RV sites near Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania provide access to the forested hills of Lebanon County at elevations reaching 1,000 feet above sea level. The camping season typically runs from April through October with most campgrounds closing for winter. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during peak camping months, with cooler nights ideal for campfires.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The pond at Lake-In-Wood Campground offers catch-and-release fishing. "Nice fishing in the lake," mentions one visitor, while another points out "a big lawn in the middle which rolls down to the lake" where families can fish and relax.
Explore Amish country: Campsites put you in proximity to authentic Pennsylvania Dutch experiences. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Attend seasonal events: Many campgrounds host themed weekends and activities. "They had a craft show in the barn which was nice," reports one camper about Spring Gulch Resort Campground, while another mentions "a chicken dinner. It was actually very good."
Mini golf courses: Several campgrounds offer free or low-cost mini golf. "This campground has free mini golf. You can borrow golf clubs but you do have to buy balls," explains a reviewer at Appalachian Camping Resort, though some note courses need maintenance with "mini golf was fun but need to be regreened."
What campers like
Natural surroundings: The wooded terrain adds privacy at some campgrounds. A camper at Pinch Pond Family Campground noted, "Easy to get to and beautiful setting, gorgeous trees and feels very woodsy. Pond is okay, could be nicer."
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds offer structured events during peak seasons. "They had a table set up outside to 'check in.' We did not wait in a mile long line to park and go into the office," appreciated one visitor to Appalachian Camping Resort, who also enjoyed "bingo, crafts, a vendor craft show, hot dog eating contest for adults and kids, candy scramble in the dark for adults and kids, a dj Saturday night and a live band Sunday night."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses rank high on camper priorities. At Thousand Trails Circle M, a visitor remarked, "Laundry is coin or app operated. Putt putt is still open and fun, so is playground. Arcade was open. There is an indoor pool and spa."
Year-round camping options: Some parks offer extended seasons. "We camped here in the fall and did a cabin since it was colder and we had the baby. We loved it! The cabin was cute, clean, and warm. It snowed a bit but we had an outdoor fire."
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds feature sloping sites requiring extra setup time. At Thousand Trails Hershey, a camper noted, "The sites are gravel and most are not level. They are not well maintained as the site next to us has weeds a foot high."
Seasonal variations: Most parks operate from April through October. "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level. It is absolutely beautiful out. The grounds are well-kept," reported a spring visitor to Thousand Trails Circle M.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds sit near highways or other noise sources. "Nice, forested campground. Friendly staff, clean bathhouses. Sites well maintained but ours wasn't level. Gets packed on weekends... Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby," warns a Pinch Pond visitor.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies between properties. "Definitely got lucky with site F03 for Starlink. The rest of the campground has a lot of tree cover," notes a camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, while others report "Excellent cell and gateway service. Cell is AT&T and our gateway is T-Mobile" at different locations.
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Swimming pools provide relief during summer months. A visitor at Robin Hill Campground noted, "Nice sites. Family friendly. Lots for the kids to do," while others mentioned "cute pool" among the amenities.
Planned activities: Look for campgrounds with structured events. "We had a great time at this campground. There is a quarry close by so you could hear the trucks beeping and the noise from there but that was the only negative thing," shared a visitor to Lake-In-Wood Campground, adding, "Goats to pet and watch... Nice playground for the kids and a small arcade."
Playground access: Consider proximity to play areas when selecting sites. "The playground was luckily right across from us up on the hill," mentioned a Robin Hill visitor, while another noted "they also have a Frisbee golf course on site."
Arcade options: Game rooms provide entertainment during inclement weather. "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," enthused one Pinch Pond Family Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger rigs, research site specifics before booking. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, a visitor observed, "Lots were a bit uneven, but pull through which was nice."
Hookup positioning: Placement of utilities can create challenges. "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly," reported one camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Power options: Most campgrounds offer multiple electrical configurations. "Campground loses a start because the sites are pretty uneven. Not just the one we're on but others as well," noted a visitor to Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, adding "We had to go out and get more blocks and we're still not very level front to back."
Travel timing: Weekday arrivals often mean more site choices. "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," advised one experienced camper, suggesting "If you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem."
