Camping sites near Lewisberry, Pennsylvania are primarily located within the Ridge and Valley province of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winters dropping to 20-30°F. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from April through October, with a few offering limited year-round facilities.
What to do
Hiking on Lakeside Trail: At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, explore the 8.5-mile trail that circles the lake. "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," notes one visitor who appreciated the diverse viewpoints.
Animal encounters: The Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm in Dover offers unique interactions with farm animals. "If you love farm animals, that is the spot to be. Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas. Plenty to see and learn," shares a camper who especially enjoyed the educational aspect.
Kayaking the Susquehanna River: River Rock Recreation provides direct river access. "We stayed Sun-Wed and rented 2 kayaks from River Rock for 1 of the days," mentions a family who combined camping with water activities. The site includes boat launches and easy water access.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Many campers praise the lakeside camping spots at Gifford Pinchot State Park. "We have camped here several times and love the waterfront sites and the yurts," shares a repeat visitor who appreciates the prime water access.
Spacious wooded camping areas: Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground offers secluded tent sites. "The campsites are spacious! If you are on a site around the perimeter you can turn your chair and your back to the campground and look out into the forest!" One camper specifically mentions this sense of isolation despite being in a developed campground.
Functional facilities: Clean bathroom facilities rank high on camper priorities. "The bathhouses / restrooms are clean (about average for PA state park system) and the campground has a very friendly atmosphere," notes one Gifford Pinchot visitor. Similar comments appear across multiple campground reviews, indicating consistent maintenance standards.
What you should know
Railroad noise concerns: Several campgrounds in the area have nearby train tracks. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, campers mention, "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!" This is a common issue mentioned across several area campgrounds.
Site selection matters: When reserving at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, note that "The only downside to this campground is the pick your own spot. We got there later in the evening and it was really difficult to find something in the dark." Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially on summer weekends.
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds have spotty connectivity. One Pine Grove Furnace camper mentions, "Cell service is pretty much nonexistent in the campground, so keep this in mind if you can't be out of touch (we had Verizon)." This can affect navigation and communications planning.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: For families with children, Gifford Pinchot State Park offers kid-friendly water activities. "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," shares a parent who found the setup convenient for young children.
Educational opportunities: The Cedar Lake Family Campground emphasizes family programs. "This campground has it all, friendly staff, activities galore, cleanliness, & fun, fun, fun," notes a visitor who appreciated the organized events. Many campgrounds offer weekend activities specifically designed for different age groups.
Kid-friendly layouts: Consider campground layout when bringing children. "We were in site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," mentions a Gifford Pinchot camper who found the proximity to amenities helpful with kids.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers should prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. One visitor to Hershey Camping Resort noted, "The sites are gravel and most are not level. They are not well maintained as the site next to us has weeds a foot high." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended.
Space considerations: Site size varies significantly between campgrounds. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, an RV camper shared, "We chose a pull through site for our 30 ft TT since we are newbies (our 4th trip). There is ample space between you and your rv neighbor and no real obstructions to park." This differs from other more crowded campgrounds in the area.
Services and hookups: Pay attention to what's included at each site. "You will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up," advises a Pine Grove Furnace camper. Many state park campgrounds offer electric but require campers to fill water tanks before parking.
