166 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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. "
from $20 - $89 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $26 - $151 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $45 - $279 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $50 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $84 - $94 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $26 - $85 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $100 / night
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ScoutThe campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
ScoutThe area is very nice and so are the people. The sites are clean and the livestock are a cool sight to see
TravelerThere was no hot water in the showers. There are no dog poo stations. There is a dumpster marked “STAFF ONLY”. It’s nice they have a place to stuff the staff!
ScoutThis campground is nothing as stated in the reviews. And now I know why. The one review on here besides mine is from the owner. The bathrooms are not clean. I was told for Labor Day weekend I could stay for two nights had reserved and all. They then abruptly cancelled my reservation and took three days to respond and say I could have a different cabin and tent sight but would need to stay three nights because of the holiday. They also charged a cleaning for a service pet which is not legal. We then showed up and were the only people staying that weren’t seasonal site people and very not welcomed. The first comment made was here come the weekend warriors. We look at the cabin which was ironically filthy and covered in mouse poop yet we got charged a cleaning fee. The grass was not mowed the porter potty’s so gross bugs are crawling in the bottom. The camp store was closed during the car show they had and when we asked when it will be open they stated it will not. It was 1 pm on a Saturday. The reservation process was unorganized. The playground was not mowed or weed whacked and a slide is ratchet strapped together. I would not recommend this place to anyone.
TravelerOMG! Next to busy interstate, railroad tracks and shooting range. Way to much for me!
ScoutWe absolutely loved it. The camp spaces were a nice and spread out lot not congested actually it was really nobody here which I can’t believe because the place is absolutely beautiful. There is a little bit of noise from route 30 during the day, but you don’t hear really anything at night Plus there is a really great bar/restaurant about 100 yards away. Called Yionnis and their food is actually delicious.
TravelerThis campground is a great place to bring kids. The spots are a little tight but we were able to get our 46’ toy hauler in the spot with very little effort. Because the sites are back-in, we can’t use our rear patio but that is ok. The pool is very nice and the farm atmosphere makes it very fun for kids.
ScoutHorrible stay brown water Dep had them on boil water went down hill the past 4 yrs
TravelerThe sites ard nice, it's run by Mennonites, I believe. Lots of recreation for kids, quiet time respected and a service on Sunday morning. Full hookups for a very reasonable price.
Camping sites near Summerdale, Pennsylvania range from riverside spots to wooded park settings within close proximity to central Pennsylvania attractions. The area sits in the Susquehanna Valley at approximately 400 feet elevation with summer temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F during peak camping season. Several campgrounds feature water access points along local creeks and lakes, providing natural cooling options during warmer months.
Kayaking and water activities: Ferryboat Campsites offers direct access to the Susquehanna River with options for tubing and kayaking. As one visitor noted, "We enjoyed our stay here — but mostly because we liked being right on the water. If it weren't for that this would not be the campground for us... lots of tubing and fishing and kayaking in the river."
Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground features two 18-hole disc golf courses with different difficulty levels. One camper warned about potential hazards: "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge."
Historic exploration: Camp Hebron provides numerous hiking trails and nature exploration opportunities in a wooded setting. The campground location offers access to historic sites in the surrounding area, particularly for those interested in Pennsylvania Dutch country heritage.
Goat petting zoo: Ferryboat Campsites maintains a small animal area perfect for children. According to one reviewer: "There is a small goat petting zoo, with very friendly pigmy goats and the camp is extremely pet friendly as long as they are on a leash."
Waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the direct water access at several campgrounds. At Ferryboat Campsites, visitors enjoy "being right on the water" with one reviewer stating, "We stayed at a Susquehanna river view site with full hookups for 2 nights. Site was level and shaded, but very close to neighbors."
Clean facilities: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA receives positive reviews for maintenance. One camper mentioned, "The bath house was extremely clean and very nice. The pool was nice, but being that it was the end of June, the water was freezing! I couldn't get in!"
Natural privacy: Many sites offer separation between campsites through natural barriers. At Camp Hebron, a reviewer noted, "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."
Lake activities: Little Buffalo State Park Campground offers diverse water recreation. A visitor shared, "Little buffalo has a lot to offer! The campsites are spacious... Little buffalo does offer a variety of activities. They offer nice trails to hike. There is a large lake for fishing! You can rent boats there!"
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with limited winter camping options. Check each location's specific season dates before planning trips outside summer months.
Noise considerations: Train tracks run near several campgrounds, creating potential disturbances. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, one camper warned: "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!"
Site variations: Campgrounds offer dramatically different experiences based on site location within the same facility. At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, a camper reported: "I came for a hike and quick one night tent escape. I had never been and reserved a tent site online. When I arrived, someone was in my spot... just how crowded it was. Lots literally right on top of each other."
Booking requirements: Advanced reservations are essential during peak season at most established campgrounds. Sites at Thousand Trails Hershey follow specific allocation rules: "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."
Swimming options: Little Buffalo State Park Campground features a well-maintained pool complex. A camper described it as "a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!"
Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds cater specifically to children with dedicated recreational spaces. One visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA mentioned, "The facilities are all lovely, staff in the camp store are kind and helpful. The snack bar is very convenient, breakfasts on the weekends in the summer."
First-time camping experiences: Several campgrounds provide ideal settings for introducing children to camping. A visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground shared: "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."
Nature education: Camp Hebron offers extensive woodland exploration opportunities. The natural setting provides educational opportunities with well-maintained trails through diverse habitat areas.
Arrival timing: For best site selection at campgrounds with non-assigned sites, timing matters significantly. A Thousand Trails Hershey camper advised: "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."
Levelness challenges: Many campsites require significant leveling for RVs. At Hershey RV and Camping Resort, a visitor noted: "The sites are gravel and most are not level. They are not well maintained as the site next to us has weeds a foot high."
Site size considerations: Larger rigs may struggle at some locations. A camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort observed: "The sites are so small that many tow vehicles have to park partially on the narrow access roads making it difficult to get in and out of with a big rig."
Hookup options: Electric, water and sewer connections vary significantly across campgrounds. At Harrisburg East Campground, a visitor reported: "The staff was very friendly. The campground was right off the interstate which was convenient but it was very expensive... Nice pull through spots with a lot of shade."
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 57 reviews.
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