Located in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Ono sits at an elevation of approximately 590 feet with rolling terrain throughout the region. Camping options near Ono typically experience four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Several campgrounds within a 30-mile radius of Ono operate from April through October, with most sites featuring gravel pads requiring leveling blocks due to the area's natural contours.
What to do
Mini-golf sessions: At Lake-In-Wood Campground, campers can enjoy free mini-golf with borrowed clubs (balls must be purchased). "The campground had numerous activities set up all throughout the day and there was something for everyone. This campground has free mini golf. You can borrow golf clubs but you do have to buy balls," reports a visitor who appreciated the variety of recreation options.
Farm animal interactions: Families camping in the region can experience unique farm animal encounters at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, where scheduled feeding times create memorable experiences. "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," noted one camper highlighting the variety of activities.
Weekend concerts: Several campgrounds host regular entertainment, particularly during summer weekends. "They had a live band one evening. Activities though the day were fun," shared a visitor to Spring Gulch Resort Campground. Many campgrounds in the region offer scheduled activities for both children and adults, with weekend programming more robust than weekdays.
What campers like
Fishing opportunities: Many Ono area campgrounds feature stocked fishing ponds for catch-and-release angling. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, "Clear in the back of the property, you'll find a small fishing pond," though another camper noted it "has a lot of pond scum and there were a lot of duck families around."
Proximity to attractions: Campers appreciate the central location for day trips to popular destinations. As one visitor to Thousand Trails Circle M noted: "Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."
Amish countryside access: The region provides unique opportunities to experience Amish culture and rural landscapes. "If you've never visited an Amish community, you should definitely take advantage of this very unique location by exploring Lancaster County where you can find a number of horse & buggies to take a trip in to take in the absolutely gorgeous Pennsylvania Dutch countryside in a very unique way," advised a camper at Pinch Pond Family Campground.
What you should know
Shooting range proximity: Several campgrounds in the region are located near shooting ranges, which impacts the noise environment. "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner. If your out and about, it won't be an issue. However if you enjoy sitting outside of your camper and relaxing this might be nerve wracking," explained a visitor to Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Seasonal camper concentration: Many parks have a high percentage of seasonal campers who occupy the most desirable sites. At Appalachian Camping Resort, "The majority of seasonal sites we're clean and we'll maintained," reported one reviewer, while another noted at Sun Valley Campground that "90% of the people here are full time."
Uneven terrain challenges: Site leveling is a common need throughout the area due to natural topography. "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground. Many other sites were the same," shared one camper about their experience at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access timing: Pool availability varies significantly by season and daily schedule. "The pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus for me," mentioned a visitor to Pinch Pond Family Campground, making it ideal for families with children who want to swim after a day of exploring.
Age-appropriate activities: Seek out campgrounds with programming for different age groups. "I find that a lot of campground activities tend to be centered around small children and with my kids being 13 and 12, they're usually left out of the fun. There was bingo, crafts, a vendor craft show, hot dog eating contest for adults and kids, candy scramble in the dark for adults and kids," noted a satisfied family at Appalachian Camping Resort.
Golf cart consideration: At larger properties, renting or bringing a golf cart can significantly improve the camping experience with children. "The campground was very large and I would recommend renting a golf cart," advised a visitor to Lake-In-Wood Campground.
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Several campgrounds require careful maneuvering, particularly for larger rigs. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," reported an RVer at Lake-In-Wood Campground.
Buddy site awareness: Some parks feature buddy sites that may not be ideal for all campers. "We were unaware that our site was a buddy site. The buddy site was very narrow and since our buddy arrived first we had no choice but to park farther down on the site to avoid our awnings touching and that left us very uneven," explained a camper at Appalachian Camping Resort.
Satellite service considerations: Tree cover affects satellite reception throughout the region, requiring strategic site selection. "Definitely got lucky with site F03 for Starlink. The rest of the campground has a lot of tree cover," noted a camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, highlighting the importance of researching specific sites for connectivity needs when rv camping near Ono, Pennsylvania.
