Camping options near Mont Alto span the foothills of South Mountain, where elevations range from 750-1,300 feet and summer temperatures average 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys. The area sits within Pennsylvania's fruit belt, with orchards and farms surrounding many campgrounds. Most sites experience moderate humidity from May through September, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months.
What to do
Creek exploration: Access to Antietam Creek at Twin Bridge Campground provides natural water play areas perfect for summer visits. A camper noted, "Our kids love the creek and playing in and around it." The creek depth ranges from 6-18 inches in most areas, making it suitable for wading.
Historical immersion: Battlefields within minutes of Artillery Ridge Campground offer self-guided tours. One visitor shared, "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts." Artillery Ridge connects directly to National Park Service land.
Lake activities: Swimming and fishing at Cowans Gap State Park provide alternatives to pool-based recreation. The 42-acre lake features a sand beach with designated swimming areas. According to a visitor, "There's a beach and swimming area. There's a little viewing area/dock with information on the bald eagles and osprey that live there."
What campers like
Clean facilities and organized activities at Gettysburg receive consistent praise. One visitor mentioned, "Great amenities for all ages. We stayed in October so there was plenty of activities for kids from crafts, games, dancing, to trick or treating. The resort ensured safety for the kids during trick or treating and closed all vehicle traffic for 2 hours."
Nature trails with varying difficulty levels connect many area campgrounds to broader hiking networks. At Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park, "Great campsites- whether you have a tent or a big Class A, lots of well-maintained hiking trails of varying difficulty (the Cliff Trail to the falls is short but semi-challenging and beautiful)." The park maintains over 25 miles of marked trails.
Quiet camping areas away from crowds can be found at several locations. As one camper at Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park observed, "I stayed at Cuningham Falls State Park a few weeks ago and the campground was very good with lots to do hikes, swimming etc. But last night I stayed at same state forest but 4 miles away the Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area. I haven't seen this much space between campsites in a long time."
What you should know
Site conditions vary significantly: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain that requires preparation. At Granite Hill Camping Resort, one camper reported, "The lots are filled with tree roots that someone was always tripping over, it took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot, thankfully we had enough wood to get the jack up without having to over extend it."
Seasonal availability impacts amenities: Water parks, pools and some glamping options near Mont Alto typically operate from mid-April through mid-October. Some facilities close earlier than expected. One visitor to Jellystone Park noted, "I called their customer service number and asked if the water park would be open. I was told yes. We arrive on our first day of 4, put on our swimsuits, and play in the splash park for several hours... It closed early, maybe 3, and I overheard something about it being shut down for the year."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies across the region, particularly in state parks. At Cowans Gap State Park, "Cell service was limited, but had reliable (but low) signal with T-Mobile at my site." Most private campgrounds offer WiFi near main buildings, while state parks typically have limited connectivity.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Multiple options for keeping kids entertained during hot summer days. Twin Bridge Campground offers creek access that's safer than pool areas for younger children. A family mentioned, "We spent the weekend participating in their MANY activities as well as fishing and swimming in the creek. The concierge service here is unreal! You can get just about anything from the store delivered to your site."
Planned activities: Check schedules before booking to align with themed weekends. Many campgrounds offer organized events, especially on weekends. A visitor to Gettysburg Campground shared, "It is a wonderful place to have Kids. tons of things for them to do. we were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river. not far to go anywhere walking."
Site selection: Request spots near playgrounds for easier supervision. Some campgrounds offer specific family-friendly areas. One camper advised, "We stayed in the 'C' row site. Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It's only 15 yards for the play set."
Tips from RVers
Hookup extensions: Pack extra-long cables as many sites have oddly positioned utilities. One RVer at Granite Hill noted, "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extensions handy. My electric hookup didn't work on 30A."
Leveling preparation: Bring substantial blocks as many sites in the region require significant adjustment. According to one camper, "Easy access (on foot) to all of the hiking trails. The tent pads could use some leveling and there was some trash around the site."
Dump station timing: Plan accordingly at campgrounds without full hookups. At Twin Bridge Campground, a visitor observed, "Big spacious sites, and a honeywagon to make things easier (there weren't any full hookup sites that I saw besides the long term spaces)." Most campgrounds offer dump service for an additional fee ranging from $15-25.
