Codorus State Park Campground near Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania offers 195 campsites with varied terrain across its 3,500 acres. Located in York County at approximately 600 feet elevation, the area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. Winter camping options remain available at select campgrounds with temperatures typically dropping to 20-30°F from December through February.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities at Pinchot Lake: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground features a large lake stocked with various fish species. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," notes one camper who found success fishing from both day use areas.
Disc golf courses: The park maintains two distinct 18-hole courses in separate areas. "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," warns a visitor.
Trail exploration: Multiple hiking options circle the lakes and connect camping areas. "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 hiker who enjoyed viewing the water from various perspectives.
Historical tours: Artillery Ridge Campground provides direct access to Gettysburg historical sites. "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts," explains one visitor who appreciated the historical connection.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Codorus State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms and shower areas. "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms," states one camper who rated their experience highly. Another notes, "Very clean facilities. We typically stay in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake."
Spacious campsites: Site sizes vary across parks but many offer ample space. "The campgrounds have a 5 person per site limit and the sites were the biggest we've seen in our 20 plus years of camping," according to one family who stayed at Cedar Lake Family Campground.
Swimming options: Parks offer both lake and pool swimming depending on location. "The kids enjoyed the beach, it was crowded. But it was July," notes one family who visited during peak season. Some parks restrict swimming in the lakes but provide pool facilities instead.
Waterfront views: Gettysburg Campground offers sites along water features. "The tenting area is calm and has a creek right next to it to listen to in the evening and morning," writes one tent camper who appreciated the natural sound barrier.
What You Should Know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winter availability. "We came for a hike and quick one night tent escape. I had never been and reserved a tent site online," shares a camper about their experience with seasonal facilities.
Reservation requirements: Popular weekends book quickly, especially fall foliage season. "Advance reservations are a must — this place books up fast!" warns a visitor to Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Site terrain variations: Expect different leveling needs depending on location. "When I arrived, someone was in my spot. After working it out and came back I noticed just how crowded it was. Lots literally right on top of each other... Went to front gate and got a much more isolated tent spot," explains a camper who found significant differences between sites.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences sudden weather changes, particularly in spring and fall. One camper notes, "Power outage at a lot of the campground Friday night due to a tree down on the power lines," highlighting the need for backup options.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA offers family-friendly amenities. "Nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly. Price is fair and not nearly as expensive as many other KOAs but the quality is just as good!" reports one family who found good value.
Special events: Many campgrounds organize weekend activities for children. "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol," shares a visitor who enjoyed the structured programming.
Kid-friendly water features: Shallow beach areas provide safer swimming zones. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun... 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," explains a parent who found the setup ideal for young children.
Animal encounters: Some parks maintain small petting areas. "The animal area could stand a good cleaning, but my little one enjoyed them," notes a parent who found this feature entertaining despite some maintenance concerns.
Tips from RVers
Hookup logistics: RV sites offer varied utility placements. "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extentions handy. My electric hookup didn't work on 30A," warns one RVer at Granite Hill Camping Resort.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. "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," shares one RVer who struggled with site preparation.
Dump station access: Not all sites feature sewer hookups. "About half the sites have sewer, but there are two dump stations that are centrally located and easy to get to. Make sure to bring your leveling blocks, some sites do have a slope to them of 3-4"," advises an experienced RVer.
Tree hazards: Walnut trees at some campgrounds drop nuts during certain seasons. "One of the drawbacks of this campground is that a lot of the trees are black walnut trees and the squirrels do not shy away from dropping the walnuts like bombs on your head, car, or table when you're preparing breakfast," warns a camper who experienced this natural hazard.
