Seasonal Camping Vs Permanent Residence Made Easy

Finding that perfect spot to park your rig for the long haul often starts with a dream of simplified living, but the "fine print" of local zoning and campground rules can quickly turn a dream into a headache if you don't know the difference between a seasonal getaway and a permanent residence. After fifteen years of navigating the seasonal camping world across Pennsylvania—from the humid valleys of Lancaster & Amish country to the high-elevation ridges of the Michaux State Forest—I’ve seen plenty of folks make the mistake of assuming a campground can double as a year-round home address.

The reality is that seasonal camping and permanent residency are two entirely different animals, governed by different laws, tax codes, and infrastructure capabilities. If you’re looking for a place where you can leave your setup, skip the Friday night haul, and have a community waiting for you every weekend from April through October, you’re in the right place. But understanding the "why" behind the seasonal model is the first step to a stress-free summer.

Understanding Seasonal Camping vs. Permanent Residence

At its core, seasonal camping is about having a dedicated "vacation home on wheels" that stays put for a set number of months. At Pine Ridge Campground, for example, our season runs for seven months, from April 1st through October 31st. During this window, the site is yours. You can set up your deck, plant some marigolds, and know that your 50-amp service and full hookups are ready the second you turn the key in your truck.

Permanent residence, or "full-timing" in a fixed location, is a different legal category. Most recreational campgrounds in Pennsylvania are zoned for "recreational use," not "residential use." This isn't just a bureaucratic whim; it’s tied to how the land is taxed and how utilities are managed. A permanent residence requires a 12-month habitable environment, which includes frost-proof plumbing and heavy-duty electrical grids designed for winter heating loads. Seasonal sites are designed for the joy of the warmer months, allowing the land (and the pipes) to rest during the harsh Pennsylvania winters.

When you sign a seasonal agreement, you aren't signing a residential lease. You are essentially "renting" the right to use a specific site for recreational purposes during the operating season. You still maintain a permanent "sticks-and-bricks" address elsewhere for your mail, taxes, and driver’s license.

Why This Matters for Campers

The distinction between these two lifestyles matters because it dictates your comfort, your legal standing, and your wallet. I’ve seen well-meaning campers try to "winterize" a seasonal site, only to find that the campground’s water has been shut off to prevent the main lines from bursting in the 2,050-foot elevation of the Michaux mountains.

First, there is the infrastructure reality. Most RVs, even those rated as "four-season," are not truly designed to be lived in when the Pennsylvania temperatures drop into the teens. Condensation becomes a nightmare, propane costs skyrocket, and holding tanks can freeze solid despite heat tape. By choosing a seasonal site rather than trying to find a permanent RV park, you’re leaning into the best months of the year without the grueling maintenance of a winterized rig.

Second, there’s the community aspect. Seasonal campgrounds like ours thrive because everyone is there for the same reason: to escape the grind. When a park allows permanent residents, the vibe often shifts from "vacation mode" to "neighborhood mode." At Pine Ridge, the Corn Crib Bar and our swimming pool are hubs of activity because people are there to relax and socialize, not just go about their daily work-life chores.

Finally, zoning and taxes are the heavy hitters. If a campground were to allow permanent residency, it would often be reclassified as a mobile home park. This changes the tax bracket for the owners and, subsequently, the price for the campers. By staying strictly seasonal, we keep our pricing information competitive—ranging from $3,500 to $4,500 per season—which is a fraction of what you’d pay for a year-round residential lot or a summer cottage.

Key Information and Facts

If you’re weighing your options, you need the hard data to make an informed choice. Here are the technical and logistical realities of the seasonal model in Pennsylvania:

