Camping spots near Mount Joy, Pennsylvania typically experience temperatures ranging from 30-45°F in winter to 75-90°F in summer. The area sits within the Susquehanna River Basin where campsites range from elevations of 250-400 feet. Most campgrounds in this region have gravel sites with partial to full tree cover, creating varied amounts of shade depending on your chosen location.
What to do
Water recreation along the Susquehanna River: Pequea Creek Campground provides access to the nearby creek where families enjoy "splashing and floating" in the water. One reviewer mentions, "We enjoyed the birds singing in the mornings and welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek."
Kayaking on local waterways: River Rock Recreation offers direct river access. "We stayed Sun-Wed and rented 2 kayaks from River Rock for one of the days," notes a camper. Another adds, "We spent our time fishing the river banks right outside our tents and kayaking on the Susquehanna."
Disc golf in state parks: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground features two complete courses. "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!" a reviewer cautions, adding that "the course in the Conewago area is relatively flat, whereas the Quaker Race course is built into the side of the hill."
Amish country exploration: Many campgrounds provide convenient access to authentic Amish experiences. "From a foodie standpoint, take my word for it, there is very little around these parts and what you can find nearby are local joints," one camper shares about their experience staying near Manheim.
What campers like
Private sites with natural surroundings: Campers appreciate spacious, wooded sites that offer privacy. A reviewer at River Rock Recreation notes, "This is a single campsite that you rent, no other campers on site unless you are bringing them with you! You can camp with up to 10 people and there is certainly plenty of room for everyone to spread out."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA earns praise for its upkeep. "Beautifully landscaped park. Level sites. Courteous staff. Nice place to just relax or participate in activities. Excellent WIFI," one reviewer shares.
Family-friendly amenities: Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park offers numerous activities for children. "My family recently spent a long weekend at Pinch Pond. Our campsite was very spacious and the ENTIRE campground was extremely clean and tidy. 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!"
Lakeside camping options: State parks in the region offer waterfront sites. "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs," notes a visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park.
What you should know
Shooting range proximity: Some campgrounds have nearby shooting facilities. A Pinch Pond visitor notes, "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."
Railroad noise: Train tracks run near certain campgrounds. A River Rock Recreation camper advises, "The only negative I have is there is a railroad nearby. During the day you kind of don't notice it but you may hear it at night if you are a light sleeper. Just bring earplugs."
Site leveling challenges: Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country has terrain issues according to some visitors. "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. Unlevel is an understatement."
Agricultural smells: Some campgrounds experience farm odors. A visitor to Old Mill Stream Campground reports, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access matters: Look for campgrounds with updated play equipment. A visitor to Pinch Pond notes, "The office and grounds keeping staff were super friendly and helpful. They have Hershey's ice cream in the office and my kids enjoyed getting a treat."
Look for water features: Creeks and lakes provide entertainment for children. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," shares one family about Gifford Pinchot.
Consider organized activities: Thousand Trails Circle M offers structured recreation. "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground."
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Popular family weekends fill quickly. "We spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!! It gets very full on the weekends here," reports a family who stayed at Circle M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Look for end sites or those away from high-traffic areas. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, a camper shares, "This campground was really nice. Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!)"
Be prepared for tight spaces: Some RV parks have limited room between sites. A visitor to Hershey RV and Camping Resort notes, "The campground itself is very tight, cramped, and hard to navigate. The sites are so small that many tow vehicles have to park partially on the narrow access roads making it difficult to get in and out of with a big rig."
Check site leveling beforehand: Uneven sites can be problematic for larger rigs. "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," advises a PA Dutch Country visitor.
Consider accessibility to attractions: Many RVers use these campgrounds as bases for regional exploration. "Great campground with great access to Dutch Wonderland, outlets and other Lancaster County tourist attractions," notes an Old Mill Stream camper.
