Fall Camping Fun
by Mary Beth Schwartz
You survived the dog days of summer. The humid days, the waiting in line at theme parks, the battling for parking spots at the beach and the non-stop crowds are in your rearview mirror. Now the beautiful crisp days of fall are here, and the scenic outdoors of the Lehigh Valley are calling. The autumn months are perfect for enjoying Mother Nature’s colorful landscape, and for relaxing at a less hectic and packed camping site. Read on to learn about area campsites and what they have to offer.
Northampton County
Evergreen Lake, Bath
Open through October, this site has a 25-acre lake, 250 wooded campsites for campers, complete with picnic tables and fire rings. At the lake, families can enjoy fishing, swimming, and paddle and rowboat rentals. Other amenities include restrooms with showers, laundry, mini golf, arcade, pool tables, and a play area. Scheduled events include hay rides, a Halloween costume party and a
potluck dinner.
Driftstone on the Delaware, Mt. Bethel
This private campground, located on 140 acres along the Delaware River, has 190 shaded sites for RVs, as well as a game room, boat launching ramp, rec hall, planned events, swimming and wading pools, a modern playground, and kayak and canoe rentals. Driftstone is open through mid-September.
Dutch Springs, Bethlehem
Through November, campers can enjoy the outdoors in tents or RVs. Dutch Springs has lots of adventures available. Sky Challenge and NorthStar Adventures are climbing courses for those who enjoy a good challenge. Loads of water fun is on tap at The Aqua Park. The 50-acre Dutch Springs lake is perfect for scuba diving. Divers can enjoy attractions at depths of 100 feet.
While in Northampton County, visitors can take a leisurely canal boat ride at Easton’s National Canal Museum. Wind Gap’s Jacobsburg State Park has over 18 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. Almost three miles of Bushkill Creek and Sobers Run wind through the nearby Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center.
Lehigh County
Allentown KOA, New Tripoli
Situated on 40 acres, this campground offers stays in RVs, cabins, and tents. Open through November 1, this KOA has two large playgrounds, fishing, tours, planned activities, mini golf, arcade, gemstone panning, basketball and volleyball… even a Starbucks.
In Lehigh County, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the Lehigh Valley Zoo or Trexler Nature Preserve in Schnecksville; the 117-acre Lesser Lake in New Tripoli; mountain biking, hiking, or disc golf at Macungie’s Bear Creek Mountain Resort; or boat and bike adventures through Wildlands Conservancy based in Emmaus.
Berks County
Berks County offers cave exploration at Kutztown’s Crystal Cave or hawk watching and hiking at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton. Cabela’s in Hamburg has a massive 250,000-square-foot showroom with educational and entertainment attractions, featuring a decor of museum quality animal displays, aquariums and trophy animals interacting in realistic recreations of their natural habitats.
Carbon County
Jim Thorpe Camping Resort
At the 28-acre wooded Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, visitors can camp in tents, cabins, or RVs through October. Families can camp primitively, or with water and electric. Every site has a fireplace and picnic table. The resort has a convenience store, arcade, swimming and wading pools, playground, laundry, restroom and shower facilities, and trails for hiking and biking. Locally, campers can enjoy mountain bike trails, hiking trails, fishing, whitewater rafting, and
paintball skirmishes.
Mauch Chunk Lake Park, Jim Thorpe
Campers have access to 135 sites, including lakefront tents and camping cottages, through the month of October. Modern restrooms and showers with hot water are available. The park has facilities for swimming, picnics, hiking, biking, fishing and boating.
In Carbon County, outdoor adventurers can explore Beltzville State Park in Lehighton. This park has over 3,000 acres and features the 949-acre Beltzville Lake, an attraction for migrating waterfowl, boaters and anglers. The sand beach and picnic area also are popular. Also in Carbon County, as well as Luzerne County, is Lehigh Gorge State Park. Covering over 4,000 acres, this park is a must stop for whitewater rafters. The Lehigh River makes a border between the two counties in the park’s northern section.
Before you head out to your camping destination, review this list of some helpful items to take on your trip:
• a lantern or headlamp
• a sleeping bag approved for colder weather
• a sleeping pad for cushion
• hand and foot warmers
• fleece gloves and acrylic caps
• a base layer of merino wool thermal underwear
• wool socks
• a puffy down jacket, insulated sweater, or vest
• clothes that are good for layering
• sealed containers for food
• bug repellent
