Lancaster County campgrounds near Hopeland, Pennsylvania primarily operate from spring through fall, with some closing as early as October and others remaining open into December. Fall camping spots fill quickly due to Amish country tourism, with waiting periods possible at popular dump stations during peak weekend checkout times. The terrain features rolling hills with gravel sites that can become muddy after rain, and limited propane refill options exist throughout the region.
What to do
Fish the stocked ponds: At Spring Gulch Resort Campground near Hopeland, visitors can enjoy fishing for relaxation. While one reviewer noted that "Fishing pond is a joke and near by Gun Range can be annoying and tough on pets," another mentioned that "Nature decided to reclaim the area and the fish have an abundance of kel to live in. It is a wonderful fishing and boating area."
Visit nearby Amish attractions: When camping at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country in Manheim, you can explore the unique Amish culture. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," writes one visitor. The campground puts you "in the heart of one of the most picturesque natural landscapes anywhere in the Keystone State."
Enjoy on-site recreation: Lake-In-Wood Campground offers numerous activities without leaving the grounds. "Great pools and classes (water aerobics was fun for everyone). They did have a mini golf course too," reports one camper. Another reviewer adds, "The one thing that comes to mind is gnomes! After our week here, we bought one from the gift store for future camping adventures."
What campers like
Accessibility to major attractions: Thousand Trails Hershey provides easy access to regional landmarks. "Proximity to Hershey Park and the town of Hershey itself - this is obviously the big one; free shuttle to the park, and I believe you can get in earlier than other guests," notes one reviewer. Another adds, "BUY YOUR PARK TICKETS AT THE CAMPGROUND, there is a discount and also a free shuttle to and from all the Hershey locations."
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently praise the cleanliness at many campgrounds. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, "Restrooms/Bath House very well maintained," according to one camper. Another specifically mentioned, "Super clean inside. The one we stayed in had a set of bunk beds, a queen bed, and a fold out couch. It also had a bathroom with shower/tub and everything you would need except linens."
Friendly atmosphere: Reviewers frequently mention the welcoming environment at local campgrounds. "Staff was nice but not enough staffing to keep amenities like pool open after 5 during the week," noted one Spring Gulch visitor. At Pinch Pond, a camper shared, "The office and grounds keeping staff were super friendly and helpful. They have Hershey's ice cream in the office and my kids enjoyed getting a treat."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the Hopeland area have limited operating seasons. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country is open "April 14 to October 29," while Spring Gulch Resort Campground operates from "Mar 21 - Dec 1." One camper noted, "We camped here over Memorial Day weekend and it was full."
Noise considerations: Several locations have noise issues beyond highway traffic. At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, "The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us." Less pleasantly, a Pinch Pond visitor warned, "There is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner. If your out and about, it won't be an issue. However if you enjoy sitting outside of your camper and relaxing this might be nerve wracking."
Site quality varies: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. "The sites are level and covered in gravel, like all sites and roadways within the campground," mentioned one camper about Lancaster area sites. At Thousand Trails Hershey, a reviewer observed, "The sites are gravel and most are not level. They are not well maintained as the site next to us has weeds a foot high."
Tips for camping with families
Look for special events: Many Hopeland area campgrounds host activities for children. At Pinch Pond, "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."
Choose campgrounds with pools: Swimming options are important for family enjoyment. Sun Valley Campground received praise for its "Great swimming pool, immaculately clean bathrooms and showers." Similarly, Lake-In-Wood offers both "indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool."
Consider animal interactions: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm provides unique experiences for children. "The main attraction is the animals, but there is also a cute playground for the kids," writes one reviewer. Another family mentioned, "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires."
Tips from RVers
Plan for site limitations: RV sites around Hopeland often present challenges. "Our particular site was a bear to park in but once situated we were very happy," noted a Sun Valley Campground visitor. At Thousand Trails Hershey, "The sites are so small that many tow vehicles have to park partially on the narrow access roads making it difficult to get in and out of with a big rig."
Prepare for varying hookup options: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country offers "full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage)," while other parks may have more limited options. A Gettysburg Farm camper advised, "We chose a non-sewage site, the loop is quiet and large and they have the honey wagon 3x a week (free sewage dump service)."
Consider seasonal restrictions: RV camping near Hopeland requires planning around seasonal closures. Spring Gulch operates until December 1st, offering a longer season than most. A visitor to Pinch Pond warned about arrival timing: "While it irked me a bit that Pinch Pond likes to 'pinch pennies' by offering early arrivals/late departures for $3/hour, in a crunch, providing that accommodations are available, it's not the worst option to take advantage of if you need some extra time."
