Located in eastern Lancaster County along the Susquehanna River, Holtwood offers campers access to nearly 20 miles of wooded shoreline with elevations ranging from 250 to 500 feet. The area experiences mild springs and falls with average temperatures between 60-75°F, making these seasons ideal for camping. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, but several campgrounds remain open year-round with heated accommodations.
What to Do
Fishing in stocked ponds: At Tucquan Park Family Campground, visitors can enjoy well-maintained fishing areas. "We also have a nice little pond you can fish. The people who run it are super helpful and the store is well stocked with anything you need," notes Dan A.
Hiking nearby trails: French Creek State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems for day hikers. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles," reports Danielle V.
Swimming facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming options for summer visitors. "The pool is new and has a sloped entrance so my two year old could play by himself and loved it. The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home!" shares Megan T. about Country Acres Campground.
Amish farm experiences: Several campgrounds provide opportunities to experience local Amish culture. "We stayed in site 50 for this trip... The daily views of fields, farmers plowing with horses or the buggys going by was great," explains April L.
What Campers Like
Peaceful surroundings: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm receives praise for its natural setting. "We loved the peace and quiet, the restrooms were clean and tidy, the usable sites all looked nice. There are occasional whiffs of McCormick spices in the air that is very soothing," writes Sharon L.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area typically maintain high standards of cleanliness. "This campground is probably the most well maintained campground we have ever stayed at. The grounds are beautiful, facilities above and beyond the expected," shares Stephanie S. about Country Acres.
Family-focused activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville specializes in family entertainment. "Super clean, beautiful campground. So many activities to entertain kids, we couldn't fit it all in!" explains Karla R.
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer adequately sized sites. "We had a corner site and had plenty of room. We met a whole bunch of very nice people and would definitely go back," notes Jennifer R. about Tucquan Park.
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Operating seasons vary across campgrounds. "This state park is open all year," mentions Galit P. about French Creek State Park, while others like Lancaster-New Holland KOA operate "Apr 15 to Oct 31."
Yurt camping options: Thousand Trails Circle M offers yurt camping near Holtwood, Pennsylvania for those seeking alternative accommodations. One camper mentioned the campground has "tent sites, RV sites, cabin, glamping, yurt" options.
Pet policies: Rules regarding pets differ between campgrounds. "Loop C is the only dog friendly loop in the campground," explains Ellen C. about French Creek State Park.
Booking requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, particularly during summer. "Advance reservations are a must — this place books up fast!" warns Wendy W. about Merry Meadows.
Site selection: Terrain varies considerably across campgrounds. "We originally supposed to be in the woods — which FYI is far out of the way of the main activities, and also has a pretty steep incline. But the site was too uneven for our taste so we moved down in the main area," advises melissa about Tucquan Park.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "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," shares Julie Y.
Children's activities: Many campgrounds schedule organized events for kids. "We just got back from this campground after spending 5 nights there. The water park is super fun for adults and kids. The entire campground is clean and very well maintained," explains Ashley S. about Jellystone Park.
Budget considerations: Family activities can add up. "It's a little pricy, but worth it especially with kids," notes Joel A. about Jellystone Park at Quarryville.
Campsite location: When booking with children, consider proximity to amenities. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," recommends SkywaystoHighways.com Y. about Gifford Pinchot.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many campgrounds provide level sites for easy setup. "We stayed on site#106 which was level, covered in clean gravel, had a paver patio with table and chairs, and a nice fire ring with more chairs," shares Matt S. about Lancaster-New Holland KOA.
Hookup availability: Old Mill Stream Campground offers various hookup options. "We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig. All gravel sites and we had full hookup with 50 Amp," notes Chuck W.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging navigation. "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," advises Chuck W. about Old Mill Stream Campground.
Site selection for large rigs: "If you have a large camper or 5th wheel you may need to double check what sites can accommodate your RV to ensure you have enough room," advises Jen R. about French Creek State Park.
