Best Campgrounds near Cornwall, PA

Central Pennsylvania's camping landscape around Cornwall features a mix of private resorts and state park facilities within a 30-mile radius. Thousand Trails Hershey in nearby Lebanon and Pinch Pond Family Campground in Manheim represent the region's family-oriented private campgrounds, while French Creek State Park offers a more natural setting with 200 campsites across four loops. The area's camping options range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots, cabins, yurts, and glamping accommodations. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with a few exceptions like Jonestown/Hershey KOA which remains open year-round.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences near Cornwall. Spring brings occasional heavy rainfall that can create muddy conditions at some campgrounds, particularly those with creekside sites. As one camper noted, "It rained fairly heavily during our first day and the sites became extremely muddy." Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and when special events occur at nearby Hershey Park. The Pennsylvania Dutch countryside surrounding Cornwall features rolling hills and farmland, with many campgrounds situated near highways for convenience but sometimes resulting in traffic noise. Temperatures typically range from pleasant 70s-80s°F in summer to cooler 50s-60s°F in spring and fall.

Proximity to attractions shapes many camping experiences in the Cornwall area. Several visitors highlight the convenience of campgrounds near Hershey Park, with one reviewer noting, "The only good thing this RV park has going is the Hershey park bus that runs all day back and forth." Site spacing varies considerably between campgrounds, with some state parks offering more privacy than private resorts. A common complaint about Hersheypark Camping Resort mentions that "RV sites are the tightest I have ever seen," while others praise the "beautiful picturesque campground with large spots and a lot of trees" at Pequea Creek Campground. Water features are particularly valued, with campers appreciating lakefront sites at Gifford Pinchot State Park where "you can get amazing sunset views" and creek access at several private campgrounds for fishing, kayaking, and swimming.

Best Camping Sites Near Cornwall, Pennsylvania (144)

    1. Thousand Trails Hershey

    21 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    $50 - $60 / night

    "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you."

    "This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."

    2. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 665-7640

    "campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."

    "Please note there is a driving range so starting around 10am you will here guns go off. Also the highway is close by so you can hear it."

    3. Hersheypark Camping Resort

    29 Reviews
    Hummelstown, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (833) 936-0949

    "This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."

    "They don’t sell alcohol but there is a shopping center within walking distance with restaurants and liquor stores! Even a supermarket. There is shuttle service to the park."

    4. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country

    13 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility."

    "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time."

    5. Jonestown/Hershey KOA

    16 Reviews
    Jonestown, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 865-6411

    "Love the close proximity to the highway and gas. We didn’t eat there but they had a restaurant! Lots of activities for the kids. Wooded sites and very clean bathrooms."

    "Pet friendly and 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."

    6. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 367-7718

    $45 - $279 / night

    "There was a bathhouse and dish sink nearby, as well as the entrance to a nice little nature trail a few sites down. "

    "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."

    7. Starlite Camping Resort

    6 Reviews
    Hopeland, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 733-9655

    "Starlight is a nice campground to relax or explore central Pennsylvania."

    "The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore."

    8. Thousand Trails Circle M

    19 Reviews
    Millersville, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."

    "I used to stay here all the time with my grandparents when they were around. It was always some of the best times for me."

    9. Hickory Run Family Camping Resort

    9 Reviews
    Reinholds, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 336-5564

    "All of the sites are full electric and more than a few have very little space for a family size tent to be safely away from the fire ring. Ours had adequate distance but we got lucky tbh."

    "Streams are close by, hiking trails are numerous and Hawk Falls was a high point of the park. Peaceful, crisp air and beautiful Surroundings."

    10. Old Mill Stream Campground

    17 Reviews
    Lampeter, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 299-2314

    "Tent sites are lined up along the water which is great for fishing (especially when you need to stay close to the littles sleeping in the tent). Lots of benches lined up along the water."

    "Not to noisy being next to a theme park. The bath house was just remodeled so it's excellent! Good price!"

