The camping areas surrounding Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania sit in the Cumberland Valley, tucked between South Mountain and Blue Mountain at elevations ranging from 500-1,000 feet. Campers in this region can find sites within proximity to the Appalachian Trail, which runs directly through the town. Peak camping season typically runs April through October with nighttime temperatures averaging 45-65°F during these months.
What to do
Hike to scenic viewpoints: At Pine Grove Furnace State Park, visitors can access the Appalachian Trail and other notable trails. "Make sure you take a hike on the AT and then up to Pole Steeple for a great view! You may even bump into a through hiker excited to chat!" reports Amanda H. The park marks the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail, making it a milestone location for hikers.
Visit historical sites: The region contains numerous historical attractions including iron furnaces and museums. "The Park also has an old iron furnace (hence the name) with historical information about it. There is an Appalachian trail museum, which was very neat to check out, and the old Ironmaster's Mansion serves as a hostel and event venue," explains Carly E.
Water recreation: Multiple lakes provide swimming and boating opportunities during summer months. At Gifford Pinchot State Park, Julie Y. notes, "Easy walk to the lake with a small beach. There was also a beach location on the state park side vs campground side of the lake. Boat rentals available. Good sized lake for canoeing or kayaking."
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature full 18-hole disc golf courses. "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge all over the prime walking areas through the course," warns Danielle V.
What campers like
Pet-friendly sections: Many campgrounds provide designated pet areas. At Little Buffalo State Park, campers appreciate that "there are standard tent sites available and there are water/electric site available. There is a dump station available for the end. You can book your site on line and go straight to your site! no check in required."
Lakeside camping spots: Waterfront sites consistently receive high ratings. "We stayed in site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," reports Toshi at Gifford Pinchot State Park. These lakeside sites typically book first during peak season.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathhouses and grounds. At Dogwood Acres Campground, Mary C. found that it "looked clean and tidy. Good signage. Flat all gravel sites. Clean pool. Pavilion was a nice meeting place. Big pond was pretty. Friendly staff."
Farm experiences: Unique camping options include farm settings with animals. "The greatest feature of this park is that there is access to the AT! And there are plenty of hiking trails! I do not care for the campsites. The size is not to bad but they are in need of some grooming," notes Amanda H. about Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad noise throughout the night. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, campers mention that "the trains run all night long!" Kit advises to "make sure you aren't close to the tracks" when selecting a site.
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have poor connectivity. Adam P. notes that at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, "the cell service is 'spotty' as they state on their website, but hey you are camping."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close during winter months. Little Buffalo remains open year-round but with limited services from November through March.
Varying site sizes: Site dimensions and privacy levels differ significantly between campgrounds. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," shares Julie Y., highlighting the family-friendly nature of Gifford Pinchot.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Families with children appreciate swimming areas with graduated depths. "The pool is very nice! They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!" explains Amanda H. about Little Buffalo State Park.
Animal interactions: At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, families can enjoy unique farm experiences. "We came with 3 kids. They LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times," shares melissa, providing a popular activity for children.
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds feature accessible play structures. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, Benjamin A. mentions that there's a "nice playground with a small basketball court," providing recreation options beyond nature activities.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule family-oriented events, particularly on weekends. "Family friendly campground, lots of weekend activities, great pool, well stocked campstore, playground," reports barb C. at Mountain Creek Camp Ground.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup logistics: RV campers should note that not all electric sites include water hookups. "If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up," advises Adam P. about Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
Site selection challenges: Some campgrounds have tight spacing between RV sites. At Deer Run Campgrounds, Michael G. observes: "Tight sites and no grass in the majority of the sites, but the majority are well shaded which was nice."
Leveling considerations: Many sites require leveling blocks due to sloped terrain. "Our site was in good condition. Campground was very busy, nearly every site was booked. Sites are very close to each other, there's no privacy, and you can hear everyone and everything," notes Kyle J. about Caledonia State Park.
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