• The Seven-Month Standard: Most high-quality seasonal parks in PA, especially those near Gettysburg, operate on a 180 to 210-day schedule. This aligns with the state’s environmental and tourism guidelines.
• Hookup Specs: A true seasonal site should offer "full hookups." This means 20/30/50 amp electric, a pressurized water connection, and a direct sewer drop. At Pine Ridge, all 141 of our sites are full-hookup, which is a major upgrade from the "honey wagon" service you might find at older, smaller parks.
• Elevation and Climate: Don’t underestimate the mountain effect. We sit at over 2,000 feet. This means we’re often 5-10 degrees cooler than downtown Harrisburg or Waynesboro. While that’s a blessing in July, it’s why we must close in November; the ground freeze happens earlier and deeper up here.
• Fiber Optic Connectivity: One of the biggest shifts I've seen in 15 years is the need for high-speed internet. Even though it's a seasonal "escape," many of our campers work remotely on Fridays or stream movies at night. We’ve invested in fiber WiFi to bridge that gap—something you rarely find in "permanent" older parks.
• Mail and Residency: You cannot use a seasonal campground as your legal domicile for voting or vehicle registration in Pennsylvania. You’ll need a primary residence or a specialized mail-forwarding service if you are a true nomad, but for 99% of our campers, they keep their homes in places like Hagerstown or York.

Tips and Best Practices

After a decade and a half of setting up stabilizers and leveling blocks, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make the seasonal transition seamless. If you’re moving from nightly camping to a seasonal spot, your mindset needs to shift from "packing" to "curating."

• Invest in a Quality Deck and Shed: Since you aren't moving the rig, a well-built (and park-approved) deck becomes your outdoor living room. It keeps the dirt out of your RV and gives you a place to enjoy your morning coffee while watching the mist roll off the Michaux ridges.
• Manage Your Power: Even with 50-amp service, an RV isn't a house. If you’re running two A/C units, the microwave, and an electric water heater simultaneously, you might trip a breaker. I always recommend switching your water heater to propane during peak cooking hours to save that electrical "headroom."
• Winterization is Non-Negotiable: When October 31st hits, you must be diligent. Blow out your lines with compressed air and use RV-specific antifreeze in the traps. I’ve seen too many folks skip the "pink stuff" only to return in April to a cracked toilet valve.
• Get to Know the Neighbors: The biggest perk of seasonal camping is the "eyes on the street." When you aren't there during the week, your neighbors are. We’re a family-owned park, not a corporate chain, so we foster a culture where people look out for each other’s rigs.
• Check the Proximity to Supplies: One thing people forget is how much "stuff" they’ll need for a permanent setup. Being 30 minutes from Gettysburg is the sweet spot—you’re deep enough in the woods to hear the owls, but close enough to a hardware store if a PVC fitting snaps.

How Pine Ridge Fits In

We’ve built Pine Ridge Campground to be the gold standard for the seasonal-only model. Because we don't allow nightly or transient camping, you don't have a rotating door of strangers in the site next to you every weekend. This creates a stable, secure environment that feels more like a private club than a public park.

Our location is our greatest asset. Nestled within the Michaux State Forest, we offer direct access to some of the best recreation in the state. If you’re into ATV camping in Pennsylvania, you’re only five minutes from the trailheads. If you prefer a slower pace, the Appalachian Trail is right in our backyard for world-class hiking.

We also understand that "seasonal" doesn't mean "unplugged." By providing amenities like our swimming pool and the Corn Crib Bar, we ensure that your "vacation home" has all the perks of a resort. You get the peace of the forest with the comforts of a modern community. It’s the perfect middle ground for those who want the consistency of a permanent spot without the legal and maintenance headaches of year-round RV living.

Getting Started

Making the jump to a seasonal site is a big decision, but it’s one that most of our campers say they wish they’d made years sooner. No more fighting for reservations months in advance or rushing to beat the Friday afternoon traffic just to set up in the dark.

If you’re tired of the "nomadic" grind and want a mountain retreat to call your own near the historic fields of Gettysburg or the car culture of Carlisle, we’d love to show you around. Our community is built on 15+ years of camping expertise and a deep love for the Pennsylvania outdoors. We aren't a corporate-owned facility where you're just a number on a spreadsheet; we’re a family-owned park where we know our campers by name.

Ready to claim your piece of the Michaux State Forest? The best way to understand the difference between a standard park and a premier seasonal community is to see it for yourself. Browse our available seasonal sites to see the layout of our 141 full-hookup spots, or if you’re ready to join the Pine Ridge family for the upcoming season, you can apply for a seasonal site directly through our website. We look forward to seeing you around the campfire this April!