Campgrounds In Hershey Pa: A Practical Guide

Finding the perfect spot to park your rig in the "Sweetest Place on Earth" often feels like trying to navigate a 40-foot diesel pusher through a tight gas station—it’s doable, but it requires a lot of prep and a steady hand. After 15 years of hauling trailers and setting up seasonal sites across Pennsylvania, I’ve learned that camping in Hershey is less about the chocolate and more about the logistics. Whether you are looking for the high-end resort experience or a quiet basecamp to explore the Lebanon Valley, the options around Hershey are as varied as the candy bars themselves.

The Hershey Camping Landscape Today

When people talk about campgrounds in Hershey, PA, they are usually referring to a handful of high-profile parks that sit right in the middle of the action. You have the heavy hitters like the Hershey-owned resorts and the large-scale franchise parks that offer everything from splash pads to shuttle buses. These are the spots where you’ll hear the roar of the Great Bear roller coaster in the distance and smell the roasting cocoa beans when the wind shifts just right from the West Chocolate Avenue plant.

However, as an experienced camper, I can tell you that "Hershey camping" extends far beyond the town limits. The region is a patchwork of rolling farmland, limestone creeks, and the rising ridges of the Blue Mountains. To the east, you have the quiet stretches of Lebanon County; to the west, the historic corridor leading toward Harrisburg and eventually down to the orchards of Biglerville.

The reality of camping here is that it’s high-demand. This isn't the kind of place where you can just roll in on a Friday afternoon in July and expect a pull-through site with 50-amp service. You are competing with thousands of families visiting Hersheypark, concert-goers at the Giant Center, and RV enthusiasts attending the massive PRVCA Hershey RV Show in September—the largest of its kind in the country.

Why Location Strategy Matters Most

Choosing a campground in this area isn't just about the amenities on-site; it’s about your "exit strategy." I’ve spent many humid Pennsylvania afternoons stuck in traffic on Route 322 or trying to navigate the intersection of 422 and 39th Street. If you choose a park right in the heart of Hershey, you are paying a premium for proximity. You get the convenience of the shuttle, but you also get the noise of the traffic and the density of hundreds of other campers packed in tight.

For many of us who have been doing this for a decade or more, our priorities have shifted. We’ve traded the desire to be "next door" to the attractions for the peace of a mountain breeze. This is why many seasonal campers look toward the South Mountain region or the Michaux State Forest area. By staying 30 to 45 minutes away, you escape the "tourist trap" pricing and the cramped quarters. You can spend your day at the Hershey Gardens or the AACA Museum, and then retreat to a place where the only thing you hear at night is the wind through the hemlocks, rather than the hum of a nearby highway.

There is also the "concrete vs. canopy" debate. In downtown Hershey, many sites are gravel pads with very little shade—designed for maximum turnover and easy parking. If you head toward the mountains, like where we are situated at an elevation of over 2,000 feet, you get a completely different climate. It can be a good 5 to 10 degrees cooler up on the ridge than it is in the valley of Hershey, which makes a world of difference for your RV's air conditioning units in August.

Essential Facts for Hershey Campers

If you’re planning a trip to this region, you need to know the technical specs of the area’s infrastructure. Pennsylvania’s "Dutch Country" and the Hershey area are notorious for hard water. If you’re staying at a park in the valley, I highly recommend using a high-quality water softener. I’ve seen many a suburban RV’s plumbing get gunked up with calcium scale after just one season in this part of the state.

Power Stability: The grid in Central PA is generally reliable, but during those 95-degree July heatwaves, the voltage in high-density parks can sag. If you are staying in a park with 200+ sites and everyone is cranking their dual A/Cs, you want an EMS (Electrical Management System) to protect your electronics. At Pine Ridge, we’ve invested heavily in our infrastructure to ensure our 141 sites have the stable 20/30/50 amp service that modern rigs demand, but always check your pedestal before plugging in.

Connectivity: While Hershey is a developed area, the topography of Central PA creates "dead zones." Many campgrounds claim to have WiFi, but as we all know, "campground WiFi" is often code for "it works if you stand next to the laundry room." If you are a digital nomad or just want to stream a movie, look for parks that offer fiber-optic backbones. We’ve made fiber WiFi a priority at Pine Ridge because we know that being "unplugged" should be a choice, not a technical limitation.

