Pottstown sits at the intersection of Highway 422 and Highway 100, making it a popular stopping point for travelers. Established in 1752, Pottstown originally served as a central hub for the dairy and farming industries in the area. This town, which is located along the banks of the Schuykill River, has strong English, Swedish and German influences from its early settlers that are still felt today. As of the last census, Pottstown has 23,400 residents.
Many structures built early in Pottstown's history remain standing today, and eight of those buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of these include the Henry Antes House, the Pottstown Roller Mill, the Old Pottstown Historic District, Pottsgrove Mansion, and others. The Pottstown Roller Mill is a popular attraction for visitors to the area. This structure was built in 1725, and it played important roles in the Revolutionary War and the Underground Railroad.
During your RV trip to Pottstown, you can take advantage of all that the area offers with visits to its popular shops, breweries and distilleries, natural areas, and entertainment venues. The Please Touch Museum is a fun destination to visit if you are traveling with kids. On pretty days, walking through the gardens and arboretum at Welkinweir is a great way to spend a few hours. Shoppers from across the region enjoy time at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets. Both the Perkiomen Trail and Memorial Park offer several outdoor recreational opportunities. The Colonial May Fair in the spring and the Carousel of Flavor Culinary Festival in September always draw crowds. In addition, Pottstown is conveniently located close to numerous other attractions in Reading, Morgantown, and Tredyffrin.
Campgrounds Near Pottstown, Pennsylvania
One of the many excellent RV campgrounds in the Pottstown area is Campus Park & Ride. This RV park is located only a short drive away in nearby Philadelphia. It is a paved-over RV park that offers full hookups, internet access, and restrooms with showers. This 11-acre venue uniquely provides a 24-hour shuttle service to attractions throughout the city. Daily rates range from $30 to $85.
In nearby Quakertown, the Little Red Barn Campground delivers a different experience for you to enjoy on your trip. This family-friendly park has wooded grounds with plenty of space between the RV pads for a relaxed experience. On-site amenities include a swimming pool, a laundry room, free wireless internet access, a game room, sports courts, horseshoes, hayrides, and more. RV sites with full hookups are available at $50 per night.
Only a short drive from Pottstown in Bechtelsville, the Lazy K Campground provides a laid-back ambiance with paved streets, manicured grounds, and tall trees. This RV park's catch-and-release pond has carp, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and others. Amenities include full hookups, satellite TV, camper repairs, a laundry facility, and restrooms. RV sites range from $42 to $47 per night.
State Parks Near Pottstown, Pennsylvania
French Creek State Park is located only a short drive from Pottstown in Elverson. This 7,730-acre park spans the Schuykill Highlands and offers a variety of beautiful habitats where wildlife thrives. These habitats include fields, lakes, forests, and wetlands. More than 40 miles of hiking trails cover the grounds, and these trails may also be used for biking and accessing hunting spots. Fishing at Scotts Run Lake or Hopewell Lake is also an option available at French Creek State Park.
Locust Lake State Park features 1,089 acres close to the grand Locust Mountain. Located on the grounds, Locust Lake covers 52 acres and is ideal for swimming, boating, and fishing. This park is adjacent to the 1,772-acre Tuscarora State Park, which offers additional opportunities for outdoor fun. Locust Lake State Park offers a boat launch, camping, a beach, a store, and great hunting opportunities.
Lums Pond State Park is also nearby, and it has a serene setting with mature trees, rolling hills, and a freshwater pond stocked with fish. The Go Ape Treetop Course within the park features zip lines and rope ladders. There are also 17 miles of trails, a 181-acre nature preserve, a boathouse, camping facilities, a disc golf course, a live animal exhibit, and a visitor center for you to enjoy.
National Sites Near Pottstown, Pennsylvania
There are several must-see attractions in and near Pottstown that you could check out on your RV trip. Just over 20 minutes away, you can find Valley Forge National Historical Park. The site of the Continental Army's third winter encampment, Valley Forge is home to several historical buildings from 1777-78. You can check out the visitor center to learn more about what happened here and then take time to explore the buildings, bridges, and log huts at the site. One of the highlights of the park is the building that formerly served as George Washington's headquarters.
Also just a short drive from Pottstown, the Deshler-Morris House in the Germantown section of Philadelphia has ties to George Washington as well. Washington stayed in the four-room home during the 1793 smallpox epidemic and again the next year as he attempted to shelter from the city's heat. Today, you can tour the home and learn about Washington's activities there while serving as the first U.S. president.
At the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, you will find one of the key iron plantations that helped to spur U.S. industrialization. This venue operated between 1771 and 1883 and covers 848 acres. There are numerous trails on-site that provide an opportunity to tour the grounds and admire the remaining structures at your own pace. The area also has a visitors center, wildlife watching, picnicking, biking, and demonstrations.
National Forests Near Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Hundreds of thousands of natural areas in Pennsylvania are protected, including three popular national forests. In the 514,029-acre Allegheny National Forest, you can appreciate the tranquility created by mature trees, the Allegheny Reservoir, and the Allegheny River. The Kinzua Dam and the Allegheny Plateau are also here and add diversity to the scenery. Hiking and biking trails offer views of these areas with numerous scenic overlooks. Fishing, riding ATVs, camping, swimming, picnicking, and cross-country skiing are available activities in the forest as well.
Close to the New York border, Susquehannock National Forest offers 265,000 acres of wilderness. Included in this acreage is the 30,253-acre Hammersley Wild Area, which is the largest space in Pennsylvania that does not have any roads. Another point of interest is the Susquehannock Trail. This trail makes an 85-mile loop and provides opportunities for cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, and biking. ATV riding, fishing, and hunting are also offered here. Wildlife is abundant in this national forest, including numerous bird species, bears, deer, elk, and more.
Finger Lakes National Forest in neighboring New York is also an amazing natural area filled with beautiful landscapes and great recreational opportunities. This 16,259-acre area features magnificent forests, Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake. Across its 30-mile trail system, you can also explore pastures, ravines, and gorges. Camping, fishing, boating, and biking are some of the possibilities for outdoor recreation in Finger Lakes National Forest.
