The Holtwood area sits at the intersection of Lancaster and York counties along the Susquehanna River, creating diverse camping terrain from riverside locations to forested settings. Elevations range from 250 to 500 feet above sea level, offering varied vantage points for seasonal views. While most campgrounds remain open from April through October, several experience limited cellular reception in valley locations where signal strength drops significantly.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 3 miles from Lake-In-Wood Campground hosts a large pond stocked for anglers. "Nice fishing in the lake," notes Edward M., while families can enjoy the unique amenities including "goats to pet and watch" as mentioned by Jen R.
Renaissance Faire access: Pinch Pond Family Campground serves as a popular base for Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire visitors each fall. "Nice location for PA Renaissance Fair goers," says Pamela W. Another visitor shared, "We camped here 3x each time in October as they are very close to the PA Renaissance Fair."
Amish country exploration: Visit markets from Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country with its close proximity to cultural sites. "This campground will put your mind at ease and let you uncover the lost culture of this unique community," shares Meag F. who adds, "I remember going to the market and learning about culture that I was not necessarily familiar with before."
Mini golf recreation: Free or low-cost mini golf at several campgrounds provides evening entertainment without leaving the property. "They have Hershey's ice cream in the office and my kids enjoyed getting a treat. Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games," reports Melissa Y. about Pinch Pond Family Campground.
What campers like
Waterfront experiences: Bar Harbor RV Park offers sites directly at the water's edge. "Camped here at the end of summer, really loved it. Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn't but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge," writes Janet P. Another visitor noted, "Beautiful water front sites and good location right off 95."
Swimming options: Indoor and outdoor pools at Thousand Trails Circle M extend swimming seasons. "They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," explains Leanne B. Karla R. adds, "The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks!"
Entertainment schedules: Weekend music performances at multiple rv parks near Holtwood boost the camping experience. "The Saturday night bands are concert worthy," explains Scott J. about Sun Valley Campground. At Appalachian Camping Resort, one visitor experienced "a dj Saturday night and a live band Sunday night."
Unique accommodations: Themed cabins and specialized rentals provide alternatives to traditional RV camping. "There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others," reports Jen R. about Lake-In-Wood Campground.
What you should know
Shooting range proximity: Several campgrounds near gun ranges experience periodic noise during daylight hours. "The nearby shooting range is incredibly loud," notes Angelica K. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. At Pinch Pond, a visitor warned, "There is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner."
Seasonal schedule limitations: Most campgrounds in the region close by November. "We stayed here in May for Memorial Day weekend. We usually avoid holidays but gave this campground a try," mentions Laure D. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort, highlighting the popularity of peak season.
Sewer connection placement: Variable plumbing setups can challenge some RVers. "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly," one visitor noted about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Cell service variations: Coverage strength varies significantly by provider and location. "Excellent cell and gateway service. Cell is AT&T and our gateway is T-Mobile," reports Nick E. about Thousand Trails Circle M. At another campground, a visitor found "2 bars LTE on T-Mobile" sufficient for basic needs.
Tips for camping with families
Pool schedules: Confirm operating hours during weekdays when staffing may be limited. "Staff was nice but not enough staffing to keep amenities like pool open after 5 during the week," notes Beth B. about Spring Gulch Resort Campground. Unlike other campgrounds, at Pinch Pond, "the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus for me."
Activity programming: Check weekend schedules for special events. "We spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!" shared Kasey M. Another camper at Appalachian Camping Resort enjoyed "bingo, crafts, a vendor craft show, hot dog eating contest for adults and kids, candy scramble in the dark for adults and kids."
Playgrounds: Note locations relative to campsites before booking, particularly at larger properties. "There is a pet exercise/walking area, but could use some sprucing up," one visitor mentioned about Bar Harbor RV Park, while another camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort noted "there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it)."
Farm-fresh options: Look for produce vendors that visit certain campgrounds. "An excellent little surprise for me was the farm truck they had drive around Saturday morning. I was able to buy fresh produce for our dinner and I never even left my campsite," shares a visitor from Appalachian Camping Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: Request pull-through options when available for easier setup. "We chose a pull thru for its ease and the extra space it had being on the end," advises Sammii D. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. About another campground, a visitor recommended "if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem."
Leveling challenges: Pack extra blocks for uneven terrain. "The site was pretty level and in a good location - near the ponds, pool, office, and bathhouse - but was still quiet!" notes Becca U. about Appalachian Camping Resort. At another location, campers "had to go out and get more blocks and we're still not very level front to back."
Navigation concerns: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads that require careful maneuvering. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," explains Mary C. about Lake-In-Wood Campground. About Sun Valley Campground, visitors found "Some sites seemed tight and while ours wasn't, it was the smallest we've had in a while."
Off-season advantages: Consider spring and fall for reduced crowds. "Showed up on Wednesday, and was assigned a spot in loop 700 up on a hill in the center of a ring of trailers," notes Lori about Sun Valley Campground, adding that they "Stayed over Thursday night as well" because they enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
