Best Campgrounds near Jonestown, PA

Camping near Jonestown, Pennsylvania encompasses a variety of established campgrounds within the rolling hills and farmlands of central Pennsylvania. The area is situated in Lebanon County, approximately 25 miles northeast of Harrisburg and 20 miles northwest of the popular tourist destination of Hershey. Jonestown/Hershey KOA provides year-round accommodations for RVs, tents, and cabin stays, while Twin Grove RV Resort in nearby Pine Grove offers similar options with highly-rated facilities. Camp Swatara, located just east of Jonestown, provides a more natural setting with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins. The region's proximity to Pennsylvania Dutch Country creates a distinctive camping experience surrounded by rural landscapes and Amish communities.

Most campgrounds in the Jonestown area are accessible via well-maintained roads, with no special vehicle requirements needed. The camping season peaks from April through October, though several facilities like Jonestown/Hershey KOA remain open year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, while spring and fall can be cooler with occasional frost. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though signal strength varies by carrier. Fire restrictions are uncommon except during unusually dry periods. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and throughout the Hershey Park tourist season, as campgrounds fill quickly.

Family-oriented amenities are a hallmark of camping in this region. Most established campgrounds feature swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. According to reviews, proximity to attractions is a significant draw, with one visitor noting that "Hershey Park with shuttles running to and from the campground all day long" makes certain locations particularly convenient for families. Campers seeking more peaceful settings should consider sites farther from highways and train tracks. Some reviewers mentioned that campgrounds near the Pennsylvania Turnpike experience traffic noise, though properties with good tree buffers mitigate this issue. Pet-friendly options are available at most facilities, though specific loops or areas may be designated for campers with animals.

Best Camping Sites Near Jonestown, Pennsylvania (152)

    1. Jonestown/Hershey KOA

    16 Reviews
    Jonestown, PA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 865-6411

    "Love the close proximity to the highway and gas. We didn’t eat there but they had a restaurant! Lots of activities for the kids. Wooded sites and very clean bathrooms."

    "Pet friendly and you can access the Appalachian trail from campground. Lots of great food and places to go in the area. They have a river that is great for kayaking or tubing."

    2. Thousand Trails Hershey

    21 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    $50 - $60 / night

    "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. They don't reserve sites for you."

    "This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."

    3. Hersheypark Camping Resort

    29 Reviews
    Hummelstown, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (833) 936-0949

    "This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."

    "They don’t sell alcohol but there is a shopping center within walking distance with restaurants and liquor stores! Even a supermarket. There is shuttle service to the park."

    4. Twin Grove RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Tower City, PA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 865-4602

    "There are 2 dog parks right next to each other, which is great for your furry friend to be able to run around and play off leash."

    "Needs a pond and more shade but still is one of the nicer parks around. Twin Grove is also one of the cheaper ones, and that is hard to believe because of all the offer."

    5. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 665-7640

    "campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."

    "Please note there is a driving range so starting around 10am you will here guns go off. Also the highway is close by so you can hear it."

    6. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country

    13 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility."

    "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time."

    7. Stoevers Dam Park

    3 Reviews
    Lebanon, PA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 228-4470

    "Small lake."

    "It really would be nice if there were campsites further from the lake."

    8. Camp Swatara

    2 Reviews
    Pine Grove, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 933-5244

    $30 - $85 / night

    "There's lots to do for the whole family: hiking to the rock pile, fishing and boating in the lake, swimming, mini golf, a splash pad, ball fields, and creeks to play in, and more."

    9. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, PA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 367-7718

    $45 - $279 / night

    "There was a bathhouse and dish sink nearby, as well as the entrance to a nice little nature trail a few sites down. "

    "Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too! Everyone we talked to was nice and friendly."

    10. Starlite Camping Resort

    6 Reviews
    Hopeland, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 733-9655

    "Starlight is a nice campground to relax or explore central Pennsylvania."

    "The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore."

