Nestled in Lancaster County, Stevens, Pennsylvania sits near elevations ranging from 650 to 750 feet with relatively mild year-round temperatures. This region experiences moderate rainfall distribution throughout the year with slightly wetter conditions in summer. Most campgrounds operate from early April through late October, with some extending their season into November for RV campers seeking fall color viewing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Pinch Pond Family Campground maintains a fishing pond on property. "There is a pond for fishing in. Tent sites looked spacious," notes Luis B. While the fishing experience varies by season, bringing your own gear is recommended.
Mini golf courses: Several campgrounds provide mini golf, often included in your stay. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, "There is a huge pond for fishing, miniature gold, nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool," reports Jen R. These courses typically remain open until early evening hours.
Farm animal interactions: Some campgrounds offer unique opportunities to interact with farm animals. "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," shares Kasey M. from Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. Most animal feeding times occur in mornings between 8-10am.
Exploring Amish country: The Stevens area provides access to authentic Pennsylvania Dutch experiences. "In nearby dutch/Amish towns, it was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," notes Jill R. Local farms often sell produce directly to campers, with some campgrounds hosting farm stands during summer weekends.
What campers like
Swimming options: Spring Gulch Resort Campground offers multiple water recreation facilities. "Heated spa/pool in upper area are a bonus. Lots of sports gear available for free to use within park," writes Beth B. Most pools operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day with daily hours from 10am-8pm.
Evening entertainment: Campgrounds regularly host weekend activities for guests. "Nice campground with a live band one evening. Activities though the day were fun," reports Dawn T. Entertainment typically runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day with occasional special events in spring and fall.
Playground facilities: Families appreciate the play areas available at many campgrounds. "Kids loved the pool, playground and mini golf," notes a reviewer. Circle M RV & Camping Resort gets high marks from Leanne B., who writes, "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a highlight. "The bathhouse had individual bathrooms and showers. Each was pretty clean and spacious," reports Phinon W. Most campgrounds provide shower facilities that are cleaned multiple times daily during peak season.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most rv sites near Stevens, Pennsylvania operate from early April through October or early November. "We camped here over Memorial Day weekend and it was full," reports Jen R., highlighting the importance of advance reservations during peak times.
Site conditions vary: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that can challenge RV leveling. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country gets mixed reviews on site quality. "Sites are very close together. Fire rings are very close to campers. Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first," notes Justin B. Bringing extra leveling blocks is advisable for most locations.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds sit near active areas that create noise. "One star taken away because fire pit is within feet from poop sewer connection of neighbor," mentions Luis B. about Appalachian Camping Resort. At Pinch Pond, "there is a shooting range near the property, so at all hours you will hear target practice going on," warns Stuart K.
Reservation policies: Thousand Trails parks operate differently than other campgrounds. "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," explains Yamileth K.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Appalachian Camping Resort receives praise for its family programming. "The campground had numerous activities set up all throughout the day and there was something for everyone," writes Melissa Y. Most planned activities occur on weekends between 10am-8pm.
Space considerations: Look for campgrounds offering roomier sites for families. "Our site was full hook up. It was a nice size and was in a good location - near the ponds, pool, office, and bathhouse - but was still quiet," notes Becca U. End sites typically provide more space for play areas.
Water features: Pools remain popular with families during summer months. "The pool was great, especially camping with younger kids," writes Ruth about Gettysburg Farm. Most campground pools have dedicated children's areas with separate shallow sections.
Budget management: Campground amenities often carry additional fees. "They have Hershey's ice cream in the office and my kids enjoyed getting a treat. Their game room has tickets," shares Melissa Y. Families should budget $5-10 per person daily for recreational extras beyond site fees.
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing: For rv sites near Stevens, Pennsylvania, particularly at Thousand Trails locations, early arrival matters. "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 Yamileth K. Most check-in times begin at 2pm or 3pm.
Site selection strategies: Choosing the right site can significantly impact your experience. "We were unaware that our site was a buddy site. Now it was Labor Day weekend, the campground was completely full and we booked late," cautions Melissa Y. Requesting sites away from main roads reduces noise and traffic.
Utility connections: RVers note varying utility quality across campgrounds. "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 Kasey M. about Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. Bringing a voltage regulator helps protect against power fluctuations.
Leveling challenges: Many campsites require significant leveling. "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground," reports Justin B. Extra stabilization equipment proves essential at most area campgrounds.
