Camping near Walnut Bottom, Pennsylvania offers sites across varied terrain at elevations between 500-700 feet in the Cumberland Valley. Temperatures range from summer highs in the 80s to winter lows in the 20s, with the camping season generally running April through October. Many RV campgrounds near Walnut Bottom have wooded sites with creek access, though availability depends on seasonal timing.
What to do
Historic exploration: 10 minutes to Gettysburg Battlefield. Visitors staying at Gettysburg Campground appreciate the proximity to historical sites. "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do," notes one camper who found the location ideal for battlefield tours.
Farm animal interactions: Daily feeding sessions. At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, campers can participate in scheduled animal feedings. "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We chose a non-sewage site, the loop is quiet and large and they have the honey wagon 3x a week," shares a visitor who enjoyed the animal encounters.
Fishing access: Multiple water bodies within 15-20 minute drive. Raystown Lake offers diverse fishing opportunities with several access points. "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," mentions a visitor to the area.
What campers like
River recreation: Direct water access for tubing. The River's Edge RV Park & Campground provides immediate river entry points. "The campground offers direct access to the river for afternoon floats on tubes or kayaks and they're building a large dock for fishing. Beautiful sunsets on the river!" reports a seasonal camper who enjoys the water activities.
Swimming options: Multiple pool facilities. Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools that operate during summer months. "2 pools which is a bonus. Many folks have golf carts, as the campground is huge—and you can get turned around easily. Sites are well maintained, clean, wooded, and in the area we are in are spaced nicely," writes a summer visitor to Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Mini-golf and recreation areas: Family activities on-site. Many RV parks in the Walnut Bottom area feature recreational amenities. "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires. The weather is perfect right now highs reaching low 80s, so the evenings are super lovely!" shares a family that appreciated the diverse activities.
What you should know
Site spacing varies dramatically between campgrounds. At Western Village RV Park, reviews consistently mention tight quarters. "The sites are so small that my truck was either parked over the firering or blocking our door. Our slideout is 3" from the neighbor site's picnic table," reports one camper who found the cramped conditions challenging.
Seasonal staffing affects amenity availability. Some facilities operate with reduced services during certain periods. "A bit pricey esp. without many of the amenities open (slide, food bar, games) due to staffing shortage—affecting every business though," notes a camper regarding summer operations.
Weather considerations: Summer heat can impact facilities. When temperatures rise into the 90s, campground infrastructure may be strained. At Round Top Campground, a reviewer experienced significant comfort issues: "We paid $675 for 8 days. It was to include W,E,S, and cable. Electric went out 3 times, once for over 24 hrs. It was in the high 90°."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Check location within campground. Some facilities have limited play equipment that may require driving to reach. "The sites are very close to each other, there's no privacy, and you can hear everyone and everything," reported a camper at Western Village RV Park regarding noise concerns when traveling with children.
Swimming options: Pool availability varies seasonally. Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA maintains their facilities well. "The staff here at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA are great. They are friendly, willing to help anyway they can, and keep the place spotless. It looks like they have recently remodeled the bathrooms/showers, and the pool has been crystal clear," writes a summer visitor.
Camp store supplies: Inventory varies widely. Some campgrounds maintain minimal stock despite large store buildings. "The 'store' had virtually nothing in it. In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was 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," reports a family that found amenities lacking at one location.
Tips from RVers
Sewage connections: Position and setup vary. At some Walnut Bottom area RV campgrounds, sewage facilities may be communal rather than at individual sites. "The sewer consisted of a storage tank less than 10 ft from our picnic table. It stunk," notes one RV owner who experienced issues with the arrangement.
Electrical capacity: Peak season limitations. When booking RV sites at Thousand Trails Hershey, be aware of potential capacity issues. "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. 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," advises a regular visitor.
Site leveling requirements: Bring adequate equipment. Many RV sites require significant leveling. "Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills, not just a big open field," explains a camper describing the typical terrain at campgrounds in the region.