Seasonal vs. Transient: The Hershey area is heavily geared toward transient (nightly) camping because of the park. This means a lot of "weekend warriors," which brings energy and excitement but also a lot of noise and constant turnover. If you’re looking for a community where you know your neighbors and your kids can ride their bikes safely, you might find that a seasonal-only park—where people stay for the full April-to-October stretch—offers a much more relaxed pace.

Pro Tips for a Better Stay

After years of navigating the Pennsylvania camping scene, I’ve picked up a few tricks that aren't in the brochures. First, if you’re visiting Hershey, do your grocery shopping before you get into town. The local markets get slammed on weekends. Instead, hit the farm stands in the outlying areas like Biglerville or Upper Adams County. You’ll get better produce (the peaches and apples from this region are world-class) and avoid the crowds.

Navigating the Hershey RV Show: If you are coming in September for the big show, book your campsite at least six months in advance. Every park within a 50-mile radius will be at capacity. Many veteran campers actually stay further out—down toward the Gettysburg area—to avoid the price hikes and the congestion of the immediate Hershey area.

The "Mountain Benefit": One thing many people overlook is the humidity. Hershey sits in a valley. In July, the air can get thick enough to chew. If you move your basecamp up into the Michaux State Forest area, the elevation change provides natural relief. I’ve sat on my deck at Pine Ridge Campground in mid-July with a light breeze, while my friends down in Hershey were melting on their gravel pads.

Pet Logistics: Pennsylvania is generally pet-friendly, but Hershey’s main attractions are not. If you’re camping with dogs, make sure your campground has plenty of shaded walking trails. At Pine Ridge, we require leashes, but because we are surrounded by the Michaux State Forest, you have access to miles of hiking where your dog can truly enjoy the outdoors, rather than just walking in circles around a paved loop.

How Pine Ridge Offers a Different Perspective

While we aren't located in the heart of Hershey, Pine Ridge Campground serves as a premier alternative for those who want to experience Central Pennsylvania without the "theme park" chaos. Located about 30 minutes from Gettysburg and a manageable drive from Hershey, we offer a completely different atmosphere. We are a 100% seasonal campground. That means there are no nightly rentals, no "check-in" lines on Friday nights, and no strangers wandering through your site.

When you pull into Pine Ridge, you’re at 2,050 feet of elevation. You’re not looking at a parking lot; you’re looking at the towering timber of the Michaux State Forest. For our residents, Hershey is a great day trip. You can head over, ride the coasters, grab some chocolate, and visit the wineries, but then you come "home" to the mountains.

Our community is family-owned and has been since 2017. We aren't a corporate chain focused on "turning" sites. We’re focused on the experience of the 141 families who call this their summer home. Whether it’s a Saturday night at our Corn Crib Bar or a quiet morning by the heated pool, the vibe here is about longevity and relaxation. We provide full hookups with the modern amenities—like that essential fiber WiFi—but we keep the soul of the forest intact.

Getting Started With Your Search

If you’re just starting to look at campgrounds in Hershey, PA, my advice is to be honest about what you want out of your summer. Do you want to be in the middle of the "action," or do you want a sanctuary that you can return to time and time again?

If you’re looking for a one-night stay to see the park, one of the downtown resorts might be your best bet. But if you are looking for a place to set down roots for the season—a place where you can leave your rig, build a deck, and truly settle in—you need to look at the seasonal options in the surrounding highlands.

Check the elevation, ask about the WiFi infrastructure, and most importantly, visit the park in person. Walk the loops, talk to the neighbors, and see if the "vibe" matches yours. The Pennsylvania camping community is one of the best in the country, and whether you’re near the chocolate factories or deep in the Michaux forest, you’re going to find people who share your love for the RV lifestyle.

If you’re tired of the "transient" life and want a permanent summer escape in the heart of Pennsylvania’s most beautiful forest land, we’d love to show you what seasonal life is like at the ridge. Our season runs from April 1st through Halloween, giving you seven full months of mountain air and community. To learn more about our available sites, our community standards, and how you can join the Pine Ridge family, head over to our seasonal information page to see if we’re the right fit for your next chapter of camping. Apply for a seasonal site today and start planning your escape to the mountains.