Dog-Friendly Camping near Lititz, PA

Camping options near Lititz, Pennsylvania range across Lancaster and Berks counties with elevations between 400-500 feet above sea level. The region experiences humid summers with average temperatures in the mid-80s and moderate rainfall year-round. Most campgrounds in this area feature slightly rolling terrain with a mix of wooded sites and open meadows typical of Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

What to do

Canoeing opportunities: 10 miles from Lancaster. At Thousand Trails Circle M, visitors can enjoy river activities. "The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks! We didn't know but went and bought a tube and spent the day on the river!" explains Karla R.

Basketball and mini-golf: Family recreation options. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park offers multiple recreation options. "They have Hershey's ice cream in the office and my kids enjoyed getting a treat. Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games," shares Melissa Y.

Fishing at two lakes: 30 minutes from Lititz. French Creek State Park provides water recreation with two bodies of water. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by. There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," notes Jen R.

What campers like

Level sites with concrete pads: Easier setup for all campers. Many visitors to Old Mill Stream Campground appreciate the well-maintained grounds. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports Jen R., while another camper mentions, "Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were."

Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathhouses. Country Acres Campground receives high marks for cleanliness. "The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home! Everything is clean and well managed," writes Megan T. Another visitor adds, "This campground is probably the most well maintained campground we have ever stayed at."

Spacious outdoor areas: Room to spread out. Campsites at several locations provide ample space. "Our tent site was shady and spacious and the landscape made the campground an even better experience," according to a Country Acres camper. Another visitor notes, "Each site had a lamp post so that at night, you could easily see where you are parked but they place them low to the ground so as not to add to light pollution."

What you should know

Weekend crowds: Plan accordingly. Some campgrounds become busy during peak times. At Thousand Trails Hershey, "It gets very full on the weekends here," notes Kasey M. For best site selection, "If you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem."

Uneven terrain at some locations: Bring leveling blocks. Many campsites throughout the region require adjustments. "Not just the one we're on but others as well. The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites," explains one camper. Another notes, "Unlevel is an understatement, we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground."

Environmental factors: Be aware of local conditions. Some campgrounds have unique challenges. "One thing that comes to mind is the shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner," reports Tara N. Weather can also be a factor: "Bug spray is a must and lower sites are muddy," advises a visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Pool options: Swimming available for all ages. Lake-In-Wood Campground offers versatile water recreation. "Great pools and classes (water aerobics was fun for everyone)," shares one camper. Another visitor mentions, "Nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool."

Playground access: Multiple play areas. Several campgrounds feature children's recreation areas. "The playground is situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line," notes a visitor.

Seasonal activities: Special events for children. Family programming varies throughout the year. "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it," says Leanne B. Many campgrounds also offer "Halloween every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!"

Tips from RVers

Arrival timing matters: For best site selection. At Thousand Trails properties, early arrival is key. "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," advises Yamileth K.

Size considerations: Check site measurements before booking. "Depending on your rig size you're only available certain sites. They won't give you a 50 amp site unless your 50 amp or 40', they save them for larger campers," explains Kasey M. about dog friendly campgrounds near Lititz.

Shuttle services: Available at some locations. When staying near attractions, look for transportation options. "Free shuttle to the park, and I believe you can get in earlier than other guests; discounted park tickets that make it even more economical to stay here vs. other options in the area," shares Danielle V.