147 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State parks and private campgrounds surround Hanover, Pennsylvania, creating a diverse camping landscape within a short drive of town. Codorus State Park Campground, just outside Hanover, serves as a popular base for exploring both local attractions and nearby Gettysburg. The park features multiple camping loops with a mix of wooded and open sites, many with electric hookups suitable for RVs and tent campers alike. Within a 30-minute drive, additional options include Gettysburg-area campgrounds like Artillery Ridge, Gettysburg Battlefield KOA, and Drummer Boy Camping Resort, which cater to history enthusiasts visiting the battlefield sites. Cedar Lake Family Campground and Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm provide year-round and seasonal camping options north of Hanover.
Most campgrounds in the region operate from April through October, with state parks typically opening the second Friday in April and closing by early November. Campers report varying site conditions at Codorus, with some mentioning unlevel terrain. "Our site was in an open area in Loop D, but plenty of electric wooded sites available as well," notes one visitor. "Easy access to fresh water on the way in as well as various spigots inside the park." Cell service can be spotty, with Verizon signal described as "not great for streaming, but adequate for all else." Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and during fall foliage season when the area draws significant tourism.
Water recreation features prominently in camper experiences at Codorus State Park, with Lake Marburg offering fishing and boating opportunities. "The lake has lots of game fish," reports one visitor. "There's lots of places to fish from the shore, and boat rentals if you want to fish it deeper." Families appreciate the swimming pool, splash pad, and disc golf course available at the park. Many campers mention using the area as a hub for regional attractions, including the Utz potato chip factory tours in Hanover and the historic sites of Gettysburg. Site spaciousness varies considerably between campgrounds, with state park sites generally offering more room than private facilities. Bathroom and shower facilities receive mixed reviews, with cleanliness and maintenance varying by location and season.
"Older State Park just outside of Hanover, PA. Used it as a home base to explore Gettysburg and the surrounding area."
"We took our maiden voyage in April to this camp ground since it was close to home. We’ve tented camped and pop up camped here prior so we knew the area. Beautiful weather! Great camp ground!"
from $24 - $247 / night
Check Availability"We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views. "
"We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. "
from $24 - $89 / night
Check Availability"This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"
"Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."
"The bathroom near the pool left a little something to be desired. It wasn’t filthy but also wasn’t sparking clean. It was great being close to the battlefield."
"We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us."
"Spent 2 nights at Gettysburg KOA in July while touring Pennsylvania with granddaughter. Very convenient to historical stuff. Large sites, separated by rocks and trees. Quiet and private."
"Our site was very spacious, beautifully landscaped and wooded, but right next to the road. There was a buffer of trees, but unfortunately that didn’t make much of a difference with regard to noise."
"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
"Large campground with some good trails. Will definitely return!"
"This campground worked out perfectly..so close to the battlefields. It was only for the weekend but we really enjoyed our stay."
"It also has a lake and cabins available."
from $66 - $158 / night
Check Availability"They were constantly driving past our site. This is the first time I’ve stayed where there were so many golf carts. It was a bit noisy. The site was pretty level and an okay side."
"Great campground, close to Gettysburg but far enough to escape. 2 pools which is a bonus. Many folks have golf carts, as the campground is huge—and you can get turned around easily."
"Nice lake for fishing. Easy check in. Nice little store. About an hour away from Hershey where we went to the RV show. We will come back if we are in the area again"
"Just takes away from the rural feel. Cabin was clean and perfect. Grounds were very clean. Toilet and showers clean. Golf carts a little dated but overall good. Night time was serene and quite."
from $60 - $100 / night
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GuideWe stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
GuideThis is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
ScoutThe campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
ScoutThe area is very nice and so are the people. The sites are clean and the livestock are a cool sight to see
RangerWe stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
TravelerThere was no hot water in the showers. There are no dog poo stations. There is a dumpster marked “STAFF ONLY”. It’s nice they have a place to stuff the staff!
ScoutTrip -week before labor day , temps 93 degrees, nothing on website when booked said about peak and non peak days on booking page. Said there were only 7 sites left(complete lie) campground was empty. First time we ever been to a place where EVERYTHING was closed. Campstore, jump pillow and the final straw was we went to go to the pool and that was closed. It was 545 pm sun still bright in the sky , nowhere near dusk( when its suppose to close) . So much conflicting info from what the paper we got handed vs what internet site said. Charged a resort fee ? for what a place to park? This is no resort. Grass was high enough to be seeding itself. My wife was so upset she was actually crying. This was supposed to be a fun trip for our da6ughter before going back to school. We decided this place over Buttonwood just because it was alittle closer. Did a full tour of the place. Realized there is nothing here. Went to dinner in town. Decided we didnt want to stay where we knew our Daughter would be bored. She's pretty easy to entertain but this was just ridiculous. 12 HOURS OF MY LIFE AND $400 BUCKS i will never get back. (Loading , driving , realizing we got screwed, driving, unloading) yup was pretty bad.
TravelerOMG! Next to busy interstate, railroad tracks and shooting range. Way to much for me!
Campsites near Hanover, Pennsylvania offer diverse overnight options in the rural landscapes of south-central Pennsylvania. The area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level and experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging in the 80s F and winter nighttime temperatures often below freezing. Most camping locations remain open from April through October, with limited winter camping options available at select year-round facilities.
