Several yurt camping options near Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania offer elevated glamping experiences throughout the year. Located in Lebanon County at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, Mount Gretna's moderate climate creates favorable camping conditions even during summer when temperatures typically range 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowland areas. This region's unique combination of woodland campgrounds and proximity to cultural attractions makes it popular for campers seeking yurt accommodations with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Visit nearby Hershey Park attractions: With Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country only 35 minutes from Hershey, this makes an excellent base camp. "Our site 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," notes one camper about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Explore Amish communities: Experience local culture through horse and buggy rides. A visitor to Old Mill Stream Campground shared that "An Amish buggy comes through with some great baked goods." This campground provides convenient access to authentic Amish experiences.
Enjoy water recreation: Gifford Pinchot State Park offers extensive lake activities just a short drive from Mount Gretna. "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 a visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground.
Play disc golf: Multiple courses exist within state parks near Mount Gretna. "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge all over the prime walking areas through the course."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots with natural separation. At Starlite Camping Resort, "Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Except for the Plateau sites, which have the amazing view, the rest of the campground had a great tree cover! Too often private campgrounds attempt to squeeze as many sites as possible and end up with campers on top of their neighbors, but at Starlight, the sites felt very secluded."
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned across campground reviews. "Bathroom was just remodeled so it's excellent! Good price!" noted a camper at Old Mill Stream Campground. Another visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA mentioned "Spotless bathrooms. Nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly."
Scenic views: Elevated locations provide panoramic vistas. "There is also a great view of the surrounding countryside because it's up on a big hill. If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills," advised a visitor to Starlite Camping Resort.
Year-round yurt options: Several campgrounds offer insulated yurts for off-season camping. PA Dutch Country provides yurt rentals with heating that remain comfortable even during cooler months.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Fall brings cooler temperatures but spectacular foliage. "We decided to camp in the fall and did a cabin since it was colder and we had the baby. We loved it!" shared a visitor to Thousand Trails Circle M.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby shooting ranges or highways. "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," noted a camper at Pinch Pond.
Reservation requirements: Most yurt accommodations book quickly, especially during peak times. "It's hard to get here with no reservations," warned a visitor to PA Dutch Country RV Resort.
Weather variations: Mountain locations can experience sudden weather changes. "When it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground," cautioned a camper at Circle M regarding riverside sites.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-rich campgrounds: Choose locations with built-in entertainment options. Visitors to Twin Grove RV Resort note, "At night they have a merry go round, train, giant slide and ferries wheel you can ride. The bathrooms are always clean and staff is friendly. They also have a restaurant if you want a break from cooking."
Swimming options: Pools provide reliable water recreation regardless of weather. "The facilities are all lovely, staff in the camp store are kind and helpful. The snack bar is very convenient, breakfasts on the weekends in the summer. Close to lots of great activities and there is lots to do at the campground as well," shared a visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Kid-friendly yurts: Look for yurts with multiple sleeping areas and proximity to playgrounds. "Our site was very nice! We were in a back in site #4. The patio was concrete stone, very pretty. Nice chairs, fire pit, and picnic table. The bath house was extremely clean and very nice," noted a camper at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Halloween events: Many campgrounds host special weekend activities during October. "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" reported a visitor to Circle M RV & Camping Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose locations that accommodate slide-outs and provide adequate leveling. "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers. Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay," cautioned a visitor to PA Dutch Country.
Utility considerations: Water pressure and electrical amperage vary widely. "Water pressure and electric were both great throughout the stay. There is no internet, but we had good cell phone service," shared a camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort.
Accessibility challenges: Mountain terrain can create steep access roads. "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground. Many other sites were the same. The walk to pool and all other amenities was not pleasant due to hills."
Seasonal timing: Consider weekday visits during peak season. "It gets very full on the weekends here," noted a Circle M visitor, while another at Hersheypark Camping Resort advised, "Stone surface. Not to bad for leveling. Our site was spacious."
