Dispersed camping opportunities are limited in the immediate vicinity of Upper Strasburg, Pennsylvania, at approximately 1,250 feet elevation in the Ridge and Valley province of the Appalachians. Most camping options focus on established campgrounds and RV parks within a 20-30 mile radius. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms between June and August.
What to do
Battlefield exploration: 10 miles east of most rv parks near Upper Strasburg, Pennsylvania, Gettysburg Campground offers easy access to historical sites. "It's nice and out of the way of the busy parts of town... it's a few minute drive to historic Gettysburg," notes Brandon W.
Farm animal interactions: 20 miles northeast in Dover, families can enjoy unique experiences at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. "We enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," shares Kasey M. The working farm setting creates memorable experiences for children.
Water recreation: 45 minutes west near Saxton, Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA provides access to Pennsylvania's largest lake. "Raystown Lake has multiple access areas that are probably 15-20 minutes away - we fished at Tautman Run and Aitch - both were accessible and had lots of bluegill to steal our worms," reports Paul B.
What campers like
Creek access for relaxing: Visitors appreciate natural water features at several campgrounds. At Gettysburg Campground, "tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river... porta potties were cleanest I have ever seen even with a ton of recent rain," according to Kelly J. The creek provides ambient sound and recreation opportunities.
Pool facilities: Summer heat relief is available at many camping areas. At Drummer Boy Camping Resort, "the pool with the slide was very clean," reports Sabrina H. The resort offers "free mini golf, a pool and a splash pad pool area," making it particularly appealing during hot summer days.
Weekend activities: Many RV parks Upper Strasburg travelers might visit organize scheduled events. Paul B. describes one experience: "We stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun. We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 bbq plate that included pork burnt ends, beans and potato salad."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds close for winter. Round Top Campground typically operates from spring through fall. "Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season," explains John L. about an October stay.
Site conditions: Prepare for variable campsite quality throughout the region. At Round Top Campground, "Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills, not just a big open field," notes John L. However, other reviewers mention tight spacing at several facilities.
Internet connectivity: Cell service and Wi-Fi vary significantly. "There is Wi-Fi throughout the campground but you have to pay for it so we opted just to use our mobile data and Hotspot on our Verizon phone (which worked well and was 5G)," reports Nancy W. about her stay at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Family-friendly amenities differ significantly between locations. One camper reports Drummer Boy Camping Resort has "only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down. In a campground that size I would expect at least 2 playgrounds."
Activity planning: Schedule around organized events at campgrounds. "On Saturday was rock painting and then bingo and ended the night with a DJ dance party. The pavilion where all those activities happened were right next to our site," shares Paul B. Many campgrounds publish activity calendars online.
Animal encounters: Children often enjoy farm settings. At Western Village RV Park, families can find nearby attractions. "We tent camp here on weekends. Usually check to see what bands are playing or fun activity going on. We live 5 minutes away so it's a nice 'getaway'," explains Emily, highlighting the convenience for local families.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing concerns: Many RV parks in the Upper Strasburg region have tight sites. "Sites are small and tight and some are at strange angles. They do have FHU and 30/50 amp," notes Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure about Round Top Campground. Several reviewers mention similar issues at other parks.
Water and sewer placement: Utility hookup locations vary significantly between parks and even individual sites. At Western Village RV Park, one camper notes "The sewer is in odd locations all around our campsite I'm excited as well as sharing the water source with up to 5 other RVs."
Golf cart traffic: Several larger campgrounds permit or rent golf carts, creating unique considerations. "It was pretty full and everyone seemed to have a golf cart. They were constantly driving past our site. This is the first time I've stayed where there were so many golf carts. It was a bit noisy," reports Laure D. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
