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Review of Oak Creek Campground

Narvon, PA 

http://www.abcamping.com/aboakcreek/

May 23-26, August 1-3, Sept. 5-7 and Sept. 19-21, 2014

Pop Pop and Brother in what they thought was Devil's Den

Well, if you haven't guessed from the number of times we have visited (and will visit) Oak Creek this year- we love it there. The activities here are top notch. The location is great (near Shady Maple) and there is an awesome hike that your older kids will love. I can't wait to go back...

Oak Creek is ORGANIZED and things happen on time. This is something I really appreciate. You will receive an emailed copy of the events schedule before your stay (love this). Kudos to the husband and wife team who run the campground. All of the staff is great. When you arrive on Fridays for check-in, you are greeted by several people. One will give you your hang tag, and review a neat packet of information including a map, schedule of events, TV channel guide, wifi codes and information about the hike to Devil's Den. Then a staff member on a golf cart will escort you to your site. That's right. No looking for parking for your rig and running inside to check in. It's wildly quick and efficient. 

The campground has what I will call three "levels." The lower level has camping sites, the store, reception, rec hall, big bathrooms, lake, playground and access to the creek and hiking area. Up a hill to the second level you will find more sites, small bathrooms, another playground and the pool area. Up a steep hill you will find many more sites, large bathrooms and another play ground. In our visits we have preferred to be in the lower two levels so that we are in close walking distance to the rec hall and lake.

Dad being silly at the lake. Playground in the background.

We have camped in our pop-up twice (one more coming up this weekend) and once in one of Oak Creek's rental RV's. My in-laws have also rented and enjoyed the rental RV. Everything in the rental RV was so cool! We would love to buy one of these one day... The unit seemed very new, was clean as a whistle and had all the amenities a glamper would need. A full (mini) kitchen with stovetop, oven, microwave and sink, one queen sized bed, and a bunk area that slept four. A small bathroom with a toilet, sink and small shower makes this a great choice for anyone who says they "don't camp." The RV unit had a picnic table and fire ring. In my opinion, if you have a fire ring you are camping!

 

 Outside the rental RV- we brought the pop-up canopy and strung up lights.

We are looking forward to staying in one of the coveted creekside sites this weekend. These sites are small and would probably be best suited to tent campers and pop-ups and they have the beautiful backdrop of the creek at your doorstep. The past two times we have stayed in sites in the middle level, near the playground. The sites aren't huge but they are wooded, which we prefer. Sites have always been very neat and clean. We prefer to use the larger bathrooms for showers, and on one stay the shower in the small bathroom as out of order. There are several shower stalls with plenty of space in the lower level bathrooms. There is a nice sized counter with electric so you can bring your hair dryer. The rest rooms are ALWAYS clean.  

Oak Creek will provide you with the full back story of Devil's Den when you arrive- read it! Generally it explains that the large boulders at the top of the hike formed caves and nooks where criminals could hide from the law. It was virtually impossible to extract a bad guy from the caves. The hike up the hill takes about 20 minutes. From there you will find the boulders. The first time Dad, Pop Pop and the kids hiked up they found "the wrong Devil's Den." Apparently they found small caves but this was not the actual lair. Go a bit further until you see the marked rocks (see photo). Dad crawled in a bit and took a few turns but admitted to feeling claustrophobic before too long. He snapped a few pictures inside. If you travel up to Devil's Den bring a buddy and a flashlight!

                                      Entrance to the real "Devil's Den is under the rock behind Brother.

                                             Inside "Devil's Den." Follow the arrows...if you dare.

After your hike to the Den take a dip in the pool. Three slides for kids and adults are lots of fun. The pool was clean and busy on the weekends. Some people were smart and brought their own chairs. The low end of the pool is 3 feet and it appeared to go to about 9 feet or so by the slides. If you have a non-swimmer bring a floatie since there is no baby pool. They do have a cool bounce house with small water slide for children under 12. Both our 7 and 3 year old LOVED this. The pool area was very clean and the water was comfortable. They offer water aerobics most Saturday mornings in the summer. I wish I had attended this as I heard great things. I was too busy stuffing my face at Shady Maple. However, I did attend a Zumba class one Sunday morning and it was GREAT! The instructor was a lot of fun and encouraged people of all fitness levels to participate. I highly recommend checking that out if it's offered when you stay. Wear sneakers and bring water.

                                       It's hard to tell from this photo but the pool is nice and big.

I'm a nut for planned activities at a campground if you haven't picked that up yet. As you may have read in my last post about The Rig, my husband's family is highly competitive when it comes to these activities, so if there is something to win, we are winning it. If there are crafts to be made, we will be there. My kids and I have made some great crafts at Oak Creek. Often they offer both a craft and ceramics.The crafts have been free, the ceramics a small charge. Sometimes they have adult craft time as well. They play Bingo Friday nights for cash (two hours, so bring your coffee). They played candy bar bingo one weekend- we thought this was just for kids but it seems the adult seasonals are the only ones who win- they play 6 cards each and make off with all the candy. I think my only suggestion to Oak Creek would be to make this a kids only bingo game. A little sad when no kids won the candy! The activities at Oak Creek are a big draw to us. We've enjoyed bands, dance parties, organized children's games, cooking demonstrations, wagon rides, donuts in the morning, parades, and much much more. They do a great job giving you lots of options for things to do. Or if you want to just kick back and relax at your site- go ahead!

                                         The new Gaga Ball Pit. A nice girl taught us how to play!

                                                    Labor Day Bike and Golf Cart Parade.


Well- have I convinced you to visit Oak Creek? We are looking forward to another themed weekend there coming up. The Big Fish. Oak Creek will put several tagged fish into the lake. If you catch one you could win $100 or $1000 in camping credits. Looks like Dad will be at the lake all day. Oak Creek is nestled in Amish Country. Driving in you will likely pass many beautiful farms and farmstands. Don't be afraid to check out the stands. We have picked up all kinds of great produce at good prices. Black Creek greenhouse is also nearby and nice for a visit. And did I mention Shady Maple? Oh, right. Enough said.

We look forward to many more trips to Oak Creek Campground. We highly recommend this great place to all campers.

                                                                   The Game Room.

                                                                Playground on the middle level.