Camping sites near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania span across varied terrain from the Susquehanna River valley to nearby wooded state parks within 30-60 minutes of the capital city. The camping season typically runs April through October with July and August temperatures averaging 85°F with high humidity. Most primitive camping options can be found along waterways, particularly Yellow Breeches Creek and the Susquehanna River.
What to do
Water activities: Yellow Breeches Creek offers kayaking opportunities at Lower Allen Community Park where "you can put in a few miles up and float down to your site." The creek provides a calm waterway suitable for beginners and families.
Fishing spots: The Susquehanna River near Riverfront Campground provides river access for anglers. According to one camper, the location is "great for fishing, go out on the boat, hang by the river, relax in the hammocks provided."
Hiking trails: Several state parks offer marked trails of varying difficulty levels. At Little Buffalo State Park, visitors enjoy "nice trails to hike. There is a large lake for fishing! You can rent boats there!" The park features trails suitable for both casual walkers and more experienced hikers.
Historic sites: The area surrounding Harrisburg contains numerous historical attractions within short driving distance from campgrounds. The Conewago Recreation Trail near Elizabethtown is "a great multi-use trail for walking, biking, etc." with historical points of interest along the route.
What campers like
Shaded sites: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers wooded camping areas with good separation between sites. As one camper notes, "Nice sized spots, wooded, paved roads beautiful lake." The tree cover provides welcome relief during summer months.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept shower facilities and restrooms. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, "Bathrooms are very clean and modern, but a decent walk from tent sites. The facilities are all lovely, staff in the camp store are kind and helpful."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas, with Little Buffalo State Park offering "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!" These facilities provide relief from summer heat.
Riverfront access: Many campers appreciate direct water access. At River Rock Recreation, a visitor shared: "Staying right on the river was both fun and relaxing for us. We even booked a second trip for this July."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds near highways and rail lines experience significant noise. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, "Trains are all night" and "super loud bc of the trains. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!"
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking, particularly on weekends and during summer months. At Camp Hebron, "They were booked for Saturday and Sunday so I only camped during the week."
Site selection tips: Choosing the right site matters for comfort and experience. At Thousand Trails Hershey, "some of the sites are not very level, ours included (which they warned us about when they told us which one it was)." Request specific site areas when making reservations.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate limited hours during spring and fall. At Little Buffalo State Park Campground, "The pool is very nice! They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones!" However, pool access requires additional fees beyond camping costs.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Harrisburg East Campground provides "Nice pool and restrooms" though "No activities for kids." Consider campgrounds with dedicated play areas when camping with children.
Swimming facilities: Little Buffalo State Park offers family-friendly water features. "There is a pool! 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!"
Activity options: Some campgrounds offer organized events for children. At Camp Hebron, "Get ready for buses of kids, literally, to show up at the campground in the late morning and stay and be loud all day long," indicating children's programs that might interest families.
Site privacy considerations: For families needing space, consider campground layout. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, "The sites have lots of tree cover and they are private," providing better separation between neighboring campers.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require equipment for leveling. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, "Sites were a bit close where we were but they had other sites that were more spread out. Nice pool and great camp store!"
Hookup availability: RV sites offer varying levels of service. At Thousand Trails Hershey, "they have huge RV pull-through sites, smaller sites for travel trailers/pop-ups, some tent sites (though that's clearly not their prime business), and cabins available to rent as well."
Accessibility concerns: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger vehicles. One camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort noted, "It is a nice camp ground but the lower drive threw spots are packed together. Our 32' with slides just fit the sight and we had zero room for the truck."
Utility reliability: Power and water quality varies between locations. At Camp Hebron, visitors appreciate "Good water pressure, reliable electric. Cheap firewood available," which is important information for RV campers requiring consistent utilities.
