Codorus State Park anchors a network of camping options in southern Pennsylvania's York County, where the 1,275-acre Lake Marburg serves as the centerpiece for outdoor recreation. The area sits at approximately 600 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and cooler fall nights dropping to the 40s. Tent sites throughout the region typically feature flat pads with fire rings and nearby bathhouse facilities, offering varied degrees of privacy and shade.
What to do
Fishing in Lake Marburg: Bring fishing gear to Codorus State Park for bass and bluegill. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," notes one visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, which offers similar fishing opportunities on Pinchot Lake.
Historic battlefields exploration: Camp within minutes of Civil War landmarks. "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts," shared a camper at Artillery Ridge Campground.
Disc golf courses: Play a round at one of the area's 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."
Horseback tours: Experience the battlefield on horseback if staying near Gettysburg. "You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback. Nice catch and release pond in campground," reports a visitor who stayed during July.
What campers like
Quiet wooded sites: Find secluded spots under tree cover. "The 'full shade' sites were amazing. Large, fire ring with grate, and nice picnic table. We fit all 4 tents on the site," said a camper at Codorus State Park Campground.
Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events. "The resort had great amenities for all ages. We stayed in October so there was plenty of activities for kids from crafts, games, dancing, to trick or treating," reports a visitor to Gettysburg, where they "closed all vehicle traffic for 2 hours" during Halloween events.
Swimming options: Parks provide different water recreation facilities. "There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," notes a Codorus camper, while another mentioned that "the large beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park."
Hiking trails: Networks of paths surround most campgrounds. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles," described a visitor at Gifford Pinchot.
What you should know
Primitive tent sites location: Tent-only areas may be separated from RV sections. "The primitive sites are back in the woods which kept us nice and cool on hot July nights. The location also kept us fairly bug free," shared a visitor at Tucquan Park Family Campground.
Seasonal operations: Most parks have limited schedules. "We were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river. not far to go anywhere walking. porta potties were cleanest I have ever seen even with a ton of recent rain," notes a camper at Gettysburg Campground, which operates from early April to mid-November.
Wildlife considerations: Trees can harbor dropping hazards. "One of the drawbacks of this campground is that a lot of the trees are black walnut trees and the squirrels do not shy away from dropping the walnuts like bombs on your head, car, or table when you're preparing breakfast."
Limited cell service: Some camping areas have poor connectivity. "AT&T cell reception at our site was hit or miss, but good in the rest of the campground," reports a camper, who appreciated that "the whole campground was clean and well kept."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape," notes a camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Kid-friendly glamping close to Codorus, Pennsylvania: Upgrade from traditional tenting with cabin options. "We stayed in one of the cabins, which had 2 beds and a bunk bed, sink and toilet, refrigerator, microwave, dining table and sofa. There was also a front porch with picnic table and fire pit," shares a visitor to Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Family weekend activities: Many parks schedule kid-focused events. "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol. Wonderful experience for the whole family."
Budget-friendly alternatives to luxury glamping: State parks offer affordable comfort. "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. There was also a beach location on the state park side vs campground side of the lake."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Many sites offer multiple service options. "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms," reports a Codorus State Park camper, while another mentions, "No water but the bath house was close and very clean."
Site privacy considerations: RV sections vary in spacing. "Site Details: I forget our site#, but we were in the wooded area farthest from the central 'hub'. Our site was level, shaded and quite large. Almost every site in this section was similarly large and wooded, with an impressive amount of space between sites for a KOA," reports a visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Level sites: Check reviews for ground conditions. "Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too! Everyone we talked to was nice and friendly."
Dump station access: Not all sites include sewer hookups. "All sites have water and electric, but not all are 50 amp sites. About half the sites have sewer, but there are two dump stations that are centrally located and easy to get to. Make sure to bring your leveling blocks, some sites do have a slope to them of 3-4"."
