Campsites near Hopeland, Pennsylvania sit in the gently rolling hills of Lancaster County at elevations between 400-600 feet. The relatively mild climate features warm, humid summers with temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F in July and August. Winter camping options are limited as most facilities in this region close from November through March, with only two campgrounds maintaining year-round operations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Thousand Trails Circle M, the campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, ideal for anglers and water enthusiasts. "Bring tubes and kayaks! We didn't know but went and bought a tube and spent the day on the river," reports camper Karla R.
Hiking trails: French Creek State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks for hikers of all skill levels. According to Katie M., "There is lots of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds (perfect for our kids), the bathrooms were well maintained. We were there in October, so the pool was closed, but it looked nice."
Local culture exploration: Within walking distance of Beacon Hill Camping, you can immerse yourself in Amish country. "Within walking distance are Amish shops, and guided tours into the Amish countryside. Restaurants are nearby," notes Mike H. The location puts you minutes from downtown Intercourse, PA, with many traditional craft shops.
What campers like
Private campsite layouts: Campers frequently mention site privacy as a highlight. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers," writes Jen R. about her experience at French Creek State Park.
Clean facilities: Starlite Camping Resort receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The facilities are spotless and the campground is maintained to the highest standards I have seen. There are regular activities for all ages including bingo, crafts and live music," reports Elizabeth L.
Recreational options: Many campgrounds offer extensive on-site activities beyond just camping. "Starlite offers a wide variety of amenities such as a community pool, general store, snack bar, playground area, toilets, indoor shower stalls, daily activities, pets permitted, water/electric utilities and laundry units," notes camper Brie A.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: While Lancaster County is generally flat, many campgrounds feature hilly terrain. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees. Our site was a drive-through but slanted," reports Mary C.
Environmental factors: Agricultural activity can affect the camping experience in this rural area. "The overwhelming impression of this campground was the smell of cow manure from the nearby dairy farm feedlot. The smell was not present the first day or so we were there and we enjoyed sitting outside in the afternoon, but when the wind shifted the horrid smell drove us inside," notes Nancy W. about Old Mill Stream Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area operate differently with booking systems. Thousand Trails properties use a first-come, first-served approach. "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. For everyone complaining about driving around and not finding spots, if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem," advises Yamileth K.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Thousand Trails Hershey provides numerous family-friendly features. "They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," shares Leanne B., who visited with her family.
Activity schedules: Many campgrounds organize regular events for children. "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it," notes Leanne B. about Thousand Trails Circle M.
Swimming access: Most family-oriented campgrounds maintain pool facilities. "Nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool. Goats to pet and watch. There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others," says Jen R. about Lake-In-Wood Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: For big rigs, specific areas within campgrounds offer better accessibility. "While the top part of the campground seemed more communal, we chose the lower, Riverside sites and we're glad we did!" shares Karla R. about Thousand Trails Circle M.
Levelness considerations: Many RVers note the importance of checking site levelness before booking. "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level. The grounds are well-kept, and aside from the 8pm Saturday night golf cart parade that was beyond loud, it's been really quiet and peaceful," reports Nick E.
Utility performance: Water pressure varies significantly between campgrounds. "Each site has a firepit and picnic table. There were over 50 cable channels and all the hookups were well-placed and worked well," mentions Nancy W., noting the reliable utilities despite other drawbacks at her campsite.
