Camping in PA

[74SovereignInt.]

Hello all, I'm looking for your advice as to the best places to camp in PA. I'm particularly interested in state/national parks due to the lower cost (perceived). Any and all information, opinions and experiences are appreciated.

Also interested in your favorite places to visit. My two girls (ages 10 and 12) are interested in the Crayola factory. Any other good points of intersest?

[Over59]

State park do not allow pets in Pa

[swebster]

I didn't stay here but want to the next time through PA. There is a campground called "Indian Rock" near Scranton. Not sure if its a state park and don't even have contact info. But it's on a lake and to me it looked like a "Hollywood version" of what a campgound should be.

They were closed when I went through but the sites looked large and wooded. Looked like many had full hookups. There were boat/canoe rentals available as well.

We have three under 8 and this is on our list of kid friendly campground to check out.

[panub]

you could visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater:
http://www.wpconline.org/fallingwaterhome.htm

[aluminauts]

There is always the AIRSTREAM park at http://www.pennwood.org/ .
We haven't been there yet ( too newbie) but our unit plans a rally there later this year.

[Happycampers]

Beautiful park... We were there last summer for a couple of days and ended up staying for there rally later that w/e. Nicest people you would want to meet. The surrounding countryside is picturesque with lots to see.. be sure and ask the locals about the sights to see.. Annie

[ctdair]

With out naming the campground and exposing myself to flames or possible ramifacations for libel/slander. If You go to the pocono's make sure you stay at one rated by woodalls or trailer life or such. There was a terrible campground I stayed at only because the good ones where booked. Otter lake sounds wonderful and Im sure the Koa is fine but beware of others.

[74SovereignInt.]

Thanks to all who have answered so far... I hope everyone keeps the ideas coming.

Regarding pets-I saw a few mentions that they are allowing pets at some if not all camps on a trial basis. Gonna look at that further before we commit but it seems as though things are in the works.

[flyfisher]

Hi!

This is a pretty big state from east to west and north to south, so it might help if you could delineate your preferences a little more. Do you prefer country settings or city? Great Lakes, secluded lake, or no lake? (for example)

As far as state parks, you can see the offerings and make reservations on line:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/

The Allegheny National forest, located in NW PA has a number of nice campgrounds in the surrounding forests.

Near my home in SE PA, French Creek state park is rather nice, and relatively close to a myriad of PA Dutch/Amish atttractions. You daughters might also be interested in Hershey, PA - Chocolate town USA which is also closeby here.

If you want to spend a few more $$, we have a couple of the highest rated private campgrounds in the US closeby here, that would probably cost somewhere between $30-$40 per night.

[mandolindave]

What about Hershey Park. The Amusement Park is great
and the campground has a swimming pool. It can end
up costing quite a bit tho. Knoebels ( sp) is another
amuzement park with a campground ( way cheaper
and not as nice). My kids loved Hersheys.
Dave

[Pick]

We had a forum mini-rally there, last year on Labor Day weekend. One of the nicest campgrounds we have ever been in.

The Kinzua Dam area, in the Allegehny(sp?) National Forest is a wonderful area.

Right on the OH/PA line, off I90 is Virginia's Beach Campground . A nice little campground on the shores of Lake Erie.

In Erie, Pa, near the entrance to Presque Isle State Park, you have Sara's Campground. They do have beach camping but do not take ANY reservations. It is a first come, first serve campground.

Just south of Titusville, PA, near the Oil Creek State Park, is Oil Creek Family campground. They have a website, I do not recall the URL.

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally posted by panub
you could visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater:
http://www.wpconline.org/fallingwaterhome.htm

Excellent idea. We were just there last weekend and it's a fascinating house. It's said to be the most famous private residence in the world. We're planning to go back in the summer. Our kids (age 6-11) enjoyed it too.
Can anyone comment on Ohiopyle State Park which is just down the road?

Grant

[74SovereignInt.]

so many great thoughts and ideas !!

Visiting the Hershey factory, if possible, is on the list. I would like to stay at country type cg's with a lot of trees etc. Lakes and rivers to use as recreation is not that important but being near them for the aesthetics is a definite plus. I guess I'm saying that scenery definitely counts.

As far as attractions go, an amusement park would be good, Amish attractions certainly and as I said, Crayola and Hershey.

I can see some time on the east side and some time in the middle and west as I think we will likely take I80 thru from Chicago.

[Silver City]

It's my understanding that one can't visit the actual Hershey factory anymore ... but there is a "simulated" factory tour available through the visitor's center

[Silvertwinky]

We too are thinking of where we might go this year. We seriously thought about Hershey, however, that’s a long way to go just for a free piece of CHOCOLATE.

I think it’s a little disappointing if you can’t go through the actual factory!


Kind of tossed between the Mackinaw area and Hershey right now!

[baldeagle]

During the years my two girls were growing, almost every camping weekend was spent at Laurel Hill State Park near Somerset.

Great "just camping" and near seven springs resort. Incredible scenery.

Enjoy my X home-state.


Dave S.

[74SovereignInt.]

Seems like a great place to see some scenery.

baldeagle-any reccomendation to site choice? secluded would be good.

[jpurdy]

don't know if this is close to the Crayola Factory but

Gifford Pinchot state park on lake Conewago

was a good park to camp in.we used it as a base when touring Amish Country in Lancaster, Pa.

[baldeagle]

Laurel Hill

Site Suggestion...

It has been too many years!

We spent most of our camping at the top of the open hill just under the water sistern.

I bet that there are many changes since those days.

Anyway, you probably will not make a mistake by stoppin by Laurel Hill.

Have a great PA visit.


Dave S.

[obclown]

The Hershey Visitor center has a neat tour of cocoa beans to the finish product and it's a Free ride ....but the gift shop afterwards will get you !! There is also a 3-D move to see ($$$) that is kinda a neat ..But if you come this far you got to come to the Lancaster County and see the Amish countryside... Make sure you stop at Sight and Sound to see the Show. Last sunday was Charter day in Pa and all the State Museums were free admission.