Several campgrounds surround Steelton, Pennsylvania, offering tent and cabin camping options throughout the year. Located in the Susquehanna Valley at 340 feet elevation, the area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and humidity levels reaching 70-80%. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with limited winter camping available at select locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The fishing pond at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm provides a convenient spot for casual anglers. "There is a nice little store with hand dipped ice cream — I believe normally there's a game room, but it had flooded so it wasn't open. There is also mini golf for a very small fee," notes melissa.
Historic exploration: Visit Gettysburg National Military Park, just 10 minutes from Round Top Campground. "We were looking for a semi-local final fall get-a-way near us. What better location for that than Gettysburg. The drive in and out was never an issue or annoyance," explains Dave R., who enjoyed battlefield tours during his stay.
Amish country immersion: Experience authentic Pennsylvania Dutch culture when staying at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," writes Jill R., highlighting the cultural aspects rather than the campground itself.
What campers like
Natural shade: Many campers appreciate wooded sites at Pinch Pond Family Campground. "Nice, forested campground. Friendly staff, clean bathhouses. Sites well maintained but ours wasn't level. Gets packed on weekends," reports Kathy L., who found the tree cover pleasant despite some site limitations.
Pool access: Swimming options near rv sites around Steelton, Pennsylvania rank high with campers. "The pool with the slide was very clean," notes Sabrina H. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort, while Melissa Y. mentions Pinch Pond's pool "could use an upgrade and I wish they had actual lounge chairs rather than just plastic chairs to sit. However, unlike most campgrounds, the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus."
Entertainment variety: Campgrounds in this region offer diverse activities for all ages. "They have Hershey's ice cream in the office and my kids enjoyed getting a treat. 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!" shares Melissa Y. about Pinch Pond.
What you should know
Variable site quality: Campsite conditions can differ significantly within the same property. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, Justin B. cautions, "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers. Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay."
Noise factors: Several campgrounds near highways experience road noise. Kathy L. notes about Pinch Pond, "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."
Off-season limitations: Facilities may be reduced during shoulder seasons. "We only went once, and not much was open. Nice cute country store on site. Ground was not level where we were," explains Heather H. about her experience at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country during the off-season.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with structured programming for children. At Sun Valley Campground, a reviewer noted, "There were also planned activities for children and adults," making it easier to keep kids entertained throughout your stay.
Playground considerations: Assess playground availability and quality before booking. "Playground was open and great for the kids, so was mini golf," mentions Kasey M. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, though other reviewers note some facilities need maintenance.
Farm experiences: Children often enjoy interacting with animals at farm-based campgrounds. "Plenty to see and learn. Prefect campground for the family," writes Robert M. about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, while melissa adds, "They LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many rv camping spots near Steelton, Pennsylvania require significant leveling. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, Sammii D. observed, "The campground loses a star because the sites are pretty uneven. Not just the one we're on but others as well. The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites."
Sewer hookup positioning: Check sewer connection placement before setup. "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)," reports Nancy W. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Site selection strategy: For more privacy at Thousand Trails parks, Stuart K. advises, "If you are an RVer or 5th Wheeler, the best sites IMHO are those that back up to the periphery and are northernmost up the slight embankment as you'll have greater privacy and less noise being furthest away from all of the action in the center of this campground resort."
