Best Campgrounds near Tower City, PA

Camping options surrounding Tower City, Pennsylvania include several established campgrounds with varied accommodations. The region includes facilities like Twin Grove RV Resort in Pine Grove, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals with amenities such as swimming pools and playgrounds. Jonestown/Hershey KOA provides similar options with access to nearby Swatara State Park via the Appalachian Trail. Most campgrounds in the area feature full hookup sites for RVs alongside tent camping areas, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfortable accommodations. These developed campgrounds typically maintain shower facilities, flush toilets, and electrical hookups.

The camping season in this region generally runs from April through October, with some facilities like Jonestown/Hershey KOA remaining open year-round. Most campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer months and holiday weekends when availability becomes limited. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and cold winters with occasional snow. Spring brings variable conditions with potential for heavy rainfall that can affect trail conditions and water levels in nearby creeks. As noted in one review, "Clean campground and super friendly staff. Not far from the AT if you're into that!"

Campers consistently rate Twin Grove RV Resort highly for its amenities and cleanliness. According to reviews on The Dyrt, this campground maintains "spotless facilities" with "plenty of room for whatever size tent or RV you have." Water features appear prominently in visitor experiences, with Jonestown/Hershey KOA offering creek access that visitors describe as "ankle deep and perfect." Family-friendly activities are available at most developed campgrounds in the area, including swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized events. While roadway noise can be an issue at some locations situated near highways, others provide more secluded settings. Several campgrounds connect to hiking trails and water recreation opportunities, with the Swatara Creek mentioned frequently as a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.

Best Camping Sites Near Tower City, Pennsylvania (166)

    1. Jonestown/Hershey KOA

    16 Reviews
    Jonestown, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 865-6411

    "Love the close proximity to the highway and gas. We didn’t eat there but they had a restaurant! Lots of activities for the kids. Wooded sites and very clean bathrooms."

    "Pet friendly and you can access the Appalachian trail from campground. Lots of great food and places to go in the area. They have a river that is great for kayaking or tubing."

    2. Twin Grove RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Tower City, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 865-4602

    "There are 2 dog parks right next to each other, which is great for your furry friend to be able to run around and play off leash."

    "Needs a pond and more shade but still is one of the nicer parks around. Twin Grove is also one of the cheaper ones, and that is hard to believe because of all the offer."

    3. Camp A While

    7 Reviews
    Ravine, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 682-8696

    $26 - $44 / night

    "Not to much to do in the area but it is somewhat close to the Appalachian Trail if you’re into that. It seems like the camp ground always has something fun going on."

    "The only reason for not giving five stars is because it’s very close to a freeway. There’s quite a bit of truck and car noise from the freeway."

    4. Knoebels Campground

    24 Reviews
    Marion Heights, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 672-9555

    $59 - $160 / night

    "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."

    "In addition to the campsites you have access to the campsite bathrooms which also have showers. They’re nothing special but they get the job done and are cleaned daily by staff."

    5. Hersheypark Camping Resort

    29 Reviews
    Hummelstown, PA
    23 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."

    6. Thousand Trails Hershey

    21 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    22 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. Locust Lake State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Mahanoy City, PA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 467-2404

    $20 - $29 / night

    "We had lake front access to put kayaks in and fish which was awesome. Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach. Beach area was nice."

    "Had a site close to the lake. Many sites (including mine) were not level. The sites sizes were a bit small and i would book during peak season. I would definitely return again off season."

    8. Lake Glory Campground

    15 Reviews
    Catawissa, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 356-7392

    $50 - $80 / night

    "This campground is only minutes away from Knobels Amusement Park. The campground itself was clean but not a lot of amenities being it’s part of the amusement park."

    "It’s a nice spacious campground next to the park."

    9. Echo Valley Campground

    2 Reviews
    Ravine, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 695-3659

    "There are gardens with walkways to walk to the pool or the office. Our site 24B was a pull through with full hook up.  We had cable and WI-FI. There wasn't any shade yet were only here one night."

    10. Camp Swatara

    2 Reviews
    Pine Grove, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 933-5244

    $30 - $85 / night

    "There's lots to do for the whole family: hiking to the rock pile, fishing and boating in the lake, swimming, mini golf, a splash pad, ball fields, and creeks to play in, and more."

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Recent Reviews near Tower City, PA

929 Reviews of 166 Tower City Campgrounds


  • M
    Oct. 6, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Hard with a large group

    Harder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept

  • 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.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Dog owners read!

    There’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!

  • 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...

  • Matt S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Stonybrook RV Resort

    This is a great place!

    We spent four nights at Stonybrook RV Resort in Lehighton, PA, for a quiet wedding anniversary getaway— and so glad we did. We paid$150 per night total for a FHU 50 Amp Premium Back-in site (#F20). This campground makes a great home-base while hanging out in the Pocono Mountains. 

    THINGS I LIKED: 

    • This place is in super condition— everything works as it’s supposed to and is clean and maintained 
    • The concrete pad/patio with Breeo smokeless fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and metal patio table and chairs made a great setup 
    • Our site(F20) is level and beautiful— spacious and beautifully landscaped 
    • We interacted with 5 members of their staff and all were welcoming and friendly to talk with 
    • There’s a heated pool behind the office/store so it’s not noisy for campers at their sites 

    THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH: 

    • Just one thing— the entrance made for a challenging entry up a steep grade, narrow roadway, and sharp turn in. I made it without problems, but it wasn’t easy in a 45’ motorhome towing a Jeep. This may be nitpicky— and I’m not complaining about it— just letting you know to expect it on arrival. 

