Camping options near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania extend through Central Pennsylvania's unique limestone valley landscape, with elevations ranging from 400-800 feet above sea level. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer daytime temperatures typically reaching 85-90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. The region's proximity to the Appalachian Trail creates numerous camping possibilities with varying terrain and accessibility requirements.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Pine Grove Furnace State Park offers exceptional trail access as it serves as the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail. "There is a lake where you can swim or fish! You can also visit the Furnace and the AT Museum, make sure you hear the store about the first through hikers!!!" notes one visitor to Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground.
Water recreation: While swimming pools are common at many campgrounds, natural water features provide alternative recreation. At Lower Allen Community Park, campers appreciate the creek access: "Cute site in a local township park that not many people know about. The sites sit right along the Yellow Breeches creak so you can put in a few miles up and float down to your site."
Historical exploration: The region offers rich historical context beyond just camping. The Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm provides a unique farm experience while being situated near historical sites. A camper noted, "It's not too far from historic Gettysburg yet. We haven't traveled into historic Gettysburg yet, but it's not too far from here."
What campers like
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds feature farm animals that appeal to visitors. At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, campers report: "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires."
Lake activities: Fishing opportunities exist at multiple locations around Mechanicsburg. Cedar Lake Family Campground maintains a stocked lake: "The lake is nice and they stock it with trout. The animal area could stand a good cleaning, but my little one enjoyed them."
Trail connectivity: The network of trails connecting campgrounds to natural areas provides extended recreation options. One visitor to Mountain Creek Camp Ground mentioned: "Besides the above there is access to hiking trails that connect to the AT, plenty of organized activities for kids, fishing and mini golf."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby railroad tracks. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, multiple campers mention train noise as a concern: "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!"
Site privacy varies: Campground density differs significantly between locations. A visitor at Little Buffalo State Park Campground observed: "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."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate within specific seasons. Little Buffalo State Park Campground operates year-round, while others like Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground run from March to mid-December, allowing late-season camping compared to other facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Water-based activities: Families frequently mention water access as a priority. At Cedar Lake Family Campground, reviews highlight the family atmosphere: "This campground has it all, friendly staff, activities galore, cleanliness, & fun, fun, fun."
Bathroom facilities: When camping with children, clean bathroom facilities become especially important. One camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort noted: "It had really nice bathrooms and showers. The washers and dryers work awesome, grateful for that!"
Organized activities: Structured programs keep children engaged during camping trips. A visitor to Mountain Creek Camp Ground shared: "Family friendly campground, lots of weekend activities, great pool, well stocked campstore, playground. Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters."
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: RV sites offer various hookup configurations across campgrounds. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, campers appreciate the services: "Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too!"
Site spacing concerns: RV campers frequently comment on site proximity. One RVer at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA observed: "This is a large KOA with lots of sites, set on a hilly/'tiered' landscape with winding roads. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of trees and separation between many sites."
Campground navigation: Layout and road design affect RV maneuvering. A camper at Deer Run Campgrounds mentioned: "The signs/directions posted are...not very helpful, and you can easily find yourself face-to-face with someone driving a golf cart from the opposite direction or kids running around through the road, so be very careful."
