Marysville, Pennsylvania sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains alongside the Susquehanna River at an elevation of approximately 400 feet. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with July temperatures averaging highs around 85°F and periodic afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months. Fall camping offers cooler temperatures with colorful foliage displays starting in mid-September across the surrounding hillsides.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing: Buttonwood Campground offers river access and tubing experiences. Sites along the Juniata River provide ideal fishing spots, and the campground offers transportation for river activities. As one camper notes, "Great place for fishing, tubing or just getting wet. Campground has many activities for kids."
Hiking nearby trails: Access several trail systems within a 30-minute drive of Marysville. The 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground provides varied terrain and wildlife viewing opportunities. A visitor mentioned, "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."
Disc golf courses: Play 18-hole courses at parks near Marysville. Gifford Pinchot offers two separate disc golf layouts—one relatively flat around the Conewago day use area and another more challenging course. According to one camper, "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge."
What campers like
Privacy and space: Several campgrounds offer more secluded sites for those seeking quieter experiences. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, visitors appreciate the thoughtful layout. One reviewer explained, "I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of trees and separation between many sites. If you're looking for trees and privacy, stick to the sites at the bottom of the hill."
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards are high at most campgrounds near Marysville. At Twin Grove RV Resort, visitors consistently mention the cleanliness. One camper stated, "Spotless. Plenty of room for whatever size tent or RV you have... Nice ice cream shop and on-site restaurant. 2 very clean pools and water slides."
Year-round options: While most campgrounds operate seasonally, Little Buffalo State Park offers camping throughout the year for those seeking off-season experiences. The park maintains winter accessibility, though amenities may be limited during colder months. A visitor highlighted, "Campground was small, clean and quiet. The showers kinda sucked since you it had water limits on them that only last 20 seconds before you had to hit the button again. But they were extremely clean."
What you should know
Train and road noise: Some campgrounds sit near transportation corridors. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, train tracks run nearby with nighttime traffic. As one camper mentioned, "Basic RV's park 95 night is way to much you pay for location. Trains are all night."
Shooting range proximity: Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park sits near a shooting range which operates primarily during daytime hours. A camper noted, "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 you're out and about, it won't be an issue."
Site spacing varies significantly: Request specific site numbers if space matters to you. At some campgrounds, sites are positioned close together, especially during peak seasons. One camper at Deer Run Campgrounds shared, "The sites for campers are very tight... We started setting up our tent and were somewhat pleased with the amount of space we had from a big family in the next site... Then another car pulled up and signaled that there was ANOTHER site between us."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for kids: Multiple campgrounds offer splash pads, swimming areas and water activities perfect for summer visits. A visitor to Little Buffalo State Park commented, "They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!"
Carnival-style amenities: River Rock Recreation offers unique family-friendly features not typically found at standard campgrounds. One family reported, "My family of 4, kids ages 21 and 17, loved our 3 night stay at River Rock Adventures. All around the site they left painted rocks which were fun, they leave you with a scavenger hunt and a map of the nearby trail system which was very helpful."
Playground accessibility: Position your campsite near playgrounds if traveling with younger children. At Twin Grove, multiple playground areas accommodate different age groups. A reviewer noted, "Great park. Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. Everyone we talked to was nice and friendly."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Book specific site numbers rather than general categories when possible. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, the terrain varies significantly across the property. As one RVer advised, "This is a large KOA with lots of sites, set on a hilly/'tiered' landscape with winding roads. The sites closer to the entrance of the park near all the amenities were definitely packed in tightly."
Leveling requirements: Pack additional leveling blocks for some campgrounds. Several RVers noted uneven terrain at certain sites requiring extra equipment. A visitor to Pinch Pond mentioned, "Should you be driving an RV, the slots are level and feature small stone surface with all of the typical hook-ups (30/50 electric amp, water, sewage and Cable TV)."
Seasonal considerations: Book well in advance for special events like the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair. Twin Grove and Pinch Pond fill quickly during these periods. One RVer shared, "Stayed here 3x each time in October as they are very close to the PA Renaissance Fair. Easy to get to and beautiful setting."
