Campgrounds near Dallastown, Pennsylvania offer varied terrain with elevations ranging from 400 to 900 feet across the region. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s. Most campsites in the region sit on rolling hills that can create drainage issues during heavy rain periods.
What to do
Explore Amish country: At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, you can experience Pennsylvania Dutch culture up close. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," notes Jill R. The campground places you within 15-20 minutes of authentic Amish markets and farms.
Visit historic Gettysburg: Located about 40 minutes from Dallastown, Drummer Boy Camping Resort offers convenient access to battlefield tours. "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do," explains David G. The campground provides shuttle service to battlefield areas during peak season.
Fish in stocked ponds: Several campgrounds maintain fishing areas that don't require state licenses. "Great place to go fishing!" mentions Anna H. about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. The pond is regularly stocked with catfish and bluegill, with no catch limits for guests.
What campers like
Kid-friendly amenities: Families appreciate the activities available at Thousand Trails Circle M. "They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," shares Leanne B. The riverside sites offer more space for families to spread out.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathhouses at many Dallastown area campgrounds. "Super clean and nice people! We enjoyed everything and the people were friendly. Worth the trip!" reports Nathan S. about Thousand Trails Circle M.
Farm animals: Unique to this region, some campgrounds incorporate working farms. "The main attraction is the animals, but there is also a cute playground for the kids," says Mary H. about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. Children can participate in scheduled animal feedings at 9am daily during peak season.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds near Dallastown operate from April through October, with limited wintertime options. "This campground was very nice. They had a live band one evening. Activities though the day were fun," notes Dawn T. about Spring Gulch Resort Campground.
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. "Site is gravel and pretty level. Water pressure is pretty low and the sewer pipe is a little high but all around a really solid experience," reports Nick E. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, mentioning Starlink worked well at site F03 while most other sites had too much tree cover.
Shooting range noise: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby shooting facilities. "Nice and quiet campground with a lot of amenities for all... 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.
Tips for camping with families
Book activities early: Popular family programs fill quickly during summer months. "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it," shares Leanne B. about Thousand Trails Circle M. Reservations for special weekend events should be made 1-2 weeks in advance.
Consider pool access: When temperatures climb, pools become essential. "They have 2 pools which is a bonus. Many folks have golf carts, as the campground is huge—and you can get turned around easily," explains a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. Most pools open Memorial Day through Labor Day, with some remaining open later on weekends.
Seek playgrounds: Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park offers dedicated play areas. "Unlike most campgrounds, the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus for me," mentions Melissa Y., though she notes, "If I have one and only complaint it's the pool, it could use an upgrade."
RV tips
Site selection strategies: For RV camping near Dallastown, Pennsylvania, experienced campers recommend arriving early. "This is my 3rd stay with a Thousand Trails campground and haven't been too impressed and wasn't expecting too much when we drove in. I was pleasantly surprised when we did," shares Sammii D. about PA Dutch Country RV Resort, noting "The campground loses a star because the sites are pretty uneven."
Leveling challenges: Many sites in the region require significant leveling equipment. "The sites were level and needed no additional blocking, a fire pit and picnic table with ample outdoor sitting room," a camper mentioned about the Gettysburg area, which contradicts experiences at other parks where "every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground."
Water pressure variations: Bring a pressure regulator and water filter. "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay," reports Justin B. about PA Dutch Country. Water pressure typically ranges from 30-45 PSI across most campgrounds in the area.