Hiking trails and battlefields: Explore the extensive trail system at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground where campers can access an 8.5-mile lakeside trail. "I took an early morning hike on the Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles," shares one visitor. The park also connects to other regional trails for extended hiking options.
Horseback tours: Experience Gettysburg's history from horseback at Artillery Ridge Campground which features on-site horses. "You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback," notes a camper. The campground's location places visitors adjacent to historic battle sites without the need for additional transportation.
Farm animal interactions: Feed and visit farm animals at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. "We enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," reports one family. Children can interact with various animals including goats, pigs, chickens, horses and llamas during scheduled feeding times.
Waterfront sites: Camp alongside water at Codorus State Park Campground where some loops feature lakeside access. "We typically stay in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake," writes one regular visitor. These waterfront sites provide direct access for fishing and morning lake views.
Swimming options: Facilities at several campgrounds include swimming pools and splash pads. "The park has a lot that you can do or just relax by the fire. Perfect for families," notes a Codorus visitor. At Gettysburg Battlefield KOA, "They have plenty of activities for the entire family from swimming, mini golf, and a scavenger hunt!"
Spacious wooded sites: Tree cover provides shade and privacy at select campgrounds. "The 'full shade' sites were amazing. Large, fire ring with grate, and nice picnic table," reports a camper at Gettysburg Campground. Many campers mention the value of wooded sites during summer months when temperatures can reach the 90s.
Varied terrain: Prepare for potentially unlevel sites at certain campgrounds. "You need to bring your leveling blocks, some sites do have a slope to them of 3-4 inches," advises a visitor to Gettysburg Battlefield Resorts. Proper equipment for leveling is essential, especially for RV campers.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close during winter months. Codorus operates from "2nd Friday April to November 1" while Gifford Pinchot runs from "2nd Friday April to October 31." Cedar Lake Family Campground stands as one of the few year-round operations in the region.
Reservation requirements: Book well in advance for summer weekends. "We would definitely visit this campground again. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends," states a camper. Holiday weekends often sell out 6-12 months in advance at popular locations.
Animal encounters: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm provides farm animal interactions for children. "The animal area could stand a good cleaning, but my little one enjoyed them. Lots of activities and the staff was very friendly," notes a parent. Kids can feed and interact with various farm animals throughout the day.
Halloween camping: Many campgrounds offer special Halloween-themed weekends in September and October. "We came with the kids again being older, we all had a greater appreciation of the sacrifice of this 3-day battle," shares a visitor to Artillery Ridge during their Halloween weekend. Activities often include trick-or-treating, costume contests, and decorated campsites.
Playground access: Consider site location relative to playground facilities. "We were in spots 86, 85, 89 for a month long stay... The only complaint we had was people walking through our sites due us being close to the playground and the noise level on the playground," reports one long-term visitor to Merry Meadows. Request sites away from playgrounds for quieter camping experiences.
Utility placement: Check sewer connection placement before booking. "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly," notes one RVer at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. Many campgrounds have varied utility layouts that can affect hookup functionality.
Turn radius considerations: Larger rigs may face challenges at older campgrounds. "We stayed in site 55. Big site but hard to get into. There are a couple of pull-thru sites that are much easier," advises an RVer at Gettysburg Battlefield KOA. When traveling with units over 30 feet, request specific information about site access and turning radius requirements.
Seasonal sites: Long-term camping options exist at several facilities. "Gettysburg Farm RV Campground provides year-round and seasonal camping options north of Hanover," notes a reviewer. These seasonal arrangements typically require contracts of 3-7 months and often include storage options during off-seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Hanover, PA?
The primary campground in the Hanover area is Codorus State Park Campground, an older state park just outside of Hanover with electric wooded sites and open areas. It offers easy access to fresh water and serves as a great home base for exploring Gettysburg and surrounding areas. For those looking for alternatives near Hanover, Artillery Ridge Campground is another option in the vicinity, providing reservable sites with water and toilet facilities. Both campgrounds are conveniently located for visitors wanting to explore the Hanover region while enjoying the outdoors, with Codorus featuring a lake for boating and fishing activities.
Which campgrounds near Hanover offer amenities like swimming pools?
Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park offers swimming amenities for families visiting the Hanover area. Although conveniently located near Highway 30, the campground provides a family-friendly atmosphere with water recreation options. Another excellent option is Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, which features resort-style amenities including swimming facilities. Located in nearby Amish country, this campground offers a more luxurious camping experience with recreational options for visitors looking to cool off during their stay. Both locations provide swimming opportunities while serving as convenient bases for exploring the greater Hanover region.
Where can I find dispersed camping opportunities near Hanover?
True dispersed camping options are limited near Hanover, but Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground offers a more natural camping experience about 30 minutes from Hanover. Located at the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail, it provides electric sites with updated bathrooms and excellent hiking opportunities. For those seeking a unique semi-dispersed experience, Campground Island offers a peaceful setting completely surrounded by creek waters, creating a secluded atmosphere with the tranquil sounds of waterfalls and wildlife. While not true dispersed camping, these locations provide more natural settings than typical developed campgrounds in the region.
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