150 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
from $50 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Set just off I-76 in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, Pinch Pond Family Campground& RV Park is a large, all-in-one, family-focused campground with a layout that feels more like a small neighborhood"
"campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."
"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."
"Tucked into the rolling, wooded hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort offers a unique blend of peaceful countryside and activity-packed camping, all just a stone"
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $45 - $279 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
"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!"
ScoutThe campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
ScoutThe area is very nice and so are the people. The sites are clean and the livestock are a cool sight to see
TravelerThere was no hot water in the showers. There are no dog poo stations. There is a dumpster marked “STAFF ONLY”. It’s nice they have a place to stuff the staff!
ScoutWas my first ever camping trip with a travel trailer. Site was very clean and well maintained and staff was friendly and great to deal with. Pull through sites (section K) was a little tight - maybe that’s the norm, don’t have anything to compare to but some awnings were near the neighboring camper. Overall, awesome experience.
TravelerOMG! Next to busy interstate, railroad tracks and shooting range. Way to much for me!
GuideI got there late in the afternoon and the place remained busy with people coming and going until well after dark. By 10, it finally settled down and no one bothered me the rest of the night.
TravelerThis campground is a great place to bring kids. The spots are a little tight but we were able to get our 46’ toy hauler in the spot with very little effort. Because the sites are back-in, we can’t use our rear patio but that is ok. The pool is very nice and the farm atmosphere makes it very fun for kids.
GuideMary & her crew run a great campground. Full hookup. Slow schedule during the week-camp store & pool mainly. Saturdays always have activities planned from bingo to quarter auctions, picnics & music. Each Saturday is different. Clean grounds. Nice playgrounds. Kiddie pool & nice size pool from 3-5’ deep. 2 cabins also available.
TravelerThe owner is kind and knowledgeable a lot of live in / snowbirds . Some are very kind but some of the live in’s are crude .
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.
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."
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."
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."
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!"
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 150 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 23 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.
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