Best Glamping near Swengel, PA

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. After spending two nights up in the electrical hook-up area closest to the train tracks, we decided that we needed a better night’s sleep. Yes, the trains run all night long, and no, we don’t have air conditioning so couldn't just close the windows. So, we moved down to one of the primitive sites next to the river and enjoyed ourselves much more, plus all the solar we needed. 

With all the options within this resort, I can understand why it is so popular. Plus, there’s the whole Hershey Park with shuttles running to and from the campground all day long. So, it’s got that going for it. As a campground resort this park aims to serve everyone. If you need your trash picked up, just leave the garbage bag in front of your site, and someone will be along soon enough to collect it. The bathrooms are immaculate, air conditioned, but many of the showers had wonky temperature controls so check it out before you commit.  Each bathroom building also offers laundry machines to take care of those necessities as well. The campground has a large playground, game room, gift shop and a large outdoor pool. 

Nearby, closer than you might even want, you can find food, groceries, gas, booze and traffic (at least during convention center event weekends). But there are also some really cool mom and pop restaurants, some craft beverage drinkeries, and places to walk, bike and get into some disc golf. This is close enough to be a bedroom community of Harrisburg, so the park is basically located in a tucked away corner of suburbia. If you have the time, go to the Grandview Winery nearby they have a lovely selection of vintages which really hold up to this wine snob’s approval. 

The campsites are well spaces apart, unless within the central loop, and give the allure of being tucked away in the forest. Water is well spaced and is close by. The walk to the bathroom however, can be a stretch depending on where you park so plan according to your needs. But the woods provide an easy way to answer the call! : )

Looks cute from the outside but once you get in you are immediately disappointed. The cabin had a smell, a wrinkly floor, and was very dark. There is a lack of any shelf or cabinets and only minimal hooks to put your things. Even the TV was on the dining table and you can't use the remote from the bed either. We used the table benches and top of fireplace to place our stuff. We also had no AC. The signs on the wall said make sure you turn off the AC, but no AC. Our friends stayed in cabin 6 and it was so cute, bright, and had AC. Our other friend stayed in 2 and it was much better than ours as well. 3 was better too.

In addition they would not honor a AAA discount due to already paying, what?!

Knoebels campground is situated next to Knoebels amusement park and offers sites for tent campers and RVs, as well as cabins.

There is electricity at every site but not water. There are fill stations throughout the campgrounds. Most sites are level and shaded. There are nice sturdy wooden platforms for tent campers.

The bath houses are clean and well maintained. There are outside sinks with mirrors, laundry facilities, shower stalls, and toilet stalls. Or if you prefer there are also traditional bathrooms with showers.

Quiet hours are enforced between 10p and 8a.

Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Wood is available by the bucket near the check in building. Sites are inexpensive and are all a short walk, or free shuttle ride, to the park!.

Little Mexico is a nice campground with lots of activities in the summer, situated on Penn’s Creek about 15 minutes from Lewisburg, PA. We camped there twice this summer and had enjoyable visits. The road leading to the campground is narrow and winding, but we didn’t experience any trouble. Check in was a breeze as all the paperwork and payment were taken care of prior to arrival and all we needed to do was pick up our gate pass, map and head to the site. The employees in the front office are amazing and some of the friendliest you will meet. The other employees we interacted with during our stays were equally as friendly and helpful! 

Overall the sites are good sized, level and the majority have full hook-ups. The water pressure is good, electric stable, and good cable TV connections. There is no internet at the sites and only a moderate cell phone signal. Most of the transient sites are right next to each other with little barriers between. Tubs of wood can be delivered to the site and this good quality firewood! For$10 a load, stock up because it burns well with little obnoxious smoke. 

There are various activities each weekend during the summer, a huge pool, playground, mini-golf, and of course Penn’s Creek to float. The only negative would be some of the seasonal sites do not feel the quiet hour times apply to them. Overall, Little Mexico is a nice campground in a beautiful location, with great people operating it!

Stayed in the modern camping section. Easy access to camp ground. The check in process was just to drive to the site and set up which was different but very easy. The sites are private on the sides with some green space to play on. Lots of extra places to park extra cars or bring a second vehicle with a boat.

The kids had fun riding the bikes around the loop and taking the short cuts cut in around the loop. We had fun walking to the foot bridge to go fishing.

The camping area was very quite both mornings and evenings. We saw the park rangers drive through multiple times per day.

The bathrooms were clean. There are no shelfs in the showers (except for a bar of soap) but they had hooks to hang your clothes.

The racoons were a fun surprise on our last night! We left the grease trap from the Blackstone out and the they found it. We did not see any bears though we heard they are there.

We had smoke from Canadian forest fires so haze in the pictures is smoke not haze or rainy days! The walking trails are great. You can see the largest white swamp oak in Pennsylvania!

Definitely check out Penns Cave too.

PROS

Senior discount $18 

Able to reserve 334 days prior to arriving

Campground quiet but can hear PA 150 road noise 

Great night sky viewing 

Nice privacy from side neighbor's campsite 

Asphalt parking pad 

Large gravel around pad to include firepit and utility hook up 

Grass around gravel, but was mid-calf high 

Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon arrival 

Lantern pole 

8 miles off of Interstate 80 

Firewood for sale at the campground; $6 bundle 

Park is good proximity to Penn State University and Central Pennsylvania 

Country Pride Restaurant Milesburg (TA truck stop off of Interstate 80) has some terrific food! 

4 bars Verizon 

CONS

$6.50 reservation fee for self made online reservation 

One day while away from our campsite, park personnel mowed  mid-cafe high grass at and around our site and the mowers threw grass all over our table with a table cloth, chairs, trailer, driveway...you name it...it was covered with grass. Why the mowers didn’t direct the mowed grass AWAY from our items is beyond me. What a mess!!! 

Check-in clerk at park office was disturbed we checked in with her. Told us just to go to site. Could not tell us if site was vacated. We had to ask for a park map and directions to campground/campsite since this was first time visiting 

Site MO45 unlevel from side to side 

Site MO45 NO shade as was the case with most of the FHU campsites

Metal frame wood top table in bad condition 

Need pathway from upper campsite to toilet/shower building…have to wade thru mid-calf high grass if you don’t walk on the roadway 

Toilet/shower facility lit up like a Christmas tree 

Toilet/shower facility cleaned on Wednesdays only, according to sign on door 

No WiFi

Petticoat Junction campground is nestled in the PA Grand Canyon with Pine Creek on one side and the Rails to Trails on the other of the campground. This ideal location provides a nice tranquil environment with opportunities for active adventures. It had been several years since our last stay at PJC, but the new owners have done amazing improvements and upgrades to many areas of the campground which are greatly appreciated. Everyone we interacted with(owners/employees) were friendly and gave us the feeling that they were glad we chose to stay with them. 

There are a variety of camping options from season sites, primitive sites, cabins, glamping tents, and RV hook-ups for water and electric(along the creek). We stated in one of the water/electric hook-up sites along the creek, which was wonderful. Very flat and larger than average in size, which was nice not being on top of your neighbor. Water pressure was very good and the WIFI signal was better than many campgrounds we have stayed. 

The location of PJC is perfect for fishing, floating/kayaking, and biking/hiking the rails to trail. There are many nearby hikes throughout the canyon for the more adventures travelers. The office has biking/tubing/boating rentals for its campers. Additionally the firewood for sale is priced well and is very good quality, not the cheap smoky pine found in most places. If you need a break from civilization to reset and relax, I highly recommend PJC!