Brogue, Pennsylvania sits at the convergence of hiking trails and waterways in southern York County, with typical summer temperatures ranging in the 80s. Several campgrounds within a 30-mile radius offer both primitive sites and luxury glamping accommodations, with most open from April through November when overnight temperatures rarely drop below 40°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers excellent shoreline fishing with bass and bluegill commonly caught in the 340-acre lake. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," shares one visitor. Sites along the shore provide convenient water access for anglers.
Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground features two 18-hole disc golf courses with different terrain challenges. "The course in the Conewago area is relatively flat, whereas the Quaker Race course is built into the side of the hill... so it is a lot more wooded and hillier," notes a camper. Pack extra discs as poison ivy can make retrieval challenging.
Kayaking and canoeing: Thousand Trails Circle M sits on a horseshoe bend of the river, creating calm water perfect for beginners. "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!" A shuttle service operates during warmer months for canoe trips, eliminating the need for two vehicles.
What campers like
Waterfront camping spots: Many campers appreciate direct water access from their sites. At Gifford Pinchot, "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs." These waterfront sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends.
Clean, modern facilities: Country Acres Campground maintains exceptionally clean bathhouses and grounds. "The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home! Everything is clean and well managed," reports one family. The campground's landscaping also receives praise: "They did such a great job... gorgeous flowers!"
Quiet, family-oriented environments: Tucquan Park Family Campground offers a peaceful setting with organized activities. "This was a nice, family oriented campground. They had a lot of events that people participated in like candy bar and regular bingo, corn hole and horse shoe tournaments and a dj," notes a reviewer. The primitive sites are back in the woods, which keeps them "nice and cool on hot July nights."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most glamping close to Brogue, Pennsylvania operates from early April through November. Codorus State Park Campground opens "2nd Friday April to October 31," while others like Country Acres run from "March 22 to November 24."
Weather considerations: Summer thunderstorms can develop quickly in the region. "Bug spray is a must and lower sites are muddy," warns a camper at Thousand Trails Circle M. Prepare for muddy conditions after rain, especially at campgrounds near waterways.
Gun range proximity: Pinch Pond Family Campground sits near a shooting range, which affects the noise level during daytime hours. "There's a shooting range near the property, so at all hours you will hear target practice going on, especially in the wee early hours," notes a recent visitor. For quieter sites, request locations in the rear of the property.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Many campgrounds near Brogue offer dedicated kid-friendly features. "Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville has super clean, beautiful campground. So many activities to entertain kids, we couldn't fit it all in!" Water activities particularly appeal to families during hot summer months.
Budget management: Luxury glamping options cost significantly more than primitive sites. At Thousand Trails Circle M, "While the top part of the campground seemed more communal, we chose the lower, Riverside sites and we're glad we did!" These riverside sites offered better value and direct water access for family fun.
Safety considerations: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville provides supervised activities for children. "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground," cautions one family. Request higher elevation sites when camping with small children, especially during rainy seasons.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many RV sites lack complete shade coverage. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, "I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of trees and separation between many sites. If you're looking for trees and privacy, stick to the sites at the bottom of the hill."
Hookup variations: Old Mill Stream Campground offers full hookup sites with different surfaces. "Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were..." The asphalt sites provide better stability during wet weather and minimize leveling issues.
Access considerations: Old Mill Stream Campground has a somewhat confusing entrance. "The entrance in off the main road turns you into the theme park. Fear not. Turn in and follow the road to the right and into the campground," advises an RV owner. The campground accommodates large rigs, with one reviewer noting, "We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig."
