Camping areas near Newville, Pennsylvania offer varied terrain across the Cumberland Valley with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,200 feet. Most campgrounds in this region remain open from April through October, with seasonal closures affecting water systems during winter months when temperatures drop below freezing. The area features both wooded sites and open field camping options within 30 miles of Newville.
What to do
Battlefield exploration: 10 minutes from Gettysburg sites. Drummer Boy Camping Resort provides convenient access to historic attractions. According to a visitor, "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do."
Farm animal interactions: Daily feeding opportunities. At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, guests can participate in structured animal care. One camper noted, "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."
Fishing: Available at multiple locations. Several campgrounds offer on-site fishing ponds or river access. A camper at River's Edge RV Park shared, "The campground offers direct access to the river for afternoon floats on tubes or kayaks and they're building a large dock for fishing."
What campers like
Accessibility to multiple attractions: Central location. The Newville area serves as a hub for various day trips. At Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA, guests appreciate the strategic location: "This campground is a short drive to Raystown Lake in Saxton, PA which is beautiful and very big. The campground is in the middle of nowhere but if you like the outdoors, I recommend it."
Shaded sites: Natural cooling during summer. Many campers value the tree coverage at regional campgrounds. At Gettysburg Campground, a visitor mentioned, "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."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly. Clean facilities rank high among camper priorities. One review of Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA noted, "The staff here at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA are great. They are friendly, willing to help anyway they can, and keep the place spotless. It looks like they have recently remodeled the bathrooms/showers (3 of the 4 look brand new)."
What you should know
Water systems: Quality and hookup sharing concerns. Several campgrounds in the region have infrastructure limitations. At Round Top Campground, a camper reported, "Water pressure is low, road traffic noise. Water and electric are in awkward spot on our site."
Site spacing: Varies dramatically between properties. Site dimensions and privacy levels differ across the area. A visitor to Round Top Campground observed, "While the site was shaded, it was also on a significant hill and had NO view of anything but other seasonal campers."
Reservation systems: Policies differ by season. Many properties use first-come systems during peak periods. A camper at Thousand Trails Hershey explained, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple options for various ages. Families should prioritize campgrounds with recently updated play equipment. A camper at Thousand Trails Hershey mentioned, "The playgrounds are great and well-maintained with seemingly new equipment."
Pool availability: Seasonal operation varies. Most campground pools open Memorial Day through Labor Day. A visitor to Drummer Boy Camping Resort noted, "The pool with the slide was very clean. We would definitely go back to this place again despite the couple of cons."
On-site activities: Check schedules in advance. Special events often occur on weekends only. A camper at Gettysburg Campground shared, "It is a wonderful place to have Kids. tons of things for them to do. we were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for varied terrain. Many campgrounds in the Cumberland Valley region have sloping sites. At Ben Franklin RV Park, a reviewer noted, "The only spots available were electric and were super tight with no landscaping etc. We had to be careful to ensure our slide outs wouldn't hit the electric boxes."
Road conditions: Interior campground navigation challenges. Several properties have tight access roads requiring careful maneuvering. A camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort observed, "Roads through the park are fairly narrow with potholes. Some roads are one-way but people don't pay much attention to that and went whichever way they wanted, especially those in golf carts."
Electric reliability: Power capacity varies. RVers with high electrical needs should verify amperage before booking. At Round Top Campground, a visitor reported, "Electric went out 3 times, once for over 24 hrs. It was in the high 90°."
