Camping options near Millersville, Pennsylvania range from forested retreats to Amish country getaways within a 30-mile radius. The region features rolling hills with elevations between 300-1,200 feet and experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F. Most campgrounds in the area sit on former farmland, with many preserving original barns and agricultural features that provide unique camping settings.
What to do
Explore Amish country attractions: Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country offers an authentic cultural experience. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," notes Jill R. The campground serves as a convenient base for exploring Pennsylvania Dutch culture and rural landscapes.
Visit Hershey attractions: Located about 30 minutes from Millersville, Thousand Trails Hershey provides access to chocolate-themed 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, the campground itself is very tight, cramped, and hard to navigate," explains Rick B., highlighting the tradeoff between location and comfort.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds maintain stocked ponds for recreational fishing. "Fishing pond is a joke and near by Gun Range can be annoying and tough on pets. But, over all, this place is pretty nice," mentions Steve R. from Spring Gulch Resort Campground. Several campgrounds enforce catch-and-release policies, so bring appropriate gear if planning to fish.
What campers like
Indoor and outdoor pool options: Thousand Trails Circle M features both indoor and outdoor swimming facilities. "They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," shares Leanne B. Seasonal availability varies, with most outdoor pools operating from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Family activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events. "Fun activities for kids and adults," says Stacey T. about Spring Gulch. Lake-In-Wood Campground offers "Great pools and classes (water aerobics was fun for everyone)," according to Meag F., who adds they "did have a mini golf course too."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "Very clean campground. Clean bath houses and staff was friendly," mentions Dawn T. about Spring Gulch. Campers consistently mention cleanliness as a primary factor in their reviews, with many noting regular maintenance schedules posted in common areas.
What you should know
Shooting ranges near campgrounds: Several campgrounds sit near target practice facilities. "This campground has nice large sites, shade and sunny, full hookups, clean pool, playground, super clean laundry room and bathrooms. The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner," warns Tara N. about Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain. "We were in two different sites: the first was a two point site (water and electric) the road was dirt it seemed separate from the main drag of the campground, sites were wide but not very deep," explains Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Circle M. Bring extra leveling blocks, especially for larger RVs.
High percentage of seasonal campers: Many RV parks function partly as residential communities. "This is a basic campground with a swimming pool, a store and laundry. The sites are gravel and most are not level. They are not well maintained as the site next to us has weeds a foot high," reports James G. about Thousand Trails Hershey.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access considerations: Drummer Boy Camping Resort offers playground facilities but with limitations. "In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down," notes Chelsea.
Weekend activities scheduling: Weekends bring special programming at many campgrounds. "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it," shares Leanne B. about Thousand Trails Circle M. Most activities run between 10am-8pm, with craft sessions typically scheduled in mornings and entertainment in evenings.
Sports equipment availability: "Lots of sports gear available for free to use within park, has to be returned by 5 when main office closes," mentions Beth B. about Spring Gulch Resort. Several campgrounds provide volleyball nets, horseshoes, and basketball courts, though many require deposits for equipment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Experienced RV campers recommend specific areas within campgrounds. "For RVers, I would recommend sites #102–120, again, in the far rear or sites #308–317 along Angler's Way," suggests Stuart K. about Pinch Pond Family Campground, noting these locations offer more privacy and less noise.
Dump station timing: Many RVers recommend using dump stations during off-peak hours. "The biggest downside to this particular campground is its very close proximity to the PA Turnpike, which while convenient, might detract a bit from the peace & quiet you might be expecting," Stuart K. adds about RV camping near Millersville at Pinch Pond.
Sewer connection challenges: "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," reports Nancy W. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort, highlighting the importance of bringing extension hoses and connectors for problematic hookups.
