Located approximately 15 miles west of Lancaster, Lititz sits at an elevation of 381 feet in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The surrounding landscape features rolling hills and fertile farmland, with summer temperatures averaging 73°F and winter averages around 32°F. Camping options range from rustic tent sites to full-hookup RV parks, with most facilities open April through November.
What to do
Creek exploration: Fishing and kayaking are popular at French Creek State Park Campground, where visitors access two lakes stocked with various fish species. "There are two lakes in French Creek, Hopewell and Scott's Run and each contain many species of fish. We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site," notes one reviewer.
Amish culture immersion: The Amish countryside provides unique cultural experiences within minutes of Old Mill Stream Campground. "Even though the amusement park wasn't open yet, kids still had a good time! The grounds are clean and there's also a small playground and basketball court! An Amish buggy comes through with some great baked goods," shares a visitor.
Mini golf and swimming: Many campgrounds offer on-site recreation, including pools and mini golf courses. "The playground was open and great for the kids, so was mini golf," notes a camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. During summer months, most facilities maintain extended pool hours until 8 or 9pm.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Pinch Pond Family Campground offers secluded camping spots with good separation between neighbors. "While I suppose there's no shortage of reasons as to why one would stop for a night or a week here at Pinch Pond Family Campground... the entire campground is completely wide open so there is very little privacy apart from a few select locations," a reviewer explains.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses and common areas. "The bath/shower house in this loop was adequate and includes two dish washing stations outside. The showers had good pressure and hot water. It was cleaned often throughout the weekend," reports a visitor at French Creek State Park Campground.
Local dining options: The surrounding Pennsylvania Dutch Country provides authentic local cuisine within short driving distances. "From a foodie standpoint, take my word for it, there is VERY little around these parts and what you can find nearby are local joints, which we loved BTW, including: Mount Gretna Hideaway, Gus' Keystone Family Restaurant, Kountry Kitchen Family Restaurant, Forklift & Palate Restaurant as well as Mount Joy Family Restaurant," advises a Pinch Pond camper.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The region experiences distinct seasons with humid summers and potentially snowy winters. "We were in the D loop which is rustic with no hookups. Quiet, very few people mid-week. Spacious sites. Bathrooms were just okay. Muddy floors - don't know how often floors are cleaned," reports a French Creek State Park visitor from a July trip.
Train noise: Hersheypark Camping Resort sits near active train tracks that can disturb light sleepers. "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!" warns one camper.
Shooting range proximity: Some campgrounds are located near shooting facilities. "My son got poison sumac behind our site, and the nearby shooting range is incredibly loud. It is a nice campground with fun amenities, but we won't visit again," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Country Acres Campground offers family-friendly amenities and programs. "This is our first pick campground everytime we go to the area. So well kept, perfect size lots. Nice people," shares a repeat visitor. The pool remains open until early evening during peak season.
Glamping options for first-timers: For families new to camping, glamping near Lititz, Pennsylvania provides comfortable introductions to outdoor stays. "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground. We moved to a full hookup on the Delaware section. Open, accommodating for our rig," explains a visitor at Circle M RV Camping Resort.
Pet-friendly considerations: Not all loops or glamping accommodations permit pets. "Loop C is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved, and we didn't have any problems as we took our walks around the loop," notes a French Creek State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When booking at Lake-In-Wood Campground, choose sites carefully for size and access. "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. The fire ring was about all the room allowed," advises an RV camper.
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in this hilly region require leveling equipment. "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. The walk to pool and all other amenities was not pleasant due to hills," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Hookup considerations: RV sites vary significantly in hookup quality across campgrounds. "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level. It is absolutely beautiful out. The grounds are well-kept, and aside from the 8pm Saturday night golf cart parade that was beyond loud, it's been really quiet and peaceful. Excellent cell and gateway service," shares a Circle M RV camper.
