Glamping near York Springs, Pennsylvania includes seasonal options outside traditional state park accommodations. Located within an hour's drive of both Hershey and Gettysburg, this south-central Pennsylvania region features deciduous forest terrain at elevations around 500-700 feet. Temperature fluctuations between seasons can be significant, with summer highs frequently reaching 85-90°F and winter lows dropping below freezing.
What to do
Hiking trails at Codorus State Park: Multiple trail options varying from beginner to intermediate difficulty levels provide access to diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. Codorus State Park Campground features several trails near the lake. "There are also a lot of trails available for hiking, biking, or riding horses," notes a camper, adding that "you can bring your own boat (gas allowed) or rent one from their marina."
Lake activities and fishing access: Codorus State Park centers around a sizable lake where motorized boating is permitted. "The lake is beautiful and the trail around the lake is nice," says one visitor. While swimming isn't allowed directly in the lake, Codorus offers a pool without additional fees for overnight guests.
Historical battlefield exploration: Several campgrounds provide direct access to Civil War battlefield sites. Artillery Ridge Campground connects to historical areas via trails. "This campground is minutes from town and is practically on the battlefield," explains one visitor, adding that "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
What campers like
Quiet camping spaces: Many campers appreciate the more secluded sites available at several locations. "We typically stay in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake. It can get a little busy on the weekends since there is a boat launch at the end of the primitive lane, but some of the sites are secluded/set back enough to be private," reports a camper at Codorus State Park.
Water-adjacent sites: Gettysburg Campground receives positive feedback for its creek-side locations. "Great spot. Nice creek with ducks. Close to battlefield," notes one visitor. Another mentions, "We were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river."
Family-oriented activities: Most campgrounds maintain regular activity schedules. Gettysburg Battlefield Resort provides structured programming throughout the camping season. "During the summer they have different themed weekends and fun activities for the whole family. In the fall they have Halloween weekends," explains a long-time visitor, while another notes "the resort had great amenities for all ages."
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most camping options in the York Springs area have limited operational seasons. The majority close between late October and early April, though several offer extended shoulder seasons. Cedar Lake Family Campground stands as an exception with year-round operation.
Site spacing considerations: Many campgrounds have tightly spaced sites, particularly in RV sections. At Deer Run Campground, one visitor notes: "This is not camping, people are packed together like sardines. Grounds are poorly laid out and maintained." Even at popular locations, spacing can be an issue.
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facilities receive mixed reviews across locations. "Bathrooms and wash basins aren't kept up," reports one camper at Pinchot State Park, while another visitor at Granite Hill mentions "Restrooms and laundry were filthy."
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance reservations, especially during peak summer and fall seasons. Weekends from Memorial Day through October typically book 3-6 months in advance at the more popular locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mountain Creek Camp Ground provides dedicated play areas for children. "Family friendly campground, lots of weekend activities, great pool, well stocked campstore, playground," notes one regular visitor, though they caution "Bathrooms and activities can be a hike."
Water recreation options: Multiple sites feature swimming or water play opportunities. At Mountain Creek, "the kids enjoyed playing in the creek and tubing," while Codorus State Park features "a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground."
Activity planning: Check campground schedules before booking. Many locations feature themed weekends that affect the overall atmosphere. One camper at Deer Run Campground advises: "The weekend we went they had water wars. The water wars themselves did not bother us, however several people did not respect our site boundaries even though we clearly were not participating."
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds offer small animal areas. A visitor to Cedar Lake Family Campground noted "The animal area could stand a good cleaning, but my little one enjoyed them," indicating this feature despite maintenance concerns.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Bring adequate leveling equipment. Granite Hill Camping Resort receives frequent mentions about uneven sites. "It took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot, thankfully we had enough wood to get the jack up without having to over extend it," reports one RVer.
Hookup positioning: Several campgrounds have unusual utility placement. At Granite Hill, "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extensions handy. My electric hookup didn't work on 30A."
Road navigation: Internal roads at many campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. Cedar Lake has narrow roads, while Artillery Ridge requires careful navigation around playground areas and other amenities.
