Camping options near Spring Grove, Pennsylvania range from lakeside tent sites to full-service RV resorts across gently rolling countryside at elevations between 400-500 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with humid summers reaching the upper 80s and cold winters that limit camping primarily to April through October. Most campgrounds in the region are situated within a 30-minute drive from Spring Grove, providing access to Amish country and historical attractions.
What to do
Visit farm animals daily: At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, families can interact with the resident animals during scheduled feeding times. "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," reports Kasey M.
Explore Renaissance Faire events: Pinch Pond Family Campground serves as a popular base for Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire visitors from August through October. "Nice location for PA Renaissance Fair goers. Lots of activities in the campground. Pool is awesome," shares Pamela W. The faire runs weekends and attracts large crowds, requiring advance campsite reservations.
Fish in stocked ponds: Several campgrounds maintain fishing ponds that don't require state licenses. "Great place to go fishing!" notes Anna H. about Gettysburg Farm. Most ponds are catch-and-release only, with some stocked with bass and bluegill during warmer months.
Take Amish countryside drives: The rural areas around campgrounds offer opportunities to experience Pennsylvania Dutch culture. "In the event that you've never visited an Amish community, you should definitely take advantage of this very unique location by exploring Lancaster County where you can find a number of horse & buggies," recommends a visitor to Pinch Pond.
What campers like
Halloween festivities: Thousand Trails Circle M offers elaborate Halloween-themed weekends throughout October. "We had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" writes Kasey M. Most rv parks near Spring Grove, Pennsylvania decorate extensively for fall with hayrides, costume contests, and site decorating competitions.
Indoor and outdoor swimming options: Circle M provides both indoor and outdoor pools, extending swimming season. "There is an indoor pool and spa (spa closed due to Covid). They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here," notes one camper, highlighting the dual swimming options that allow for weather flexibility.
Proximity to Gettysburg: Drummer Boy Camping Resort offers direct access to historical sites. "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do. Overall I would def recommend this campground to someone and I would also go back myself," shares David G. The central location makes it convenient for exploring battlefield sites and museums.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention clean bathrooms as a major plus. "We used the bathhouses for our showers and they were much cleaner and better than others we've been in," notes Sabrina H. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort, though she adds, "The bathhouses could definitely use some upgrading for the money that place probably takes in each season."
What you should know
Road noise factors: Pinch Pond Family Campground sits near a major highway and shooting range, creating noise issues. "Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby. Fortunately our dog wasn't bothered by the sound of gunshots and it's only during the day," explains Kathy L. Request sites furthest from highways when making reservations.
Site leveling challenges: Spring Grove area campgrounds often have uneven terrain requiring extra equipment. At Round Top Campground, "Site was unlevel and poorly maintained" according to Charles S., while another camper noted, "E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground" at a nearby park. Pack extra leveling blocks when camping in this region.
Varied water quality: Some campgrounds have inconsistent water quality issues. "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay," reports Justin B. A water filter is recommended when camping at rv parks in Spring Grove area.
Seasonal availability fluctuations: Most camping facilities near Spring Grove operate from April through October with limited year-round options. "Only downfall for us was it's was cold and we could only stay one night as we were heading south to get our car," mentions Robert M. about an early spring visit to Gettysburg Farm.
Tips for camping with families
Check golf cart policies: Spring Gulch Resort Campground and many area campgrounds have specific rules about golf cart usage. "Everyone seemed to have a golf cart. They were constantly driving past our site," notes Laure D. about Drummer Boy. Some parks restrict rentals or require advance registration.
Book playground-adjacent sites: Family campers recommend requesting sites near play facilities. "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," warns Chelsea about one campground, highlighting the importance of strategic site selection.
Consider cabin options: Several campgrounds offer cabin rentals for families new to camping. "We came in early fall with 3 kids. They LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times," shares melissa about her family's cabin stay at Gettysburg Farm, noting the convenience for families with young children.
Look for weekday discounts: Family campers report significant savings by camping Sunday through Thursday. Weekends at popular parks often command premium rates and require minimum stays during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup sharing: Some campgrounds have unusual utility setups. "We shared 1 water source with 2 other campers. In order to hook anything up, you had to be in your neighbor's space," warns Michelle S. about an RV park near Carlisle. Bring extra water hose lengths to reach shared spigots.
Power management awareness: Several parks have electrical limitations. "The fuse on the (campsite) panel kept blowing every time we ran the air and microwave together," reports a camper about power issues common at older rv parks near Spring Grove. Limit simultaneous high-draw appliance use during peak times.
Sewer connection positioning: RVers note unusual sewer hookup locations at some parks. "The sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," explains Nancy W. about her experience at Drummer Boy. Bring sewer hose supports to create proper drainage slope.
Early arrival importance: First-come site selection policies require strategic timing. "We got there later in the evening and it was really difficult to find something in the dark," notes Christine A. about Gettysburg Farm. Aim to arrive between 1-3pm for optimal site choices at parks without assigned sites.
