Some people think camping is “roughing it,” but not if you do it right! Staying at a campground in PA is what you make it, and our region's campgrounds have a variety of accommodations and recreational amenities perfect for your level of camping expertise. Keep it simple and rustic with a tent near the tree line or reserve a cozy cabin to snooze under the stars (and a roof). There’s no blueprint, so find an outdoor lodging style that fits your family.
For Hersheypark Happy Campers
Hersheypark® Camping Resort has a variety of sites to fit your needs and is conveniently close to all the Hershey attractions! As one of the Official Resorts of Hersheypark®, campers also receive VIP benefits like 1-hour early access to Hersheypark® with Sweet Start, plus preferred pricing at Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue. Their accommodations include:
- RVs/Campers/Trailers: Full and partial hook ups, with a fire ring and picnic table included.
- Tents: Partial hook ups or primitive (electric only), with a fire ring and picnic table included.
- Cabins: 1- and 2-bedroom deluxe cabins with indoor plumbing or log cabins that can sleep up to 8.
This Hershey campground is like an open-air hotel, with all the accommodations and amenities your family would need. Well, minus a roof and four walls in some areas! Explore the Campground’s multiple playgrounds, swimming pools, indoor game room, courts for basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard, horseshoe pits, live entertainment, and a Country Store to refill your snack supply.
Did you know? You can hop on a free shuttle to Hersheypark from several of our campgrounds! This is a great amenity for those who didn't even bring a vehicle!
For Adventure-Seeking Visitors
An adventurous place to camp is Little Buffalo State Park, located north of Harrisburg in Newport. Little Buffalo you can hike, picnic, swim, boat, fish, hunt, spot wildlife, and in the colder months, cross-country ski and ice skate. Their modern campground is open April to October and has 40 sites with and without electric and water hookups. Little Buffalo also has camping cottages that sleep 5, or an ADA accessible Modern Cabin that sleeps up to 12 happy campers!
If you're truly outdoorsy, turn a Susquehanna River kayaking trip into a multi-day paddling adventure when you stay the night on a primitive island campsite. Blue Mountain Outfitters can get you geared up for a 15- to 43-mile ride downstream, stopping to rest at a riverfront commercial campground or site along the Susquehanna River Island Trail.
Did you know? All of the campgrounds mentioned in this blog are pet-friendly! Review each location’s pet policies before packing up your pooch!
For Capital Region Campers
Looking for comfort and convenience close to the city? Stay in the shade at Harrisburg East Campground! Their accommodations include:
- RVs/Campers/Trailers: Full hook ups with a fire ring and picnic table
- Tents: Primitive tenting area with community water, electric and fire rings
Harrisburg East Campground has a beautiful canopy of mature evergreen trees that provide a majority of their campsites with much-needed shade. Around the campground, you can take a dip in the swimming pool, let the kids explore the playground, or get a little exercise on the basketball and volleyball courts. Pair free sightseeing with outdoor enjoyment when you visit Wildwood Park and Olewine Nature Center, City Island, Italian Lake Park, and Riverfront Park, all located in Harrisburg!
Those Summer Nights
After a day of fun in the sun, it’s time for a night of chasing lightning bugs and gathering around the campfire. We highly recommend indulging in smores made with none other than Hershey’s Chocolate! Hershey's Largest Candy Store at Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction for unique s'more mix-ins, like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, York Peppermint Pattie, or a Hershey’s Cookie Layer Crunch, for an extra crispy bite!
Keep it simple in a tent or "glamp" it in a cabin with cable - explore the many camping options that the Hershey Harrisburg Region has to offer!
