Cabins and RV sites dominate the camping landscape near Palmyra, Pennsylvania, with established campgrounds concentrated within a 20-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level in the gently rolling hills of the Lebanon Valley, creating favorable camping conditions from April through October when temperatures typically range from 50-85°F. Seasonal variation affects water levels at campgrounds near waterways like the Susquehanna River and Pinchot Lake.
What to do
Water activities at Gifford Pinchot: The 340-acre lake at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. "There is a large beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area," notes one camper who appreciated the well-maintained facilities.
Riverside recreation: At River Rock Recreation, campers can enjoy direct river access for fishing and kayaking. "We spent our time fishing the river banks right outside our tents and kayaking on the Susquehanna to fish the warm waters. We caught a ton of catfish and carp using live bait," shares one visitor who enjoyed the productive fishing spots along the Susquehanna.
Local trails exploration: Several campgrounds connect to trail systems. The Swatara Rail Trail connects directly to Jonestown/Hershey KOA, providing miles of biking and hiking opportunities. A camper mentioned, "The campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking. The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds receive positive reviews for cleanliness. One reviewer at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA praised the "spotless bathrooms" and mentioned, "Our site was very nice! We were in a back in site #4. The patio was concrete stone, very pretty. Nice chairs, fire pit, and picnic table. The bath house was extremely clean and very nice."
Structured activities: Family-oriented campgrounds offer organized events. A visitor to Twin Grove RV Resort enjoyed the entertainment options: "At night they have a merry go round, train, giant slide and ferries wheel you can ride. The bathrooms are always clean and staff is friendly. They also have a restaurant if you want a break from cooking."
Hershey access benefits: Several campgrounds provide shuttle services to Hershey attractions. One camper noted, "We were able to purchase Hershey Park tickets which were cheaper than buying from Hershey (at a discount) and it includes shuttle service to and from the park!"
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campgrounds with varying terrain require strategic site selection. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, one camper noted, "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. The walk to pool and all other amenities was not pleasant due to hills."
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds use first-come, first-served systems for site selection. At Thousand Trails Hershey, you'll need to arrive early for prime spots. "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. They don't reserve sites for you."
Environmental factors: Campgrounds near industrial areas or transportation routes may experience noise. Near Pinch Pond Family Campground, a camper warned: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pool quality varies: When camping with kids in summer, pool facilities become important. At Hershey Road Campground, a visitor raved, "Very spacious and quiet. Great little store stocked with everything you need. Nicest miniature golf course I've ever seen at a RV park. Same can be said for the swimming pool, absolutely beautiful."
Age-appropriate activities: Consider campgrounds with facilities catering to different age groups. One family shared about their experience: "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach. There was also a beach location on the state park side vs campground side of the lake."
Weekend scheduling: For families visiting on weekends, timing matters for both campground selection and activity planning. "We come here once a year to take our grandkids on an annual camping trip with us. Lots to do! Playgrounds, special events, crafts. Very nice sites and shower houses are very clean," one grandparent shared about their family tradition at Twin Grove.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require substantial leveling equipment. A visitor to PA Dutch Country RV Resort cautioned, "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers. Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay."
Site size considerations: Large RVs may struggle at some locations. An RVer at Hersheypark Camping Resort noted, "It is a nice camp ground but the lower drive threw spots are packed together. Our 32' with slides just fit the sight and we had zero room for the truck. They have other spots up on the hill but would have been more of a challenge with our rig."
Pull-through availability: For easier setup, request pull-through sites when available. "The pull through sites are nice and long, but we were put in a buddy spot and didn't know. We were happy we made friends with our neighbors, but I'd check that first," advised one RVer staying at Jonestown/Hershey KOA.
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