Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground sits in the rolling hills of York County at approximately 500 feet elevation. The park experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching 90°F and winter lows often below freezing from December through February. Campgrounds throughout the York area typically experience peak demand between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with midweek stays offering more site availability and quieter conditions than weekends.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The 340-acre Pinchot Lake offers excellent bass, bluegill, and trout fishing. At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, anglers need valid fishing licenses. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," notes one visitor who recommends checking both day-use areas for prime fishing spots.
Disc golf courses: Two 18-hole courses provide different play experiences around the lake. "The course in the Conewago area is relatively flat, whereas the Quaker Race course is built into the side of the hill leading into the QR day use area, so it is a lot more wooded and hillier," explains a camper who warns about poison ivy along some fairways.
Hiking networks: The trail system includes options for all skill levels. At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, a camper shared, "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles." Trails range from easy walking paths to more challenging routes with elevation changes.
Kayaking routes: Multiple access points allow for easy water exploration. "We spent our time fishing the river banks right outside our tents and kayaking on the Susquehanna to fish the warm waters," reports a visitor to River Rock Recreation, where many catch catfish and carp using live bait directly from their campsite.
What campers like
Private riverside sites: Waterfront camping offers direct water access. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," notes a Gifford Pinchot camper who appreciated the proximity to facilities while maintaining water views.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses rank high with campers. At Codorus State Park Campground, a visitor praised the "paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms" and noted that while sites lack water hookups, the bath houses were "close and very clean."
Organized activities: Many campgrounds run regular events for families. "The resort is spacious, scattered throughout the woods. The RV sites are comfortable with all the amenities. And the customer service is impeccable," shared a visitor to Merry Meadows who noted that weekdays might be too quiet for social kids compared to weekends.
Primitive camping options: Those seeking a more rustic experience have choices. "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," explained a Codorus visitor.
What you should know
Weather impacts: Summer storms can affect camping conditions. "A 1:00 AM thunder storm reminded me to never forget to use ALL the tie downs," noted a camper at River Rock Recreation who experienced sudden weather while in a tent near the Susquehanna River.
Reservation timing: Peak season requires advance planning. At Cedar Lake Family Campground, sites fill quickly from June through August, especially on weekends. As one camper put it, "This campground has it all, friendly staff, activities galore, cleanliness, & fun, fun, fun," making it popular enough to require booking 2-3 months ahead.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience external noise. "The only negative I have is there is a railroad nearby. During the day you kind of don't notice it but you may hear it at night if you are a light sleeper," advised one visitor who suggested bringing earplugs for a better night's sleep.
Insect preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes are common in wooded areas. A camper at Gifford Pinchot warned, "This area (central PA in general) tends to have a lot of rattlesnakes," advising vigilance on trails, especially during warm months when snakes are more active.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Multiple swimming areas cater to children. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," shared a parent at Gifford Pinchot who appreciated the family-friendly layout.
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience. At Thousand Trails Circle M, a visitor noted, "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs. "We did the scavenger hunts that you could do. One where they list things to do and objects to find and take pictures of. The other was for local landmarks. Both games I feel would maximize your visit to the area," explained a family who found these activities added structure to their children's outdoor experience.
Activity pacing: Plan for downtime between outings. Cedar Lake Family Campground earned praise from a parent who explained, "Amazing Family Fun" with enough variety of activities that children didn't get bored even during multi-day stays.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Look for level, properly sized sites. "Our site was very nice! We were in a back in site #4. The patio was concrete stone, very pretty. Nice chairs, fire pit, and picnic table," explained an RVer at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA who appreciated the thoughtful site design.
Hookup limitations: Water and electric options vary widely. "Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. It helped that the antenna was right beside our site! Cable TV, too!" noted a visitor who found the amenities exceeded expectations for the area.
Shade considerations: Tree cover affects comfort in summer. "This is a large KOA with lots of sites, set on a hilly/tiered landscape with winding roads. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of trees and separation between many sites," observed a camper who recommended requesting sites "at the bottom of the hill" for more privacy and shade.
Site spacing: Privacy levels differ dramatically. "While the top part of the campground seemed more communal, we chose the lower, Riverside sites and were glad we did!" advised an RVer who found significant differences between site sections at the same campground.
