Camping near Maytown, Pennsylvania centers around the Susquehanna River valley with elevations ranging from 300-500 feet above sea level. The area experiences humid summers with temperatures averaging 80-85°F and mild springs and falls ideal for outdoor recreation. Many campgrounds remain open from April through October, with primitive sites available for off-season adventures at select locations.
What to do
Water recreation at Pinch Pond: Cast a line in the fishing pond or cool off in the clean, well-maintained swimming pool. "The pool is awesome. Nice owners," notes a visitor to Pinch Pond Family Campground.
River adventures: Paddle the Susquehanna River directly from your campsite at certain locations. "Staying right on the river was both fun and relaxing for us. We even booked a second trip for this July," shares a camper at River Rock Recreation, where kayak rentals are available on-site.
Hiking opportunities: Explore the 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail that circles Lake Marburg for views from every angle. Many trails connect directly to campsites, allowing morning hikes without driving. A visitor to Gifford Pinchot mentions, "I took an early morning hike on the Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles."
Amish country exploration: Discover authentic Pennsylvania Dutch countryside with rolling hills and historic covered bridges within 15-30 minutes of most campgrounds. "I don't know if the Amish camp, but regardless, if you'd like to experience what it's like to go camping in Amish country then Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort has you covered."
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds offer generously sized camping spots with natural barriers between sites. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, campers appreciate the layout: "Our site was level, shaded and quite large. Almost every site in this section was similarly large and wooded, with an impressive amount of space between sites for a KOA."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and showers consistently receive praise across multiple campgrounds. "Spotless bathrooms. Nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly," reports a visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Family activities: Organized events keep all ages entertained throughout the camping season. A camper at Tucquan Park Family Campground shares, "This campground goes above and beyond to make you feel like home... This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basket ball court."
Luxury glamping options: Beyond traditional canvas tents, premium glamping in Maytown area includes yurts, safari tents and cabin accommodations with amenities. "We have camped here several times and love the waterfront sites and the yurts," notes a Gifford Pinchot visitor.
What you should know
Weather and seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited year-round options. Swimming pools typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds feature varied terrain with level differences between sites. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, "you will have to contend with sloping land as this campground appears to be situated right on the side of a heavily wooded hill."
Noise factors: Some campgrounds are affected by nearby highways, railroads, or industrial facilities. "The only negative I have is there is a railroad nearby. During the day you kind of don't notice it but you may hear it at night if you are a light sleeper. Just bring earplugs," advises a River Rock Recreation camper.
Reservation systems vary: While some parks allow online site selection, others use first-come systems. "This is my 3rd stay with a Thousand Trails campground... The campground is huge but you're not stacked on top of your neighbor like the others. They have 4 different sections to stay in, we were in D. We were also able to pick which site we wanted."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Playgrounds, pools, and organized activities make a significant difference for family trips. "My family of 4, kids ages 21 and 17, loved our 3 night stay at River Rock Adventures... This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basket ball court."
Consider tent platforms: Some sites offer wooden platforms that keep tents dry and level. At Codorus State Park Campground, "We were in 132, which was huge and had nice open flat areas for the tent, there were actually three spots that we could have put it on, and lots of trees to hang our hammocks."
Verify water access: Not all waterfront campgrounds allow swimming. "There is a small, slow flowing river that runs along the front of the park which some people play in and float down in inner tubes. Personally, I would not get in the river because of all the agricultural runoff," notes a visitor to Old Mill Stream Campground.
Check fishing options: Many campgrounds offer fishing without leaving the property. "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," shares a River Rock visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region require leveling blocks. "The site on either side was the same rusty. Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground," reports a Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country visitor.
Hookup variations: Water pressure and sewer connections differ between campgrounds. "Water pressure is pretty low and the sewer pipe is a little high but all around a really solid experience," notes a PA Dutch Country RVer.
Campground navigation: Some properties have complex layouts or challenging access. At Old Mill Stream Campground, "The entrance in off the main road turns you into the theme park. Fear not. Turn in and follow the road to the right and into the campground. We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig."
Full hookup availability: While many campgrounds offer full hookups, prime sites book quickly during peak season. "We chose site 302 which was at the far end of the campground away from the amusement park... The site was perfectly level and had a large gravel patio area and a large shade tree behind us. The site was plenty long for our 45' RV and tow car."
