Shady Oak Campground
Easy access to Lancaster and Pennsylvania Dutch areas. Friendly, welcoming staff and plenty of colorful trees in the autumn. The only RV park in the area that is open year round.
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several RV parks surround Frederick, Pennsylvania, offering diverse options for motorhome travelers. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country provides 267 RV sites with full hookups including 30/50 amp electric service, operating from April through October. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park features level gravel pads with full hookup sites and is conveniently located near I-76, though one reviewer noted "you'll hear target practice going on" from a nearby shooting range. Lake-In-Wood Campground offers spacious RV sites with 30/50 amp service in a wooded setting, earning high marks for its well-maintained grounds. Appalachian Camping Resort accommodates big rigs with pull-through sites and full hookups from April through October. "Our site was full hook up. It was a nice size and was in a good location," reported one RV camper who appreciated the quiet despite highway proximity.
Navigation considerations vary across RV parks in the region. Many campgrounds have narrow interior roads that can challenge larger motorhomes, particularly at places like Country Acres Campground where gravel roads and tight turns require careful maneuvering. Cell service fluctuates throughout the area - AT&T generally performs better than Verizon at most locations. Dump stations are available at all major RV parks, though French Creek State Park's dump station received criticism for difficult access with larger rigs. Most RV campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through November, with Village Scene Park being one of the few open year-round. Pet-friendly sites are common but may be restricted to specific camping loops. Propane refill services are available at several locations including Pinch Pond and Quakerwoods Campground, eliminating the need to disconnect and drive elsewhere for refueling.
"It's too bad it is mainly seasonal sites back there. This campground is called Robin HILL for a reason. You will get you exercise walking to the pond, pool, capstone or basketball courts."
"Although they do have sites for tents, this seems to be better suited for RVers and renting cabins. Many of the people we met during our stay are regulars."
"There was a craft show in the barn which was nice. Only two dump stations for a pretty large park. We would camp here again but not over a holiday."
"The campsites available are primitive or have water and electric and bathhouses / restrooms are located in a few spots around the park. Fire rings are at each site, but appear to get moved a lot."
"Well wooded campground with friendly staff and guests. The only minor complaint is that the camp store was sparsely supplied. B+ little gem of a campground."
"Showed up on Wednesday, and was assigned a spot in loop 700 up on a hill in the center of a ring of trailers, past a lot of full-timers. Cable does not work. No internet. 2 bars LTE on T-Mobile."
"We stayed at Appalachian to visit a friend who has a seasonal site. Our site was full hook up."
"Family friendly. Lots for the kids to do."
"My family and I stayed at Lake In Wood for 4 days. The campground is very well maintained , and the staff is very nice."
"From the spotlessly clean grounds to the nice facilities this is a favorite of ours. There are lots of seasonal sites but there also lots of visitors too."
from $40 - $60 / night
"The two ladies had a greater handle on the operations of the very nice facility."
"We’ve stayed here a couple times in past Have family in the area Grew up in this area so very comfortable and easy access to lots of places! This visit we stayed six months may to October"
from $48 / night
"The biggest downside to this particular campground is its very close proximity to the PA Turnpike, which while convenient, might detract a bit from the peace & quiet you might be expecting when here"
"Tucked into the rolling, wooded hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort offers a unique blend of peaceful countryside and activity-packed camping, all just a stone"
"We spent four nights at Stonybrook RV Resort in Lehighton, PA, for a quiet wedding anniversary getaway— and so glad we did. We paid$150 per night total for a FHU 50 Amp Premium Back-in site (#F20)."
"We stayed here during the winter January-February no activities going on. It does offer beautiful views especially covered in snow."
"I got an amazingly large site with a nice fire pit and picnic table. The site was very level so that was great! Nice indoor and outdoor pools! Cable TV isn't free, but I never use it anyway."
"We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level. It is absolutely beautiful out."
"While its proximity to the highway makes access easy, the property itself is gated, organized into distinct camping zones and packed with amenities that clearly cater to longer stays and families looking"
"campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."
Easy access to Lancaster and Pennsylvania Dutch areas. Friendly, welcoming staff and plenty of colorful trees in the autumn. The only RV park in the area that is open year round.
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
The advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
We stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
We only spent the night and didn't look at the amenities. The manager was very friendly and accommodating.
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
Cabin camping near Frederick, Pennsylvania offers diverse overnight lodging options within the region's wooded landscape. Located in eastern Pennsylvania at elevations ranging from 300-1,200 feet, this area experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers and moderately cold winters. Cabin accommodations range from basic shelters to fully equipped cottages with electricity and plumbing, providing shelter during Pennsylvania's average 42 inches of annual rainfall.
