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Best Campgrounds near Mount Joy, PA

952 Reviews

Camping near Mount Joy, Pennsylvania encompasses a mix of private RV resorts, family campgrounds, and state park facilities within the rolling hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Notable options include Thousand Trails Hershey in Lebanon, Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, and Pinch Pond Family Campground in Manheim. The area sits at the crossroads of several tourist destinations, with Hershey's chocolate attractions 20 minutes northeast and Lancaster's Amish country 15 minutes south. Gifford Pinchot State Park, about 30 miles west, offers more natural surroundings with lakeside camping and extensive recreational facilities.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, with a few exceptions like Old Mill Stream Campground which remains open year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures and occasional rain. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) and especially during special events like the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though some state park locations may have limited coverage in more remote sections.

The camping experience varies significantly between facility types. Private RV resorts like Thousand Trails properties tend to offer full hookups, swimming pools, and organized activities, but campers note sites can be closely spaced. According to reviews, "These RV sites are the tightest I have ever seen. So tight that people using a picnic table or fire ring are 3-4 feet from your camper." State parks provide more spacious sites with natural buffers. Pequea Creek Campground receives praise for its "shaded spacious sites by a kid-friendly creek" where families can enjoy "splashing and floating." Family-oriented campgrounds typically welcome pets and offer amenities like playgrounds, game rooms, and camp stores, with many providing shuttle service to nearby attractions like Hersheypark, making them convenient bases for exploring the region's cultural and recreational offerings.

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Best Camping Sites Near Mount Joy, Pennsylvania (140)

    1. Thousand Trails Hershey

    21 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    $50 - $60 / night

    "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."

    2. Hersheypark Camping Resort

    29 Reviews
    Hummelstown, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (833) 936-0949

    "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."

    3. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 367-7718

    $45 - $279 / night

    "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."

    4. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 665-7640

    "campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."

    "Please note there is a driving range so starting around 10am you will here guns go off. Also the highway is close by so you can hear it."

    5. Thousand Trails Circle M

    19 Reviews
    Millersville, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    6. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $20 - $89 / night

    "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. "

    7. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country

    13 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time."

    8. Old Mill Stream Campground

    17 Reviews
    Lampeter, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 299-2314

    "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!"

    9. Pequea Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4587

    "Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."

    "The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . "

    10. River Rock Recreation

    5 Reviews
    Bainbridge, PA
    11 miles
    Website

    $75 - $90 / night

    "There is no on site running water or electric but they did leave us with a 5 gallon water jug and a 5 gallon shower bag to use in the outside shower."

    "https://www.riverrockadv.com/#/ I was fortunate enough to find this local gem while browsing“camping near me”. Not only that, my unlucky butt won a 2 night stay there!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Mount Joy, PA

429 Photos of 140 Mount Joy Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Mount Joy, PA

952 Reviews of 140 Mount Joy Campgrounds

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Brandywine Creek Campground

    Brandywine

    We are on the third week of a four week trip. Campground is well maintained, quiet. This was our home while exploring Philadelphia. Uber to Downgrown, Septa or Amtrak to town. Reverse to camp. Very enjoyable. Hickory nut tree beside camper shared at times.

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • Peyton S.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Wonderful, Easy, Quick trip from Philly

    It’s about an hour away from Philadelphia. We tent camped in loop B. The site was wonderful. Just know it is a gravel site, not grass. The fire pit has a grill attachment and wood was easy to find. Water and bathrooms were close. We hiked around the lake and there were plenty of trails and even rentable kayaks and paddle boards! Would definitely recommend if looking for a quick overnight stay outside of the city.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    Better than OK

    Stayed for 2 days while passing through from FL to NH. Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay. Office staff did ok. Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills , not just a big open field. It’s a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through. Tried to book 2 nights but system only set us up for 1. Phone call to help line easily resolved the issue. Quiet and no spotlights on all night.

  • Stephen W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Hersheypark Camping Resort

    Very clean campground friendly staff

    We stay here once a year in September. Stone surface. Not to bad for leveling. Our site was spacious.

Guide to Mount Joy

Camping near Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to escape into nature.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at French Creek State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Hiking and biking this park is fun," highlighting the great outdoor activities available.
  • Fishing: At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing. A camper noted, "The lake is very nice and it's a very family park!"
  • Historical Sites: Visit Gettysburg and the surrounding battlefields while staying at Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA. One guest said, "This is a great campground in a great location," perfect for history buffs.

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Codorus State Park Campground. A review stated, "Spacious, beautiful, clean, quiet, easy, and lots to do and see."
  • Clean Facilities: Many enjoy the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Elk Neck State Park Campground remarked, "The bathrooms are immaculate," which is a big plus for families.
  • Pet-Friendly Options: Campgrounds like French Creek State Park Campground allow pets, making it easier for families to bring their furry friends along. One reviewer mentioned, "Very spacious sites" in the pet-friendly loop.

What you should know:

  • Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Elk Neck State Park Campground, do not allow alcohol. A camper noted, "Accessible and pet friendly," but it's important to check the rules before you go.
  • Site Conditions: At Locust Lake State Park Campground, some sites can be unlevel. A visitor shared, "Electric only, no water hookups," so be prepared for that.
  • Crowded Areas: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak seasons. A reviewer at Hersheypark Camping Resort mentioned, "The ONLY good thing this RV park has going is the Hershey park bus," indicating that it can be quite lively.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds nearby. At Elk Neck State Park Campground, one family enjoyed being "right there to play and watch" their kids at the playground.
  • Family Activities: Choose campgrounds that offer activities for kids. A reviewer at Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA said, "They have plenty of activities for the kids from swimming, mini golf, and a scavenger hunt!"
  • Quiet Sites: For a peaceful experience, select sites that are a bit away from the main areas. A camper at Owens Creek Campground mentioned, "This place is a great campground to go during summer as it's tucked in the mountains with lots of tree coverage."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites. A visitor at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground noted, "Some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views."
  • Full Hookups: Choose campgrounds that offer full hookups for convenience. A reviewer at Codorus State Park Campground appreciated the "full hook up sites which is nice."
  • Check for Amenities: Make sure to check what amenities are available. A camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort mentioned, "The bathrooms were clean and large," which is always a plus for RVers.

Camping near Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, provides a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great spot for families and outdoor lovers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Mount Joy, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mount Joy, PA is Thousand Trails Hershey with a 3.9-star rating from 21 reviews.

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