Camping near Wellsville, Pennsylvania offers diverse terrain within the Susquehanna River watershed at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and moderate precipitation year-round. Most campgrounds in the area sit within mixed deciduous forest with oak, maple and hickory trees providing varying degrees of shade and privacy.
What to do
Creek exploration: Tubing and wildlife viewing at Mountain Creek Camp Ground provides water-based recreation beyond the lakes. "Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters," notes one camper. The accessible creek offers gentler water experiences than lake activities.
Hiking on Appalachian Trail connections: Campers at Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground appreciate the trail access to the AT. "The park is the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail! We did a very nice run from our campsite out to the scenic viewpoint on top of Pole Steeple (about 7ish miles)," shares a visitor. The Pole Steeple trail provides significant elevation gain with panoramic views.
Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park maintains multiple 18-hole disc golf courses for different skill levels. One course is relatively flat while another built into hillsides offers more technical challenges. A visitor notes: "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."
What campers like
Clean facilities with thoughtful extras: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "Beautifully landscaped park. Level sites. Courteous staff. Nice place to just relax or participate in activities. Excellent WIFI," reports one visitor. The campground features updated sites with "concrete stone" patios.
Farm animal interaction: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm offers daily animal feeding opportunities. "We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us," reports one camper. Another adds: "Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas."
Waterfront camping options: Sites with direct water access rank highly at several parks. At Codorus State Park Campground, one camper advises: "I stayed here for 2 nights in July 2017. We fit all 4 tents on the site (mine was a little slanted though). The park has trails to the lake that were a nice walk." The primitive tent loop sits directly on the lake with boat launch access nearby.
What you should know
Site layout and privacy considerations: Many campgrounds feature varied site styles with significant differences in spacing and privacy. At Cedar Lake Family Campground, a visitor reports: "Roads are narrow, but the sites are large and level. The lake is nice and they stock it with trout." Sites toward the perimeter often back to woods while interior sites may have less separation.
Bathroom and shower facilities: Maintenance quality varies by campground and season. "The bathrooms were in good shape. We had 2 dogs and both neighboring sites had dogs as well. The sites were spread out enough that we were able to keep them contained," notes a Pine Grove Furnace visitor. Some parks maintain multiple bathhouses with varying distances from camping areas.
Noise considerations: Train tracks impact several campgrounds. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, multiple visitors mention train disturbances: "Basic RV's park 95 night is way to much you pay for location. Trains are all night," and another adds, "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground and pool access: Codorus State Park Campground provides multiple recreation options. "Very nice state park. A few hiking opportunities and a nice lake to fish or kayak on. The pool is decent but a bit far of a walk from the camp sites," reports one visitor. Some campgrounds charge additional fees for pool access.
Activity planning for weekdays vs. weekends: Most campgrounds schedule structured activities primarily on weekends. "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," shares a visitor to Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
Site selection for families: Consider terrain and proximity to bathrooms. "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," notes a visitor about Gifford Pinchot. Many parks offer sites specifically designated as more family-friendly with shorter walks to facilities.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric-only sites often provide more shade and space than full-hookup areas. At Mountain Creek, a camper notes: "Most camper sites have electric and water hookups and some have septic. We will keep coming back for weekend getaways." Check specific amperage options, as several parks offer both 30 and 50 amp service.
Navigating tight spaces: Careful site selection helps avoid difficult parking situations. "The RV sites are pretty close together, but this place was so fun for our kids! Next time I hope we can get a place on the creek," shares a Mountain Creek camper. Many parks offer pull-through options for larger rigs while back-in sites may present challenges for less experienced drivers.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited year-round options. "Campsites were very private, and we met two of the greatest people and fellow campers ever! If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up," advises a Pine Grove Furnace visitor.
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