Best Campgrounds near Hershey, PA

Campers in Hershey, Pennsylvania can find several good spots within driving distance of the famous chocolate town. Pinch Pond Family Campground sits just 11 miles from Hershey and has spacious sites where RVs can hook up to all utilities. About 21 miles away, Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground gives a more back-to-nature feel with places for both tents and RVs. Codorus State Park Campground lets people fish and boat on Lake Marburg when they're not at their campsites. Most camping areas around Hershey have bathrooms, showers, and tables for eating outdoors. You should try to reserve spots ahead of time, especially in summer or during holidays when more people are camping. Many campgrounds let you book online, which makes planning easier. Some sites have trees for shade while others are in more open areas. When you want a break from camping, Hersheypark and other local spots aren't far away. Hershey's camping options work well for short trips or longer stays, with something for everyone who likes sleeping outdoors.

Best Camping Sites Near Hershey, Pennsylvania (153)

    1. Hersheypark Camping Resort

    29 Reviews
    Hummelstown, PA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (833) 936-0949

    "This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."

    "The area up on the hill in the back is next to the CSX train track that runs 24/7. Lazy River Rest does flood when it rains and our relatives had to relocate their first night until it dried out."

    2. Thousand Trails Hershey

    21 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    $50 - $60 / night

    "For me, there are definitely some decent pros and cons for this private campground near Hershey Park. "

    "Near Hershey Park. Shuttle bus to the park. Nice sites in the shade. Has pool and playground."

    3. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $24 - $89 / night

    "You can camp near the playground and are able to watch your kids play (around site 247) Not all of the sites are spacious but you do have more room than private parks!"

    "Good bathrooms, a beach, and some hiking around the lake. It's also pretty convenient to Harrisburg, Gettysburg, and Hershey if you want things to do. It also has some nice birding."

    4. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 367-7718

    $45 - $279 / night

    "Close to Hershey park. Great Wi-Fi and clean sites."

    "Close to Hershey World, nice campground mid week nice and few campers. Nice staff, trash pickup at site, friendly escort."

    5. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 665-7640

    "found this roadside campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."

    "Great location for activities including Hershey Park, Hershey Chocolate factory, Hershey RV show."

    6. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country

    13 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "This is my 3rd stay with a Thousand Trails campground and haven't been too impressed and wasn't expecting too much when we drove in. I was pleasantly surprised when we did."

    "this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility."

    7. Jonestown/Hershey KOA

    16 Reviews
    Jonestown, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 865-6411

    "Pet friendly and you can access the Appalachian trail from campground. Lots of great food and places to go in the area. They have a river that is great for kayaking or tubing."

    "Tent sites also have raised pads/beds for the tents to be set up and have options near the creek for both tents and RVs."

    8. River Rock Recreation

    5 Reviews
    Bainbridge, PA
    12 miles
    Website

    $75 - $90 / night

    "There is no on site running water or electric but they did leave us with a 5 gallon water jug and a 5 gallon shower bag to use in the outside shower."

    "https://www.riverrockadv.com/#/ I was fortunate enough to find this local gem while browsing“camping near me”. Not only that, my unlucky butt won a 2 night stay there!"

    9. Twin Grove RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Tower City, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 865-4602

    "There are 2 dog parks right next to each other, which is great for your furry friend to be able to run around and play off leash."

    "Needs a pond and more shade but still is one of the nicer parks around. Twin Grove is also one of the cheaper ones, and that is hard to believe because of all the offer."

    10. Hershey Road Campground

    1 Review
    Elizabethtown, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (844) 476-6737

    "Very close to Hersheypark. 

    Nicest miniature golf course I’ve ever seen at a RV park. Same can be said for the swimming pool, absolutely beautiful. Great little dog park as well. "

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Recent Reviews near Hershey, PA

1066 Reviews of 153 Hershey Campgrounds


  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • Peyton S.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Wonderful, Easy, Quick trip from Philly

    It’s about an hour away from Philadelphia. We tent camped in loop B. The site was wonderful. Just know it is a gravel site, not grass. The fire pit has a grill attachment and wood was easy to find. Water and bathrooms were close. We hiked around the lake and there were plenty of trails and even rentable kayaks and paddle boards! Would definitely recommend if looking for a quick overnight stay outside of the city.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    Better than OK

    Stayed for 2 days while passing through from FL to NH. Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay. Office staff did ok. Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills , not just a big open field. It’s a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through. Tried to book 2 nights but system only set us up for 1. Phone call to help line easily resolved the issue. Quiet and no spotlights on all night.

