Camping opportunities near Hershey, Pennsylvania range from woodland retreats to riverside havens within convenient driving distance of chocolate attractions. The region sits at the intersection of three distinct Pennsylvania landscapes—the Ridge and Valley region, the Great Appalachian Valley, and the Piedmont—creating diverse camping environments with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures ideal for campfires and hiking.
What to do
Kayaking on the Susquehanna River: Camp at River Rock Recreation where you can launch directly from your campsite. "Our favorite place to put in our kayaks, throw a line in and hang up our hammocks," says one camper who appreciates the direct river access.
Fishing for catfish and carp: The Susquehanna River offers productive fishing spots right from your campsite. "We spent our time fishing the river banks right outside our tents and kayaking on the Susquehanna to fish the warm waters. We caught a ton of catfish and carp using live bait," shares a River Rock Recreation visitor.
Biking on rail trails: Jonestown/Hershey KOA connects directly to cycling paths. "Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking. The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc," notes a camper who enjoyed the multi-use trails.
Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers two 18-hole disc golf courses with different terrain challenges. "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."
What campers like
Private riverside camping: The solitude of having an entire campsite to yourself makes River Rock Recreation stand out. "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 stayed for three nights.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Twin Grove RV Resort earns praise for its upkeep. "Spotless. Plenty of room for whatever size tent or RV you have. Always lots of activities. 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," writes a frequent visitor.
Spacious sites with good separation: Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park offers room to spread out. "My family recently spent a long weekend at Pinch Pond. Our campsite was very spacious and the ENTIRE campground was extremely clean and tidy," reports a satisfied camper.
Lake access and water activities: Gifford Pinchot State Park provides multiple water recreation options. "The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area."
What you should know
Train noise affects sleep at some locations: Several campgrounds have nearby train tracks. "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!" warns a visitor to Hersheypark Camping Resort.
Shooting range noise: Some campgrounds have unexpected noise issues. "One thing is for certain – you're not going to get away from all of that highway traffic noise. Second, you'll note that while most of Pinch Pond is divided into little neighborhoods, for the most part, the entire campground is completely wide open so there is very little privacy," notes a detailed review.
Site levelness varies: Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country has challenging terrain. "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers. Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay. Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground."
Seasonal considerations: Poison ivy can be problematic in summer months. "We 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. Then I left and woke up with a serious case of chigger bites," warns a summer visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Best playground options: Twin Grove RV Resort offers exceptional facilities for children. "My family has been going here for the last 3 years. We love camping here. 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," shares a parent who returns annually.
Look for ticket-based game rooms: Pinch Pond provides unique entertainment value. "Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT! It was like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time," explains an enthusiastic parent.
Choose waterfront sites with beach access: Families appreciate water features at Gifford Pinchot. "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. There was also a beach location on the state park side vs campground side of the lake. Boat rentals available."
Reserve early for Hershey Park visits: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Close to Hershey World, nice campground mid week nice and few campers. Nice staff, trash pickup at site, friendly escort. Check-in process very through, be prepared with drivers license and plate number," advises a visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Tips from RVers
Select sites away from common areas: Privacy varies dramatically at many campgrounds. "If you're looking for trees and privacy, stick to the sites at the bottom of the hill(top of the CG map). The sites closer to the entrance of the park near all the amenities were definitely packed in tightly," recommends an RVer who stayed at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Check for site levelness before booking: Many campgrounds in the area have terrain challenges. "The pull through sites are nice and long, but we were put in a buddy spot and didn't know. We were happy we made friends with our neighbors, but I'd check that first," advises a camper at Jonestown/Hershey KOA.
Prepare for varying water quality: Some campgrounds have water issues. "We were in two different sites: the first was a two point site (water and electric) the road was dirt it seemed separate from the main drag of the campground, sites were wide but not very deep," notes a camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country who experienced varying site conditions.
