Most campgrounds near Bainbridge, Pennsylvania sit within 100-200 feet above sea level in the lower Susquehanna Valley. The region experiences cold winters with temperatures dropping to the low 20s and warm summers averaging 85°F. Local campgrounds typically operate from April through October, with limited options available during winter months.
What to do
Fishing in stocked ponds: At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, campers can enjoy fishing in their pond while surrounded by farmland. "The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us. It was an easy hike as suggested on the map to circle around and through the cornfield, you get a great view of the farms nearby and the river," notes one visitor.
Visit historical sites: The region's location provides convenient access to Gettysburg National Military Park, about 45 minutes from several camping options. "The campground is very safe at night, no noise disturbances at night and we had no problems having our kids wander around by themselves," according to a visitor at Thousand Trails Hershey, noting it's "a wonderful fishing and boating area."
Experience Amish country: Sun Valley Campground serves as a central point for exploring Pennsylvania Dutch country. "Weekend stay here and instead of leaving on Sunday, we booked another day. Great swimming pool, immaculately clean bathrooms and showers. Well wooded campground with friendly staff and guests," writes one camper who found the location ideal for exploring local attractions.
What campers like
Community events: Drummer Boy Camping Resort offers themed weekends that many seasonal campers appreciate. "Great campground, close to Gettysburg but far enough to escape. 2 pools which is a bonus. Many folks have golf carts, as the campground is huge—and you can get turned around easily," explains a reviewer who stayed during summer.
Recreation options: Many campgrounds provide free mini golf, fishing ponds, and seasonal pools. One camper at Appalachian Camping Resort shared, "We have already booked our next trip and made sure we were not on another buddy site. Now that I know this, we can avoid that one issue in the future. I enjoyed this campground so much that this will now be our go to campground when we want to stay close to home."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness is consistently highlighted in positive reviews. A Sun Valley Campground visitor noted, "By far, the friendliest campground we have visited! Most of the sites are seasonal and we were placed amongst the seasonals. We immediately had multiple people offer insight as to how best approach the site."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most RV sites near Bainbridge, Pennsylvania only operate from April through late October. Spring Gulch Resort Campground runs from "March 21 to December 1," making it one of the longer-season options in the area.
Shooting ranges: Several campgrounds are located near shooting ranges, which affects noise levels during daytime hours. "The main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby. Fortunately our dog wasn't bothered by the sound of gunshots and it's only during the day," notes a visitor to Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Terrain challenges: The rolling landscape means many sites require significant leveling. A camper at Pinch Pond Family Campground observed, "The slots are level and feature small stone surface with all of the typical hook-ups (30/50 electric amp, water, sewage and Cable TV)," though not all campgrounds offer such level sites.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Most family-oriented campgrounds offer structured activities, particularly on weekends. "The campground had numerous activities set up all throughout the day and there was something for everyone. I find that a lot of campground activities tend to be centered around small children and with my kids being 13 and 12, they're usually left out of the fun," notes an Appalachian Camping Resort visitor who found age-appropriate options for older children.
Pool hours: Check pool operating times as they vary by campground and season. "The pool was open until 10pm everyday," mentions the same Appalachian visitor, making it possible for evening swims after day trips.
Farm experiences: For a unique camping experience with children, consider sites with farm animals. "We were in C103. If you love farm animals, that is the spot to be. Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas," explains a visitor to Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At first-come, first-served campgrounds like Thousand Trails properties, timing matters. "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you. For everyone complaining about driving around and not finding spots, if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem," advises a visitor to Thousand Trails Hershey.
Leveling requirements: Many RV sites near Bainbridge require substantial leveling equipment. "Definitely got lucky with site F03 for Starlink. The rest of the campground has a lot of tree cover. Beautiful grounds and clean. Site is gravel and pretty level. Water pressure is pretty low and the sewer pipe is a little high but all around a really solid experience," notes a Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country visitor.
Utility placement: Sewer connections are sometimes inconveniently positioned. "One star taken away because fire pit is within feet from poop sewer connection of neighbor. Thankfully, they didn't use it, but imagine if they had as we were cooking over the open fire," cautions a visitor to Appalachian Camping Resort.