Miniature golf: Lake-In-Wood Campground offers a well-maintained course for family fun. "They have a mini golf course too, but I am unsure if they do anymore. Great pools and classes (water aerobics was fun for everyone)," notes Meag F., highlighting the variety of recreational activities available.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds maintain stocked ponds for catch-and-release fishing. At Sun Valley Campground, "The place was very nice. Clean bathrooms and showers," according to Charlotte T., with the fishing pond providing a peaceful activity for campers of all ages.
Arcade gaming: Pinch Pond Family Campground includes an arcade with a ticket redemption system. "Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT! It was like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time," shares Melissa Y.
Animal encounters: Some properties offer unique wildlife viewing. As one camper at Lake-In-Wood Campground explains, "Goats to pet and watch. There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others. Nice playground for the kids and a small arcade."
Unique accommodations: Beyond standard cabins, some campgrounds offer distinctive lodging options. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, visitors appreciate the "tree house, double decker bus, among others" mentioned by Jen R., providing memorable alternatives to conventional camping.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and shower buildings receive positive reviews for cleanliness. At Robin Hill Campground, "the cabins are beautiful and clean, bathrooms are amazing for a campground, staff is very friendly and they truly go above and beyond," according to one reviewer who noted recent management improvements.
Swimming pools: Many campgrounds maintain both indoor and outdoor swimming areas. A visitor to Appalachian Camping Resort noted that "the pool was open until 10pm everyday," providing extended swimming hours compared to many other facilities in the region.
Group activities: Organized events create community engagement opportunities. "They had a chicken dinner. It was actually very good. We experienced the hayride around the campground," shared Mary C. about her stay at Lake-In-Wood, highlighting the campground's social programming.
Shooting range proximity: Several campgrounds are located near shooting facilities. At Pinch Pond, "there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner. If your out and about, it won't be an issue. However if you enjoy sitting outside of your camper and relaxing this might be nerve wracking," warns Tara N.
Site leveling challenges: Uneven terrain affects many campgrounds in the region. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground. Many other sites were the same," reports Justin B., indicating the need for substantial leveling equipment.
Seasonal operations: Most facilities close during winter months. Year-round camping options are limited, though Village Scene Park operates continuously, allowing winter camping near Frederick when most other options are closed.
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds experience inconsistent water quality. As Justin B. noted at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay."
Age-specific activities: Campgrounds offer varying recreation options by age group. "The weekend we were there they had a chicken dinner. It was actually very good. We experienced the hayride around the campground," reports Mary C. about Lake-In-Wood, mentioning multiple activity options.
Swimming options: Consider properties with both indoor and outdoor pools for weather flexibility. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, "Heated spa/pool in upper area are a bonus. Lots of sports gear available for free to use within park, has to be returned by 5 when main office closes," shares Beth B.
Playground assessment: Playground quality varies significantly between properties. Jen R. notes that Lake-In-Wood offers a "nice playground for the kids and a small arcade," making it suitable for families with younger children who need play structures.
Holiday programming: Special events occur during peak seasons and holidays. At Appalachian Camping Resort, one visitor shared, "The campground had numerous activities set up all throughout the day and there was something for everyone. I find that a lot of campground activities tend to be centered around small children and with my kids being 13 and 12, they're usually left out of the fun."
Site selection strategies: When rv camping near Frederick, Pennsylvania, experienced campers recommend specific site areas. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, Stuart K. suggests "sites #102–120, again, in the far rear or sites #308–317 along Angler's Way" for RVers seeking quieter locations.
Utility connections: Inspect sewer hookup placement before selecting sites. One visitor to Appalachian Camping Resort noted, "One star taken away because fire pit is within feet from poop sewer connection of neighbor. Thankfully, they didn't use it, but imagine if they had as we were cooking over the open fire."
Seasonal site advantages: Long-term sites often occupy premium locations. At Stonybrook RV Resort, one camper observed, "Mostly seasonal campers, we were one of the few transient campers for our visit," indicating that short-term visitors may have fewer prime site options.
Navigation planning: Many campgrounds have challenging interior roadways. A visitor to Lake-In-Wood Campground reported, "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," highlighting the need for careful maneuvering especially with larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Frederick, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Frederick, PA is Robin Hill Campground with a 3.5-star rating from 10 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 111 RV camping locations near Frederick, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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