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Central Pennsylvania's camping landscape around Grantville features a mix of private resorts and state park facilities within a 30-minute drive. Hersheypark Camping Resort and Thousand Trails Hershey provide convenient access to the region's attractions, while Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers more natural surroundings with lakeside sites. The area's camping options range from full-hookup RV resorts with amenities like swimming pools and shuttle services to more rustic tent sites along creeks and lakes. Many campgrounds in this region capitalize on proximity to Hershey's attractions while also providing access to the rolling Pennsylvania Dutch countryside with its distinctive covered bridges and rural charm.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences near Grantville. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with state parks like Gifford Pinchot closing for the season after Halloween. Summer weekends typically require advance reservations, especially at popular destinations like Hersheypark Camping Resort. As one camper noted, "We love this park. We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side where you can get amazing sunset views." Weather patterns can create challenges at some locations, with reviews mentioning flooding issues after heavy rains. Highway noise affects several campgrounds in the area, particularly those near Interstate 76 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with one reviewer mentioning "you're not going to get away from all of that highway traffic noise."
Campsite quality varies considerably throughout the region, with some locations receiving criticism for overcrowding. A recent visitor to Hersheypark Camping Resort reported, "These RV sites are the tightest I have ever seen. So tight that people next to you using a picnic table or fire ring are 3-4 feet from your camper." State parks generally offer more spacious sites but with fewer amenities. Water features represent a significant draw for many campgrounds in the area, with fishing opportunities at Gifford Pinchot State Park and creek access at several private campgrounds. The Pennsylvania Dutch countryside provides a scenic backdrop for many camping locations, with Amish farms and covered bridges creating distinctive views. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though some more remote state park locations may have limited coverage.
"This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."
"They don’t sell alcohol but there is a shopping center within walking distance with restaurants and liquor stores! Even a supermarket. There is shuttle service to the park."
"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. They don't reserve sites for you."
"This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."
from $50 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Love the close proximity to the highway and gas. We didn’t eat there but they had a restaurant! Lots of activities for the kids. Wooded sites and very clean bathrooms."
"Pet friendly and you can access the Appalachian trail from campground. Lots of great food and places to go in the area. They have a river that is great for kayaking or tubing."
"Set just off I-76 in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, Pinch Pond Family Campground& RV Park is a large, all-in-one, family-focused campground with a layout that feels more like a small neighborhood"
"campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."
"There are 2 dog parks right next to each other, which is great for your furry friend to be able to run around and play off leash."
"Needs a pond and more shade but still is one of the nicer parks around. Twin Grove is also one of the cheaper ones, and that is hard to believe because of all the offer."
"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"
"this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility."
"There was a bathhouse and dish sink nearby, as well as the entrance to a nice little nature trail a few sites down. "
"Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too! Everyone we talked to was nice and friendly."
from $45 - $279 / night
Check Availability"We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views. "
"We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. "
from $20 - $89 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 / night
Check Availability"Very close to Hersheypark. Nicest miniature golf course I’ve ever seen at a RV park. Same can be said for the swimming pool, absolutely beautiful. Great little dog park as well. "
"Great location a updated grounds, sites and restrooms n bath houses. Local to hershey but out of the traffic. Great vaction site for RVs n longer stays. Quiet n comfortable RV living!"
ScoutThe campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
ScoutThe area is very nice and so are the people. The sites are clean and the livestock are a cool sight to see
TravelerThere was no hot water in the showers. There are no dog poo stations. There is a dumpster marked “STAFF ONLY”. It’s nice they have a place to stuff the staff!
ScoutThis campground is nothing as stated in the reviews. And now I know why. The one review on here besides mine is from the owner. The bathrooms are not clean. I was told for Labor Day weekend I could stay for two nights had reserved and all. They then abruptly cancelled my reservation and took three days to respond and say I could have a different cabin and tent sight but would need to stay three nights because of the holiday. They also charged a cleaning for a service pet which is not legal. We then showed up and were the only people staying that weren’t seasonal site people and very not welcomed. The first comment made was here come the weekend warriors. We look at the cabin which was ironically filthy and covered in mouse poop yet we got charged a cleaning fee. The grass was not mowed the porter potty’s so gross bugs are crawling in the bottom. The camp store was closed during the car show they had and when we asked when it will be open they stated it will not. It was 1 pm on a Saturday. The reservation process was unorganized. The playground was not mowed or weed whacked and a slide is ratchet strapped together. I would not recommend this place to anyone.
ScoutWas my first ever camping trip with a travel trailer. Site was very clean and well maintained and staff was friendly and great to deal with. Pull through sites (section K) was a little tight - maybe that’s the norm, don’t have anything to compare to but some awnings were near the neighboring camper. Overall, awesome experience.
TravelerOMG! Next to busy interstate, railroad tracks and shooting range. Way to much for me!
TravelerThis campground is a great place to bring kids. The spots are a little tight but we were able to get our 46’ toy hauler in the spot with very little effort. Because the sites are back-in, we can’t use our rear patio but that is ok. The pool is very nice and the farm atmosphere makes it very fun for kids.
GuideMary & her crew run a great campground. Full hookup. Slow schedule during the week-camp store & pool mainly. Saturdays always have activities planned from bingo to quarter auctions, picnics & music. Each Saturday is different. Clean grounds. Nice playgrounds. Kiddie pool & nice size pool from 3-5’ deep. 2 cabins also available.
TravelerThe owner is kind and knowledgeable a lot of live in / snowbirds . Some are very kind but some of the live in’s are crude .
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Grantville, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Grantville, PA is Hersheypark Camping Resort with a 4-star rating from 32 reviews.
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