Recreational vehicle camping near Elm, Pennsylvania offers convenient access to Amish Country and the Hershey region across elevations ranging from 350 to 1,200 feet. The area features gently rolling hills with a mix of open farmland and wooded terrain. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons experience cooler 45-65°F temperatures with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Appalachian Camping Resort maintains fishing ponds where families can try catching catfish. The campground is "easy to access from a major highway and once inside you forget about that," according to visitor Becca U.
Mini golf courses: Spring Gulch Resort Campground offers mini golf, though one camper noted it "could use some upkeep as there was trash strewn throughout the course." The course remains popular despite maintenance needs.
Farm animal interactions: At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, visitors can interact with livestock daily. One camper shared that their children "LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times."
Water recreation: Some campgrounds feature swimming options beyond standard pools. Spring Gulch includes "a pond for swimming," though a visitor mentioned "there were dead fish" during their visit.
Frisbee golf courses: Robin Hill Campground offers additional recreation with an on-site Frisbee golf course. According to a review, "You will get your exercise walking to the pond, pool, campstore or basketball courts" due to the hilly terrain.
What campers like
Amenity variety: Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country provides numerous facilities including "a pool, kids and adult lounges, basketball court, mini golf, ice cream in the store, a store and hiking trails." One reviewer appreciated how "the campground is huge but you're not stacked on top of your neighbor like the others."
Cultural experiences: The proximity to Amish communities allows for unique excursions. A camper at PA Dutch Country noted, "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time."
Indoor recreation options: Lake-In-Wood Campground features indoor facilities that visitors appreciate during inclement weather. One camper mentioned they have "a big lawn in the middle which rolls down to the lake" as well as indoor amenities.
Family activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events. A visitor at Appalachian Camping Resort reported they had "numerous activities set up all throughout the day and there was something for everyone" including "bingo, crafts, a vendor craft show" and various contests.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At PA Dutch Country, visitors report that "sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers" and "unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground."
Seasonal variations: Pinch Pond Family Campground offers different experiences throughout their operating season. A reviewer mentioned "we always try to get furthest campsite away" from highway noise, indicating site selection importance.
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds have unexpected noise sources. A Pinch Pond visitor warned "there's a shooting range near the property, so at all hours you will hear target practice going on, especially in the wee early hours."
Cell service reliability: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, a camper shared, "Definitely got lucky with site F03 for Starlink. The rest of the campground has a lot of tree cover."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Thousand Trails Circle M provides family-friendly facilities including "an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground." One visitor noted it has "lots of events to keep the kids busy" and they "happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it."
Water activities: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming options. A Circle M visitor mentioned, "We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site" allowing for water-based recreation.
Unique accommodations: Lake-In-Wood Campground offers specialized lodging options that intrigue children. The campground has "a variety of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others."
Holiday festivities: Several campgrounds create special seasonal events. A guest at Appalachian Camping Resort shared they had a "candy scramble in the dark for adults and kids, a dj Saturday night and a live band Sunday night" during a holiday weekend.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Most campgrounds offer multiple hookup options at different price points. At Spring Gulch, "the sites available are primitive or have water and electric and bathhouses / restrooms are located in a few spots around the park."
Site selection strategies: Time of arrival affects site quality at membership campgrounds. A Hershey camper advised, "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."
Campground navigation: Some properties have challenging layouts for larger vehicles. At Sun Valley Campground, a visitor with a large RV noted their "particular site was a bear to park in but once situated we were very happy" despite initial difficulties.
Seasonal site maintenance: Weather impacts ground conditions differently across campgrounds. An RVer at Robin Hill reported "sites are swampy if they've had rain! Took us over two hours to disconnect because of mushy, muddy site!" suggesting spring and fall visits require preparation.
