Campgrounds near Lebanon, Pennsylvania offer varied camping experiences amid the rolling hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Located at elevations between 400-600 feet, the region experiences humid summers with temperatures averaging 80-85°F in July and August. Most campgrounds in the area sit within 30 miles of Lebanon, providing access to both historic sites and natural attractions.
What to do
Visit farm animals: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm offers unique interactions with livestock. "The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us. It was an easy hike as suggested on the map to circle around and through the cornfield, you get a great view of the farms nearby and the river," notes Mary H. The farm welcomes campers to feed animals during designated morning hours.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer stocked ponds for catch-and-release fishing. "Great place to go fishing!" shares Anna H. about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. While some ponds may have seasonal algae buildup, they remain popular with families throughout the summer months.
Explore Amish country: Camping near Lebanon puts you in proximity to authentic Amish communities. "If you've never visited an Amish community, you should definitely take advantage of this very unique location by exploring Lancaster County where you can find a number of horse & buggies to take a trip in to take in the absolutely gorgeous Pennsylvania Dutch countryside," recommends Stuart K. from Pinch Pond Family Campground.
What campers like
Indoor/outdoor pool complexes: Many campgrounds maintain both indoor and outdoor swimming facilities. "There is an indoor pool and spa (spa closed due to Covid)," notes Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Circle M. Several parks keep pools open until 9-10pm during summer months, offering extended swimming hours.
Mini golf courses: On-site mini golf provides family entertainment at many campgrounds. "Mini golf was fun but need to be regreened...several holes needed maintenance," observes Beth B. about Spring Gulch Resort Campground. Most courses charge small fees of $3-5 per person or offer free play with equipment rental.
Themed cabins: Lake-In-Wood Campground offers unique accommodation options. "There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others," shares Jen R. These specialty cabins book quickly during peak season, often requiring reservations 3-6 months in advance.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Many rv sites near Lebanon, Pennsylvania require significant leveling. "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," reports Justin B. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. Bring extra leveling blocks if visiting campgrounds in hillier areas.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close between late October and early April. Spring Gulch Resort operates slightly longer with a March 21 to December 1 season, but winter camping options remain limited throughout the region.
Shooting range proximity: Several campgrounds sit near local shooting ranges. "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner," warns Tara N. about Pinch Pond Family Campground. This may affect pets sensitive to loud noises.
Tips for camping with families
Animal interactions: Children particularly enjoy farm-based camping experiences. "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," shares Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
Halloween camping: October weekends feature special activities at many campgrounds. "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" reports Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Circle M. Reservations for these themed weekends often fill 6+ months in advance.
Activity schedules: Appalachian Camping Resort organizes frequent family events. "The campground had numerous activities set up all throughout the day and there was something for everyone... There was bingo, crafts, a vendor craft show, hot dog eating contest for adults and kids, candy scramble in the dark for adults and kids, a dj Saturday night and a live band Sunday night," describes Melissa Y.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: When booking rv sites near Lebanon, Pennsylvania, location matters significantly. "The best sites IMHO are those that back up to the periphery and are northernmost up the slight embankment as you'll have greater privacy and less noise being furthest away from all of the action in the center of this campground resort," advises Stuart K. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Arrival timing: First-come, first-served policies at Thousand Trails properties require strategic planning. "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," explains Yamileth K. about Thousand Trails Hershey.
Buddy site cautions: Some campgrounds feature shared utility setups that create unique challenges. "We were unaware that our site was a buddy site... The buddy site was very narrow and since our buddy arrived first we had no choice but to park farther down on the site to avoid our awnings touching and that left us very uneven," cautions Melissa Y. when describing Appalachian Camping Resort.
