Glamping in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania offers outdoor experiences within the capital region's humid continental climate, where summer temperatures average 85°F with frequent thunderstorms and winter lows typically reach 22°F. The region sits at approximately 320 feet above sea level along the eastern shore of the Susquehanna River, creating diverse camping environments from riverside locations to wooded hillsides. Several campgrounds feature dedicated glamping accommodations with varying seasonal availability.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Yellow Breeches Creek at Lower Allen Community Park offers excellent kayak-in camping with access to prime fishing waters. One visitor notes, "Cute site in a local township park that not many people know about. There actually three total. You just need to call the township to reserve. The sites sit right along the Yellow Breeches creak so you can put in a few miles up and float down to your site."
Historic attractions: Campers at Little Buffalo State Park Campground can tour a functioning historic mill. "The historical mill was well worth the trip. By the far the highlight of ours as well. Especially since they engaged the wheel and actually ground corn!" explains one reviewer who appreciated the educational aspect of their camping trip.
Disc golf courses: Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy two 18-hole disc golf courses at Gifford Pinchot State Park, with distinct terrain characteristics. The Conewago course is relatively flat, while the Quaker Race course is built into a hillside with more challenging wooded sections.
What campers like
Private riverside campsites: For those seeking seclusion, River Rock Recreation offers a unique private camping experience. "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 camper who enjoyed the exclusivity.
Well-maintained bathhouses: Cleanliness is consistently mentioned in reviews of Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, with campers appreciating the heated bathroom facilities. The campground features three massive restroom and shower facilities, though one camper noted, "I didn't care for the shower curtain system it seems less private."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. One reviewer at Little Buffalo State Park mentioned, "Wildlife is everywhere and there is even an eagle nest in the park and you can see the pair and often their young." Early morning kayakers at River Rock Recreation spotted a barn owl nest while exploring the water.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Several campers at Hersheypark Camping Resort mention train noise as a concern. "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!" advises one reviewer who experienced this disruption firsthand.
Shooting range proximity: Multiple campgrounds in the Harrisburg area are located near shooting ranges, which affects the wilderness experience. A reviewer at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country noted, "The nearby shooting range is incredibly loud," while another at Cedar Lake Family Campground mentioned, "The only complaint is the neighbor outdoors man sports out door range less than a mile away. Not bothersome or concerned for safety. Just takes away from the rural feel."
Site leveling challenges: Terrain at many area campgrounds requires careful preparation. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, one camper reported, "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground." Bring extra leveling blocks when glamping in Harrisburg-area campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly fishing spots: Cedar Lake Family Campground stocks its lake with trout, making fishing accessible for children. A visitor mentioned, "The lake is nice and they stock it with trout. The animal area could stand a good cleaning, but my little one enjoyed them."
Age-appropriate swimming areas: Cedar Lake Family Campground offers family-focused amenities with swimming options suitable for various ages. The campground has "activities for kids and adults and a huge family atmosphere with staff and campers," according to one happy visitor who appreciated the cruise ship-like programming.
Playground accessibility: Consider campsite proximity to play areas when booking. At Gifford Pinchot State Park, one camper shared, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site privacy considerations: At Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park, experienced RVers recommend specific site areas for more privacy. "From a RVers perspective, I would recommend sites #102–120, again, in the far rear or sites #308–317 along Angler's Way," suggests a camper who appreciated these more secluded options.
Electrical hookup variations: Many campgrounds offer both 30-amp and 50-amp service, but availability varies by site. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, they "won't give you a 50 amp site unless your 50 amp or 40', they save them for larger campers," according to one RVer's experience with their booking policies.
Site surface conditions: Expect various parking surfaces at Harrisburg-area luxury camping options. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, a visitor noted, "Stone surface. Not to bad for leveling. Our site was spacious," while others mentioned challenging conditions at campgrounds with dirt or gravel surfaces during wet weather.
