159 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Middletown, Pennsylvania range from state parks to private resorts, with options for every camping style. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers 339 campsites with tent sites, RV hookups, yurts, and cabins around a large lake about 20 miles southwest of Middletown. Hersheypark Camping Resort provides convenient access to Hershey attractions with tent camping, RV sites with full hookups, and cabin rentals. The region includes several Thousand Trails properties like PA Dutch Country and Hershey RV Resort, along with KOA locations in Elizabethtown and Jonestown that provide amenities for family camping experiences.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October, with some sites requiring reservations well in advance during peak summer months. Gifford Pinchot State Park features electric and non-electric sites, though campers note the bathrooms can be outdated. Road access throughout the region is generally good with paved roads leading to most established campgrounds. Cell service is reliable at most locations, though coverage may vary in more remote areas of state parks. Weather conditions are typically mild in summer with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping offers comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. As one camper noted about Gifford Pinchot, "This campground is so peaceful. From the tranquil sound of the waterfall to the sounds of the ducks and egrets in the water."
Campers consistently mention the natural settings as highlights of the area, particularly at state parks like Gifford Pinchot where waterfront sites are highly sought after. According to visitor feedback, "The sites that back up to the periphery and are northernmost up the slight embankment have greater privacy and less noise." Private campgrounds like Hersheypark Camping Resort offer convenience to attractions but can feel more crowded with sites described as "the tightest I have ever seen." Several campgrounds feature swimming pools, fishing opportunities, playgrounds, and hiking trails. The proximity to Amish country adds cultural interest for many visitors, with several reviewers mentioning side trips to nearby Lancaster County towns and covered bridges as highlights of their camping experience in the region.
"We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views. "
"We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. "
from $20 - $89 / night
Check Availability"This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."
"They don’t sell alcohol but there is a shopping center within walking distance with restaurants and liquor stores! Even a supermarket. There is shuttle service to the park."
"There was a bathhouse and dish sink nearby, as well as the entrance to a nice little nature trail a few sites down. "
"Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too! Everyone we talked to was nice and friendly."
from $45 - $279 / night
Check Availability"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. They don't reserve sites for you."
"This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."
from $50 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Set just off I-76 in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, Pinch Pond Family Campground& RV Park is a large, all-in-one, family-focused campground with a layout that feels more like a small neighborhood"
"campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."
"There is no on site running water or electric but they did leave us with a 5 gallon water jug and a 5 gallon shower bag to use in the outside shower."
"https://www.riverrockadv.com/#/ I was fortunate enough to find this local gem while browsing“camping near me”. Not only that, my unlucky butt won a 2 night stay there!"
from $75 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Tucked into the rolling, wooded hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort offers a unique blend of peaceful countryside and activity-packed camping, all just a stone"
"this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility."
"The highway bordered it on one side and while we were on the other side of the campground we could still hear the noise if our door was open. Our site was level, but many were not."
"The sites that were close to the interstate were noisy from traffic. Also it was close to Harrisburg International Airport so planes also made it noisy at times."
from $84 - $94 / night
Check Availability"Very close to Hersheypark. Nicest miniature golf course I’ve ever seen at a RV park. Same can be said for the swimming pool, absolutely beautiful. Great little dog park as well. "
"Great location a updated grounds, sites and restrooms n bath houses. Local to hershey but out of the traffic. Great vaction site for RVs n longer stays. Quiet n comfortable RV living!"
ScoutThe campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
ScoutThe area is very nice and so are the people. The sites are clean and the livestock are a cool sight to see
RangerWe stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
TravelerThere was no hot water in the showers. There are no dog poo stations. There is a dumpster marked “STAFF ONLY”. It’s nice they have a place to stuff the staff!
TravelerOMG! Next to busy interstate, railroad tracks and shooting range. Way to much for me!
ScoutWe absolutely loved it. The camp spaces were a nice and spread out lot not congested actually it was really nobody here which I can’t believe because the place is absolutely beautiful. There is a little bit of noise from route 30 during the day, but you don’t hear really anything at night Plus there is a really great bar/restaurant about 100 yards away. Called Yionnis and their food is actually delicious.
TravelerThis campground is a great place to bring kids. The spots are a little tight but we were able to get our 46’ toy hauler in the spot with very little effort. Because the sites are back-in, we can’t use our rear patio but that is ok. The pool is very nice and the farm atmosphere makes it very fun for kids.
GuideMary & her crew run a great campground. Full hookup. Slow schedule during the week-camp store & pool mainly. Saturdays always have activities planned from bingo to quarter auctions, picnics & music. Each Saturday is different. Clean grounds. Nice playgrounds. Kiddie pool & nice size pool from 3-5’ deep. 2 cabins also available.
