Central Pennsylvania offers diverse RV camping near York, Pennsylvania throughout the year, with options ranging from farmland settings to wooded campgrounds. The region sits mostly between 400-600 feet in elevation, with rolling hills defining the landscape. Most campgrounds experience moderate rainfall during summer months, with temperatures averaging in the mid-80s during peak camping season.
What to Do
Farm animal interactions: At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, campers can engage with livestock daily. "We got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas. Plenty to see and learn. Prefect campground for the family," notes Robert M.
Renaissance Fair access: Pinch Pond Campground provides convenient accommodations for Renaissance Fair attendees. "Stayed here 3x each time in October as they are very close to the PA Renaissance Fair. Easy to get to and beautiful setting, gorgeous trees and feels very woodsy," shares Michelle D.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing ponds or river access within walking distance. "Great place to go fishing!" says Anna H. about Gettysburg Farm, while others mention accessible waterways throughout the region's campgrounds.
Pennsylvania Dutch exploration: Experience Amish country from your campsite at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country. "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time," explains Jill R.
What Campers Like
Pool facilities: Many campgrounds feature swimming pools that remain operational through fall. "Nice, forested campground. Friendly staff, clean bathhouses. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season," reports John L. at Round Top Campground.
Live entertainment: Summer weekends often include scheduled performances. "The Saturday night bands are concert worthy," comments Scott J. at Sun Valley Campground, which hosts regular musical events during peak season.
Mini golf courses: Several properties maintain miniature golf facilities for guests. "They have Hershey's ice cream in the office and my kids enjoyed getting a treat. Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games," shares Melissa Y. about Pinch Pond.
Seasonal events: Halloween weekends receive special attention at many campgrounds. "We went for Halloween, they had plenty for kids to do and was a pretty nice park. Sites were nice size and orderly," notes Jwalker about Spring Gulch Resort Campground.
What You Should Know
Site levelness varies: Many campers report challenges with uneven terrain. "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground. Many other sites were the same," explains Justin B. about PA Dutch Country.
Shooting range proximity: Some campgrounds are located near shooting facilities. "The only thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner," warns Tara N. about Pinch Pond Family Campground.
Cell service reliability: Coverage varies significantly between locations. "Good cell and gateway service. Cell is AT&T and our gateway is T-Mobile," reports Nick E. about Circle M, while other campgrounds report spotty service.
Seasonal population differences: Many campgrounds transition between transient and seasonal campers. "It seemed most campers stayed in their RVs most of the time. The pool was great, especially camping with younger kids," observes Ruth about Gettysburg Farm.
Tips for Camping with Families
Animal-focused stays: Consider properties with farm animals for educational experiences. "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've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," shares Kasey M. about Gettysburg Farm.
Arcade facilities: Some campgrounds maintain game rooms with reward systems. "This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT! It was like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time," reports Melissa Y. about Pinch Pond.
Playground accessibility: Check playground locations relative to campsites. "In a campground that size I would expect at least 2 playgrounds," notes Chelsea about Drummer Boy Camping Resort, highlighting the importance of checking facility distributions.
Bathroom cleanliness: Family-friendly bathhouses make stays more comfortable. "The bathrooms were heated, and okay. I didn't care for the shower curtain system it seems less private," explains Kasey M. about PA Dutch Country.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: First-come systems require planning. "If you are an RVer or 5th Wheeler, the best sites IMHO are those that back up to the periphery and are northernmost up the slight embankment as you'll have greater privacy and less noise," advises Stuart K. about PA Dutch Country.
Utility placement challenges: Watch for unusual hookup arrangements. "Water pressure is low and the sewer pipe is a little high but all around a really solid experience," reports Nick E. about PA Dutch Country.
Maneuverability considerations: Road configurations can challenge larger vehicles. "The roads are very confusing and difficult to navigate. Many of the sites are on annoying slope where the table/fire pit is not level to the camper," warns Chelsea about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Seasonal timing impacts: Off-season stays offer different experiences. "Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay," shares John L. about Round Top Campground.
