The Kempton area sits in Berks County at elevations ranging from 400-900 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for campgrounds. Weather patterns in this region typically include hot, humid summers with temperatures reaching 85°F and moderately cold winters with several inches of snowfall. Many campgrounds near Kempton require reservations at least two weeks in advance during peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What to do
Hiking at Blue Rocks Family Campground: Access the Appalachian Trail and boulder fields directly from campsites. "This place really has something for everyone! Classic cars, huge playground, lots of activities, friendly staff. The best part was hiking in the boulder field!" notes Gayle B.
Swimming at Locust Lake State Park: The park features a lake with designated swimming beach and walking paths. "Nice flat trails on site. Tons to do in the surrounding area, don't just limit yourself to this one park... Really pretty lake and nice stargazing!" remarks Amber A.
Mountain biking at French Creek State Park: Over 40 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels for cyclists. A camper mentioned, "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."
Paddling at Mauch Chunk Lake Park: Rentals available for kayaks and canoes on the clear water lake. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm... I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," says Lisa S.
What campers like
Private sites at Hickory Run State Park: Large sites with good spacing between neighbors, especially in wooded areas. "The sites are large and many are somewhat private in terms of visual barriers. Some bathrooms are latrines, but they also have beautiful, fully updated showers and restrooms available," shares Bridget D.
Level camping areas: Many campgrounds offer concrete or gravel pads for easier setup. At French Creek, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers," according to Jen R.
Clean facilities at Stonybrook RV Resort: Modern bathrooms and well-maintained grounds. "The laundry area and shower rooms are beautiful and clean... meticulously clean and the permanent campers keep their sites so well," notes Cindy.
Lake views at Jim Thorpe Camping Resort: Sites overlooking streams and water features. "The mauch chunk stream runs through the back of the campground. The D&L trail also runs at the back of the campground, giving great bike access to mauch chunk lake," explains Jessica W.
What you should know
Site conditions after rain: Many campgrounds have drainage issues during wet weather. At Robin Hill Campground, "Sites are swampy if they've had rain! Took us over two hours to disconnect because of mushy, muddy site!" warns Linda F.
Bear awareness required: Food storage regulations at several parks due to active bear populations. At Hickory Run, "Be aware that this area has a high bear population and all campers are required to keep food items in their vehicles or trailers when not at the site."
Varying bathroom quality: Facilities range from rustic pit toilets to modern restrooms with showers. One Allentown KOA visitor noted, "Bathrooms are absolutely horrendous - Really terrible," while at the same campground another person stated, "Bathrooms very clean and stocked with stuff you might need."
Tight sites at some locations: RV sites can be crowded, particularly at private campgrounds. "The RVs were parked so close together that none of us could use our awnings. There was a fifth wheel to our left that could just barely get their slideouts extended," shares a visitor to Jim Thorpe.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature modern play areas for children. "Blue rocks is the best family campground within 5 hours of philadelphia. Hands down. They have everything you need from primitive sites to cabins to rent," states Nick M.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes stock panfish and bass suitable for younger anglers. At Locust Lake State Park, "Some camp sites are along the lake or along the small creek, all are very wooded. They sell ice cream (and firewood, etc.) on site in the summer but it's bring your own boat," explains Dan N.
Scheduled activities: Weekend programming often includes family-friendly events. At Stonybrook, a visitor noted, "There is an arcade, a playground, a heated pool behind the office/store so it's not noisy for campers at their sites."
Weather preparation: Spring and fall bring significant temperature shifts between day and night. "We had a wonderfully relaxing time! It was chilly in the mornings and evenings and warm and sunny during the day. Perfect fall weather," shares Angela from Jim Thorpe.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require extra equipment for leveling. One visitor to Locust Lake noted, "These sites are not travel trailer friendly... Trees were growing up in all the sites that were available and most of the ones without trees in the way were pointing in the wrong direction for backing into and NONE were level."
Entry difficulties at some locations: Access roads can be steep or tight for larger rigs. At Stonybrook RV Resort, "The entrance made for a challenging entry up a steep grade, narrow roadway, and sharp turn in. I made it without problems, but it wasn't easy in a 45' motorhome towing a Jeep."
Hookup considerations: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary widely by campground. "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," reports a French Creek camper.
Seasonal availability: Most Kempton area campgrounds close between November and April. Pine Hill RV Park operates from "Apr 1 - Nov 1," while Hickory Run runs from "2nd Fri April to 3rd Sun October."
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