviews up on our family camping blog if you follow the links:

Allentown KOA is great. Here are some posts about our trip there this fall:

http://livelylittlecampers.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-last-great-hayride-allentown-koa.html

ivelylittlecampers.blogspot.com/2013/09/one-playground-to-rule-them-all.html

http://livelylittlecampers.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-curse-of-hawk-mountain.html

We also really liked Driftstone on the Delaware (but water electric only)

http://livelylittlecampers.blogspot.com/2012/08/confessions-of-new-jersey-camper.html

And our favorite Eastern PA campground--The Philadelphia / West Chester KOA--really pretty park right on the Brandywine River.

http://livelylittlecampers.blogspot.com/2011/05/season-opener-west-chester-pa-part-3.html

http://livelylittlecampers.blogspot.com/2013/05/camper-wesley-raises-camping-mojo.html

http://livelylittlecampers.blogspot.com/2013/05/during-nap-time-daddy-rows-alone_27.html

[RGar974417]

ljr wrote:
In east central PA almost to NY, Ives Run and Cowanesque. Both COE.

While they are both nice campgrounds,I don't remember them having full hookups.The OP seems to want full hookups.I would much prefer great parks like you mentioned over full hookups but that's me.

[dieselbobcat]

+1 Pinch Pond we stayed there for the last Hershey RV show... Ever consider wandering over to Kneobles? Promise Land State Park has full hookups that we have been trying to book... they are booked a year out...

[ljr]

In east central PA almost to NY, Ives Run and Cowanesque. Both COE.

[2_Retired]

Our family stayed at Pinch Pond MANY years ago so have no idea about it now. Otter Lake was our "home base" for at least 5 years! Love it! We camped there year round and our sons (about your son's age) had a blast! It's big for the area and can seem crowded in the summer, but there's plenty of room for everyone and as much or as little to do as you may like. Not sure about now, but they did have a 1 week minimum during the summer months. Check it out!!

[nomad297]

Spring Gulch looks like a fun place, too. That place is huge! Thanks for that one ford truck guy.

Bruce

[nomad297]

Pinch Pond looks great. That's exactly the type of place we like.

We have been to Lake In Wood and Otter Lake. Lake In Wood is a little too sterile for us, but Otter Lake is a little more up our alley. Otter Lake is more wooded and natural than Lake In Wood, where there seems to be a surveillance camera everywhere you look (and don't look), like inside of some of the gnomes to keep tabs on who puts what into the dumpsters -- a little creepy if you ask me.

Please keep the suggestions coming.

Bruce

[ford_truck_guy]

For the Lancaster area there is Spring Gulch,,, and Lake in the Woods , both nice and in an area that offers a lot...
For the Poconos area there is Otter Lake .never been there but a lot of people I know have and they all like it.

[We_Cant_Wait]

We stayed at Pinch Pond in Manheim Pa a couple years ago. Nice quiet campground yet plenty of things for the kids, and within easy drive to Lancaster Pa and Hershey Park. The campground has undergone a renovation since we were there, but would not hesitate to go there again. Very friendly workers and let us pick the site we wanted. Sited range from full shade to full sun.