Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, where Maytown is located, sits at elevations ranging from 250 to 500 feet above sea level in the fertile Susquehanna River valley. Camping options around Maytown provide direct access to both forested areas and waterways with seasonal temperature fluctuations that can vary by 40°F between summer and winter months. Most campsite areas near Maytown, Pennsylvania maintain moderate to high humidity levels during summer camping season.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Access the Susquehanna River from River Rock Recreation, where you can fish directly from the campsite banks. "We spent our time fishing the river banks right outside our tents and kayaking on the Susquehanna to fish the warm waters. We caught a ton of catfish and carp using live bait," notes camper Zach R.
Disc golf courses: Try the two 18-hole disc golf courses at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground. A camper warns about potential hazards: "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 all over the prime walking areas through the course."
Kayaking and tubing: Bring water gear to Pequea Creek Campground. "We enjoyed everything and the people were friendly. We welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek," shares a camper who appreciated the water access.
Hiking trails: Explore the 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail at Gifford Pinchot State Park. One visitor reported: "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
River access sites: Many campers appreciate waterfront locations at Pequea Creek Campground. "We got site 24 which had steps down the 'levee,' affording easier access to the creek," notes one visitor who found the water access especially convenient.
Private camping experience: For groups seeking seclusion, River Rock Recreation offers a unique option. "This is a single campsite that you rent, no other campers on site unless you are bringing them with you! You can camp with up to 10 people and there is certainly plenty of room for everyone to spread out," explains camper Kellyann M.
Large, shaded sites: Many campgrounds near Maytown feature spacious campsites. A visitor to Pequea Creek Campground observed: "Beautiful picturesque campground with large spots and a lot of trees. Very quiet and close enough to Lancaster for shopping."
Kitchen amenities: At River Rock Recreation, the kitchen area stands out. "One of my favorite features other than staying right on the river was the kitchen area. There is a stone floor, covered roof, and wrap around wood countertop space complete with an outdoor sink," shares a satisfied camper.
What You Should Know
Seasonal booking requirements: Most campgrounds in the Lancaster County region fill quickly during peak times. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, "Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. 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."
Terrain challenges: Many campsites around Maytown have uneven terrain. A camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country noted: "Sites are very close together. Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have unexpected noise sources. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, "There's a shooting range near the property, so at all hours you will hear target practice going on, especially in the wee early hours."
Water quality issues: Water systems can vary in quality. A Thousand Trails visitor reported: "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 water features: Sites with creek or lake access provide natural entertainment. One camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park shared: "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach."
Consider organized activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled events. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, campers appreciate the programming: "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 playground conditions: Not all play areas are equally maintained. A visitor to Old Mill Stream Campground mentioned finding "a small playground (with broken equipment)" while another campground had "really nice playgrounds."
Plan for rainy days: Indoor options matter when weather turns. "They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," reports a family who stayed during variable weather.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling preparation: Many campgrounds require significant leveling. A visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA advised: "Our site was very nice! We were in a back in site #4. The patio was concrete stone, very pretty... The bath house was extremely clean and very nice."
Check water and power specs: Know exactly what hookups are available. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, a camper noted: "Sites are on the larger side. They have other spots up on the hill but would have been more of a challenge with our rig."
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak times. "They have pull through sites which I was looking for. Sites were a bit close where we were but they had other sites that were more spread out," advises an RV owner who stayed at Hersheypark.
Mind train noise: Railroad tracks affect several campgrounds. One RVer warned: "Basic RV park, $95/night is way too much, you pay for location... Trains are all night."
