Central Pennsylvania camping near New Germantown features elevations between 700-1200 feet with forest-dominated terrain punctuated by small streams and lakes. Most campgrounds sit within the Ridge and Valley region of the Appalachians, characterized by parallel mountain ridges running northeast to southwest. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms between June and August.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Colonel Denning State Park offers trailheads close to campsites with challenging routes leading to scenic overlooks. "Trail head close to site and was a very difficult hike with amazing views!" notes Casey L., who recommends site 15 for its proximity to trail access.
Swimming options: Paradise Stream Family Campground provides both a swimming pool and creek access. Melissa explains, "My kids enjoyed the beautiful Mini golf course, splashing in the creek, the pool and the pedal carts. Everyone was friendly and the staff was amazing!"
Fishing spots: Smaller lakes and streams throughout the region offer various fishing opportunities. At Buttonwood Campground, visitors can fish directly in the Juniata River. According to Gary C., it's a "Great place for fishing, tubing or just getting wet" with "open spaces with few trees above and well shaded spots with large trees for shade located down along Juniata River."
Historical sites: The region features several historical attractions including old iron furnaces and mills. Little Buffalo State Park offers a unique historical experience as Dawn N. describes: "There is even an eagle nest in the park and you can see the pair and often their young," adding that the park includes "hiking for all experience levels, great fishing, lots of space, wildlife is everywhere."
What campers like
Campground amenities: Dogwood Acres Campground receives praise for its facilities. Mary C. reports, "Was impressed upon driving into the place. Looked clean and tidy. Good signage. Flat all gravel sites. Clean pool. Pavilion was a nice meeting place. Big pond was pretty. Friendly staff."
Stream proximity: Several campsites offer direct access to running water. At Fowlers Hollow State Park, Greg K. appreciates that it's "Nestled between a hillside and a stream with a great sound of running water. Several walking/hiking trails directly from the campground. Clean and convenient restrooms. Large sites."
Peaceful atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the region are known for their quiet environment. Buttonwood Campground visitor Mark S. calls it "a little piece of heaven" noting that "there are people on golf carts to take you to your site. They then help you back your rig in. They were so friendly and will even give you rides to where you need to go in the campground."
Outdoor activities: The variety of activities available at a single location draws many campers. As Jen R. observed at Paradise Stream Family Campground: "So many things to do here! Very family oriented. Pedal carts (some you had to push because the pedals were broken), mini golf, swimming pool, ceramic painting, hiking, fishing, bike riding, sluicing for gems, game room, camp store, ice cream, baked foods, even a winery was there with samples!"
What you should know
Tent pad limitations: Some camping areas have specific tent pad constraints. At Cowans Gap State Park, Brian C. notes, "The tent pads could use some leveling and there was some trash around the site," though he appreciated that "Bathrooms and showers were clean. Firewood available at the park ($5 for 6 pieces self-serve)."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the New Germantown area operate from April through October or early December, with limited winter camping options. Dogwood Acres runs April 5-October 28, while Colonel Denning and Fowlers Hollow State Parks typically operate from mid-April until mid-December.
Reservation requirements: Popular weekends fill quickly, especially in summer and fall. At Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Jeffrey H. advises planning ahead: "The campgrounds have plenty of shade to keep you cool even when it gets hot. And when it gets got, they've got multiple stores and snack bars that serve tasty Hershey's ice cream."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited or no cell reception. Tom R. from Cowans Gap State Park appreciated this aspect: "5 nights, 6 days with no cell or wifi to stress us out. Biking, Hiking, sitting around a campfire, very nice."
Tips for camping with families
Quiet campgrounds: For families seeking more peaceful environments, Fowlers Hollow State Park offers a secluded experience. Paul B. describes it as "on the smaller side but very nice, campsites were nice size big enough for my 32 foot motor home and mid size suv. Surrounded by state forest and the road in is dirt which doesn't bother me, i just wanted to give the info."
Kid-friendly amenities: Some parks offer extensive recreational options for children. Chelsea from Paradise Stream Family Campground notes, "We really enjoyed this campground. The sites were spacious, everything was clean and well kept. The staff was SO nice! It was also a gated entrance which was nice."
Swimming access: Parks with swimming areas are popular for families with children. Little Buffalo State Park features an especially kid-friendly swimming area, as Paula R. explains: "Pool was great once you got there. Bathrooms are clean."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger-led programs perfect for children. Nate & Erika L. recall at Colonel Denning State Park: "The park rangers had an owl program on Friday night and ended up calling in several screech owls. Very cool to hear their eerie cries in the woods. There was also a chaplain who came around offering a Sunday morning church service at the amphitheater."
Tips from RVers
Site access: Many campgrounds have specific considerations for larger vehicles. At Free Spirit Campground, AdventureStang notes, "The tent sites are just along the tree line in the grassy field, they have water and power at them. Looks like they have cabins and they have rv spots as well."
Hookup availability: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary by campground and site. At Colonel Denning State Park, Shirley M. cautions: "We have a small 19" travel trailer which was almost impossible to park due to very tight sites. Sites are almost on top of each other."
Dump station access: Some parks offer more convenient dump station access than others. Coffee&Camping T. recommends Dogwood Acres Campground as a "Clean well kept family owned campground. Located a few miles off 81, in the country surrounded by beautiful views. It's a mix campground of seasonal campers and short term campers."
Site spacing: RVers should check site dimensions and spacing before booking. At Buttonwood Campground, Bryan S. notes: "Only downsides I can say about this campground are the sites are small. We where on the upper side and it felt more like tailgating than camping but everyone was super friendly."