TravelerThe owner is kind and knowledgeable a lot of live in / snowbirds . Some are very kind but some of the live in’s are crude .
Camping near Middletown, Pennsylvania offers outdoor experiences with convenient access to both natural areas and regional attractions like Hershey Park. The region sits in the Susquehanna River Valley at around 400 feet elevation, creating camping opportunities with varying terrain from riverside locations to more wooded settings. Fall temperatures typically range from 45-70°F during September and October, making it one of the most comfortable camping seasons with reduced humidity and minimal rainfall.
Water activities at Gifford Pinchot State Park: The 339-acre lake provides fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities about 20 miles from Middletown. "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," notes one camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground.
Hiking nearby trails: The Northwest Lancaster Trail near Bainbridge provides scenic walking options. A reviewer at River Rock Recreation mentions, "There was a scavenger hunt and a map of the nearby trail system which was very helpful. If you sit by the river long enough you may see a barn owl fly by in the evening and back again in the morning."
Explore Amish Country: Take day trips to experience Pennsylvania Dutch culture and crafts. "I don't know if you've never visited an Amish community, you should definitely take advantage of this very unique location by exploring Lancaster County where you can find a number of horse & buggies to take a trip in to take in the absolutely gorgeous Pennsylvania Dutch countryside," notes a visitor to the region.
Mini golf and recreation: Several campgrounds offer on-site activities for all ages. "They have a tennis court, mini golf, basketball court, and you saw many kids out with their bicycles. There is even an arcade center for the kids and a rec center with a pool table," explains a reviewer at Thousand Trails Hershey.
Creek-side camping spots: Waterfront sites are highly valued across multiple campgrounds. At Jonestown/Hershey KOA, campers appreciate "the river right next to the site is really nice and pretty. About ankle deep and perfect." Another adds that "the Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. One camper at Jonestown/Hershey KOA noted they were "impressed by how clean the bathrooms were kept in addition to the grounds," while at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, a reviewer mentioned "The bath house was extremely clean and very nice."
Wooded privacy at certain campgrounds: Sites with tree cover and separation are prized. "I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of trees and separation between many sites," notes a camper about PA Dutch Country RV Resort, adding that "If you're looking for trees and privacy, stick to the sites at the bottom of the hill."
Convenient Hershey Park access: Many campers choose the area for its proximity to attractions. "The campground is part of Hershey and as such offers good discounts to Hersheypark. While it offers nice amenities and a shuttle to Hersheypark," comments a camper at Thousand Trails Hershey.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the region close between late October and April. "We are open Sun-Wed and rented 2 kayaks from River Rock for 1 of the days," explains a camper at River Rock Recreation, showing the importance of checking availability outside peak season.
Train noise: Several campgrounds have railroad tracks nearby that can create noise issues. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, a camper warns "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!"
Highway proximity: Some sites experience traffic noise from nearby interstates. A visitor to Harrisburg East Campground noted, "The highway bordered it on one side and while we were on the other side of the campground we could still hear the noise if our door was open."
Site leveling challenges: Uneven terrain is common at several campgrounds. One camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country observed, "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground. Many other sites were the same."
Shooting range noise: At certain campgrounds, nearby shooting facilities can create unexpected noise. A visitor to Pinch Pond Family Campground mentioned, "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."
Look for playgrounds and pools: Family-friendly campgrounds often offer multiple recreation options. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, a camper noted, "In addition to offering up laundry, super-clean and well-kept restrooms with showers, there's also WiFi throughout the campground, soccer field, propane refill tank, kid's playground and even a barn."
Consider tent site amenities: For families tent camping, look for improved sites. "They have upgraded the tent sites since last year, no more primitive sites, all the tent sites are now mulch pad with water and electric," explains a camper at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Seek out campgrounds with activities: Scheduled events keep kids engaged. "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," shares a camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Check for discounts and shuttles: Some campgrounds offer package deals for local attractions. A camper at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA noted, "We were able to purchase Hershey Park tickets which were cheaper than buying from the Hershey (at a discount) and it includes shuttle service to and from the park!"
Site selection matters: Look for pull-through sites when available for easier setup. At Hershey Road Campground, an RVer appreciated that "Very spacious and quiet" sites were available, while another camper noted the campground was "very recently renovated."
Check arrival policies: Some campgrounds have first-come-first-served site selection. At Thousand Trails Hershey, a reviewer advises: "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. They don't reserve sites for you."
Verify site dimensions: Site sizes vary significantly between campgrounds. A camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort warned, "The campground itself is very tight, cramped, and hard to navigate. The sites are so small that many tow vehicles have to park partially on the narrow access roads making it difficult to get in and out of with a big rig."
Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds have water issues. An RVer at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country noted, "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Middletown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Middletown, PA is Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 57 reviews.
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