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Camping near Emigsville, Pennsylvania ranges from tent and RV campgrounds with full hookups to cabin rentals and glamping options, with several sites within 10 to 15 miles. Gifford Pinchot State Park, located about 10 miles north of Emigsville, features lakeside camping with electric hookups, while Codorus State Park offers similar amenities approximately 15 miles southwest. Several private campgrounds like Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm in nearby Dover and Cedar Lake Family Campground provide additional options with full hookups for RVs, cabin rentals, and tent sites. The region's camping areas generally operate seasonally, with most developed campgrounds open from April through October or November.
"We love this park….it's one of our favorites! 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," noted one visitor about Gifford Pinchot State Park. Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in the region, with most state park campgrounds opening the second Friday in April and closing by early November. Summer months bring higher temperatures and increased visitation, particularly at waterfront sites. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak season, especially for weekend stays and holidays. Many campgrounds in the area offer electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities, though amenities vary by location. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, but coverage may be spotty in more remote areas of the parks.
Campers report high satisfaction with lakeside sites at Gifford Pinchot State Park, where fishing and water activities are popular. The park features a large beach area with amenities like picnic tables, grills, and playgrounds. Several visitors mentioned the park's extensive trail system, including the 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail that circles the lake. At Codorus State Park, the swimming pool is a major draw, though one reviewer noted it's open to the public and can get crowded. For those seeking a more rustic experience, primitive tent sites are available at several campgrounds, though they tend to be limited in number. Proximity to Hershey Park (about 30 minutes from most area campgrounds) makes the region popular with families looking to combine outdoor recreation with amusement park visits. Traffic noise can be an issue at some campgrounds, particularly those near highways or railroad tracks.
"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 $24 - $89 / night
Check Availability"The trails from Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail. The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some. "
"Older State Park just outside of Hanover, PA. Used it as a home base to explore Gettysburg and the surrounding area."
from $24 - $280 / night
Check Availability"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"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 bathroom near the pool left a little something to be desired. It wasn’t filthy but also wasn’t sparking clean. It was great being close to the battlefield."
"We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us."
"There is no on site running water or electric but they did leave us with a 5 gallon water jug and a 5 gallon shower bag to use in the outside shower."
"https://www.riverrockadv.com/#/ I was fortunate enough to find this local gem while browsing“camping near me”. Not only that, my unlucky butt won a 2 night stay there!"
from $75 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Nice lake for fishing. Easy check in. Nice little store. About an hour away from Hershey where we went to the RV show. We will come back if we are in the area again"
"Just takes away from the rural feel. Cabin was clean and perfect. Grounds were very clean. Toilet and showers clean. Golf carts a little dated but overall good. Night time was serene and quite."
from $60 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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"Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."
"I used to stay here all the time with my grandparents when they were around. It was always some of the best times for me."
"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
"Large campground with some good trails. Will definitely return!"
ScoutPicked the nicest days of the week. Got here and the carousel, Ferris wheel, restaurant, and ice cream shoppe are closed. They are apparently only open 2 days a week, maybe 3. I would have just went down the road to the KOA had I not known this.
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
ScoutFor $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
GuideWe used to camp here 30+ years ago. Nice that it hasn't changed much. Still has a game room with pool table, driving games, skeet ball, etc. No more pinball games like in the past. Apparently in the 1930 there was a working train around the campground, a restaurant and horse shoes - none of which are at present.
Sites are quite small. I thought our neighbor's awning was going to hit our RV, and that ours might hit the next neighbor's RV. In some parts the campers are also back to back, luckily ours is not.
They have wi-fi but you must pay for it, no free service. No cable TV (which is the norm these days). Good cell reception so you will need that or a Starlink to stream shows.
Staff are friendly. Sites are pretty level. The campground itself is rather pretty with trees, grassy areas, playgrounds for kids, etc. Lots of lightning bugs at night, and birds during the day.
At night it's interesting to walk around as so many seasonal and permanent campers have lights around their campers, trees, etc. Almost like walking around one of those light up parks they do around Christmas.
LegendPros- Pool is sparkling clear and new. Mini golf is awesome. Nice people, nice store.
Cons- further from Hershey Park than ideal, lots of seasonal campers leaving for work before dawn in loud trucks, not much privacy, some road noise.
GuideBASE ACCESS REQUIRED!
Electric/Water/Sewer hookup sites for $56 a night! (2 night minimum) Which is a great full hookup price, even though it's gone up $6 since last year. Weekly and monthly pricing available as well.
The sites are neat, well maintained, level, and sunny with concrete pads and paved campground roads. Centrally located laundry facilities and airconditioned bath house. Playground, boat launch, beach volleyball court, disk golf, basketball court, and outdoor pool all within walking distance. Other base amenities include: commissary, gas station, bowling, BBQ, Dunkin', and Greek restaurants, and golf. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something.)
Note: in July it is very buggy - the biting flies are the worst. So bring bug spray or a screened in tent to eat in.
The downside: the reservation system is a major PITA. You have to download a PDF packet, fill it out, and EMAIL it in. When you get your confirmation, it doesn't include a specific site number. You get assigned one when they call you the week of your scheduled check-in for payment completion.
Don't miss out on: the water! My advice would be to reserve one of their boats at the same time you reserve your campsite. The water in this area is great - no jellyfish, low waves. You can SUP, kayak, pontoon boat. Whatever your preference. There are large flats of grasses - which you'd want to avoid with a motor but are so much fun to paddle over. Also check out the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge island. You can't go inland, but you can anchor off shore, jump in and wade around the shallows.
