Camping sites near Dauphin, Pennsylvania offer diverse experiences across the Susquehanna River valley at elevations ranging from 400-1,200 feet. Summer temperatures in this region typically reach 85-90°F during July and August, with afternoon thunderstorms common. The proximity to both the Appalachian Trail and the Susquehanna River creates unique opportunities for hiking, fishing, and water-based recreation.
What to do
Kayaking and tubing: Ferryboat Campsites provides direct river access for water activities along the Susquehanna. "Lots to do very close to water and many things to do in and around camp ground," notes one camper who enjoyed the riverside location.
Hiking nearby trails: Jonestown/Hershey KOA connects to extensive trail networks. "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," shares a regular visitor. The campground is also "connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking."
Fishing opportunities: Lake Heron Retreat offers a 10-acre lake that provides excellent fishing options. The lake setting is particularly peaceful, with one visitor noting, "This lake was beautiful! A short walk from the campsite. We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning."
Historic exploration: Little Buffalo State Park Campground features historic structures including a working mill. "The historical mill was well worth the trip. By the far the highlight of ours as well. Especially since they engaged the wheel and actually ground corn!" reports one visitor who enjoyed the educational aspect.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Camp Hebron earns praise for its spacious, wooded campsites. "This place is a must if you like the outdoors when camping! It is hands down the best place we've camped... The sites have lots of tree cover and they are private," explains one enthusiastic camper.
Clean facilities: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA maintains high cleanliness standards that campers appreciate. "Spotless bathrooms. Nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly. Price is fair and not nearly as expensive as many other KOAs but the quality is just as good!" reports a satisfied visitor.
Water recreation: Little Buffalo State Park Campground offers diverse water-based activities. "Camping trails, grills to cook on but bring ur own charcoal, giant lake to fish and boat on, hiking for all experience levels, great fishing... and there is even an eagle nest in the park and you can see the pair and often their young."
Unique waterfront options: Riverfront Campground provides sites directly on the Susquehanna. "Great river front location! Could be a bit muddy depending on the river. The train does run right near all night long, but I find it soothing... Great place to kayak tube or hang out in the river."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: At Thousand Trails Hershey, site selection significantly impacts experience. "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... if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with a few exceptions. Jonestown/Hershey KOA operates "All year" according to their listing, providing an option for winter camping near Dauphin.
Transportation options: Several campgrounds offer shuttle services to Hershey attractions. Jonestown/Hershey KOA provides discounted park tickets that "were cheaper than buying from Hershey (at a discount) and it includes shuttle service to and from the park!"
Cell service variations: Connectivity varies significantly across camping areas near Dauphin. Lake Heron Retreat reports "Verizon service was fine" while other more remote locations may have limited connectivity.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming options: Little Buffalo State Park Campground features a dedicated swimming area. "To meet your swimming needs an all ages pool with water slides and fountains to jump through" makes this park particularly appealing for families with children.
Multiple activity options: Jonestown/Hershey KOA offers varied family entertainment. "There's a fenced not in area for dogs and a mini golf course, but it's more for younger children," notes one visitor who appreciated the family-friendly amenities.
Nature education opportunities: Little Buffalo State Park offers ranger-led programs. "We did have a nice bat spotting walk with a Ranger when we were there and there's an interesting historic mill you can tour," shares a camper who enjoyed the educational aspects of their stay.
Budget-friendly planning: When visiting Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, timing matters. "We had the whole place to ourselves" reports a camper who visited in October, noting the off-season advantages for families seeking a quieter experience with more space.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require equipment for leveling. At Ferryboat Campsites, "sites are level and shaded, but very close to neighbors" according to a recent visitor, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate sites for larger rigs.
Hookup availability: Thousand Trails Hershey offers varied hookup options. "The campground is very safe at night, no noise disturbances at night and we had no problems having our kids wander around by themselves. The bathrooms are nice and are designated shelters in case of severe weather."
Site spacing considerations: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA provides well-designed RV sites. "This is a large KOA with lots of sites, set on a hilly/'tiered' landscape with winding roads. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of trees and separation between many sites."
Advance planning requirements: For larger rigs, timing arrivals carefully improves experience. "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."
