Camping spots near Elm, Pennsylvania range from rustic forest settings to modern campgrounds with full amenities. Most local campgrounds sit between 400-800 feet in elevation within Pennsylvania's humid continental climate zone, creating distinct camping seasons from April through October. Winter camping options are limited, with nighttime temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Water activities at Pinch Pond: Access the small fishing pond at the rear of the property for catch-and-release fishing. "My kids went fishing and every cast they caught a fish, some were small... but hey the kids had fun," notes one visitor at Hickory Run Family Camping Resort.
Frisbee golf in wooded courses: Play the disc golf course at French Creek State Park where the trees add difficulty to the course. The park offers "a frisbee golf course in the woods to make it even more interesting and competitive. The trees definitely make it harder!"
Horseback riding trails: Bring your own horse to French Creek State Park Campground for trail riding. The park offers designated equestrian paths, though no rentals are available.
Tubing on the river: Float down the small river that runs along the front of Old Mill Stream Campground. "There is a small, slow flowing river that runs along the front of the park which some people play in and float down in inner tubes."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural buffers at Starlite Camping Resort. "Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Except for the Plateau sites, which have the amazing view, the rest of the campground had a great tree cover!"
Family activities calendar: Weekend events keep families engaged at Thousand Trails Circle M. "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site."
Clean shower facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathhouses. "Amazing....staff is friendly...BATHROOMS CLEAN!!!!! Is there really anything else? Lol!" says a visitor at Hershey RV and Camping Resort.
River recreation access: The Susquehanna River provides recreation opportunities. "The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks! We didn't know but went and bought a tube and spent the day on the river!"
What you should know
Shooting ranges nearby: Noise from neighboring shooting ranges affects some campgrounds. "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."
Railroad proximity: Train tracks run near some campgrounds, particularly Hersheypark Camping Resort. "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!"
Site elevation challenges: Many campgrounds in the area feature significant hills. A camper at Starlite Camping Resort notes, "Yes, it is quite hilly throughout the campground, but the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed."
Agricultural odors: Nearby farms can affect the camping experience. "The overwhelming impression of this campground was the smell of cow manure from the nearby dairy farm feedlot. The smell was not present the first day or so we were there and we enjoyed sitting outside in the afternoon."
Tips for camping with families
Theme park package deals: Purchase park tickets at your campground for savings. At Old Mill Stream Campground, "The campground is in a good location to Lancaster and other quaint Amish towns like Bird-In-Hand, Paradise, and Intercourse."
Child-friendly campsite locations: Request sites away from water and road hazards. "The campground has a bit over 100 spots. They are just oké," notes one camper with children.
Game room facilities: Several campgrounds offer indoor entertainment. "They have Hershey's ice cream in the office and my kids enjoyed getting a treat. Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT!"
Weekend versus weekday crowds: Book mid-week for less crowded facilities. "It gets very full on the weekends here," warns a camper at Thousand Trails Circle M, while another notes, "the campground was pretty open because it was a weekday."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: RVers should come prepared with leveling blocks. A visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA reported, "Our site was level, shaded and quite large. Almost every site in this section was similarly large and wooded, with an impressive amount of space between sites for a KOA."
Extra vehicle storage: Check for overflow parking options. "They have an overflow area for those with extra cars and those with tow dollies. This keeps the campground from looking like a junk yard."
Power requirements for hills: Engine power matters when accessing certain campgrounds. "If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills."
Site selection timing: For some campgrounds, early arrival ensures better site options. "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."
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