Also very driveable to an off-base movie theater, Baltimore, and Havre de Grace.
ScoutWe stayed only one night in primitive tent site which was massive with a turnaround. It was great. There are fire pits and picnic tables and level ground. Very serene. We walked down to the river, breathtaking. Not sure of other amenities as we didn’t use them.
ScoutFrome the moment you drive up the women at the gate is about as welcoming ( as my Pops would say ) "A fart in church.," Great way to start your vacation. Didn't get much better in the office. The one guy that worked there did at least smile at us....
ScoutWhere do I start?
We came to this campground to connect with family who was hiking the AT. We left after one miserable night. Here are some reasons:
A giant confederate flag near the entrance
Highway noise and not one but two train tracks
One Filthy “bathroom”
No shade at our campsite- despite other available sites with some shade
A trail of poison ivy on the narrow path to the river
Cigarette butts everywhere
And a creepy man on a bike who declared he was a local and wouldn’t leave our site while I was alone and insisted on talking to me about the strip club down the street, where to buy condoms and how my tent’s mesh shelf is perfect for drying out my wet panties.
Camping near Emigsville, Pennsylvania ranges from primitive tent sites to full-service RV campgrounds across York and Lancaster counties. The region sits within the rolling hills of the lower Susquehanna River watershed at elevations of 300-600 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with temperatures between 55-75°F.
Fishing opportunities: At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, anglers report productive shoreline fishing without needing a boat. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," notes one visitor who appreciated the easy lake access from both day use areas.
Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park offers two distinct 18-hole courses with different terrain challenges. "The course in the Conewago area is relatively flat, whereas the Quaker Race course is built into the side of the hill leading into the QR day use area, so it is a lot more wooded and hillier," explains a camper who enjoyed both courses.
Trail exploration: The River Rock Recreation campsite connects directly to the Northwest Lancaster Trail system. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles," reports a Gifford Pinchot visitor who appreciated the varying perspectives of the park's landscape.
Animal interactions: Family campers enjoy the farm animal experiences at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. "Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas. Plenty to see and learn. Prefect campground for the family," shares one camper who visited the working farm.
Waterfront sites: Lakeside camping at Gifford Pinchot receives consistent praise for the views and easy water access. "Peace and quiet! Great spot! We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," reports a recent visitor who enjoyed the convenience of shoreline amenities.
Clean facilities: Codorus State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms according to multiple reviews. "Very well maintained park. Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms," notes one camper, while others specifically mention the quality of shower facilities across multiple campgrounds in the region.
Private camping options: For groups seeking seclusion, River Rock Recreation offers exclusive use of their riverside property. "This is a single campsite that you rent, no other campers on site unless you are bringing them with you! You can camp with up to 10 people and there is certainly plenty of room for everyone to spread out," explains a family who appreciated the privacy.
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer larger-than-average campsites. "Sites were of ample size and well spaced. Night time was serene and quite. Perfect for relaxing," reports a Gifford Pinchot visitor, echoing sentiments shared about several area campgrounds.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially for weekend stays. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, site selection procedures vary from other parks: "This campground was really nice. Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!)" notes a satisfied camper.
Noise considerations: Train tracks near several campgrounds create periodic noise disruptions. "Nice campground 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 a camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort.
Site conditions: Not all tent sites are created equal, as one Gifford Pinchot camper discovered: "I came for a hike and quick one night tent escape. I had never been and reserved a tent site online. When I arrived, someone was in my spot. After working it out and came back I noticed just how crowded it was. Lots literally right on top of each other."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from mid-April through late October or early November, with limited winter camping options. River Rock Recreation's season runs May through September only, while Cedar Lake Family Campground remains open year-round.
Pool access details: Hersheypark Camping Resort offers a well-maintained pool facility. "Nice facilities, clean campground. We camped right up against the lazy River, the campground was pretty open because it was a weekday. It had really nice bathrooms and showers," reports a family who enjoyed the water amenities.
Budget-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds offer free or low-cost recreation. "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires. There is also a pool, hopscotch, a swing set, and a playground open as well," details a family staying at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
First-timer friendly options: For families new to camping, several campgrounds offer guided experiences. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," reports a parent whose child enjoyed their introduction to camping at Gifford Pinchot.
Educational opportunities: Working farms and nature programs provide learning experiences. "The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us. It was an easy hike as suggested on the map to circle around and through the cornfield, you get a great view of the farms nearby and the river," notes a family who appreciated the agricultural setting at Gettysburg Farm.
Site selection strategies: Experienced RVers recommend arriving early at Thousand Trails properties. "As with all thousand trails, this campground is first come best site. While the top part of the campground seemed more communal, we chose the lower, Riverside sites and we're glad we did!" advises an RVer at Circle M.
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of service. "I stay here for my first camp out with my new camper. No water but the bath house was close and very clean," reports an RVer at Codorus State Park, highlighting the importance of checking specific amenities before arrival.
Leveling challenges: Site grading varies considerably across campgrounds. "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level," notes a Circle M camper, while others mention bringing leveling blocks for less developed sites.
Dump station logistics: Not all campgrounds offer sewer connections at each site. "We chose a non-sewage site, the loop is quiet and large and they have the honey wagon 3x a week (free sewage dump service)," explains a Gettysburg Farm camper who appreciated the included service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Emigsville, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Emigsville, PA is Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 57 reviews.
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