Best Campgrounds near Steelton, PA

The Harrisburg-Steelton area in central Pennsylvania contains several established campgrounds accommodating various camping styles. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, located about 25 miles southwest of Steelton, provides tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts with boat-in and hike-in access options. Closer to Steelton, Hersheypark Camping Resort offers full-service camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals within easy access to Hershey attractions. The region features a mix of state park facilities, privately owned campgrounds, and some township parks with primitive camping areas along waterways.

Most campgrounds in the Steelton area operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with some facilities closing after Halloween. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekends and during summer months when proximity to Hershey attractions increases demand. "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," noted one camper about Hersheypark Camping Resort. Weather considerations include occasional flooding along creek and river sites during spring rains, and summer temperatures often reaching the 90s. Road access is generally good throughout the region, with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads that accommodate larger vehicles and RVs.

Campers consistently mention the mixed environment of the area, which balances suburban accessibility with natural features. River and creek frontage represents a valued amenity at several campgrounds, with Lower Allen Community Park offering tent sites along Yellow Breeches Creek that appeal to kayakers. According to one visitor, "You can put in a few miles up and float down to your site." While train noise affects some campgrounds near Hershey, with multiple reviews noting overnight train disturbances, others provide quieter settings. Campgrounds in the region typically include standard amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and restroom facilities, with many offering additional recreational amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and camp stores. The proximity to shopping, dining, and attractions makes this area particularly suitable for campers seeking convenience alongside outdoor experiences.

Best Camping Sites Near Steelton, Pennsylvania (152)

    1. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

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

    $20 - $89 / night

    "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.  "

    "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. "

    2. Hersheypark Camping Resort

    29 Reviews
    Hummelstown, PA
    8 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."

    "They don’t sell alcohol but there is a shopping center within walking distance with restaurants and liquor stores! Even a supermarket. There is shuttle service to the park."

    3. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

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

    $45 - $279 / night

    "There was a bathhouse and dish sink nearby, as well as the entrance to a nice little nature trail a few sites down. "

    "Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too! Everyone we talked to was nice and friendly."

    4. Thousand Trails Hershey

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

    $50 - $60 / night

    "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."

    "This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."

    5. River Rock Recreation

    5 Reviews
    Bainbridge, PA
    10 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!"

    6. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park

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

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

    "Please note there is a driving range so starting around 10am you will here guns go off. Also the highway is close by so you can hear it."

    7. Harrisburg East Campground

    2 Reviews
    Steelton, PA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (717) 939-4331

    $84 - $94 / night

    "The highway bordered it on one side and while we were on the other side of the campground we could still hear the noise if our door was open. Our site was level, but many were not."

    "The sites that were close to the interstate were noisy from traffic. Also it was close to Harrisburg International Airport so planes also made it noisy at times."

    8. Lower Allen Community Park

    1 Review
    Lewisberry, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 975-7575

    $10 - $25 / night

    "The park is in the suburbs so it’s close to lots of things. They do lock the park at dusk though. They have portapotties, fire pits, and picnic tables."

    9. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country

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

    "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."

    "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time."

    10. Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm

    9 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "The bathroom near the pool left a little something to be desired. It wasn’t filthy but also wasn’t sparking clean. It was great being close to the battlefield."

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Steelton, PA

935 Reviews of 152 Steelton Campgrounds


  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Stoevers Dam Park

    Park is closed. We were kicked out.

    LThe park is a beautiful city park. There are 7 small, level, back-in sites with electric, a picnic table and fire pit. We arrived in a Sunday and you have to call for a permit, but the office is only open on M-F during working hours. At 8 pm, a police officer told us the park was closed because of a bear, but that they had not gotten around to putting up signs. Wound up in a Walmart instead.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The 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.


Guide to Steelton

Camping options near Steelton, Pennsylvania extend from established parks to smaller township facilities located along key waterways. The region sits at approximately 340 feet above sea level and experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures regularly reaching 90°F. Most campsites are situated within a 30-minute drive of downtown Steelton, creating easy access to both outdoor recreation and urban amenities.