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Recent Reviews near Jonestown, PA

958 Reviews of 152 Jonestown Campgrounds


  • M
    Oct. 6, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Hard with a large group

    Harder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Stoevers Dam Park

    Park is closed. We were kicked out.

    LThe park is a beautiful city park. There are 7 small, level, back-in sites with electric, a picnic table and fire pit. We arrived in a Sunday and you have to call for a permit, but the office is only open on M-F during working hours. At 8 pm, a police officer told us the park was closed because of a bear, but that they had not gotten around to putting up signs. Wound up in a Walmart instead.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Dog owners read!

    There’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • Matt S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Stonybrook RV Resort

    This is a great place!

    We spent four nights at Stonybrook RV Resort in Lehighton, PA, for a quiet wedding anniversary getaway— and so glad we did. We paid$150 per night total for a FHU 50 Amp Premium Back-in site (#F20). This campground makes a great home-base while hanging out in the Pocono Mountains. 

    THINGS I LIKED: 

    • This place is in super condition— everything works as it’s supposed to and is clean and maintained 
    • The concrete pad/patio with Breeo smokeless fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and metal patio table and chairs made a great setup 
    • Our site(F20) is level and beautiful— spacious and beautifully landscaped 
    • We interacted with 5 members of their staff and all were welcoming and friendly to talk with 
    • There’s a heated pool behind the office/store so it’s not noisy for campers at their sites 

    THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH: 

    • Just one thing— the entrance made for a challenging entry up a steep grade, narrow roadway, and sharp turn in. I made it without problems, but it wasn’t easy in a 45’ motorhome towing a Jeep. This may be nitpicky— and I’m not complaining about it— just letting you know to expect it on arrival. 

    WOULD WE COME BACK? 

    • Absolutely, this is a great campground(I’ve already recommended it to my Newmar Kountry Klub chapter president as a possible site for a future rally).
  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Brandywine Creek Campground

    Brandywine

    We are on the third week of a four week trip. Campground is well maintained, quiet. This was our home while exploring Philadelphia. Uber to Downgrown, Septa or Amtrak to town. Reverse to camp. Very enjoyable. Hickory nut tree beside camper shared at times.

  • Peyton S.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Wonderful, Easy, Quick trip from Philly

    It’s about an hour away from Philadelphia. We tent camped in loop B. The site was wonderful. Just know it is a gravel site, not grass. The fire pit has a grill attachment and wood was easy to find. Water and bathrooms were close. We hiked around the lake and there were plenty of trails and even rentable kayaks and paddle boards! Would definitely recommend if looking for a quick overnight stay outside of the city.

  • Stephen W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Hersheypark Camping Resort

    Very clean campground friendly staff

    We stay here once a year in September. Stone surface. Not to bad for leveling. Our site was spacious.


Guide to Jonestown

Camping spots near Jonestown, Pennsylvania offer a mix of private campground options nestled between the Blue Mountain Ridge and Lebanon Valley. The region sits at approximately 500 feet elevation with summer temperatures typically reaching 85°F during the day but cooling to around 60°F at night. Most campgrounds in this area maintain gravel sites with varying degrees of shade coverage, requiring leveling blocks for RVs at certain locations.

What to do

Appalachian Trail access: Jonestown/Hershey KOA connects directly to hiking opportunities on the famous trail. "You can access the Appalachian trail from campground," notes one visitor who appreciates the combination of natural exploration with campground amenities.

Rail trail biking: The Swatara Rail trail offers paved paths accessible from several local campgrounds. A camper at Jonestown/Hershey KOA shared that the "Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking."

Water recreation: The Swatara Creek provides opportunities for paddling and floating near several campgrounds. "The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc," explains one reviewer who enjoyed the waterway.

Fishing access: Stoevers Dam Park offers a small lake for anglers staying at this budget-friendly campground. "Small lake" for fishing is available according to one camper who appreciated the natural setting just minutes from town.

Carnival rides: Twin Grove RV Resort features unique amusement park elements not found at most campgrounds. "At night they have a merry go round, train, giant slide and ferries wheel you can ride," explains a family that makes this campground a yearly tradition.

