Silver Spring lies on the edge of Pennsylvania Dutch Country where the Susquehanna River Valley meets Lancaster County farmlands. This area experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Camping sites in this region range from riverside locations with fishing access to forested settings with hiking trails connecting to larger state park systems.
What to do
Disc golf at multiple courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park offers two distinct 18-hole disc golf courses with different terrain challenges. "There is a small, slow flowing river that runs along the front of the park which some people play in and float down in inner tubes... There are some nicely shaded sites along the rivers edge and numerous trees scattered throughout the park which provides shade," notes one visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Several campgrounds maintain fishing ponds that don't require traveling off-site. At Tucquan Park Family Campground, visitors appreciate the accessible fishing options: "They offer a small paddle boat to take any time you want on their little lake on site, the area is beautiful, coworkers are friendly. Happy we came!"
Amish countryside tours: The region offers opportunities to experience Pennsylvania Dutch culture. "We decided to camp in the fall... We want to come to back and do that. The cabin was cute, clean, and warm. It snowed a bit but we had an outdoor fire," shares a camper at Thousand Trails Circle M.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds schedule special events by season. A visitor to Pinch Pond Family Campground noted: "This is a nice quiet little campground. The people who run it are super helpful and the store is well stocked with anything you need. They have plenty of events and the pool is nice and clean to cool off on those hot camping days."
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Consistently mentioned across reviews is the quality of bathhouses and common areas. A guest at Country Acres Campground reported: "This campground is probably the most well maintained campground we have ever stayed at. The grounds are beautiful, facilities above and beyond the expected."
Spacious campsites: Several campgrounds offer sites with good separation and privacy. "Our site was very spacious and the ENTIRE campground was extremely clean and tidy. The office and grounds keeping staff were super friendly and helpful," mentions a camper at Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Family-focused amenities: Recreation options for all ages rank highly in reviews. A visitor to Jellystone Park Quarryville shared: "This park is all for the kids. This will be our second year going. So much to do for the kids. Our first year we did a birthday package where they brought a cake to the camp with Booboo for my daughter."
Proximity to attractions: Location near regional points of interest matters to campers. "Great campground with a creek that runs along the backside of the campground! Even though the amusement park wasn't open yet, kids still had a good time! The grounds are clean and there's also a small playground and basketball court!" noted a visitor to Old Mill Stream Campground.
What you should know
Train noise affects some sites: Several campgrounds in the region are located near active rail lines. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, a camper advised: "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. 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!"
Shooting range proximity: Some campgrounds have nearby shooting ranges that create daytime noise. A visitor to Pinch Pond noted: "The only thing that is negative is that 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."
Seasonal popularity requires planning: The Lancaster County area gets extremely busy during peak tourist 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," mentions a camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Uneven sites at some locations: Terrain challenges exist at certain campgrounds. "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," noted a visitor to Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Tips for camping with families
Playground quality varies significantly: Research playground facilities before booking if traveling with young children. At Tucquan Park, a camper shared: "Our 3 young kids enjoyed the playground the most — there were lots of fun things for the kids on the playground. There was also a nice pond — it looked pretty full of fish, but we had forgotten our fishing gear."
Swimming options for different ages: Many campgrounds offer pools with varying features. At Country Acres Campground, a visitor noted: "I brought my family (4 children - 8 yrs, 6 yrs, 2 yrs, 3 months) and we had a great week. The pool is new and has a sloped entrance so my two year old could play by himself and loved it."
Game room availability: Indoor recreation spaces provide alternatives during inclement weather. A camper at Pinch Pond appreciated: "Their game room has tickets. 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."
Glamping options for families with infants: For glamping in Silver Spring, Pennsylvania area with very young children, cabin camping provides extra comfort. "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," shared a visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site layout and leveling needs: The terrain around Silver Spring presents leveling challenges at many campgrounds. An RVer at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA reported: "Site Details: I forget our site#, but we were in the wooded area farthest from the central "hub". Our site was level, shaded and quite large. Almost every site in this section was similarly large and wooded."
Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds have mineral-heavy water systems. A camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country warned: "Sites are very close together. Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay."
Big rig accessibility varies: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs despite advertising as big-rig friendly. "The entrance in off the main road turns you into the theme park. Fear not. Turn in and follow the road to the right and into the campground. We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig," shared an RVer visiting Old Mill Stream Campground.
WiFi and connectivity limitations: Rural locations often have spotty connectivity. "Wifi is available at a cost. It gets very full on the weekends here," notes a reviewer at Circle M, highlighting that even paid WiFi can be unreliable when campgrounds reach capacity.
