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Top Campgrounds In The Philadelphia Area

Pennsylvania boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes, and is home to one of the biggest urban parks in the country, Fairmount Park. Fairmount explorers, 'tis the season to branch out and rediscover the Philadelphia area at its top five campgrounds.

Jim Thorpe Camping
Photo Credit: jimthorpecamping.com

Jim Thorpe Camping Resort
Lentz Trail
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-2644
www.jimthorpecamping.com

Prices: $29 per site per day for two people
Click here for more information
Hours: April to October; Gates close at midnight every night. No noise from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.

The Jim Thorpe campgrounds sit on 28 acres of scenic and serene wooded landscape. With separate areas for RVs and tent campers in areas far from any street noise, it's the perfect camping location for camping newbies. The resort offers modern amenities such as updated restrooms, cable TV hookup, free heated showers and a recreation room. Also, enjoy the resort's hiking trail along the restored switchback railroad track or miles of challenging mountain bike trails. The resort also has a wading pool, a free-form swimming pool, fireplaces and picnic areas.

Related: Top Spring Break Staycations in Philadelphia

Cape Island
Photo credit: capeisland.com

Cape Island Resort
709 Route 9
Cape May, New Jersey 08204
(609) 884-5777
www.capeisland.com

Hours: May to November
Prices: Call for season rates and more information.

Cape Island Resort sits on the outskirts of the quaint Victorian town of Cape May, N.J. Located just across from Historic Cold Spring Village, the 175-acre resort provides the perfect scenic shore setting. The campgrounds offer amenities including two large swimming pools, a kiddie pool, tennis courts, rec pavilion and movies. The park also offers water, individually metered electric and sewer hookups, modern bathhouses and optional cable TV. Plus, you are right on top of all the major attractions both on sea and on land.

Hospitality Creek
Photo Credit: hospitalitycreek.com

Hospitality Creek
117 Coles Mill Rd.
Williamstown, NJ 08094
(856) 629-5140
www.hospitalitycreek.com

Prices: from $55 for two people
Hours: April to October
Click here for reservations

Hospitality Creek has been owned and operated by the same family since 1961. The well-established facility provides 240 sites for both RVs and tents. Each site is spacious and shady with picnic tables and fireplaces. It offers all of the modern amenities including a snack bar, laundromat, rec hall and a convenience store. Swim in its Olympic-sized swimming pool, or go all-natural on the lake's sandy beach, fully equipped with a shallow area for the little ones.

French Creek State Park
Photo credit: dcnr.state.pa.us/

French Creek State Park
843 Park Rd
Elverson, PA 19520
(610) 582-9680
reservations (888) 727-2757
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/

Click here for prices and services
Peak season: second Friday in June to the day before the third Friday in August
Non-peak season: third Friday in August to the day before the second Friday in June

French Creek offers 7,730 acres of some of the most rare animal and plant life in the country. If you are a wildlife enthusiast or a hardcore outdoor person, this is the place for you. French Creek promises opportunities to hike, fish, camp and bike. The park provides 201 wooded and modern sites for tents or campers, shower and toilet facilities, 10 modern cabins, and cabin dorm facilities with a staff.

Related: Top One-Tank Trips for Spring

Lehigh Gorge Campground
Photo Credit: lehighgorgecampground.com

Lehigh Gorge Campgrounds
Route 940
White Haven, PA 18661
(570) 443-9191
www.lehighgorgecampground.com

Click here for prices and services
Peak season is the second Friday in June to the day before the third Friday in August.
Non-peak season is the third Friday in August to the day before the second Friday in June.

Lehigh Gorge is the perfect place for hikers and white-water rafters. Admire the deep, steep-walled gorge and beautiful waterfalls during your hikes through the 6,107 acres of gorgeous vegetation, or choose to battle the white caps and test your skills down the Lehigh River instead. Take advantage of the 22-mile treacherous hiking and biking terrain around the gorge to test your endurance. Lengthen your stay knowing that modern amenities -- including laundry facilities, hot showers and a game room -- are just a short walk away.

Christina Thompson is a freelance travel writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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