150 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Mount Gretna in Pennsylvania provide a range of accommodation types with proximity to attractions like Hershey Park and Lancaster County. The area features established campgrounds including Thousand Trails Hershey, Pinch Pond Family Campground, and Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, all offering various camping options from tent sites to RV hookups and cabin rentals. Most facilities maintain wooded settings while providing amenities such as electric hookups, water access, showers, and fire rings. Several properties include recreational facilities like swimming pools, playgrounds, and game rooms to complement nearby attractions.
The camping season in this region typically runs from April through October, with many campgrounds closing during winter months. Full-service campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and special events like the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair. Sites vary in levelness across the hilly terrain, with some campgrounds featuring more developed, level pads while others maintain more rustic settings. Road noise can be noticeable at certain properties due to proximity to highways, particularly the Pennsylvania Turnpike. A visitor noted, "Nice, forested campground. Friendly staff, clean bathhouses. Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby. Fortunately our dog wasn't bothered by the sound of gunshots and it's only during the day."
Families frequently mention the area's convenience for accessing regional attractions as a major benefit of camping in the Mount Gretna region. Most developed campgrounds provide good access to both natural areas and cultural attractions like Amish Country. Many visitors cite the cultural experiences available in surrounding communities as highlights of their stay. Several campgrounds feature ponds or small lakes for fishing, though they are not primary recreational features. While some sites offer significant privacy with wooded surroundings, others have more open layouts with sites in closer proximity. According to reviews, maintenance and cleanliness standards remain consistently high across most properties in the area. Seasonal campers maintain a significant presence at several campgrounds, creating a community atmosphere at properties like Pinch Pond where activities are regularly scheduled throughout the camping season.
"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."
"This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."
from $50 - $60 / night
Check Availability"This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."
"They don’t sell alcohol but there is a shopping center within walking distance with restaurants and liquor stores! Even a supermarket. There is shuttle service to the park."
"Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby. Fortunately our dog wasn’t bothered by the sound of gunshots and it’s only during the day."
"campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."
"Tucked into the rolling, wooded hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort offers a unique blend of peaceful countryside and activity-packed camping, all just a stone"
"this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility."
"There was a bathhouse and dish sink nearby, as well as the entrance to a nice little nature trail a few sites down. "
"Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too! Everyone we talked to was nice and friendly."
from $45 - $279 / night
Check Availability"Love the close proximity to the highway and gas. We didn’t eat there but they had a restaurant! Lots of activities for the kids. Wooded sites and very clean bathrooms."
"Pet friendly and you can access the Appalachian trail from campground. Lots of great food and places to go in the area. They have a river that is great for kayaking or tubing."
"We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views. "
"We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. "
from $20 - $89 / night
Check Availability"Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."
"I used to stay here all the time with my grandparents when they were around. It was always some of the best times for me."
"Starlight is a nice campground to relax or explore central Pennsylvania."
"The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore."
"Tent sites are lined up along the water which is great for fishing (especially when you need to stay close to the littles sleeping in the tent). Lots of benches lined up along the water."
"Not to noisy being next to a theme park. The bath house was just remodeled so it's excellent! Good price!"
ScoutThe campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
ScoutThe area is very nice and so are the people. The sites are clean and the livestock are a cool sight to see
TravelerThere was no hot water in the showers. There are no dog poo stations. There is a dumpster marked “STAFF ONLY”. It’s nice they have a place to stuff the staff!
TravelerOMG! Next to busy interstate, railroad tracks and shooting range. Way to much for me!
TravelerThis campground is a great place to bring kids. The spots are a little tight but we were able to get our 46’ toy hauler in the spot with very little effort. Because the sites are back-in, we can’t use our rear patio but that is ok. The pool is very nice and the farm atmosphere makes it very fun for kids.
