RV campgrounds near Jonestown, Pennsylvania offer campers direct access to Pennsylvania Dutch Country's rural landscapes and historical sites. Located in the Lebanon Valley at approximately 460 feet above sea level, this area experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers averaging 83°F and cooler spring and fall temperatures in the 60s. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, closing during the winter months when temperatures drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer stocked fishing ponds for catch-and-release angling. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, a small fishing pond is located at the back of the property. One visitor noted, "Clear in the back of the property, you'll find a small fishing pond," though some campers have mixed experiences with the fishing quality.
Farm experiences: Explore local Amish farms within a 20-minute drive of most Jonestown campgrounds. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country provides a unique opportunity to learn about local culture. One camper shared, "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time." The Saturday morning farm truck that drives through the campground sells fresh produce directly to campers.
Water recreation: Swimming pools are available at most campgrounds, with varying seasonal hours. Spring Gulch Resort Campground offers both indoor and outdoor swimming options. "Heated spa/pool in upper area are a bonus," writes one visitor, though they noted that "staff was nice but not enough staffing to keep amenities like pool open after 5 during the week."
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Most campgrounds are within 30-45 minutes of popular destinations. Thousand Trails Circle M received praise for its location: "Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips." The campground sits along a river, with one camper mentioning, "The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks!"
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas at most Jonestown-area campgrounds receive positive reviews for cleanliness. At Appalachian Camping Resort, visitors specifically mentioned the "Restrooms/Bath House very well maintained." Another camper reported, "Check in is as 3pm, we showed up at 2:45 after a 7 hr drive and they made us pay $15 extra. Sites were average. Caught some cat fish in the pond."
Recreational amenities: Many campgrounds offer mini-golf, arcades, and playgrounds for families. As one visitor to Thousand Trails Circle M noted, "Putt putt is still open and fun, so is playground. Arcade was open. There is an indoor pool and spa (spa closed due to Covid)." Several campgrounds also feature seasonal themed weekends and organized activities.
What you should know
Site levelness: Many campgrounds in the area feature sloped terrain requiring extra leveling equipment. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, a visitor warned, "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground. Many other sites were the same." Plan to bring extra leveling blocks for uneven sites.
Environmental noise: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways, trains, or shooting ranges. One camper at Lake-In-Wood Campground mentioned, "There is a quarry close by so you could hear the trucks beeping and the noise from there but that was the only negative thing." Similarly, at Pinch Pond, visitors noted, "Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby."
Seasonal availability: Most RV parks in the Jonestown area operate from April through October or early November. Sun Valley Campground runs from April 1 to November 1, while Thousand Trails properties typically open mid-April and close in late October. During summer weekends and holidays, campgrounds fill quickly and often require reservations weeks in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Activity timing: Schedule indoor activities during afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months. Twin Grove RV Resort offers multiple rainy day options, with one visitor sharing, "For the kids there is an arcade, a ferris wheel and some other rides. On Saturday nights they usually have a band playing on the stage which is really neat."
Halloween weekends: October camping offers special themed activities at many campgrounds. A camper at Twin Grove RV Resort mentioned, "They have a pool and fun activities though the day. At night they have a merry go round, train, giant slide and ferries wheel you can ride." Another visitor to Circle M reported, "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!"
Site selection for families: Request sites near playgrounds or away from noise sources. At Pinch Pond, a visitor recommended, "Our site was very spacious and clean. Kids loved fishing in the pond." Most campgrounds offer site maps online to help with pre-arrival planning.
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing: Thousand Trails properties operate on first-come, first-served basis for site selection. One RVer advised, "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. 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."
Low water pressure: Several campgrounds report issues with water systems. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, a camper noted, "Water pressure is pretty low and the sewer pipe is a little high but all around a really solid experience." Bring a water pressure regulator and longer sewer hoses to accommodate varying hookup locations.
Site privacy considerations: The density of sites varies significantly between campgrounds. For more secluded options, Spring Gulch offers more spacious sites while other properties have tighter spacing. One visitor recommended specific site ranges: "IMHO the best campsite locations are actually the ones designated for primitive tents as they are all located in the rear of the property and therefore quieter."
