Camping opportunities near Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania center around the 18,000-acre State Game Lands that surround the community. Located in Lebanon County at 700 feet elevation, this area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 78-85°F during peak camping months. Winter camping isn't common as temperatures frequently drop below freezing from December through February, with sites reopening in April.
What to do
Fishing access: 2 miles from Thousand Trails Hershey, where campers can enjoy angling opportunities at the neighboring river. "The pond is not suitable for swimming and has no swimming signs around. Nature decided to reclaim the area and the fish have an abundance of kel to live in. It is a wonderful fishing and boating area," notes Yamileth K.
Biking on Swatara Rail Trail: Connected to Jonestown/Hershey KOA for cycling enthusiasts. "The campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking. The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc," according to Bobby S.
Renaissance Faire weekends: 10-minute drive from Mount Gretna. This popular event draws many campers to the area. "If you are thinking about staying here during the Renaissance Faire, which apparently is a VERY BIG thing in these parts, you are going to want to book your spot as soon as possible," advises Stuart K. about planning ahead.
Mini golf and recreation: On-site at several campgrounds. "They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," says Leanne B. about family activities available at local facilities.
What campers like
Extended pool hours: Pinch Pond Family Campground keeps swimming options available later than competitors. "Unlike most campgrounds, the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus for me," reports Melissa Y., highlighting this unexpected advantage.
Tent site improvements: No more primitive-only options at some locations. "They have upgraded the tent sites since last year, no more primitive sites, all the tent sites are now mulch pad with water and electric," explains Melissa C. about the enhanced comfort for tent campers.
Lakeside camping: Waterfront sites at Gifford Pinchot State Park provide direct water access. "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. It has a small beach area within the campground loop that we camped in," shares Danielle V.
River recreation: Tubing opportunities directly from campgrounds. "The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks! We didn't know but went and bought a tube and spent the day on the river!" describes Karla R. about the water fun available.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Shooting ranges near some campgrounds. "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner. If you're out and about, it won't be an issue," warns Tara N. about planning your daily schedule accordingly.
Site elevation variations: Unlevel terrain at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers. Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground," cautions Justin B. about bringing adequate leveling equipment.
Agricultural aromas: Some campgrounds experience farm smells. "The overwhelming impression of this campground was the smell of cow manure from the nearby dairy farm feedlot. The smell was not present the first day or so we were there and we enjoyed sitting outside in the afternoon, but when the wind shifted the horrid smell drove us inside," reports Nancy W.
Bug preparation: Ticks and chiggers present in wooded areas. "After we pitched in the new spot, all was good. Then I left and woke up with a serious case of chigger bites," warns Scott B. about the importance of insect repellent and tick checks.
Tips for camping with families
Game rooms with tickets: Unique arcade feature at Pinch Pond. "Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT! It was like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time," explains Melissa Y.
First-time tent camping: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA offers gentle introduction for beginners. "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," describes Cat R. about the comfortable setup.
Halloween weekends: Special programming in October. "It rained the whole weekend but we made the most of it. The camp workers at the store were SUPER nice!! The frozen adult drinks there were amazing because it was really hot this weekend," shares Angie G. about seasonal festivities.
Playground distribution: Note location when selecting sites. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape," explains SkywaystoHighways.com Y. about choosing family-friendly locations.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose peripheral sites for privacy. "If you are an RVer or 5th Wheeler, the best sites IMHO are those that back up to the periphery and are northernmost up the slight embankment as you'll have greater privacy and less noise," advises Stuart K. about positioning your rig.
Early arrival importance: First-come system at some dog friendly campgrounds near Mount Gretna. "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. For everyone complaining about driving around and not finding spots, if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem," recommends Yamileth K.
Transport options: Shuttles to attractions available. "They provide convenient access to Hershey Park, Lancaster County attractions, and Renaissance Faire events, making them popular bases for exploring with pets," notes one camper about the transportation benefits.
Pull-through site dimensions: Length considerations for larger rigs. "The pull through sites are nice and long, but we were put in a buddy spot and didn't know. We were happy we made friends with our neighbors, but I'd check that first," advises Angie G. about verifying specific site arrangements when booking.
Ranger
