Little Buffalo State Park Campground sits in the gently rolling hills of Perry County, Pennsylvania, approximately 20 miles southwest of Millersburg. The region features a mix of deciduous woodland and open meadows typical of the Appalachian foothills, with elevations ranging from 600-800 feet. Seasonal camping conditions vary dramatically between the humid 80-90°F summer months and the cold winter season when temperatures often drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking and trail exploration: Little Buffalo State Park offers multiple trails for different experience levels. As Brandon C. notes, there are "lots of easy hiking trails and tons of fishing." The park contains several miles of interconnected paths suitable for day hiking.
Swimming and water recreation: The swimming pool at Little Buffalo State Park Campground is a major draw during summer months. Paula R. reports, "Pool was great once you got there. Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up."
Fishing opportunities: The 10-acre lake at Lake Heron Retreat provides excellent fishing. Camille W. observed: "This lake was beautiful! A short walk from the campsite. We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning."
Historical exploration: Several campsites offer access to historical sites. Chelsea K. shares that at Little Buffalo: "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!"
River activities: Tubing and kayaking are popular at Buttonwood Campground. Heather G. mentions, "Tubing down the river is so fun and the highlight of a stay here."
What campers like
Quiet, well-maintained settings: Many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere at various sites. At Lake Heron Retreat, Sharon L. comments: "I wanted to find something close enough to home, but far away from the hustle and bustle of our suburban lives. This fit the bill. There are 10 sites...It was very quiet and peaceful!"
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower quality matters to campers. At Jonestown/Hershey KOA, Marlaina M. notes: "I was impressed by how clean the bathrooms were kept in addition to the grounds."
Water access: Campers consistently value sites with direct water access. Kit from Hershey Highmeadow Campground advises: "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!"
Organized activities: Family-oriented campgrounds with structured activities receive positive feedback. At Twin Grove RV Resort, Mike J. shares: "Always lots of activities. Nice arcade and mini golf in an area set off to the side with a ferris wheel, merry go round, and other small kiddie rides."
Pet accommodations: Pet-friendly camping near Millersburg, Pennsylvania remains important. Dawn N. notes that Little Buffalo offers "wilderness at its best" and is "pet friendly" with wildlife visible throughout the park, including an eagle nest where visitors can often spot the pair and their young.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Hershey Camping Resort, Ray L. advises: "Sites were a bit close where we were but they had other sites that were more spread out." Research specific site locations before booking.
Weather considerations: Central Pennsylvania experiences dramatic seasonal changes. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground campers note potential for flash flooding. John K. observed during spring camping: "Not a garbage can to be found park wide! Dumpster at either end that's it."
Train noise: Multiple campgrounds near Millersburg have railroad tracks nearby. Bill O. warns about Hershey Highmeadow Campground: "Trains are all night. Basic RV's park 95 night is way to much you pay for location."
Tick precautions: Woodland camping requires tick awareness, especially during warm months. Scott B. from Gifford Pinchot cautions: "After we pitched in the new spot, all was good. Then I left and woke up with a serious case of chigger bites."
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. Some campgrounds operate on specific systems. Yamileth K. explains: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access planning: Pools can be distance from campsites. Paula R. from Little Buffalo notes the challenge: "Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up."
Affordable activities: Look for campgrounds with inclusive activities. Bryan S. shares about Buttonwood: "Plan on spending $20 per person for an activity wristband that includes all the extras including mini golf and tubing shuttle."
Kid-friendly amenities: Campgrounds vary in playground quality and access. Julie Y. appreciated Gifford Pinchot: "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."
Site proximity to bathrooms: When camping with children, bathroom location matters. Amanda H. observed that at Little Buffalo: "The bathrooms are clean. It is nice and dark at night!" Consider requesting sites closer to facilities when traveling with small children.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Site terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. Sharon L. from Lake Heron Retreat mentioned: "Our water pressure wasn't great, however not sure if it's the campground or us as hubby found a possible issue with our hookup."
Space between sites: RV campers should research site dimensions before booking. Mike J. from Buttonwood Campground explains: "Our 32' with slides just fit the sight and we had zero room for the truck."
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer various hookup options. Riverside camping at Ferryboat Campsites provides full hookups for river view sites. Robin notes: "We stayed at a Susquehanna river view site with full hookups for 2 nights. Site was level and shaded, but very close to neighbors."
Shuttle services: Some campgrounds offer transportation to nearby attractions. Amber R. reports that Jonestown/Hershey KOA "provides shuttle to Hersheypark" which can simplify transportation logistics for RVers who prefer not to disconnect.
Scout