Mini golf: Several campgrounds maintain course facilities for families. One visitor to Twin Grove notes they have "Nice arcade and mini golf in an area set off to the side with a ferris wheel, merry go round, and other small kiddie rides."

What campers like

Private fishing pond: Pinch Pond Family Campground provides a dedicated fishing area on property. "In the back of the property, you'll find a small fishing pond" that offers a peaceful retreat for anglers.

Budget-friendly camping: Stoevers Dam Park provides an economical option with basic amenities. "Must get permits on line or from city hall. $3/night" notes a camper appreciating the affordable rate with primitive accommodations.

Well-maintained bath facilities: Multiple campgrounds receive praise for clean shower buildings. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, a camper noted "Bathrooms are very clean and modern, but a decent walk from tent sites."

Woodland campsites: Several facilities maintain natural settings. "Very shady (lots of trees)" describes a camper at Starlite Camping Resort who enjoyed the forest cover.

Shuttle services: Campgrounds near attractions often provide transportation. A visitor to Thousand Trails Hershey appreciated "free shuttle to and from all the Hershey locations" when purchasing park tickets at the campground.

Pool facilities: Swimming options vary across campgrounds in the region. "Nice pool" was mentioned by several reviewers, with Twin Grove getting particular recognition for having "2 very clean pools and water slides."

What you should know

Railroad noise: Several campgrounds experience train disruption. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, a visitor warned that it is "super loud bc of the trains" and recommended "making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!"

Shooting range proximity: Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park sits near a firearms facility that creates daytime noise. "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."

Uneven terrain: Many campgrounds feature sloped sites requiring preparation. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, one RVer observed that "the sites are pretty uneven" and "we had to go out and get more blocks and we're still not very level front to back."

Variable cell service: Connectivity fluctuates throughout the region. While many campgrounds offer WiFi for a fee, cell reception varies by location and carrier.

Wildlife encounters: Both wanted and unwanted animals frequent campgrounds. At Stoevers Dam Park, a camper reported "the place was swarming with Canadian geese" that could become territorial.

Reservation requirements: Peak season demands advance planning. Weekends from May through September fill quickly, especially at campgrounds with special amenities or proximity to attractions.

Tips for camping with families

Splash pad access: Camp Swatara offers water play features beyond traditional swimming. A visitor noted this campground has "Boating, swimming, fishing, splash pad, mini golf etc." which keeps children entertained.

Activity schedules: Many campgrounds organize regular events for younger guests. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA provides "playground activities" and family-oriented programming throughout peak season.

Proximity benefits: Staying closer to attractions maximizes enjoyment with children. A visitor to Starlite Camping Resort recommended this location because it's "Located between Hershey and all of the PA Dutch Lancaster County attractions."

Playground quality: Facilities for younger children vary significantly between campgrounds. Twin Grove RV Resort maintains "2 nice dog parks" alongside "playgrounds for the kids" according to one visitor.

Ice cream options: Several campgrounds feature sweet treats on premises. "The store has a good supply (just the essentials) but their best selling item is Hershey ice cream (so good!)" shared one reviewer about Thousand Trails Hershey.

Tips from RVers

Pull-through availability: Starlite Camping Resort offers easier access sites for larger vehicles. Despite being "quite hilly throughout the campground," a visitor noted "the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed."

Site spaciousness: Campgrounds vary significantly in how close neighbors are positioned. At Starlite, "the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy" which impressed one RVer used to tighter arrangements.

Water quality issues: Some campgrounds experience occasional utility problems. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, campers reported that "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay."

Slope considerations: Many local campgrounds require leveling equipment. "If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills" advised a visitor to Starlite about the approach roads.

Hookup placement: Utility connections may require extra equipment at certain sites. "The sewer pipe is a little high" mentioned one camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country when assessing the connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Jonestown, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Jonestown, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 152 campgrounds and RV parks near Jonestown, PA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Jonestown, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jonestown, PA is Jonestown/Hershey KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Jonestown, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Jonestown, PA.