What to do

Water recreation along Yellow Breeches Creek: Sites at Lower Allen Community Park offer direct creek access. "Cute site in a local township park that not many people know about. There actually three total. You just need to call the township to reserve. The sites sit right along the Yellow Breeches creak so you can put in a few miles up and float down to your site," notes one camper.

Fishing opportunities year-round: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground provides shore fishing access with various species available. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," reports a visitor who found success at the park's day use areas.

Hiking trail exploration: Multiple trail systems cater to different experience levels. "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," shares one Gifford Pinchot visitor who also tried the less-maintained Quaker Race Trail.

Historical site visits: The region's proximity to Gettysburg enables historical tourism alongside camping. "It was great being close to the battlefield," mentions one visitor to Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, located within day-trip distance of Steelton.

What campers like

Animal encounters at working farms: The farm setting at some campgrounds provides unique experiences. "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. Perfect campground for the family," says one visitor about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.

River-front camping with privacy: River Rock Recreation offers dedicated waterfront camping without sharing the site. "The site is almost 2 acres in size and you do not share the site with anyone. We saw no one while there and you're literally about 100-150 yards off a side road," explains one camper who appreciated the seclusion.

Swimming facilities for summer heat relief: Multiple campgrounds maintain swimming areas to combat hot summer days. "The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area," notes a Gifford Pinchot visitor.

Accessible outdoor showers: Primitive sites sometimes include unexpected amenities. "In the rear of the property there was an awesome outdoor shower equipped with a filled solar shower ready for us to use," reports a River Rock Recreation guest who appreciated this convenience at an otherwise rustic site.

What you should know

Weather impacts: Spring flooding affects waterside camping spots. "A 1:00 AM thunder storm reminded me to never forget to use ALL the tie downs," cautions a visitor to River Rock Recreation, highlighting the importance of proper tent setup.

Train noise disruptions: Hersheypark Camping Resort and other facilities near rail lines experience noise disturbances. "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!" warns a camper.

Shooting range proximity: Some campgrounds sit near active shooting facilities. "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," notes a visitor to Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park.

Seasonal pest awareness: Summer brings unwanted insects to wooded areas. "I came for a hike and quick one night tent escape... After we pitched in the new spot, all was good. Then I left and woke up with a serious case of chigger bites," reports one Gifford Pinchot camper, suggesting insect repellent is essential.

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity matters: Select sites near play areas for convenience with children. "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," shares a Gifford Pinchot visitor.

First-timer friendly facilities: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA provides structured environments for new campers. "Nice quiet campground. A little pricey and strict for visitors, they need to leave by 10 and can't bring their pets. We always camp over the holiday weeks or weekends depending on my where we stay and our out of state children come visit," explains a visitor noting the rules that maintain the atmosphere.

Off-site attractions proximity: Consider distance to family destinations when booking. "The campground is pretty open because it was a weekday. Spots are kind of close, no trees or anything to separate spots. We're used to that now haha. It had really nice bathrooms and showers," mentions one family who stayed at Hersheypark Camping Resort while visiting area attractions.

Group camping coordination: Township parks can accommodate small family groups with advance planning. "We usually plan to go camping with 1-2 other families to split the rates for longer stays at the campsite," advises a River Rock Recreation visitor, noting cost-sharing makes private sites more affordable.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country and other hillside campgrounds require extra equipment. "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers. Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay. Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground," reports one RVer.

Utility placement considerations: Check sewer connection heights before selecting sites. "We stayed here several times and love the waterfront sites and the yurts," mentions one Gifford Pinchot visitor who found the layout accommodating for their 32-foot rig.

Surge protection equipment: Electrical service quality varies between campgrounds. "The campground is right off the interstate which was convenient but it was very expensive. No activities for kids. Nice pool and restrooms. I noticed a lot of campers were only there for a day and from out of state so it's just a stop while passing through," shares a visitor to Harrisburg East Campground, highlighting its use as a stopover point.

Morning arrival advantages: First-come, first-served campgrounds require strategy. "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 visitor to Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country who understood the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Steelton, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Steelton, PA is Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 56 reviews.