Allentown sits in the Lehigh Valley of eastern Pennsylvania — a position that turns it into one of the most strategically useful RV bases on the East Coast. New York City is 90 miles east. Philadelphia is 60 miles south. Lancaster County's Amish Country is 75 miles southwest. Three of the most popular day-trip destinations in the northeastern US, all accessible without moving your rig from the campground.
But the Lehigh Valley has its own attractions too. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary — the world's first refuge for raptors — draws birders from around the globe during the fall migration when thousands of hawks, eagles, and falcons ride the thermals along the Appalachian ridge. The Delaware Water Gap, an hour north, carves a dramatic notch in the Appalachian Mountains with canoeing, hiking, and cliffs that dwarf anything you'd expect in Pennsylvania. And Dorney Park, right in Allentown, has roller coasters and a water park if you're traveling with kids who need to burn energy.
The 4 dump stations in the area and campgrounds ranging from mountain valley KOAs to 292-site resorts make the logistics easy.
Dump Stations
Four dump stations serve the Allentown area. The Allentown Service Plaza on I-476 (Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension) has a dump station accessible to through-travelers. Campground dumps are available at the KOA and other parks.
Browse all Allentown dump stations
Where to Camp
Allentown KOA Journey — Mountain Valley Base
A secluded 40-acre campground tucked in a mountain valley. The selling point is the location: you're close enough to NYC, Philadelphia, and Amish Country for comfortable day trips but parked in a wooded valley that feels nothing like the cities you're visiting. Standard KOA amenities.
Mountain Springs Camping Resort (Hamburg)
292 sites off I-78. A larger resort-style park with full amenities. Near Hawk Mountain, making it the better base if raptor watching is your focus. Cabana rentals, swimming pool, and organized activities for families.
Robin Hill Campground
Big rig accommodations. Open April through November. A solid option if the KOA and Mountain Springs are full or if you need a park that handles larger rigs comfortably.
The Day Trips
New York City (90 miles east)
Park the RV, drive or take a bus to the city. NJ Transit and bus services connect the Lehigh Valley to Manhattan. A full day in NYC — museums, Central Park, Broadway, the food — without the nightmare of parking a rig in Midtown.
Philadelphia (60 miles south)
Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Reading Terminal Market, and a cheesesteak argument that never ends. An easier day trip than NYC and just as rewarding historically.
Lancaster County / Amish Country (75 miles southwest)
Horse-drawn buggies on country roads, farm stands, quilt shops, and some of the best home-style cooking in America. A fascinating cultural contrast to the cities in the opposite direction.
Hawk Mountain
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world's first refuge for birds of prey, established in 1934. The Appalachian ridge creates thermals that raptors ride during migration, and from the rocky lookouts at Hawk Mountain, you can watch thousands of hawks, eagles, falcons, and osprey stream past at eye level.
The peak migration season is September through November. Mid-September brings broad-winged hawks in the thousands. October is prime for red-tailed hawks and golden eagles. Even outside migration, the trails and lookouts are beautiful Appalachian hiking. Bring binoculars.
Delaware Water Gap (1 hour north)
Where the Delaware River cuts through the Kittatinny Ridge, a national recreation area offers canoeing and kayaking on the river, hiking trails along the ridge, and swimming at several access points. The Appalachian Trail crosses through, and the cliffs and waterfalls (Dingmans Falls, the second-highest in Pennsylvania) are genuinely impressive. A full-day trip from Allentown with no trouble.
When to Visit
| Season | Highs | Lows | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr-May) | 64°F | 40°F | Wildflowers in the gaps. Campgrounds opening. Philadelphia and NYC less crowded than summer. |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 84°F | 62°F | Warm, humid. Dorney Park and water parks in full swing. Peak campground season. |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | 66°F | 42°F | The best season. Hawk Mountain migration, Appalachian fall colour, comfortable temps. Mid-October peak foliage. |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | 38°F | 22°F | Cold. Most campgrounds closed. NYC and Philadelphia make good winter day trips (museums, indoor attractions). |
Tips
- Base camp here for NYC and Philly. Park the rig, day-trip by car or bus. Avoid city RV parking entirely.
- Hawk Mountain in September-October is world-class birding. Binoculars essential.
- I-476 Service Plaza has a dump station for through-travelers on the Turnpike.
- Dorney Park handles the family entertainment angle if you need a kid-friendly day.
- Delaware Water Gap canoeing is a full-day trip worth the drive. Multiple outfitters.
Plan Your Allentown Stop
Allentown is the quiet base camp that puts the entire northeastern corridor within reach. NYC and Philly for culture, Amish Country for a different century, Hawk Mountain for the sky, and the Delaware Water Gap for the river. All from a mountain valley campground.
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