RV camping near Shermans Dale, Pennsylvania provides access to the Appalachian foothills with elevations ranging from 400-1,200 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in the area sit within 30 miles of Shermans Dale, offering a mix of wooded sites and open meadows for various camping preferences.
What to do
Visit farm animals and corn mazes: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm offers a unique agricultural camping experience with interactive farm activities. "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," says one visitor at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
Fish in nearby waters: Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities with varying levels of access. "You can tell that most of the employees do not want to be here both at the campground and Hershey Park. No one smiles and they can be rude," notes a visitor who still appreciated the outdoor recreation at Thousand Trails Hershey.
Explore Amish countryside: The Lancaster region offers cultural experiences unique to Pennsylvania Dutch country. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," shares a camper who stayed at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Water activities: Tube or kayak directly from select campgrounds with river access. "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!" reports a visitor at Thousand Trails Circle M.
What campers like
Quiet locations away from crowds: Some campers prefer the less developed campgrounds for peace and relaxation. "Tent camp here on weekends. Usually check to see what bands are playing or fun activity going on. We live 5 minutes away so it's a nice 'getaway'," mentions a local who visits Western Village RV Park.
Well-maintained pools: Swimming facilities rank high on visitor satisfaction lists during summer months. "The pool was clean and roomy. We enjoyed hours hanging out there. They had activities for kids. Everyone seemed to be polite and helpful as far as the staff was concerned," notes a camper at Round Top Campground.
Halloween camping events: Several campgrounds in the region offer special fall activities. "It gets very full on the weekends here. They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" shares an enthusiastic visitor at Thousand Trails Circle M.
Full hookup options: Many campgrounds provide complete utility connections for extended stays. "Definitely got lucky with site F03 for Starlink. The rest of the campground has a lot of tree cover. Beautiful grounds and clean... Excellent cell and gateway service. Cell is AT&T and our gateway is T-Mobile," reports a tech-savvy camper at Circle M.
What you should know
Campground terrain varies significantly: Many sites require leveling equipment. "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground. Many other sites were the same. The walk to pool and all other amenities was not pleasant due to hills," warns a visitor at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Nearby shooting ranges: Some campgrounds experience noise from shooting activities. "Nice campground except...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. However if you enjoy sitting outside of your camper and relaxing this might be nerve wracking," cautions a camper at Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "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," shares a camper at Round Top Campground about visiting during shoulder season.
Utility location challenges: Hookup placement can be awkward at some sites. "The sewer consisted of a storage tank less than 10 ft from our picnic table. It stunk. There was no cable. Site was unlevel and poorly maintained," reports a disappointed camper at Round Top Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Book activities in advance: Popular attractions fill up quickly, especially during peak season. "If you are thinking about staying here during the Renaissance Faire, which apparently is a VERY BIG thing in these parts, you are going to want to book your spot as soon as possible," advises a visitor at Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Consider farmstay camping: Children particularly enjoy interactive farm experiences. "The main attraction is the animals, but there is also a cute playground for the kids. We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us," shares a visitor at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Look for campgrounds with game rooms: Indoor recreation options help during inclement weather. "This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT! It was like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time," reports an excited parent from Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Scout playground locations before selecting sites: Some campgrounds have limited play areas. "In a campground that size I would expect at least 2 playgrounds. In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down," cautions a parent at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions before arrival: Many RV sites have tight clearances. "For almost $60 tonight you'd think it would be a little bit. Came in late and add back into a very tight spot. The sewer is in odd locations all around our campsite I'm excited as well as sharing the water source with or source with up to 5 other R v's," notes an RVer at Western Village RV Park.
Request specific site areas: Some sections offer better experiences for larger rigs. "Depending on your rig size you're only available certain sites. They won't give you a 50 amp site unless your 50 amp or 40', they save them for larger campers," explains a camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Arrive early at first-come sites: The best spots fill quickly, especially at Thousand Trails properties. "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. They don't reserve sites for you. For everyone complaining about driving around and not finding spots, if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem," advises a Thousand Trails member.
Prepare for cellular connectivity issues: Service varies throughout the region. "Campground is very safe at night, no noise disturbances at night and we had no problems having our kids wander around by themselves. There is Wi-Fi throughout the campground but you have to pay for it so we opted just to use our mobile data and Hotspot on our Verizon phone (which worked well and was 5G)," shares a visitor at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
