Best Campgrounds near Middletown, PA
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 Gifford Pinchot State Park features electric and non-electric sites, though campers note the bathrooms can be outdated.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.
