RV camping near Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania offers access to both wooded sites and open farmland camping experiences. The region sits in the eastern Pennsylvania countryside where the Conewago Creek winds through the landscape at approximately 400 feet elevation. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February, making seasonal closures common at most campgrounds.
What to do
Farm animal interactions: At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, children can participate in morning animal feedings. "We LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times. Beyond that though, we found there wasn't too much to do," notes melissa.
Mini golf adventures: Several campgrounds feature mini golf courses, but quality varies by season. "The mini golf was fun but need to be regreened...several holes needed maintenance," according to Beth B. at Spring Gulch Resort Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer fishing ponds for casual angling. "We caught some cat fish in the pond," shares Michael K. about his experience at Appalachian Camping Resort, making it a good option for families seeking relaxed outdoor activities.
Amish countryside exploration: Visitors camping near Elizabethtown can explore the surrounding Pennsylvania Dutch communities. "If you've never visited an Amish community, you should definitely take advantage of this very unique location by exploring Lancaster County where you can find a number of horse & buggies," suggests Stuart K. about the area near Pinch Pond Family Campground.
What campers like
Heated indoor pools: Offseason camping benefits from indoor swimming options. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, guests appreciate "nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool" according to Jen R., making it suitable for spring and fall visits.
Live entertainment: Weekend performances provide evening activities at several locations. "The Saturday night bands are concert worthy," reports Scott J. about Sun Valley Campground, where seasonal events draw repeat visitors throughout summer.
Halloween weekend activities: Multiple campgrounds offer special October programming. "We spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" shares Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Circle M, where camping continues through late November.
Clean bathroom facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom quality as a deciding factor. "BATHROOMS CLEAN!!!!! Is there really anything else? Lol!" states Anna M. about her experience at Thousand Trails Hershey, reflecting the importance of well-maintained facilities.
What you should know
Shooting range proximity: Several campgrounds near Elizabethtown are located near shooting ranges. "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner," warns Tara N. about Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites throughout the area require additional leveling equipment. "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 his stay at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Water quality concerns: Some areas experience seasonal water issues. "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay," notes one reviewer about their experience at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Cell service variability: Reception can be inconsistent depending on location and carrier. "2 bars LTE on T-Mobile" reports Lori about Sun Valley Campground, while some more remote locations have minimal coverage.
Tips for camping with families
Book specialty accommodations early: Unique lodging options fill quickly. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, "There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others," says Jen R., making advance planning essential.
Consider noise sensitivity: Highway and industrial noise affects some locations. "There is a quarry close by so you could hear the trucks beeping and the noise from there but that was the only negative thing," advises a Lake-In-Wood Campground visitor.
Check playground locations: Larger campgrounds might have limited play areas. "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," reports Chelsea about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Pool hours vary seasonally: Weekday pool closures can disappoint families. "Staff was nice but not enough staffing to keep amenities like pool open after 5 during the week," notes Beth B. about Spring Gulch Resort Campground.
Tips from RVers
Satellite connectivity: Tree cover affects satellite reception at many campgrounds. "Definitely got lucky with site F03 for Starlink. The rest of the campground has a lot of tree cover," shares Nick E. about PA Dutch Country RV Resort.
Sewer connection placement: Some sites have poorly positioned hookups. "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," warns Nancy W. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Early arrival recommended: First-come, first-served systems at Thousand Trails properties require strategic timing. "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," advises Yamileth K.
Site selection for big rigs: Choose locations carefully if driving larger motorhomes. "We were in two different sites: the first was a two point site (water and electric) the road was dirt it seemed separate from the main drag of the campground, sites were wide but not very deep," explains Kasey M. about her PA Dutch Country experience.
