Camping near Grantville sits within the rolling limestone ridge and valley region of Central Pennsylvania, where elevations range from 400 to 600 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging 75-85°F and winters dropping to 20-30°F. Most campgrounds in this region operate on higher ground to avoid the occasional flash flooding that affects the lowland creek areas during heavy spring rains.
What to do
Kayaking the Swatara Creek: Access the water directly from Jonestown/Hershey KOA, where the creek runs alongside the campground. "The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc. Highly recommend," notes Bobby S., who appreciates the water access.
Shooting ranges nearby: Be prepared for target practice sounds if staying at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. "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," explains a reviewer who recommends planning accordingly.
Mini golf courses on-site: Twin Grove RV Resort offers mini golf along with unique carnival attractions. "Nice arcade and mini golf in an area set off to the side with a ferris wheel, merry go round, and other small kiddie rides," mentions Mike J., highlighting the park's entertainment options.
Disc golf at state parks: Play the 18-hole courses at Gifford Pinchot State Park. "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge," warns one visitor who recommends bringing appropriate footwear.
Fishing opportunities: Pinch Pond has a dedicated fishing pond in the back of the property, while other local campgrounds offer creek access. "In the back of the property, you'll find a small fishing pond," notes a camper who enjoyed the quiet fishing spot away from the main camping areas.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Some of the region's campgrounds offer more secluded options. "Our site was level, shaded and quite large. Almost every site in this section was similarly large and wooded, with an impressive amount of space between sites for a KOA," reports Jen V. about Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Clean bathhouses: Many campgrounds maintain excellent facilities. "Bathrooms were very clean and modern, but a decent walk from tent sites," says Melissa C. about Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, reflecting a common theme among the best places to camp near Grantville.
Seasonal activities: Hersheypark Camping Resort offers shuttle service to nearby attractions. "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!" advises Kit, giving useful location tips.
Tent pads: Several campgrounds provide raised or prepared tent sites. "The tent sites are now mulch pad with water and electric," reports a camper about upgraded accommodations, a feature not common at all camping areas in the region.
Weekend entertainment: Twin Grove RV Resort hosts regular events. "Usually have a band on Saturday evenings. Nice ice cream shop and on-site restaurant," notes a camper who appreciated the social atmosphere and convenience during their stay.
What you should know
Train noise: Multiple campers mention railroad proximity at several campgrounds. "Trains are all night," reports Bill O. about Hersheypark Camping Resort, where trains run throughout the night within earshot of many sites.
Highway sounds: Pinch Pond Family Campground sits near Interstate 76. "You're not going to get away from all of that highway traffic noise," explains a reviewer, though they note that some sites farther from the road are quieter.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have issues with water systems. "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay," reports Justin B. about one location, suggesting bringing extra filtration if you're sensitive to water quality.
Uneven terrain: Many campgrounds in this region feature sloped sites. "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground," notes a camper who recommends bringing plenty of leveling blocks.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly between carriers. "The wifi wasn't usable and AT&T was just okay. Verizon worked well," reports Tina about Harrisburg East Campground, reflecting the general tech landscape at camping options near Grantville.
Tips for camping with families
Dog parks: Stoevers Dam Park offers affordable primitive camping. "Nice area. Primitive camping with portapot. Must get permits on line or from city hall. $3/night. Small lake," notes Mike V., highlighting this budget-friendly option for families.
Pools and splash features: Many campgrounds offer water recreation. "We camped right up against the lazy River, the campground was pretty open because it was a weekday," shares a camper who enjoyed the water features during a less crowded time.
Playgrounds accessibility: Consider proximity to play areas when selecting sites. "It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," explains Toshi about site 114 at Gifford Pinchot State Park, noting the convenience for families with children.
Carnival atmosphere: Twin Grove offers unique attractions not found at other campgrounds. "They have a pool and fun activities though the day. At night they have a merry go round, train, giant slide and ferries wheel you can ride," explains Dawn T., highlighting attractions that appeal to children.
Wildlife awareness: Keep food secure and be prepared for encounters. "Beware of skunks!" warns Ryan M. about Hersheypark Camping Resort, while others mention geese problems at lakeside locations.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Thousand Trails properties, timing matters. "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., who recommends arriving around 1 pm for optimal selection.
Leveling challenges: Bring extra blocks for many area campgrounds. "Not just the one we're on but others as well. The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites," notes Sammii D. about the terrain at one popular camping destination near Grantville.
Pull-through availability: Request specific site types when booking. "We chose a pull thru for its ease and the extra space it had being on the end," shares a camper who found this option offered better spacing and easier access.
Hookup locations: Be prepared for unusual setups. "They had pull through sites which I was looking for. Sites were a bit close where we were but they had other sites that were more spread out," notes Ray L. about Hersheypark Camping Resort's varied site configurations.
Big rig considerations: Some parks have tight turns and narrow roads. "It's not a simple or EZ path to navigate as you'll have to basically get off the turnpike and essentially drive around a 5 square mile bit of PA Dutch countryside just to arrive," explains a reviewer about access challenges for larger vehicles.
