Camping near Lititz, Pennsylvania offers sites situated within the region's gently rolling hills and temperate forest terrain. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with average summer temperatures around 85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 350-500 feet above sea level, creating a mix of woodland and cleared camping areas throughout Lancaster County.
What to do
Visit Amish farms and crafts shops: Several campgrounds offer direct access to authentic Amish experiences. At Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort, campers can observe Amish life firsthand. As one visitor noted, "It is right in Amish country. They have a pool, store and other amenities."
Explore nearby state parks: The area has excellent state park access. French Creek State Park Campground provides multiple outdoor recreation options with "lots of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds, perfect for our kids...We did take our inflatable kayak out on the water, and it was lovely!"
Fish in local waterways: Many campgrounds offer fishing opportunities in ponds, streams, or lakes. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, clear in the back of the property "you'll find a small fishing pond." Some facilities like Circle M have riverside sites where "The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks!"
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Campers consistently praise well-maintained amenities. Country Acres Campground receives high marks for its "exceptionally clean" grounds and facilities. One camper noted, "The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home! Everything is clean and well managed."
Strategic location: The central position between attractions is valued. Beacon Hill Camping is popular for its convenient setting. A visitor mentioned it's "minutes from downtown Intercourse, Pa" and offers a "great little adults only campground. Quiet and surrounded by Amish farm lands and shopping locations nearby."
Family-friendly amenities: Pools and recreational options receive positive reviews. As one camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country mentioned, "The Campground itself has tons of amenities from a pool, kids and adult lounges, basketball court, mini golf, ice cream in the store, a store and hiking trails."
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds close during winter months. Check operating schedules carefully, as noted by one camper: "We're glad they are now open year round" at Mill Bridge Village, which is an exception to the typical April-October schedule.
Highway noise considerations: Several campgrounds are near major roadways. At Thousand Trails Circle M, a camper observed, "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground."
Site size variations: Many campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. As one camper at Lake-In-Wood Campground stated, "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees. Our site was a drive-through but slanted. There wasn't much room on our site to do anything else."
Shooting range proximity: Some campgrounds are affected by nearby ranges. A Pinch Pond visitor warned: "The only thing that is negative is that 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."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with kid-specific amenities: Look for sites with dedicated children's activities. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, families appreciate that "There is a big lawn in the middle which rolls down to the lake." Another camper noted, "golf cart rentals worth it" for getting around the larger properties.
Book early for weekends: Family-friendly sites fill quickly, especially during summer. At Circle M, "It gets very full on the weekends here," particularly during themed weekends when "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it."
Verify age restrictions: Some campgrounds cater specifically to adults. Beacon Hill Camping is noted as an "adults only campground" that's "quiet and surrounded by Amish farm lands."
Pack for weather fluctuations: Lancaster County experiences sudden weather changes. One camper at French Creek State Park described "an evening thunderstorm" during their stay, highlighting the need for proper rain gear.
Tips from RVers
Select sites based on rig size: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. At Old Mill Stream Campground, one RVer reported, "We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig. All gravel sites and we had full hookup with 50 Amp."
Check hookup locations: Utility placement varies widely between sites. A camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country noted issues with "Water pressure is pretty low and the sewer pipe is a little high but all around a really solid experience."
Use leveling blocks: Uneven terrain is common throughout the area. At Hershey RV and Camping Resort, one visitor observed, "Some of the sites are not very level, ours included (which they warned us about when they told us which one it was)."
Request specific loops for better access: Some campgrounds have designated areas for larger rigs. At Pinch Pond, "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 and more removed from the rest of the somewhat crowded campground."