  • Stephen W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Hersheypark Camping Resort

    Very clean campground friendly staff

    We stay here once a year in September. Stone surface. Not to bad for leveling. Our site was spacious.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    Peace and quiet !

    Great spot! We had site 114 . It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    In Amish area, next to an amusement park

    Our kids where happy with the small playground and with a few dollars they could have some fun in the small arcade/gameroom. In the area you have Lancaster, Amish area and an amusement park (that is a bit outdated). The camping has a bit over 100 spots. They are just oké.

  • Scott J.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Sun Valley Campground

    My Happy Place

    My wife and I have been seasonal camper for 4 years and love it. We had visited numerous campgrounds and found Sun Valley to be the atmosphere there beyond our expectations. The minute you walk into the office you get that" aha" moment. The office greets you with a smile and " Welcome to Sun Valley, how can I help you ". That alone told us these folks are here to make your stay enjoyable. They go above and beyond any campground we have ever been to. The activities go above and beyond. The Saturday night bands are concert worthy. We have enjoyed our stay more than you ever imagined. For the past 4 years it has been our "Happy Place"


Guide to Hershey

Camping near Hershey, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of outdoor fun and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking to explore nature or enjoy some local attractions, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: The trails around French Creek State Park Campground are great for hiking and biking. One visitor mentioned, "Hiking and biking this park is fun. It's a great place to camp and enjoy downtime!"
  • Visit Historical Sites: Gettysburg is just a short drive from the Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA. A camper shared, "Just 15-minutes to historic sites, restaurants, and breweries."
  • Enjoy Water Activities: At Codorus State Park Campground, you can explore the lake for fishing or swimming. One reviewer noted, "There’s a lot to do in the area. Tons of hiking, exploring along the lake."

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground. A visitor said, "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."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campers rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. One camper at Caledonia State Park Campground mentioned, "The bathhouse is new and nice and overall it was a great weekend!"
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The Blue Rocks Family Campground is noted for its family-oriented vibe. A reviewer said, "Beautiful campground! Very family oriented and a great place for a weekend getaway in the woods!"

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Many campgrounds, like Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, have strict no-alcohol policies. One camper pointed out, "This park...it's one of our favorites!"
  • Site Conditions Vary: Some sites can be unlevel or rocky. A camper at Locust Lake State Park Campground noted, "The sites are spaced pretty well but are not level at all."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have markets or stores nearby. A visitor at Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground mentioned, "The store is really just a small carry out with a few things, so bring everything you are planning to have in with you."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Hersheypark Camping Resort that offer activities for kids. One family said, "The campground had two pools and a child’s pool."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to check out local attractions. A camper at Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA mentioned, "They have plenty of activities for the kids from swimming, mini golf, and a scavenger hunt!"
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. A visitor at Codorus State Park Campground noted, "The sites are fairly large and they do have some full hook up sites which is nice."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort said, "The spots are a little small, at least in the section where we stayed."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have close quarters. One RV owner at Hersheypark Camping Resort mentioned, "These RV sites are the tightest I have ever seen."
  • Utilize Campground Amenities: Take advantage of the facilities available. A visitor at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground shared, "The restrooms at this park, while they are older, they are clean and pretty much in good order."

Camping near Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while being close to fun attractions. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any state parks with camping facilities near Hershey, PA?

Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers camping within reasonable driving distance of Hershey. This large state park features 339 campsites, including electric and traditional non-electric options. The park is pet-friendly with designated dog-friendly sites and provides lakeside camping opportunities. Another option is Locust Lake State Park Campground, which offers a beautiful setting, especially stunning in fall. While slightly farther from Hershey, it provides access to hiking trails and is a good base for visiting both Hershey attractions and other regional highlights like Jim Thorpe fall festivities.

What are the best campgrounds near Hershey Park for families?

Hersheypark Camping Resort offers families the ideal camping experience minutes from the attractions. The campground provides bus service directly to Hershey Park, making transportation hassle-free. Sites range from full hookups to quieter spots along the river, accommodating different camping preferences. Another excellent option is Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, which features clean sites and reliable Wi-Fi for families wanting to stay connected. This well-maintained campground is conveniently located near Hershey Park while providing a comfortable base for your family's adventures.

What amenities are available at Hershey, PA campgrounds?

Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park offers a range of sites with standard amenities including fire rings and picnic tables at each site. The campground features friendly staff and a convenient location for accessing Hershey attractions. For a different experience, Cedar Lake Family Campground provides nice-sized sites with picnic tables and fire rings, a fishing lake, a camp store for essentials, and accommodates both RVs and tents. Many campgrounds in the area offer swimming pools, camp stores, laundry facilities, and full hookup sites for RVs, with varying levels of site spacing and maintenance.