Camping around Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania offers access to central Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley, where the Appalachian Trail passes through at 1,100 feet elevation. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Fall foliage camping is especially popular from late September through early November, creating high demand at campgrounds within 30 miles of Boiling Springs.
What to do
Interact with farm animals: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm offers a unique camping experience where families can participate in animal feeding. "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 who enjoyed the agricultural setting.
Go fishing: Several campgrounds in the region have fishing ponds or river access. "Great place to go fishing!" commented a camper at Gettysburg Farm. Another visitor mentioned, "The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks! We didn't know but went and bought a tube and spent the day on the river!"
Explore historic Gettysburg: Drummer Boy Camping Resort provides convenient access to Gettysburg National Military Park, approximately 10 minutes away. One camper shared, "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do." Another noted their activities while staying in the area: "Battlefield audio tour, Nighttime walking ghost tour, Battlefield Brew Works, Visited shops around the square."
What campers like
Well-maintained pools: Many rv parks near Boiling Springs feature swimming pools that receive positive feedback. At Thousand Trails Circle M, campers appreciate "Nice indoor and outdoor pools!" A visitor at Drummer Boy noted, "The pool with the slide was very clean," highlighting this as a significant amenity during summer months.
Halloween festivities: Fall camping offers special themed activities. "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" shared a Circle M camper. At Round Top Campground, another visitor mentioned, "Golf course setup for spooky time of year," indicating the seasonal decorations many campgrounds implement.
Kid-friendly amenities: Pinch Pond Family Campground received praise for its recreation options: "Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT! It was like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time." Other campgrounds feature mini-golf, playgrounds, and organized activities for younger guests.
What you should know
Unlevel sites: Many campgrounds in the region have terrain challenges. At Round Top Campground, a camper reported, "Trees and mountain area is pleasant. Lots of activities for kids. Basketball court recently updated. Spots are tight, Water pressure is low, road traffic noise." At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, another noted, "The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm runs "April 11 to October 26," while Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country operates "April 14 to October 29." Only a few facilities like Western Village RV Park remain open year-round.
Shooting range proximity: Some campgrounds have unexpected noise issues. "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner," cautioned a Pinch Pond visitor. Another added, "If you're out and about, it won't be an issue. However if you enjoy sitting outside of your camper and relaxing this might be nerve wracking."
Tips for camping with families
Plan for varied weather: Fall camping requires preparation for temperature swings. A camper at Thousand Trails Hershey shared their experience: "We decided to camp in the fall and did a cabin since it was colder and we had the baby. We loved it! The cabin was cute, clean, and warm. It snowed a bit but we had an outdoor fire."
Consider bathroom proximity: When tent camping with children, bathroom location matters. "Only downside is the walk to the bathrooms if you tent camp. A long walk if you really got to go," noted a Western Village visitor. Many family-oriented campgrounds have multiple bathhouses, but their locations relative to tent sites vary significantly.
Look for themed weekends: Special events enhance family camping trips. "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it," shared a Circle M camper. Another visitor noted, "They have themed weekend events, live music, bingo, golf cart parades, and potluck."
Tips from RVers
Arrive early at membership campgrounds: For Thousand Trails locations, 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."
Check sewer connection placement: At some campgrounds, hookups present challenges. "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," reported a Drummer Boy visitor. This can create significant practical problems for longer stays.
Verify site dimensions: Campgrounds may have tight spacing between sites. At Western Village RV Park, a camper warned, "The sites are so small that my truck was either parked over the firering or blocking our door. Our slideout is 3" from the neighbor site's picnic table." Before booking, confirm your RV's dimensions will fit comfortably within the designated space.
