Camping options near Ravine, Pennsylvania include established campgrounds with diverse amenities. Most facilities sit in valleys between the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains at elevations between 600-1,200 feet. The camping season typically spans April through October, though Jonestown/Hershey KOA maintains year-round operation for campers seeking winter accommodations.
What to do
Water activities along Swatara Creek: At Jonestown/Hershey KOA, campers access the adjacent Swatara Creek for recreation. "Love this place. Staff is helpful and friendly. They nice level sites with great atmosphere. Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking. The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc," notes Bobby S.
Appalachian Trail access: Several campgrounds provide convenient access points to the Appalachian Trail. "You can access the Appalachian trail from campground," mentions Lisa B. about Jonestown/Hershey KOA. The trail system offers day hiking opportunities with various difficulty levels throughout the region.
Fishing opportunities: The area features multiple fishing locations at campground ponds and nearby streams. At Appalachian Camping Resort, "Kids loved fishing in the pond," reports Tonya K. Most fishing areas do not require separate permits beyond Pennsylvania state fishing licenses.
Amusement park proximity: Knoebels Campground provides direct access to Knoebels Amusement Park. "We camp at Knoebels for the convenience of being able to walk to the amusement park. Very nice campground and park," explains Dawn T. The park features free admission with pay-per-ride options.
What campers like
Recreation facilities: Twin Grove RV Resort offers extensive recreation options. "Nice arcade and mini golf in an area set off to the side with a ferris wheel, merry go round, and other small kiddie rides. Usually have a band on Saturday evenings," notes Mike J. These facilities typically operate during summer months with limited hours in spring and fall.
Clean bathhouses: Multiple reviewers mention bathroom cleanliness as a significant positive factor. "Beautiful and clean campground. I was impressed by how clean the bathrooms were kept in addition to the grounds," writes Marlaina M. about Jonestown/Hershey KOA. Most campgrounds clean facilities daily.
Dog-friendly amenities: Pet accommodations receive positive mentions at several locations. Twin Grove RV Resort features "2 dog parks right next to each other, which is great for your furry friend to be able to run around and play off leash," according to Tiffany S. Most campgrounds require pets to remain leashed except in designated areas.
Swimming options: Various water recreation facilities appear across the region. At Camp Swatara, "Lots for kids to do. Boating, swimming, fishing, splash pad, mini golf etc.," mentions Kaylene H. Swimming areas typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.
What you should know
Highway noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to proximity to major routes. At Camp A While, one camper notes, "The fall foliage is exquisite. The only reason for not giving five stars is because it's very close to a freeway. There's quite a bit of truck and car noise from the freeway." Consider requesting sites furthest from highways when booking.
Train disturbances: Railroad tracks near certain campgrounds create noise issues. "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!" advises Kit about Hersheypark Camping Resort.
Site levelness varies: Uneven camping pads appear in reviews of several facilities. At Locust Lake State Park Campground, a camper reports, "NONE were level. I'm honestly shocked that they label some of these sites as RV friendly because wow." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended.
Limited winter operations: Most campgrounds close between October and April. Hershey area campgrounds maintain the longest seasons, with Jonestown/Hershey KOA open year-round and Thousand Trails Hershey operating mid-April through late October.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Multiple campgrounds organize regular family events. At Twin Grove RV Resort, "We come here once a year to take our grandkids on an annual camping trip with us. Lots to do! Playgrounds, special events, crafts," shares Shirley M. Events typically increase on weekends and during summer months.
Waterfront selection: Sites near water features provide additional entertainment for children. "We had 3 families and sites (2 campers & 1 tent) all sites were decent sizes. We had lake front access to put kayaks in and fish which was awesome. Great walking path around lake for kids to ride bikes to parks or beach," notes Dawn R. about Locust Lake State Park.
Noise considerations: Family-friendly environments sometimes mean increased activity noise. At Appalachian Camping Resort, "There were scheduled activities for kids and adults. The majority of seasonal sites were clean and well maintained. Campers were friendly," reports Becca U. Quieter sites typically appear at campground perimeters.
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing: Early arrival increases site selection options at non-reserved campgrounds. "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. They don't reserve sites for you," explains Yamileth K.
Site configuration awareness: Understanding specific site layouts helps with equipment positioning. "We were unaware that our site was a buddy site. The buddy site was very narrow and since our buddy arrived first we had no choice but to park farther down on the site to avoid our awnings touching and that left us very uneven," warns Melissa Y. at Appalachian Camping Resort.
Hookup limitations: Water and sewer connections vary by location. At Locust Lake State Park Campground, a camper notes, "No water hook up. No sewer hook up. Just electric at certain sites." Filling freshwater tanks before arrival is recommended at partial hookup locations.
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