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Recent Reviews near Cornwall, PA

967 Reviews of 144 Cornwall Campgrounds


  • Marc P.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Blue Rocks Family Campground

    Very nice but a little pricey.

    Been here many times always in the fall. Never been here in summer so have never used the pool. Great little store and small grill restaurant. The trails and the rocks are nice. Our site was very rocky and on an incline so hard to get the camper level. It was a “pop up/tent” site and we were in a small travel trailer so it’s understandable. Only criticism is the it’s very pricey for what you get. And there online booking system isn’t very accurate as it said they were sold out and there was many open sites all weekend. Would be much better it they made more sites have even basic electric.

  • Gennifer K.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Country Acres Campground

    Nice park

    This was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Locust Lake State Park Campground

    Edit: 1 star- Scout sites before paying!

    Beware: these sites are not travel trailer friendly.

    We booked two nights but upon arriving, we realized that there was no way to fit our trailer (only 25 ft). Trees were growing up in all the sites that were available and most of the ones without trees in the way were pointing in the wrong direction for backing into and NONE were level. Called the office, they told us what other sites were available and we tried every one. Only one was remotely suitable for a travel trailer and we had to drive the wrong way through the loop to be at the right angle to even try backing it in. No luck. I’m honestly shocked that they label some of these sites as RV friendly because wow. We left and had to find other accommodations. Trying to get a refund and currently navigating their phone system/trying to get a refund. Three phone conversations later and I’ll have to call another number on Monday to get the right person to issue the refund. We’ve never stayed at PA parks before but if they’re all like this, then it makes it really hard to plan when some sites are fine for trailers and some aren’t even close. Just heads up.

    UPDATE: Called back during business hours and got the “park manager.” Could only give a partial refund for one of the two nights. I said that they weren’t clear on the condition of the sites and he said there was nothing he could do about it.

  • M
    Oct. 6, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Hard with a large group

    Harder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Stoevers Dam Park

    Park is closed. We were kicked out.

    LThe park is a beautiful city park. There are 7 small, level, back-in sites with electric, a picnic table and fire pit. We arrived in a Sunday and you have to call for a permit, but the office is only open on M-F during working hours. At 8 pm, a police officer told us the park was closed because of a bear, but that they had not gotten around to putting up signs. Wound up in a Walmart instead.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Dog owners read!

    There’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • Matt S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Stonybrook RV Resort

    This is a great place!

    We spent four nights at Stonybrook RV Resort in Lehighton, PA, for a quiet wedding anniversary getaway— and so glad we did. We paid$150 per night total for a FHU 50 Amp Premium Back-in site (#F20). This campground makes a great home-base while hanging out in the Pocono Mountains. 

    THINGS I LIKED: 

    • This place is in super condition— everything works as it’s supposed to and is clean and maintained 
    • The concrete pad/patio with Breeo smokeless fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and metal patio table and chairs made a great setup 
    • Our site(F20) is level and beautiful— spacious and beautifully landscaped 
    • We interacted with 5 members of their staff and all were welcoming and friendly to talk with 
    • There’s a heated pool behind the office/store so it’s not noisy for campers at their sites 

    THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH: 

    • Just one thing— the entrance made for a challenging entry up a steep grade, narrow roadway, and sharp turn in. I made it without problems, but it wasn’t easy in a 45’ motorhome towing a Jeep. This may be nitpicky— and I’m not complaining about it— just letting you know to expect it on arrival. 

    WOULD WE COME BACK? 

    • Absolutely, this is a great campground(I’ve already recommended it to my Newmar Kountry Klub chapter president as a possible site for a future rally).

Guide to Cornwall

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."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cornwall, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cornwall, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 144 campgrounds and RV parks near Cornwall, PA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Cornwall, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cornwall, PA is Thousand Trails Hershey with a 3.9-star rating from 21 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cornwall, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Cornwall, PA.