Pennsylvania Dutch Country surrounds Ephrata, with gentle rolling hills and farmland at elevations between 300-500 feet. The climate brings humid summers averaging 85°F and mild springs with occasional rain showers. Camping options near Ephrata range from basic tent sites to full-service luxury glamping accommodations, with most campgrounds remaining open from April through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At French Creek State Park Campground, anglers can access two lakes stocked with various fish species. "Hopewell and Scott's Run lakes contain many species of fish including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," notes a camper. Ice fishing is permitted when conditions allow, with staff monitoring ice thickness for safety.
Hiking trails: The area offers numerous trails for all skill levels. "There are lots of nice trails. If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby," mentions a solo traveler who stayed at French Creek during winter. The park maintains year-round accessibility for hikers with well-marked paths through diverse forest terrain.
Amish countryside exploration: Lancaster-New Holland KOA provides direct views of working Amish farms. "Beautiful valley views of Amish country. Great KOA in all aspects: location, views, friendly, cleanliness," shares a visitor. Many campers observe horse-drawn equipment working fields visible from their sites.
Renaissance Faire visits: Pinch Pond Family Campground serves as a popular base for Renaissance Faire attendees. "Nice location for PA Renaissance Fair goers. Lots of activities in the campground," comments one reviewer. The faire runs weekends in late summer through fall, attracting costumed visitors from across the region.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded camping spots. "Campground has nice large sites, shade and sunny, full hookups," notes a Pinch Pond visitor. At Country Acres Campground, "Our tent site was shady and spacious and the landscape made the campground an even better experience."
Elevated locations with views: Hilltop campgrounds provide scenic perspectives. "It is quite hilly throughout the campground, but the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed," explains a camper at Starlite Camping Resort. The raised position allows for countryside panoramas not typically found at valley campgrounds.
Modern facilities: Clean restrooms and showers consistently receive praise. At Country Acres, a family noted, "The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home! Everything is clean and well managed." Similarly, at Old Mill Stream Campground, "Some of the cleanest camp bathrooms and showers I have seen."
Water recreation options: Beyond swimming pools, several campgrounds offer natural water features. French Creek State Park provides lake access for kayaking. "We did take our inflatable kayak out on the water, and it was lovely! There is also a nice picnic area with grills and picnic tables right by the boat landing," shares a reviewer who stayed at the park.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Spring camping can bring unexpected conditions. "Cold it was, 15 degrees was a teeth chattering experience," reports a winter camper at Hickory Run Family Camping Resort. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through November, with limited winter availability.
Reservation timing: Popular weekends fill quickly. At French Creek, "We stayed over for one night in early December. The honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early, make sure you have cash on you." For Renaissance Faire weekends at Pinch Pond, book months in advance.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby facilities or roads. "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner," notes a Pinch Pond visitor. Research campground locations relative to highways and other potential noise sources.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on specific needs. "For RVers, I would recommend sites #102–120, again, in the far rear or sites #308–317 along Angler's Way," suggests a detailed reviewer about Pinch Pond's layout. Many campgrounds provide site maps online to help with selection.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Old Mill Stream Campground offers family-friendly water features. "The campground is clean and there's also a small playground and basketball court!" reports a visitor. Several campgrounds maintain both indoor and outdoor pool options for weather flexibility.
Playground accessibility: Look for campgrounds with updated play equipment. At Country Acres, a parent mentioned, "The pool is new and has a sloped entrance so my two year old could play by himself and loved it." Consider proximity of campsites to playground areas when booking with small children.
Educational opportunities: Expose children to local culture and history. "If you've never visited an Amish community, you should definitely take advantage of this very unique location by exploring Lancaster County where you can find a number of horse & buggies," recommends a Pinch Pond visitor. Many campgrounds provide information about nearby educational attractions.
Organized activities: Some campgrounds schedule family-centered events. At Starlite, "There are regular activities for all ages including bingo, crafts and live music." These structured activities provide entertainment options during downtime at camp.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for varying terrain. "Our site was a drive-through but slanted. There wasn't much room on our site to do anything else," notes a visitor to Lake-In-Wood Campground. Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites, particularly at campgrounds built on hillsides.
Road navigation: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. "The entrance in off the main road turns you into the theme park. Fear not. Turn in and follow the road to the right and into the campground," explains an RVer at Old Mill Stream Campground. Some locations have narrow internal roads challenging for larger rigs.
Electric options: Most campgrounds offer multiple electrical hookups. "We had full hookups with 50 Amp," notes a 40-foot RV owner at Old Mill Stream. Verify power availability when booking as many sites only offer 30-amp service, which may limit air conditioning use during summer heat.
Seasonal availability: Glamping in Ephrata, Pennsylvania typically follows the April-October camping season. "We chose site 302 which was at the far end of the campground away from the amusement park. During our stay, the amusement park was closed so the park was not very crowded," shares an RVer describing the advantage of shoulder-season visits when local attractions may have reduced operations.
