Camping near Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania sits in the heart of Lancaster County with elevations ranging from 400-500 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping months from June through August. Most campgrounds in the Elizabethtown area remain open from April through October, with a few offering year-round accommodations for winter camping enthusiasts.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Susquehanna River offers excellent fishing access for campers staying at River Rock Recreation, where visitors can catch catfish and carp using live bait. "We spent our time fishing the river banks right outside our tents and kayaking on the Susquehanna to fish the warm waters. We caught a ton of catfish and carp using live bait," notes one visitor.
Disc golf courses: For active campers, Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers two full 18-hole disc golf courses located in separate day-use areas. The Conewago course is relatively flat while the Quaker Race course is hillier and more wooded. "The campground is huge but you're not stacked on top of your neighbor like the others," making it easy to access recreation areas.
Trail exploration: The Northwest Lancaster Trail runs near several campgrounds and connects to an "Edible Forest" area. Many campsites provide maps of local hiking options, with the 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail at Gifford Pinchot offering scenic views. A camper mentioned, "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."
What campers like
Private camping experience: Unlike crowded commercial campgrounds, some locations offer exclusive use of the entire campsite. At River Rock Recreation, "This is a single campsite that you rent, no other campers on site unless you are bringing them with you!" The site accommodates up to 10 people with "plenty of room for everyone to spread out."
Outdoor shower amenities: Several campgrounds feature outdoor shower facilities that campers particularly appreciate. "The outdoor shower was spacious with shelves to stash your stuff and a hook for the shower bag," noted one visitor, highlighting the thoughtful design despite primitive facilities.
Covered kitchen areas: Practical amenities like covered cooking spaces receive positive mentions from campers. "One of my favorite features other than staying right on the river was the kitchen area. There is a stone floor, covered roof, and wrap around wood countertop space complete with an outdoor sink," shared a camper at River Rock Recreation.
What you should know
Railroad noise considerations: Several campgrounds in the Elizabethtown area are situated near active railroad tracks. As one camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort noted, "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!"
Shooting range proximity: Campers should be aware that some campgrounds are located near shooting ranges, which can affect the noise level during daytime hours. A reviewer at Pinch Pond Family Campground observed, "One thing that is negative is that there is a shooting range right next door. It is pretty consistent from lunch to dinner."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region feature sloping terrain that requires additional equipment for level setup. "The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites. We had to go out and get more blocks and we're still not very level front to back," reported a visitor at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA provides numerous organized events for children, particularly on weekends. "The kids enjoyed the indoor pool. Looking forward to coming back in the summer," shared one visitor. Another mentioned, "They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground."
Game room options: Several campgrounds feature arcade-style game rooms that children enjoy. A family staying at Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park noted, "Their game room has tickets. 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."
Halloween weekend events: For fall camping, look for special seasonal activities. "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" reported a family at Thousand Trails Circle M, where themed activities run throughout October.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At membership campgrounds like Thousand Trails, arriving early provides better options. "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. 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 camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country.
Maneuverability considerations: RV campers should check site dimensions carefully before booking. At Old Mill Stream Campground, a reviewer with a large rig noted, "We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig. All gravel sites and we had full hookup with 50 Amp."
Water quality awareness: Some campgrounds in the region may have water quality issues. An RVer staying at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country reported, "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay." Consider bringing additional water filtration equipment if this is a concern.
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