Camping near Dauphin, Pennsylvania offers diverse options along the Susquehanna River valley, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,100 feet across the region. The area experiences all four seasons distinctly, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F during peak camping months. Fall camping brings vibrant foliage displays along with cooler nights in the 40-50°F range, making proper insulation essential for tent campers.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds provide pond or river access for anglers. At Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park, the fishing pond offers a relaxing spot despite some natural reclamation. "The pond is not suitable for swimming and has no swimming signs around. Nature decided to reclaim the area and the fish have an abundance of kel to live in. It is a wonderful fishing and boating area," shares Stuart K.
Explore Amish country: Campsites near the Pennsylvania Dutch region provide cultural opportunities within short drives. "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. about her experience at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Gettysburg historical sites: Several campgrounds serve as convenient bases for visiting Gettysburg. "This park is about ten minutes away from Gettysburg National Military Park which is definitely worth visiting," explains Nancy W. from Drummer Boy Camping Resort. Many visitors plan multi-day itineraries combining battlefield tours with camping.
What campers like
Farm animal interactions: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm offers unique opportunities to interact with livestock. "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," explains Kasey M. This working farm environment particularly appeals to families with younger children.
Water recreation options: Several campgrounds feature swimming pools with extended hours. "The best thing I can say is the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus for me," notes Melissa Y. about Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Seasonal festivities: October brings Halloween-themed activities to many campgrounds. "They had Halloween every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" shares Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Circle M, which offers decorated sites and trick-or-treating opportunities throughout the campground.
What you should know
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the region have challenging terrain. "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers. Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay. Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground," reports Justin B. about their stay at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Seasonal operations: Most RV parks near Dauphin operate from April through October. "Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort places you in the heart of one of the most picturesque natural landscapes anywhere in the Keystone State," notes Stuart K., who visited during the main season.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation or recreational facilities. "Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby. Fortunately our dog wasn't bothered by the sound of gunshots and it's only during the day," explains Kathy L. about Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access timing: Several RV parks near Dauphin, Pennsylvania maintain pools with varying schedules. "There is a swimming pool, ball courts, fishing pond, mini golf (which was in pretty sad shape), and more. They have themed weekend events, live music, bingo, golf cart parades, and potluck," observes Nancy W. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Playground availability: Consider campground layout when traveling with children who enjoy playgrounds. "In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down," notes Chelsea from Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Indoor recreation options: For rainy days, Thousand Trails Circle M provides indoor facilities. "There is an indoor and outdoor pool. Putt putt is still open and fun, so is playground. Arcade was open. There is an indoor pool and spa (spa closed due to Covid)," Kasey M. reports.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup sharing: Several campgrounds require multiple RVs to share water sources. "The site on either side was the same rusty. Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground," reports Justin B. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Site selection strategies: Experienced RVers recommend requesting specific areas when booking. "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 in the center of this campground resort," suggests Stuart K. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Sewer connection placement: Some RV parks near Dauphin have challenging waste hookup positioning. "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," shares Nancy W. from Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
