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Jim: Well, the campground got up and running in the early ’70s. It was the vision of Bill. He really constructed almost the entire campground. The Mickey and Jean Tapper took it over about 26 years ago, and they added things like cabins. They added playgrounds and just a lot of different kinds of amenities. It was a basic campground at one time and now it’s really something special at this point. We just bought the campground back in September. We closed on it.
Jim: Well, Doorney Park is one of the more popular ones. Also, we have the Chrysler Wildlife Park; is very near by here as well. And that’s actually pretty spectacular. You can see these wild animals roaming through the mountain range up there. And then there events happening in town or around the area all throughout the year. The Music Fest, for example, is very popular. People come for that. The bike riding. There are a variety of races, etc., that occur. And the Appalachian Trail is near by. We get lots of people. Lots of hikers that come through. Of course we have a hiking trail on the campground. It’s nothing like the Appalachian Trail, but it’s practice. Those are some of the things that go on.
Camp Pennsylvania recently had the opportunity to speak with one of the owners of the Allentown KOA. He filled us in on the amenities on the property, the proximity to the Appalachian Trail, and where he’d spend the night on the property. Listen to our full interview here:
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Allentown Pennsylvania KOA Camping
Camp Pennsylvania: I’m talking with Jim today. He’s the Owner at the Allentown KOA in Pennsylvania. Jim, why don’t you get us started by giving us a little bit of history of that campground there?
Jim: Well, the campground got up and running in the early ’70s. It was the vision of Bill. He really constructed almost the entire campground. The Mickey and Jean Tapper took it over about 26 years ago, and they added things like cabins. They added playgrounds and just a lot of different kinds of amenities. It was a basic campground at one time and now it’s really something special at this point. We just bought the campground back in September. We closed on it.
CP: Oh, okay. And do the cabins remain pretty popular? I know other KOA owners I have talked to and when they’ve implemented the cabins, they seem to do really well.
Jim: Yeah, they have done pretty well. The lodges in particular do very well because they’re absolutely equipped almost like your home. They have ovens and full refrigerators, etc. So, people are pretty comfortable in those lodges.
CP: All right. And what are some of the most popular activities at the campground there?
Jim: Oh, just about everything that goes on there. The playground is always occupied with kids. They love to hit the tether ball. I think that’s one of the most popular activities. We also have bike rentals that on the weekends it’s just a constant lineup of kids wanting to rent the bikes. We had mini golf on the campground. Again, that’s very, very popular. But we also have scheduled activities, particularly on the weekends. We do Bingo for adults. Bingo for the kids. We do movies. We have arts and crafts. And then it depends on the weekend. For example, for Halloween, we really had a spectacular set of events on Halloween. We had hayrides all through the day and contests. Costume contests and then we had a big party at night, even with contests there. So, there’s always something really good going on, on the campground.
CP: Fun. Now, what are some of your favorite attractions around that area outside of the campground?
Jim: Well, Doorney Park is one of the more popular ones. Also, we have the Chrysler Wildlife Park; is very near by here as well. And that’s actually pretty spectacular. You can see these wild animals roaming through the mountain range up there. And then there events happening in town or around the area all throughout the year. The Music Fest, for example, is very popular. People come for that. The bike riding. There are a variety of races, etc., that occur. And the Appalachian Trail is near by. We get lots of people. Lots of hikers that come through. Of course we have a hiking trail on the campground. It’s nothing like the Appalachian Trail, but it’s practice. Those are some of the things that go on.
CP: Okay, great. Two more questions for you, Jim. If you were going to spend just one hour at the Allentown KOA, how would you spend your time there?
Jim: Wow, that’s a great question. It’s just one hour. Let’s see. I guess I’d be sitting out at the campfire myself, roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.
CP: It’s hard to beat that, isn’t it?
Jim: Yeah.
CP: And if you were going to spend just one night at the Allentown KOA, which specific site would you choose and why?
Jim: Oh, I’d definitely choose probably number 7 or so. That’s on the lower part, right by the creek. It’s just a beautiful site. It’s a park-like setting and I can walk over and fish in the creek. Take my dog for a walk in the creek, and it’s just a beautiful setting.
CP: Perfect. Well, hey, thanks, Jim, for taking some time out of your afternoon here to give us some more information about the area there and to tell us about the Allentown KOA in Pennsylvania.
Jim: Terrific. Well, thank you so much for calling.
