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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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!"
Tips from RVers
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."
