Bloomin' Bloomsburg

Best Things Nearby:
Knoebles, Columbia Mall, Lake Jean, Mt Poncono, Rickets Glen and World's End State Park, Penn's Cave, annual Bloomsburg Fair, Lakawanna Coal Mines and Cintrelia (city where an underground fire has been burning for at least a hundred years)

Best Things About the Resort:
When I was a kid, the best thing about this campground was riding our bikes and hanging out at the park. Nothing is more 'Americana' than having a good old-fashioned game of squish the watermelon.

Resort Experience:
Turners is an old fashion 'Mom 'n' Pop'-type campground. Charlie and Leona Turner have owned this campground for quite some time, and I've been going there with my family since the early '90s. It's situated on top of a mountain over looking the town of Bloomsburg. There is a park with slides, teeter toters, basketball court, sand pit, and a slide. Riding bikes is a breeze on any of their many trails. Any given day in the summer, there are fireworks and pot lucks being held at the central pavillion.

• Campground Type: Private
• Campsite Type: Camper/Trailer
• Price Range: $20 - $30
• Cleanliness: Excellent
• Campground Facilities: Very Good
• Recreational Facilities: Very Good
• Campsite Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Knoebels is hidden in between mountains and valleys. It's a great family getaway for a cheap price. Since admission is free, you can simply walk in and get some good food (try the pierogies at the stand outside the haunted house!). You almost don't want to tell people where you've been. Once you find a clean amusement park with decent prices and short lines, who wants to ruin it?

We went hiking for 2 hours, stripped down to our bathing suits, and jumped into the fresh spring waters and lagoons that feed the waterfalls. Ricketts Glen is a Pennsylvania state park, so there are picnic areas available, as well as public restrooms (no leaves needed!). The sunsets and views are spectacular, with little spots available for great photo opportunities.

The first week of September means one thing - the annual Bloomsburg Fair. This isn't just any fair; this is a tri-county event pulling in visitors from all over the state. There are rides, concerts, auctions, and FOOD! I'm not talking our typical fair treats. I'm talking home-cooked sausage and peppers, perogies, various pot pies, corn dogs, chili dogs, cheese dogs... the best food north of the Susquehanna. The concerts draw big names: Hall & Oats, Lynard Skynard, LeeAnn Rimes, and Reba McIntyre. One main thing is to get there early, because parking is a pain!