Seasonal variations impact camping experiences at RV campgrounds near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 400-700 feet, creating moderate temperature swings between daytime and evening hours. Fall camping often brings 30-40°F temperature drops from day to night, requiring adequate heating systems for comfort.
What to do
Visit working farms: At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, campers can experience agricultural activities within the campground. "We were in c103. If you love farm animals, that is the spot to be. Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas. Plenty to see and learn," noted one visitor who enjoyed the farm atmosphere.
Explore Amish communities: Located between Hershey and Lancaster, several RV parks provide access to Pennsylvania Dutch culture. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," shared a camper who stayed at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Enjoy water recreation: The Conodoguinet Creek and Yellow Breeches Creek offer fishing and paddling opportunities within 10 miles of Mechanicsburg. At Thousand Trails Circle M, "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!"
Visit historic sites: Many campers use Mechanicsburg as a base for exploring Civil War history. "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do," mentioned a reviewer at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. The Gettysburg National Military Park is approximately 35 miles southwest of Mechanicsburg.
What campers like
Family activities: Pinch Pond Family Campground offers numerous recreational options. "Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT! It was like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time," one family reported.
Outdoor pools: Summer visitors appreciate swimming facilities. "The pool was clean and roomy. We enjoyed hours hanging out there," wrote a camper about River's Edge RV Park. Most campgrounds near Mechanicsburg operate pools from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Entertainment options: Many campgrounds organize regular events. "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground," shared a visitor at Circle M RV and Camping Resort.
Wooded sites: Several campgrounds offer tree cover for shade. "Sites are well maintained, clean, wooded, and in the area we are in are spaced nicely," noted a camper about Drummer Boy Camping Resort. Shaded sites are particularly valued during July and August when temperatures frequently exceed 85°F.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers," observed a guest at Pinch Pond Family Campground. At some parks, slideouts may nearly touch neighboring sites.
Seasonal crowds: Summer brings significantly higher occupancy. "It gets very full on the weekends here," mentioned a Circle M camper. Most campgrounds near Mechanicsburg operate at 85-95% capacity from June through August.
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature hilly terrain. "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," reported a guest at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Ambient noise sources: "My only con about the site would be the picnic table SEATS had cloth coverings on them that held moisture. Not sure the reason someone thought that might be beneficial??" noted a visitor at Round Top Campground. Several campgrounds are located near highways or shooting ranges.
Tips for camping with families
Mini golf access: Multiple campgrounds feature on-site courses. At Round Top Campground, "Golf course setup for spooky time of year," allowing seasonal themed activities. Most charge $3-5 per person to play.
Playground considerations: "For the price I paid per night ($110) I expected better all around," noted a parent at Drummer Boy Camping Resort who was disappointed with playground facilities. When booking with children, check recent playground reviews as maintenance varies.
Swimming options: Some campgrounds offer extended pool hours. "Unlike most campgrounds, the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus for me," observed a Pinch Pond visitor, making evening swimming possible after daytime activities.
Special events: Halloween weekends are particularly popular. "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" shared a Circle M camper. Most campgrounds begin Halloween activities in mid-September and continue through October.
Tips from RVers
Utility placement challenges: "The sewage connection is 20ft away from other utilities," noted a Pinch Pond camper, recommending extra-length hoses. Several campgrounds have offset or elevated sewer connections requiring special equipment.
Arrival timing matters: At Thousand Trails Hershey, "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots." Arriving between 1-2pm typically offers the best site selection.
Road navigation: "The roads are a mix of gravelled area and asphalt," reported a Thousand Trails Hershey visitor. Some campgrounds have narrow roads with tight turns that can be challenging for larger RVs over 35 feet.
Water system issues: "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay," shared a PA Dutch Country camper. Bringing a quality water filter is recommended, especially for extended stays at campgrounds with well water systems.
