Camping sites near Manheim, Pennsylvania offer access to recreational water features that complement the region's rolling terrain. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 400-600 feet above sea level, creating natural drainage that helps sites recover quickly after rain. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with occasional thunderstorms that move through quickly due to the region's open valleys.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Thousand Trails Circle M sits on a horseshoe curve of a river where fishing is popular. As one camper noted, "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!"
Shooting range visits: Some campgrounds are located near shooting ranges, offering target practice opportunities. A visitor to Pinch Pond mentioned, "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."
Water recreation: Gifford Pinchot State Park, located 32 miles from Manheim, offers extensive water activities on Pinchot Lake. A camper described the amenities: "The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area."
Mini golf: Many campgrounds in the area maintain mini golf courses as on-site recreation. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, mini golf is just one of several family-friendly amenities available. According to a reviewer, "Nice, clean family-friendly place with a lot of RV and tent spots. Nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly."
What campers like
Privacy and spacing: Campers frequently mention appreciating sites that offer some separation from neighbors. At Starlite Camping Resort, a visitor noted, "Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Except for the Plateau sites, which have the amazing view, the rest of the campground had a great tree cover! Too often private campgrounds attempt to squeeze as many sites as possible and end up with campers on top of their neighbors, but at Starlight, the sites felt very secluded."
Clean facilities: Many reviews specifically mention the cleanliness of bathhouses and other facilities. A visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA observed, "Bathrooms are very clean and modern, but a decent walk from tent sites. The facilities are all lovely, staff in the camp store are kind and helpful."
Riverside sites: Camping spots along waterways are particularly valued. At Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort, a camper shared, "We had a nice site that backed up to a small creek. Very scenic and laid back campground."
Special events: Seasonal activities enhance the camping experience, especially for families. A Circle M visitor mentioned, "We spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it! They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area require attention to leveling due to the region's natural topography. A camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country reported, "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."
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Manheim are situated close to active rail lines. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, one visitor warned, "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!"
Seasonal crowds: Campgrounds get particularly busy during peak seasons and special events. A visitor to Pinch Pond noted, "Gets packed on weekends. Lots of families enjoying their time together, campfires, kids playing."
Reservation timing: The popularity of the region means advance planning is essential. For Thousand Trails locations, a camper advised, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Indoor options for rainy days: Several campgrounds offer indoor recreation facilities that prove valuable during inclement weather. At Circle M, a camper mentioned, "There is an indoor pool and spa. They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!"
Playground proximity: When booking sites with children, consider proximity to play areas. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, a visitor recommended, "Near Hershey Park. Shuttle bus to the park. Nice sites in the shade. Has pool and playground."
Beach access for kids: Water features designed for children provide entertainment without leaving the campground. A Gifford Pinchot visitor shared, "Easy walk to the lake with a small beach. There was also a beach location on the state park side vs campground side of the lake. Boat rentals available."
Game rooms: Several campgrounds maintain indoor gaming facilities. A visitor to Pinch Pond mentioned, "Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT! It was like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time."
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing: For the best site selection at Thousand Trails locations, timing is critical. A camper advised, "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."
Site selection strategies: When choosing a site, consider factors beyond just size. At Old Mill Stream Campground, one RVer appreciated the online booking system: "If you reserve online you can see the availability and pick your site which is always a nice feature. They also have pictures of each campsite on the website so you really know what you are getting."
Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds may have water quality issues worth planning for. A PA Dutch Country visitor warned, "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay."
Services and connections: Always verify what hookups are available. At Hershey RV and Camping Resort, a camper noted, "This is a basic campground with a swimming pool, a store and laundry. The sites are gravel and most are not level."
