Most campgrounds near Hamburg, Pennsylvania sit at elevations between 400-800 feet along the foothills of Blue Mountain, where summer temperatures average 83°F with moderate humidity. The region experiences rainfall throughout camping season, particularly in July when thunderstorms can create muddy conditions at lower-lying campground sections. RV campsites in this area generally range from rocky terrain to gravel pads depending on location.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 45 minutes south at Lake-In-Wood Campground provides catch-and-release fishing in their stocked pond. "Nice fishing in the lake," notes Edward M., though some visitors mention the pond condition varies seasonally with "a lot of pond scum and there were a lot of duck families around."
Biking mountain trails: 35 minutes north at Blue Mountain RV and Camping Resort offers unique downhill mountain biking experiences. "Ride the ski lifts up to the top of the mountain then you get to bike down it, they have rental bikes available or bring your own," explains Lois, adding that the resort is also "close to the Appalachian Trail if your a hiker."
Amish countryside exploration: 30 minutes southwest provides cultural experiences unique to the region. "I don't know if the Amish camp, but regardless, if you'd like to experience what it's like to go camping in Amish country then Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort has you covered," writes Stuart K., who recommends exploring "the incredibly rich, verdant countryside populated by incredibly rural residents who's ancestors settled this vast rich farmland a few hundred years ago."
What campers like
Pool facilities: Open late season at Pinch Pond Family Campground where "unlike most campgrounds, the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus for me," according to Melissa Y. The campground offers swimming options even when other facilities have closed for the season.
Clean bathhouses: Consistently maintained across most campgrounds in the Hamburg region. At Stonybrook RV Resort, campers report "shower/bathrooms are the best I've ever seen," while Tara N. notes that Pinch Pond has "super clean laundry room and bathrooms." This represents a major improvement over some older facilities mentioned in other reviews.
Activities for children: Structured programs at Spring Gulch Resort Campground provide family entertainment throughout summer weekends. "They had a live band one evening. Activities through the day were fun," shares Dawn T. The resort supplements its amenities with regular events, unlike some parks that only schedule activities during peak season.
What you should know
Shooting range proximity: Daily noise impact affects several campgrounds in the region. "There is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner," reports Tara N. about Pinch Pond, while other campers mention similar concerns at locations within 15 minutes of Hamburg.
Seasonal occupancy: High percentage of permanent sites at most rv parks near Hamburg, Pennsylvania. At Sun Valley Campground, visitors observe "90% of the people here are full time," and when staying in the seasonal sections "we were placed amongst the seasonals. We immediately had multiple people offer insight as to how best approach the site."
Utility quality varies: Water issues reported at several locations, particularly after rainfall. "The water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay," noted Justin B. at one campground, highlighting the importance of using water filtration when connecting to campground systems.
Tips for camping with families
Arcade amenities: Budget extra at Thousand Trails Hershey where game rooms provide entertainment during inclement weather. "They have a game room that is tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT!" raves Melissa Y., comparing the experience to "camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time."
Playground access: Consider site location when booking with children. "The playground was luckily right across from us up on the hill," explains Jen R. about Robin Hill Campground, showing how strategic site selection enhances convenience for families.
Pet-friendly policies: Leash requirements strictly enforced at most Hamburg area campgrounds. "There's lots of space to walk your dog on leash but no dog park," notes Cindy about Stonybrook RV Resort, reflecting the standard approach to pet accommodation in the region.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Pack extra blocks for uneven terrain common throughout the area. "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground," reports Justin B. about one campground, while another RVer mentioned "it was a hill and no matter how many times we adjusted, we just could not get leveled."
Buddy sites: Avoid if possible at Appalachian Camping Resort where some RV sites are configured in pairs. "The buddy site was very narrow and since our buddy arrived first we had no choice but to park farther down on the site to avoid our awnings touching and that left us very uneven," cautions one visitor who recommends checking site configuration before booking.
Concrete pad availability: Limited premium sites with hard surfaces for large RVs. Luis B. notes that at Appalachian, "some sites seemed tight" though their location had concrete pads, adding that visitors should know "fire pit is within feet from poop sewer connection of neighbor" in some configurations.
