Dog-Friendly Camping near Hummelstown, PA

Camping opportunities within 25 miles of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania feature a mix of private resorts, state parks, and family-owned establishments across varying terrain. The area sits at elevations between 350-600 feet, experiencing four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F during peak camping months. Unlike western Pennsylvania's mountainous regions, the landscape around Hummelstown consists primarily of rolling hills with numerous water features.

What to do

Rail trail access: Several campgrounds connect to local trail systems for biking and hiking without needing to drive. At Jonestown/Hershey KOA, campers appreciate the direct connection to regional trails. "Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking. The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc," notes Bobby S.

Fishing opportunities: Many sites offer fishing access directly from campground property. The ponds and streams feature various species including bluegill and bass. A visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground reported, "Both areas have great access for fishing, and we caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore."

Disc golf courses: Multiple courses within 15 minutes of Hummelstown provide recreational options beyond typical camping activities. Gifford Pinchot State Park features "both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge all over the prime walking areas through the course."

What campers like

Shuttle services: Many campers appreciate transportation options to nearby attractions without moving their vehicles. Hersheypark Camping Resort receives praise for its convenience: "Nice campground across the street from Hersheypark. They had pull through sites which I was looking for...Nice pool and great camp store!" shares Ray L.

Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness stands out in visitor reviews across multiple campgrounds. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, guests consistently mention facility quality. "Bathrooms are very clean and modern, but a decent walk from tent sites. The facilities are all lovely, staff in the camp store are kind and helpful," according to Melissa C.

Water recreation: Creeks and lakes provide swimming, kayaking and other water activities at several locations. Kellyann M. at River Rock Recreation describes their experience: "Staying right on the river was both fun and relaxing for us...If you sit by the river long enough you may see a barn owl fly by in the evening and back again in the morning. My boys spotted the nest while kayaking."

What you should know

Train noise considerations: Multiple campgrounds sit near active rail lines that operate through night hours. Visitors frequently mention this in reviews. "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!" warns Kit at Hersheypark Camping Resort.

Shooting range proximity: Some campgrounds have nearby shooting facilities that create daytime noise. At Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park, one camper noted, "Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby. Fortunately our dog wasn't bothered by the sound of gunshots and it's only during the day."

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area feature uneven sites requiring additional equipment. A visitor at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country reported, "The campground is huge but you're not stacked on top of your neighbor like the others. Campground loses a star because the sites are pretty uneven. Not just the one we're on but others as well. We had to go out and get more blocks and we're still not very level front to back."

Tips for camping with families

Beach areas: Several parks offer designated swimming beaches with additional family amenities. Gifford Pinchot State Park stands out with its "LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area."

Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreational facilities for various age groups. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA provides "nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly. Price is fair and not nearly as expensive as many other KOAs but the quality is just as good!"

Multi-day discounts: When planning longer stays, inquire about weekly rate savings which can reduce costs by 10-20%. Julie Y. shared about her experience at Gifford Pinchot: "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...We've already planned our next camping trip here for next month."

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Choose sites farther from highways and rail lines for quieter experiences. At Thousand Trails Hershey, a visitor advised, "For RVers, I would recommend sites #102–120, again, in the far rear or sites #308–317 along Angler's Way."

Early arrival importance: For first-come, first-served camping areas, timing significantly impacts site quality. One experienced camper at Thousand Trails noted, "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."

Utility variations: Water pressure and hookup heights differ between campgrounds, affecting equipment needs. At Pinch Pond, RVers will find "the slots are level and feature small stone surface with all of the typical hook-ups (30/50 electric amp, water, sewage and Cable TV)."