Camping in the central Pennsylvania region near Reed offers access to several established campgrounds set amid the rolling Appalachian foothills. The area sits approximately 300 feet above sea level with moderate humidity levels during summer months. Most camping areas experience temperatures that average 82°F in July and August with cooler evenings dropping to the low 60s.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Juniata River provides excellent fishing access at Buttonwood Campground, where sites are situated along the waterfront. "Great place for fishing, tubing or just getting wet. Campground has many activities for kids," notes a visitor.
Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground features two 18-hole disc golf courses in different sections of the park. One camper reports, "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."
Historic exploration: The region offers several historical sites including Pole Steeple Trail and the Appalachian Trail Museum. "Make sure you take a hike on the AT and then up to Pole Steeple for a great view! You may even bump into a through hiker excited to chat," shares an experienced camper about Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high on camper priorities at Little Buffalo State Park Campground. "Very nice park and clean bath house. They do have a pool but not included in the camping price and it gets very crowded," explains one visitor who specifically highlighted the bathroom facilities.
River access: The opportunity to enjoy water activities directly from campsites remains popular. "Beautiful lake! A short walk from the campsite. We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning," reports a camper at Lake Heron Retreat.
Natural settings: Campers appreciate the forested surroundings at several locations. "Secluded camp site was well kept and lovely," notes a visitor to Lake Heron Retreat, while another camper describes Camp Hebron as "hands down the best place we've camped...The sites have lots of tree cover and they are private."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railroad noise. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, campers report, "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!"
Flooding concerns: Low-lying areas near rivers may flood during heavy rains. At Ferryboat Campsites, one visitor noted, "Storms with heavy rain in the area made the river rise. We were told the campground is susceptible to flooding, so check the weather when you come!"
Advance planning: Ferryboat Campsites has numerous seasonal residents, making weekend availability limited. "This is a wonderful little campsite primarily catering the seasonal RVer. With that said they do have primitive camping spots next to the putt putt course and water only tent sits at the upper feild," explains a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: "The pool here is top notch and it's good for fishing but the hiking isn't super great. We did have a nice bat spotting walk with a Ranger when we were there," notes a visitor to Little Buffalo State Park, highlighting multiple activity options.
Nearby attractions: Sites close to Hershey offer family-friendly excursions. "Nice campground across the street from Hersheypark. They had pull through sites which I was looking for. Sites were a bit close where we were but they had other sites that were more spread out," writes a camper about Hersheypark Camping Resort.
Site selection: For families seeking quiet areas, Camp Hebron offers spacious sites though timing matters. "Get ready for buses of kids, literally, to show up at the campground in the late morning and stay and be loud all day long," warns one visitor who camped during a youth program.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: At Buttonwood Campground, RVers note variable site conditions. "Our 32' with slides just fit the sight and we had zero room for the truck. They have other spots up on the hill but would have been more of a challenge with our rig."
Water access: Fill fresh water tanks before arrival at some locations. "If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up," advises a visitor to Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground.
Dump station access: Most established campgrounds provide dump stations, though access can be limited. "There is a dump station available for the end. You can book your site on line and go straight to your site! No check in required," explains a camper at Little Buffalo State Park regarding the sanitation facilities.
