Cabin camping near Manheim, Pennsylvania offers options within the agricultural heart of Lancaster County, where the average summer temperatures reach 85°F with winter lows around 22°F. The region sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level on gently rolling farmland with the Susquehanna River and smaller tributaries cutting through the landscape. Local shooting ranges near some campgrounds can impact the peaceful atmosphere during daytime hours.
What to do
Explore Amish countryside: Visitors staying at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country can experience authentic Pennsylvania Dutch culture and landscapes. "This campground will put your mind at ease and let you uncover the lost culture of this unique community. I remember going to the market and learning about culture that I was not necessarily familiar with before," notes one camper.
Fish local waterways: Thousand Trails Circle M offers easy access to river fishing. "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," shares a visitor who enjoyed water activities.
Hike nearby trails: The region features multiple hiking options within a short drive. At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, one visitor reports: "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent facilities. At Country Acres Campground, "The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home! Everything is clean and well managed," according to one satisfied camper.
Pool amenities: Summer visitors appreciate pool access. A camper at Country Acres Campground mentioned, "The pool is new and has a sloped entrance so my two year old could play by himself and loved it." Another visitor at Circle M noted they have "an indoor and outdoor pool."
Winter options: Several cabins remain accessible year-round. At Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort, one visitor noted, "Had a trip scheduled for February but had to postpone. The staff was very helpful and moved our date to March. We enjoy each stay here. This site backs up to the stream. Glad they are now open year round."
What you should know
Proximity to shooting ranges: Some campgrounds deal with noise from nearby shooting facilities. A visitor at Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park noted, "Nice, forested campground. Friendly staff, clean bathhouses. Sites well maintained but ours wasn't level. Gets packed on weekends. Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby."
Seasonal pricing variations: Costs increase significantly during summer and holiday weekends. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, some campers find the pricing excessive: "Basic RV's park 95 night is way to much you pay for location."
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary widely across properties. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers. Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA offers numerous child-focused features. "Nice campground with a lot of RV and tent spots. Spotless bathrooms. Nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly. Price is fair and not nearly as expensive as many other KOAs but the quality is just as good!"
Consider weekend events: Many campgrounds run scheduled activities. At Circle M, one visitor mentioned, "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground."
Check proximity to attractions: Staying close to family destinations saves driving time. One camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort noted it's "Very convenient to Hershey Park. The campground is part of Hershey and as such offers good discounts to Hersheypark."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, a camper 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."
Space considerations: For larger rigs, investigate site dimensions before booking. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, "It is a nice camp ground but the lower drive threw spots are packed together. Our 32' with slides just fit the sight and we had zero room for the truck."
Hookup locations: Utilities placement varies by campground. A visitor at Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort observed their site had "Newer electric connections. EWS all at great locations to hook up."