Echo Valley Campground

The Great Outdoors

Ready for a day out in your very own RV rental? Start with a day trip to Locust Lake State Park near Barnesville. The park is made of beautiful forests that hug the slopes of Locust Mountain and frame the banks of a 52-acre lake. It’s an idyllic spot for summertime boating, paddle sports, and swimming, but Locust State Park is also popular during the winter season when you can skate on the frozen lake. Throughout the spring and autumn, the park is teeming with birdlife. Compared to the surrounding land, Locust State Park is lush and green, and over 100 species of birds have been spotted within the park’s borders. There are six miles of trails for eager hikers, too, so don’t forget to pack your walking boots when you’re camping at Echo Valley Campground.Another highlight of this region of Pennsylvania is Weiser State Forest, less than 20 minutes' drive from the campsites at Echo Valley Campground. The forest stretches across almost 30,000 acres and offers some of the most rugged and remote hiking opportunities in eastern Pennsylvania. Ambitious trekkers will already have Weiser State Forest on their to-do list as the area hosts a section of the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail.You can start by walking, biking, or horse riding on the 33-mile trail network within Weiser State Forest or use connecting trails to venture farther out. Alternatively, bring lunch to one of the forests picnicking areas, kayak on the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Rivers, or launch your motorized vessel on McWilliams’ Reservoir. There’s something for less active guests too because Weiser State Park provides 27 miles of scenic driving.To see a little bit of everything, take your campervan rental for a drive to French Creek State Park. Here you can explore lakes, wetlands, open fields, and mesmerizing forests. Formerly a deforested area, restoration of French Creek State Park began in the 1940s, and, less than a century later, it’s a hotspot for a wide range of recreational activities. On land, hop onto hiking and biking trails or trot onto a section of the 130-mile Horseshoe Trail. The winter season brings opportunities for cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice-skating, while water sports on Hopewell Lake are the thing to do in the summertime. Stay in a campsite near eastern Pennsylvania, and you’ll never run short of outdoor adventures.

Explore the Area

Perhaps you’d like to see some of the surrounding sights and attractions while you’re renting an RV. Gettysburg National Military Park is just a stone’s throw away. Here you can travel through the history of the Civil War on a tour of the battlefield or watch an educational film in the park’s visitor center. The center also houses some rare wartime artifacts and the famous Gettysburg Cyclorama.Another popular attraction is the Pioneer Coal Mine in Ashland. Closed as a working mine in 1931, this was one of the first mines of the area to open its tunnels to tourists. Nowadays, the mine is open from April to October, and visitors can ride deep into the labyrinth of human-made tunnels in an open mine cart. Those who prefer to stay above ground can board a traditional steam locomotive and take a scenic ride around Mahanoy Mountain.Another option is to pay a visit to the county seat, Pottsville. Here you’ll find an international selection of eateries, from classic American diners to Chinese restaurants or Italian pizzerias. You might like to taste some locally produced beverages at the city’s best brewery or take a stroll along the Schuylkill River. Lovers of the arts can see a ballet performance or book a show at a theater that dates back to 1910. Meanwhile, motor fans will want to drop into Jerry’s Classic Cars and Collectables Museum. The museum hosts over 2,000 exhibits and a variety of 20th-century classic as well as life-sized displays of 1950’s life. There’s something unique to uncover every day when you're camping in an RV near Pottsville.