    WOULD WE COME BACK? 

    • Absolutely, this is a great campground(I’ve already recommended it to my Newmar Kountry Klub chapter president as a possible site for a future rally).
  • Peyton S.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Wonderful, Easy, Quick trip from Philly

    It’s about an hour away from Philadelphia. We tent camped in loop B. The site was wonderful. Just know it is a gravel site, not grass. The fire pit has a grill attachment and wood was easy to find. Water and bathrooms were close. We hiked around the lake and there were plenty of trails and even rentable kayaks and paddle boards! Would definitely recommend if looking for a quick overnight stay outside of the city.

  • 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 Tower City

The Tower City area offers camping access to several state parks and Appalachian Trail segments, with Swatara Creek serving as a popular recreation destination for paddlers. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 400-900 feet above sea level, experiencing temperature fluctuations of 20-30°F between day and night during peak camping season. Water activities dominate visitor experiences at camping areas within 30 minutes of Tower City.

What to do

Kayaking at Swatara Creek: Access points near Jonestown/Hershey KOA provide excellent paddling opportunities. "The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc. Highly recommend," notes Bobby S.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature stocked fishing areas with catch-and-release options. At Lake Glory Campground, "The lake is stocked and the fish are always hungry," according to Vince L., making it an ideal spot for beginners or families.

Rail trail access: Several campgrounds connect directly to converted rail trails. Jonestown/Hershey KOA connects to the Swatara Rail Trail which Bobby S. describes as "great for biking." These flat, accessible paths provide options for all fitness levels.

Amusement park access: Many campgrounds offer shuttles to nearby parks. Lake Glory Campground is "10 minutes to Knoebels with the mighty Phoenix" as Vince L. points out, while others provide discounted tickets and transportation to Hershey Park attractions.

What campers like

Private bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds feature individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. At Jonestown/Hershey KOA, Marlaina M. found "each their own individual rooms split into shower/changing room. I like the privacy and it made it much easier when my daughter was small."

Creek-side camping spots: Water-adjacent sites are consistently rated as premium options. At Lake Glory Campground, Eiron S. shares that "We love the creek side sites! Kids can wade in the water to cool off while parents are chatting and cooking just few feet away."

Amusement options: Beyond the major parks, several campgrounds feature their own entertainment. Twin Grove RV Resort includes "a ferris wheel, merry go round, and other small kiddie rides," according to Mike J., who also noted they "Usually have a band on Saturday evenings."

Dog-friendly amenities: Many campsites feature dedicated pet areas. Twin Grove offers "2 nice dog parks" according to Mike J., while Tiffany S. mentions "2 dog parks right next to each other, which is great for your furry friend to be able to run around and play off leash."

What you should know

Highway noise levels: Some campgrounds near Tower City experience traffic noise. At Camp A While, Jen notes "it's very close to a freeway. There's quite a bit of truck and car noise from the freeway." Consider packing earplugs if this might affect your sleep.

Campsite spacing varies: Site proximity can differ dramatically between campgrounds and even within the same facility. Jonathan F. found that Camp A While had "Super friendly folks" but limited activities in the immediate area.

Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Sites at Lake Glory "fill fast" according to Eiron S., who advises to "Book early" to secure preferred locations. Weekend availability becomes particularly limited between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Water levels fluctuate: Creek and swimming areas can change with seasonal rainfall. During dry periods, areas like the creek at Jonestown/Hershey KOA become "About ankle deep and perfect" according to one camper, making them safe for younger children.

Tips for camping with families

Look for splash features: Water play areas provide entertainment for children. Camp Swatara includes "Boating, swimming, fishing, splash pad, mini golf etc." as Kaylene H. notes, making it a comprehensive destination for families.

Consider campground shuttles: Transportation to major attractions saves time and parking fees. According to Eiron S., Lake Glory Campground's shuttle to Knoebels "is one more nice thing they add to help make your stay relaxing."

Check for organized activities: Many campgrounds near Tower City run structured events. Twin Grove hosts "special events, crafts" according to Shirley M., who visits annually with grandchildren, noting "We come here once a year to take our grandkids on an annual camping trip with us. Lots to do!"

Evaluate bathroom locations: Distance from facilities matters with small children. Gayle B. found that at Lake Glory Campground, staying "near the bath houses...actually ended up being a great location. Very large, open site and quiet!"

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain. At Hershey RV and Camping Resort, James G. found "The sites are gravel and most are not level," suggesting blocks or levelers are essential equipment.

Road width considerations: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads that complicate navigation. Rick B. noted Hershey RV and Camping Resort is "very tight, cramped, and hard to navigate" with "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."

Pull-through availability: For easier setup, select campgrounds offering pull-through options. B M. found that at Echo Valley Campground, "site 24B was a pull through with full hook up," which made their overnight stay more convenient when traveling between states.

Service variations: Water and electrical capacities differ between campgrounds and sometimes sites. For those requiring full hookups, Twin Grove RV Resort receives consistent praise for reliability and site condition, with Mike J. describing it as "Spotless. Plenty of room for whatever size tent or RV you have."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Tower City, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Tower City, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 166 campgrounds and RV parks near Tower City, PA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Tower City, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tower City, PA is Jonestown/Hershey KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tower City, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Tower City, PA.