Cabins near Halifax, Pennsylvania sit among the Appalachian mountain foothills with elevations ranging from 400 to 700 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging in the 80s and winters regularly dropping below freezing. Located along the Susquehanna River watershed, the region features mixed hardwood forests interspersed with agricultural valleys that define the local landscape.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 10-acre private lake at Lake Heron Retreat offers excellent fishing. "This lake was beautiful! A short walk from the campsite. We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning," notes Camille W.
Riverside recreation: Tubing on the Juniata River at Buttonwood Campground provides affordable water activities. "Tubing down the river is so fun and the highlight of a stay here. Campground does have a wristband system for most activities and amenites, with the exception of pool and playgrounds," explains Heather G.
Trail exploration: Connected trail systems at Jonestown/Hershey KOA offer hiking and biking options. "The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc. Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking," shares Bobby S.
Local wine tasting: On-site vineyard access at select campgrounds provides adult-focused activities. "There is on site wine and wine slushies to purchase from a local vineyard," mentions Heather G. about Buttonwood Campground. The nearby winery at Ferryboat Campsites offers "the best views of the river around."
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities at Twin Grove RV Resort receive consistent praise. "Spotless. Plenty of room for whatever size tent or RV you have... 2 very clean pools and water slides. 2 nice dog parks," writes Mike J.
Privacy between sites at various cabin locations. "The sites have lots of tree cover and they are private," Joel A. notes about Camp Hebron. At Little Buffalo State Park Campground, "The campsites are spacious. There are standard tent sites available and there are water/electric site available," according to Amanda H.
Pet-friendly accommodations at most campgrounds. "This is a wonderful little campsite...and the camp is extremely pet friendly as long as they are on a leash," explains Avery M. about Ferryboat Campsites. Twin Grove RV Resort offers "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," adds Tiffany S.
Shuttle services to nearby attractions from select locations. "They provide shuttle to Hersheypark," mentions Amber R. about Jonestown/Hershey KOA. This adds convenience for families visiting regional attractions without moving vehicles.
What you should know
Shower facilities often require quarters at multiple locations. Lake Heron Retreat charges "25 cent a minute" for showers according to Sharon L., so bring coins if planning extended stays.
Train noise affects some campgrounds near rail lines. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, "Trains are all night," warns Bill O. Similarly, Kit mentions, "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!"
Seasonal operation limitations affect availability. Many campgrounds close during winter months, with Ferryboat Campsites operating "from April to end of October." However, Lake Heron Retreat maintains year-round cabin availability.
Firewood pricing varies significantly between campgrounds. Some locations like Camp Hebron offer "cheap firewood available," while others charge premium prices. One reviewer noted at Ferryboat Campsites: "Wood at the camp store is incredibly expensive—they don't sell to nightly campers by anything more than the small bundle ($8)."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Check operating hours during your stay. "They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad!" shares Amanda H. about Little Buffalo State Park's pool area, though she cautions, "you have to pay to get in the pool, yes even if you are camping!!!"
Playgrounds: Multiple options available at most cabin locations. Twin Grove RV Resort features "Playgrounds, special events, crafts. Very nice sites and shower houses are very clean," according to Shirley M., who uses the campground for "Annual Grandkids Weekend!"
Entertainment options: Amusement features at Ferryboat Campsites include unique attractions. "At night they have a merry go round, train, giant slide and ferries wheel you can ride," explains Dawn T. about Twin Grove RV Resort, adding that "They have a pool and fun activities though the day."
Nature activities: Guided ranger programs at select parks provide educational opportunities. At Little Buffalo State Park, one camper mentioned, "We did have a nice bat spotting walk with a Ranger when we were there and there's an interesting historic mill you can tour."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request level spots when making reservations. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, "The sites are a bit close where we were but they had other sites that were more spread out," notes Ray L.
Hookup reliability: Water pressure varies between campgrounds. Several reviews mention this as a consideration, with one camper at Lake Heron Retreat noting "Our water pressure wasn't great, however not sure if it's the campground or us as hubby found a possible issue with our hookup."
Access considerations: Narrow roads at some campgrounds can make navigation difficult. "The exit road is also an entry road to campsites. If someone is going to a campsite in Road D you can not pass them when exiting as the road is only one lane," warns James G. about Hershey RV and Camping Resort.
Arrival timing matters at first-come-first-served locations. "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.
