Campers visiting Hanover, Pennsylvania find access to several state parks and private facilities within a 30-minute drive radius. The region sits at the northern edge of the Piedmont Plateau with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,100 feet, creating diverse camping environments from lakeside to wooded hillsides. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with humidity levels often reaching 70% or higher, especially during July and August.
What to do
Fishing at Codorus: Codorus State Park offers a 26-mile shoreline around Lake Marburg with fishing opportunities for bass, trout, and bluegill. "The lake is large and fun to explore in the boat. We didn't actually get to swim because there were signs everywhere saying no swimming, but we dipped our legs in," notes a Codorus State Park Campground visitor.
Hiking trails: Access multiple trail systems for day hikes, with options ranging from easy lakeside paths to connections with the Appalachian Trail. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles," shares a camper from Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground.
Historical tours: Explore Civil War history with self-guided or ranger-led tours through Gettysburg National Military Park. "The campground is approximately a 3 minute drive from everything in the town of Gettysburg. The battlefields are very close as well," according to an Artillery Ridge Campground visitor.
Disc golf courses: Play through established courses at several area parks. "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge all over the prime walking areas through the course," cautions a Gifford Pinchot camper.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept bath houses and common areas. "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms," reports a Codorus visitor, while another notes, "The bathhouses / restrooms are clean (about average for PA state park system)."
Water recreation: Access to lakes and streams provides fishing and boating opportunities. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, "The kids enjoyed playing in the creek and tubing," says a camper, while another mentions, "My husband loved finding frogs and fish."
Family activities: Scheduled events and facilities keep children entertained. "Lots for kids to do. Camp store has pretty much anything you need! Friendly staff and clean grounds," notes a Mountain Creek visitor. Another camper adds, "During the summer may have different themed weekends and fun activities for the whole family."
Tent-friendly sites: Designated tent camping areas offer shade and good setups. "The wooded sites were amazing," mentions one camper, while another states, "We stayed in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake. It can get a little busy on the weekends since there is a boat launch at the end of the primitive lane, but some of the sites are secluded/set back enough to be private."
What you should know
Site variability: Not all sites offer the same level of privacy or amenities. At Granite Hill Camping Resort, campers report mixed experiences: "The site was extremely difficult to get into, as uneven as it gets," while another mentions, "The hookups were terrible."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Codorus runs "2nd Friday April to November 1" while Gifford Pinchot operates "2nd Fri April to October 31."
Weekend crowds: Expect significantly higher occupancy Friday through Sunday. "We came for a last minute one night trip. Spaces are pretty close together so if you don't mind seeing your neighbor through the woods, then you'll enjoy it," notes a camper at Pinchot State Park.
Bathroom accessibility: Distance to facilities varies widely by site location. "Bathrooms and activities can be a hike. Some areas flood when it rains hard," warns a Mountain Creek camper, while another states, "Two bath houses, one near the entrance and one in the way back."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for easier supervision. At Gettysburg Campground, "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. not far to go anywhere walking."
Swimming options: Know which parks allow lake swimming versus pool-only facilities. "The lake is beautiful and the trail around the lake is nice. Staff was friendly," shares a Codorus camper, while another mentions, "There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park."
Wildlife viewing: Plan morning or evening walks for best animal spotting opportunities. "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," says a Gifford Pinchot visitor.
Organized activities: Check event schedules before booking. "The resort had great amenities for all ages. We stayed in October so there was plenty of activities for kids from crafts, games, dancing, to trick or treating," reports a Gettysburg Battlefield Resorts camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Pack extension cords and hoses due to variable hookup placements. "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extentions handy," advises a Granite Hill camper.
Leveling requirements: Bring additional leveling blocks for uneven sites. "It took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot, thankfully we had enough wood to get the jack up without having to over extend it," cautions another Granite Hill visitor.
Dump station access: Note which parks offer full hookups versus dump stations only. At Gifford Pinchot, "All sites have water and electric, but not all are 50 amp sites. About half the sites have sewer, but there are two dump stations that are centrally located and easy to get to."
Site reservations: Book well ahead for holiday weekends or summer stays. "Make sure to bring your leveling blocks, some sites do have a slope to them of 3-4"," warns a frequent camper at Gettysburg Battlefield Resorts.
