Camping near New Germantown, Pennsylvania offers access to the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains where elevations range from 650 to 2,100 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer highs typically reaching 85°F and winter lows dropping below freezing. Local campgrounds span three counties with varying terrain from riverside locations to mountain settings.
What to do
Explore Gettysburg National Military Park: Located approximately 40 miles from New Germantown, visitors can tour historic Civil War battlefields. "We stayed because we wanted to visit Gettysburg National Military Park which is about ten minutes away and definitely worth visiting," noted a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Visit local wineries: Several campgrounds organize seasonal wine tastings. At Paradise Stream Family Campground, one visitor mentioned, "So many things to do here... even a winery was there with samples!"
Fish in nearby waterways: Streams and lakes provide fishing opportunities throughout the camping season. "We fished at Tautman Run and Aitch - both were accessible and had lots of bluegill to steal our worms," reported a camper at Raystown Lake KOA.
Float on the Juniata River: Tube or kayak directly from riverside campgrounds. "The campground offers direct access to the river for afternoon floats on tubes or kayaks and they're building a large dock for fishing," explained a visitor to River's Edge RV Park.
What campers like
Well-maintained pools: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas that remain operational throughout summer. "The pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season," noted a visitor at Round Top Campground.
Family activities: Scheduled events provide entertainment for all ages. A camper at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm shared, "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires. There is also a pool, hopscotch, a swing set, and a playground open as well."
Wooded sites: Tree coverage offers privacy and shade at select campgrounds. "Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills, not just a big open field," reported a camper at Round Top Campground.
Farm experiences: Some rv parks near New Germantown, Pennsylvania incorporate agricultural elements. "If you love farm animals, that is the spot to be. Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas. Plenty to see and learn," shared a visitor at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the New Germantown region close during winter. Drummer Boy Camping Resort operates "from April through October" while Paradise Stream Family Campground runs from "April 10 to October 27."
Varying site quality: Campsite conditions differ significantly between facilities and within the same campground. At Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA, a visitor observed, "The site fees are a little pricey and some of them are a little closer together than we would prefer but otherwise, a great place to visit."
Bathroom facilities: Maintenance standards vary across campgrounds. "The bathrooms were clean and modern. The laundry facility was clean, all machines operational," reported a camper at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, while another noted about Round Top, "Public shower areas on the lower end of the campground were closed."
Limited cell coverage: Connectivity remains inconsistent throughout the area. "No cell service where we were on the site," mentioned a visitor at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer limited play equipment. One visitor at Drummer Boy Camping Resort noted, "The free mini golf, a pool and a splash pad pool area," while another camper observed about a different facility, "In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was only 1 playground."
Consider activity schedules: Weekends typically feature more organized events than weekdays. A camper at Raystown Lake KOA shared, "We stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun. We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 bbq plate...On Saturday was rock painting and then bingo and ended the night with a DJ dance party."
Check pet policies: Rules regarding animals differ between facilities. "Everyone seemed to be polite and helpful as far as the staff was concerned. We used the laundry facilities and they were clean. Pets welcomed and well behaved," mentioned a visitor at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature sloped sites requiring equipment adjustment. A visitor at Western Village RV Park noted, "The sites are so small that my truck was either parked over the firering or blocking our door."
Hookup placement: Utility connections may be inconveniently positioned. "Water and electric are in award spot on our site," reported a camper at Round Top Campground, while another mentioned, "In order to hook anything up, you had to be in your neighbor's space."
Electrical capacity: Power limitations affect appliance usage at some parks. "The fuse at power source blew every time the air turned on," observed a visitor at Western Village RV Park.
Sewer options: Full hookups aren't standard at all facilities. At Waterside Campground, a camper appreciated, "Easy in and out, full utilities," while at River's Edge RV Park, "a honey wagon comes through to pump out anyone who needs it on Saturdays."
