Little Buffalo State Park Campground features 35 sites located 23 miles from Millersburg in central Pennsylvania. The park sits at approximately 750 feet elevation with temperatures ranging from mid-30s in winter to mid-80s in summer. Woodland camping options include standard tent sites with level pads and full-hookup RV sites with 30/50-amp service. Sites accommodate equipment up to 40 feet in length on gravel pads.
What to do
Hiking at Gifford Pinchot State Park: Located 45 miles from Millersburg, the park offers a variety of trails including the 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail around the lake. "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," reports one visitor at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground.
Tubing adventures: Float down the Juniata River from Buttonwood Campground in Mifflintown, about 30 minutes west of Millersburg. "Tubing down the river is so fun and the highlight of a stay here," shares a camper. The campground provides a shuttle service for tubers with wristbands available for $20 per person.
Fish in local lakes and streams: Little Buffalo State Park offers fishing opportunities in its 88-acre lake. "Its an amazing little quite camping ground. Super clean. Lots of easy hiking trails and tons of fishing," notes a camper. The lake is stocked with bass, catfish, and panfish throughout the season.
Family water activities: Twin Grove RV Resort, approximately 30 miles from Millersburg, features multiple pools and water amenities. "Nice pool. This campground was pretty hilly and not super large but it gets the job done," mentions a reviewer about the facilities.
What campers like
Historic attractions: The region offers several historical sites within short driving distance. "We did have a nice bat spotting walk with a Ranger when we were there and there's an interesting historic mill you can tour," shares a reviewer about Little Buffalo. Another camper adds, "The historical mill was well worth the trip. By the far the highlight of ours as well. Especially since they engaged the wheel and actually ground corn!"
Natural water features: Paradise Stream Family Campground offers creek access that campers love. "We had site 20 which we liked! Tucked in the woods but near activities. My kids enjoyed the beautiful Mini golf course, splashing in the creek, the pool and the pedal carts," says one visitor. The creek provides a natural alternative to pool swimming.
Peaceful wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded forest sites. "Large grassy sites right on the Juniata River. Tubing, canoeing, swimming. Nice pool. GORGEOUS landscaping," comments a Buttonwood Campground visitor. Sites along waterways tend to book quickly during summer months.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses. "Bathhouses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!" advises a visitor to Hersheypark Camping Resort.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Choose sites carefully based on your needs. At Little Mexico Campground, "The sites are always clean and the staff is great. They have a nice general store, pool, and family friendly activities," but another visitor notes, "Our site was big. The pool is nice. That's about it. It had rained but there were so many mud puddles everywhere."
Weekend crowds: Many campgrounds fill completely on summer weekends. "If you are first timer and going in for Friday - Sunday weekend camp trip....know this campground will be packed. We tried to rent kettle bikes for the kids twice during our stay and none where available both times," reports a visitor to Splash Magic RV Resort.
Train noise: Some campgrounds are located near active rail lines. "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!" advises a Hersheypark Camping Resort visitor.
Activity fees: Additional charges for amenities are common. "Plan on spending $20 per person for an activity wristband that includes all the extras including mini golf and tubing shuttle," notes a Buttonwood Campground reviewer. Little Buffalo State Park also charges for pool access separate from camping fees.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Twin Grove RV Resort offers extensive recreation options. "They have a pool and fun activities though the day. At night they have a merry go round, train, giant slide and ferries wheel you can ride," notes one camper. Weekends feature organized events for children of all ages.
Swimming options: Most campgrounds offer swimming facilities. "Little buffalo has a lot to offer! They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!" reports a visitor. Confirm pool hours and rules before planning your day.
Plan for weather changes: Pennsylvania weather can change quickly. "We camped in one of the cabins overnight on a recent road trip. It rained every day during our 3 night stay but no one can beat the weather our campsite did flood however," shares a camper at Little Buffalo.
Booking timing: Reserve family-friendly sites 6-12 months in advance. "This campground was really nice. When I arrived, someone was in my spot. After working it out and came back I noticed just how crowded it was," reports a Gifford Pinchot visitor regarding summer weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "The sites were a level, shaded and quite large. Almost every site in this section was similarly large and wooded, with an impressive amount of space between sites for a KOA," reports a visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Hookup variations: Verify the specific amenities at your site. "Sites are a little close but still nice. Creek was amazing and the kids loved it. We used our own bathroom so I can't say how clean the public bathroom was," notes a Little Mexico camper about their full-hookup site.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winter options. "We stayed creekside so only had electric. The dump was up on the other side so had to pull a U turn, luckily our camper was small enough to make the turn," shares a Paradise Stream Family Campground reviewer.
Navigation challenges: Some access roads are narrow. "Large campground with a lot of different types of camping available: tent sites, RV sites, group camping, yurts / camping cottages / cabins, and everything in between," notes a Gifford Pinchot camper about the extensive but sometimes confusing layout.
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