Best Campgrounds near Summerdale, PA

Summerdale, Pennsylvania provides multiple established campgrounds within a short drive of Harrisburg, the state capital. The area features several developed camping options including Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, Hersheypark Camping Resort, and Little Buffalo State Park Campground. These facilities accommodate various camping preferences with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and even glamping opportunities. Most campgrounds in the region maintain well-developed infrastructure with electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, making them suitable for campers seeking more comfortable outdoor experiences.

The camping season typically runs from April through October, with most campgrounds closing for winter. According to one visitor, "The sites have lots of tree cover and they are private. This place does not have many amenities as far as crafts and 'drop off the kids' activities. It is a hang out as a family and tromp around the woods kind of place." Travelers should verify operational dates when planning trips, as several campgrounds like Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA specifically advertise seasonal availability. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods. Weather conditions remain moderate throughout the camping season, though occasional rainfall may affect comfort at tent sites without proper drainage.

Campground amenities vary significantly across the region, with noise levels representing a common concern among reviewers. Several visitors noted the impact of trains near Hersheypark Camping Resort, with one review stating, "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!" Riverfront camping options exist along the Susquehanna River, providing water-based recreation opportunities. Most developed campgrounds permit pets with certain restrictions, and many feature picnic tables and fire rings at individual sites. Family-friendly facilities predominate in the region, with swimming pools, hiking trails, and proximity to attractions like Hershey Park serving as major draws for campers visiting the area.

Best Camping Sites Near Summerdale, Pennsylvania (153)

    1. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    18 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
    13 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. Little Buffalo State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    New Bloomfield, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 567-9255

    $22 - $92 / night

    "A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground."

    "The driving path is gravel with a steep hill at the end so if you can help it I would avoid sites 32,34,36 as they are VERY difficult to back into with larger rigs."

    4. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, PA
    18 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."

    5. Riverfront Campground

    4 Reviews
    Duncannon, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 834-5252

    "Great river front location! Could be a bit muddy depending on the river. The train does run right near all night long, but I find it soothing. Bath houses are a bit rough, hence the 4 stars."

    6. Thousand Trails Hershey

    21 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    21 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."

    7. Harrisburg East Campground

    2 Reviews
    Steelton, PA
    9 miles
    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. Camp Hebron

    2 Reviews
    Halifax, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 896-3441

    $26 - $85 / night

    "Nice pool and lots of hiking trails. The sites have lots of tree cover and they are private. This place does not have many amenities as far as crafts and "drop off the kids" activities."

    9. Lower Allen Community Park

    1 Review
    Lewisberry, PA
    9 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."

    10. Ferryboat Campsites

    6 Reviews
    Millersburg, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 444-3200

    $30 - $100 / night

    "With that said they do have primitive camping spots next to the putt putt course and water only tent sits at the upper feild."

    "Lots to do very close to water and many things to do in and around camp ground. Stayed for a few days would go back."

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Recent Reviews near Summerdale, PA

924 Reviews of 153 Summerdale Campgrounds


  • christian G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Hartman Center Campground

    Nice, quiet, & clean

    Clean and well taken care of, pretty quiet. Would definitely stay here again but a few things to keep in mind.

    For kids the play grounds are run down. Also no real “dog run”. All in all if your a couple wanting to go relax its great, but if you have pets and or younger kids there isn’t much on the grounds.

  • Gennifer K.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Country Acres Campground

    Nice park

    This was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.

  • 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.


Guide to Summerdale

Camping near Summerdale, Pennsylvania, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the scenic trails at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "It’s a quiet campground with lots of birds singing," making it perfect for nature lovers.
  • Fishing and Swimming: Enjoy the lake at Codorus State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "The lake is great! Lovely areas to relax and explore," highlighting the recreational opportunities available.
  • Amusement Parks: If you’re looking for thrills, Hersheypark Camping Resort is just a short drive away. One camper shared, "The shuttle bus to the park is a great addition for easy access."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground said, "The toilets were clean and so was the bathhouse," which is a big plus for many.
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the activities available. A reviewer at Buttonwood Campground mentioned, "My grandkids had a blast," emphasizing the fun for kids.
  • Spacious Sites: Campers often comment on the spaciousness of the sites. One camper at Codorus State Park Campground noted, "The trailer sites in loop C are spacious enough with plenty of shade and trees."

What you should know:

  • Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Little Buffalo State Park Campground, do not allow alcohol. A camper mentioned, "Rangers are on site a lot and enforce the no alcohol policy," so be mindful of the rules.
  • Site Availability: Campgrounds like Hershey RV and Camping Resort operate on a first-come, first-served basis. One visitor shared, "I made a reservation months in advance, but it only guaranteed me a site," which can be a bit stressful.
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. A camper at Michaux State Forest noted, "I never heard any traffic—just turkeys talking," which can be a delightful surprise.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with plenty of activities. A reviewer at Buttonwood Campground said, "There was laser tag, playground, jump pillow, pedal carts!" making it a hit for families.
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids near water. One camper at Codorus State Park Campground mentioned, "Everyone was driving way over posted speed limits," so be cautious in busy areas.
  • Plan for Meals: Many campgrounds have stores or nearby restaurants. A visitor at Hersheypark Camping Resort noted, "The store has just about anything you would need while visiting," which can save time.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Little Buffalo State Park Campground mentioned, "The spot was hard to maneuver for a 41 ft 5th wheel," so check dimensions before booking.
  • Hookup Availability: Some sites may not have full hookups. A reviewer at Hershey RV and Camping Resort said, "I was stuck with a water and electric which is the same price as full hookup," so clarify what’s included.
  • Wi-Fi and Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty service. A camper at Jonestown/Hershey KOA noted, "WiFi and cellular were almost unusable," so download maps and info ahead of time.

Camping near Summerdale, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Summerdale, PA?

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