Camping near Cornwall, Pennsylvania offers varied terrains with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,200 feet across the region. The area experiences moderate humidity throughout camping season, with average summer night temperatures dropping to 60-65°F. Most campgrounds in this region have paved or gravel access roads, with natural terrain sites requiring leveling equipment for comfortable setup.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Thousand Trails Circle M sits along a horseshoe curve of the Conestoga River, creating excellent fishing conditions. "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!" reports camper Karla R.
Rail trail access: From Jonestown/Hershey KOA, campers can directly access the Swatara Rail Trail. "Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking. The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc," says Bobby S. The trail provides 10 miles of flat, accessible terrain suitable for all skill levels.
Appalachian Trail connection: Multiple campgrounds offer access to sections of the Appalachian Trail. Lisa B. notes, "You can access the Appalachian trail from campground. Lots of great food and places to go in the area. They have a river that is great for kayaking or tubing."
What campers like
Swimming options: The Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA maintains a clean pool area. Melissa C. notes, "The facilities are all lovely, staff in the camp store are kind and helpful." Many campers appreciate having both swimming facilities and creek access at various locations.
Wooded campsites: Campers consistently mention appreciating shaded sites. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, one reviewer observed, "Easy to get to and beautiful setting, gorgeous trees and feels very woodsy." The campground maintains wooded areas that provide natural cooling during hot summer days.
Distance from highways: While most campgrounds are conveniently located near major routes, some offer better noise protection. Stuart K. notes about PA Dutch Country RV Resort, "As the PA Dutch Country RV Resort rests at a slightly higher elevation than the turnpike, I have to admit, we really didn't notice much of any noise coming from the highway."
What you should know
Shooting range noise: Multiple campgrounds near Cornwall have reported noise from nearby shooting ranges. At Pinch Pond, Tara N. warns, "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner. If your out and about, it won't be an issue."
Limited cellular service: Cell coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. At some locations, service is spotty or non-existent. Review your carrier's coverage maps before arrival if connectivity is important.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain in this region often requires significant leveling equipment. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, Justin B. notes, "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground."
Tips for camping with families
Dedicated family activities: Starlite Camping Resort offers scheduled activities for children. Elizabeth L. shares, "There are regular activities for all ages including bingo, crafts and live music." Many campgrounds post weekly activity schedules during peak season.
Indoor recreation options: Several campgrounds maintain indoor facilities for rainy days. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, covered pavilions provide shelter for planned activities regardless of weather conditions.
Playground access: Most campgrounds feature playground equipment, though quality and maintenance vary. Melissa Y. from Pinch Pond notes, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Hersheypark Camping Resort, RVers recommend specific site areas. Mike J. advises, "The lower drive threw spots are packed together. Our 32' with slides just fit the sight and we had zero room for the truck. They have other spots up on the hill but would have been more of a challenge with our rig."
Water pressure considerations: Several campgrounds report varying water pressure issues. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, Nick E. observes, "Water pressure is pretty low and the sewer pipe is a little high but all around a really solid experience."
Satellite reception challenges: Due to tree coverage at many campgrounds, satellite reception can be difficult. Nick E. reports, "Definitely got lucky with site F03 for Starlink. The rest of the campground has a lot of tree cover."
