Camping opportunities near Cornwall, Pennsylvania center around lush, wooded environments with elevations ranging from 400 to 600 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms between June and August. Most campgrounds in the region offer a mix of shaded and open sites, with proximity to both Hershey attractions and Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
What to do
Explore the Appalachian Trail: The Jonestown/Hershey KOA provides direct access to the famous hiking trail. "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," notes Lisa B.
Visit local Amish towns: When camping near Cornwall, take a day trip to experience authentic Amish culture. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," shares Jill R. about her stay at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Rail trail biking: The Swatara Rail Trail connects directly to some local campgrounds. "Love this place. Staff is helpful and friendly. They nice level sites with great atmosphere. Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking," explains Bobby S. from his experience at Jonestown/Hershey KOA.
Try fishing in local waters: Multiple ponds and streams offer fishing opportunities. "My kids went fishing and every cast they caught a fish, some were small... but hey the kids had fun," writes Michelle E. about Hickory Run Family Camping Resort.
What campers like
Well-maintained bath facilities: Cleanliness consistently receives positive mentions. "The bath house was extremely clean and very nice. The pool was nice, but being that it was the end of June, the water was freezing! I couldn't get in!" reports Cat R. from Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between sites. "Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Except for the Plateau sites, which have the amazing view, the rest of the campground had a great tree cover!" notes Craig F. about Starlite Camping Resort.
Location advantages: Proximity to major attractions is a key benefit. "Great campground. Lots of sites. Friendly and accommodating staff. Great location for activities including Hershey Park, Hershey Chocolate factory, Hershey RV show," shares TRACY K. about Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Onsite amenities: Activities keep campers entertained without leaving. "They have a tennis court, mini golf, basketball court, and you saw many kids out with their bicycles. There is even an arcade center for the kids and a rec center with a pool table," reports Yamileth K. about Thousand Trails Hershey.
What you should know
Train noise impacts sleep: Several campgrounds near Cornwall sit close to active train tracks. "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!" warns Kit from Hersheypark Camping Resort.
Nearby shooting ranges: Sound from shooting facilities affects some campsites. "This campground has nice large sites, shade and sunny, full hookups, clean pool, playground, super clean laundry room and bathrooms. The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner," explains Tara N. about Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park.
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the region are built on hillsides. "Not just the one we're on but others as well. The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites. We had to go out and get more blocks and we're still not very level front to back," says Sammii D. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Seasonal crowds: Weekends and holidays bring significant activity. "Basic RV's park 95 night is way to much you pay for location," comments Bill O. about staying at Hersheypark Camping Resort during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with game rooms: Kids enjoy arcades with ticket redemption. "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! It was like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time," recommends Melissa Y. from her experience at Pinch Pond.
Look for shuttle services: Some campgrounds offer transportation to major attractions. "We were able to purchase Hershey Park tickets which were cheaper than buying from the Hershey (at a discount) and it includes shuttle service to and from the park!" shares Marlaina M. about Jonestown/Hershey KOA.
Water features are key: Creeks and ponds provide natural entertainment. "There is a small, slow flowing river that runs along the front of the park which some people play in and float down in inner tubes," describes Nancy W. about her stay at Old Mill Stream Campground.
Check seasonal activities calendar: Many campgrounds offer special events. "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground," notes Leanne B. about her experience at Thousand Trails Circle M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: For pet-friendly camping near Cornwall, Pennsylvania, consider location within the campground. "If you are an RVer or 5th Wheeler, the best sites IMHO are those that back up to the periphery and are northernmost up the slight embankment as you'll have greater privacy and less noise being furthest away from all of the action," advises Stuart K. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Check exit road widths: Some campgrounds have design issues that affect larger rigs. "The loop we are in has four roads leading to the campsites (A,B,C and D). There is an arrow indicating direction. The exit road (D) is also an entry road to campsites. If someone is going to a campsite in Road D you can not pass them when exiting as the road is only one lane," explains James G. about Thousand Trails Hershey.
Expect hills when navigating: The terrain around Cornwall affects campground layouts. "This is a great family run campground. The store is nice, bathhouses are clean and private. Owners are super nice. There is also a great view of the surrounding countryside because it's up on a big hill. If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills," cautions Chris G. about Starlite Camping Resort.
Arrival timing impacts site selection: First-come, first-served campgrounds require strategy. "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," advises Yamileth K. about Thousand Trails Hershey.
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