GuideMary & her crew run a great campground. Full hookup. Slow schedule during the week-camp store & pool mainly. Saturdays always have activities planned from bingo to quarter auctions, picnics & music. Each Saturday is different. Clean grounds. Nice playgrounds. Kiddie pool & nice size pool from 3-5’ deep. 2 cabins also available.
TravelerThe owner is kind and knowledgeable a lot of live in / snowbirds . Some are very kind but some of the live in’s are crude .
ScoutHorrible stay brown water Dep had them on boil water went down hill the past 4 yrs
TravelerThe sites ard nice, it's run by Mennonites, I believe. Lots of recreation for kids, quiet time respected and a service on Sunday morning. Full hookups for a very reasonable price.
Many campgrounds near Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania sit within the limestone-rich region of Lebanon County, where the elevation ranges from 500 to 1,200 feet. The area transitions between forested ridges and small valleys, creating varied camping environments with temperature swings of 15-20°F between day and night. Most sites remain heavily wooded even at developed properties, offering natural shade during summer's peak heat when temperatures often reach 85-90°F.
Tubing and kayaking at Swatara Creek: Visit Jonestown/Hershey KOA where the campground connects to water recreation. "The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc. Highly recommend," notes Bobby S. The campground's proximity to the creek makes it convenient for water activities without needing transportation.
Explore Amish countryside: The rural areas around Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country offer authentic cultural experiences. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," shares Jill R. Many campers use this location as a base to visit communities within 10-15 miles of the campground.
Fishing opportunities: Local ponds and lakes provide fishing spots for campers staying at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground which has diverse water access. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," according to one review. The park requires a Pennsylvania fishing license, which rangers regularly check.
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation at Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park. "Nice, forested campground. Friendly staff, clean bathhouses. Sites well maintained," reports Kathy L. The campground maintains older trees throughout the property, creating natural divisions between many sites.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness ranks high in satisfaction across multiple properties. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, one camper noted, "Spotless bathrooms. Nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly." The bathhouses feature individual shower stalls with changing areas and are typically cleaned twice daily.
Location convenience: Positioning between major attractions makes these campgrounds strategic bases. "Great location for activities including Hershey Park, Hershey Chocolate factory, Hershey RV show," mentions TRACY K. about Pinch Pond. Most Mount Gretna area campgrounds sit within 20-30 minutes of multiple destinations.
Train and traffic noise: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation routes. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, campers report, "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!" Request sites furthest from railways or highways when booking.
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds close completely during winter months, typically from late October through early April. The camping season varies by property but generally runs April through October, with peak rates from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Site differences: Terrain variations create significant differences in site quality within individual campgrounds. "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground," notes one camper about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. Request specific site information when booking.
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas to keep children within sight. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," notes a visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground. These sites typically book fastest during summer months and school breaks.
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer organized recreation during peak season. "They have Halloween every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" shares Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Circle M. Most activities run Thursday through Sunday with limited programming midweek.
Budget for extras: On-site amenities often carry additional fees beyond camping costs. "I was pretty surprised by how much we had to pay for the KOA premium," reports one family. Mini-golf typically costs $3-5 per person, while arcade games, ice cream, and special activities all represent additional expenses.
Site selection strategy: Arrive early for the best options at first-come-first-served campgrounds. "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," advises Yamileth K. Aim to arrive between 1-2pm for optimal selection.
Leveling challenges: Bring extra blocks and leveling equipment for sites in hillier campgrounds. "Not just the one we're on but others as well. The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites," reports one RVer. Sites along ridgelines tend to require the most significant leveling assistance.
Length restrictions vary: Different camping loops accommodate varying RV lengths, even within the same property. "Depending on your rig size you're only available certain sites. They won't give you a 50 amp site unless your 50 amp or 40', they save them for larger campers," notes Kasey M. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. Always confirm site dimensions before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Mount Gretna, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mount Gretna, PA is Thousand Trails Hershey with a 3.9-star rating from 23 reviews.
Keep Exploring
