Lancaster County RV parks accommodate various camping styles within Pennsylvania's farming country, where summer temperatures average 76°F with high humidity. Most campgrounds sit between 300-800 feet elevation, with those on eastern ridges offering cooler temperatures and better views. Afternoon thunderstorms often develop in summer months, making awnings and sheltered cooking areas practical additions for campers.
What to do
Fishing ponds and water activities: Spring Gulch Resort Campground offers fishing ponds that attract families, though some visitors note limitations. "Fishing pond is a joke and near by Gun Range can be annoying and tough on pets," reports one camper, indicating anglers should temper expectations.
Golf cart rentals: Many Lancaster campgrounds offer golf cart rentals, particularly useful at larger properties. A visitor at Lake-In-Wood Campground notes, "Golf cart rentals worth it" due to the sprawling layout of some properties.
Mini golf courses: Several RV parks maintain mini golf courses, though maintenance varies by location. At Lake-In-Wood, one camper observed, "Mini golf was fun but need to be regreened….several holes needed maintenance," suggesting players should expect some wear and tear.
Local Amish country exploration: Campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring Amish communities. A camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country appreciated that "whenever I see that word 'resort' I always wonder – is it really a resort? And, well, while we're on that particular question, what makes a place a resort in the first place?"
What campers like
Water recreation options: Multiple Lancaster RV parks feature pools with extended hours. A visitor at Pinch Pond Family Campground appreciated that "unlike most campgrounds, the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus."
Entertainment for kids: Many campgrounds schedule regular activities for younger campers. At Thousand Trails Circle M, a visitor noted, "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool."
Seasonal events and themes: Lancaster campgrounds organize holiday-specific activities throughout the camping season. One Circle M camper shared, "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!"
Live entertainment: Weekend performances are common at several properties. A Sun Valley Campground visitor remarked, "The Saturday night bands are concert worthy. We have enjoyed our stay more than you ever imagined."
What you should know
Uneven terrain challenges: Many Lancaster RV parks have sloping sites requiring leveling equipment. At Sun Valley Campground, a camper shared their experience: "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground."
Seasonal camper concentration: Several parks host predominantly seasonal residents. "90% of the people here are full time," noted one Sun Valley visitor, which affects the atmosphere and site availability for short-term campers.
Variable cell service: Reception can change dramatically within the same property. One camper at Thousand Trails Circle M reported "excellent cell and gateway service. Cell is AT&T and our gateway is T-Mobile," though coverage varies by carrier and location.
Varying site conditions: Site quality differs widely at Lancaster RV parks. A visitor at Pinch Pond Family Campground noted, "Sites well maintained but ours wasn't level. Gets packed on weekends."
Tips for camping with families
Check noise sources: Some Lancaster campgrounds experience noise from nearby facilities. A Pinch Pond camper warned, "Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby. Fortunately our dog wasn't bothered by the sound of gunshots."
Consider weekend vs weekday stays: RV parks often change character between weekdays and weekends. A visitor noted that Pinch Pond was "Quiet during the week, weekends quite busy," suggesting families seeking tranquility might prefer midweek stays.
Verify playground locations: Campground playgrounds may not be conveniently located for all sites. One reviewer at Drummer Boy Camping Resort complained that "there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down."
Ask about splash pads: Some Lancaster RV parks have added splash features for children. Drummer Boy offers "a pool with the slide was very clean" according to one visitor, providing additional water activities for families.
Tips from RVers
Request concrete pads when available: Concrete sites offer greater stability in Lancaster's variable weather. One camper at Thousand Trails Circle M shared, "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level."
Bring extension hoses/cords: Hookup placements vary significantly among Lancaster RV parks. A camper at Pinch Pond noted that "the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly."
Check dump station availability: During busy weekends, dump stations can become bottlenecks. One Spring Gulch camper noted, "Only two dump stations for a pretty large park," suggesting departing on off-peak times when possible.
Verify site dimensions: Lancaster campgrounds often have tight turns and narrow roads. A Lake-In-Wood visitor warned, "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees."
