Sara Bozich has lived most of her life in the greater Harrisburg, PA area, where she is the voice of the active, the social and the politically engaged. For more than eight years, she has dominated coverage of the Harrisburg area’s burgeoning cultural and entertainment offerings, writing weekly articles, columns and travel guides on its restaurants, music, art exhibits, theater, celebrities, charities and festivals. This weekend I’m heading out on my first camping experience since I was a Girl Scout. I always joke that I love nature, I just don’t want to sleep in it. We’re heading out of state for a relaxing few days of R&R in a rather amenity-filled cabin next to a creek, and we’re planning to fish and visit wineries. 
You can do much of the same right here. In fact, the Hershey-Harrisburg area not only has several easy camping options, but they are perfect for families on vacation — affordable, accessible and some are loaded with great perks, like shuttles to Hersheypark!
The latest news comes just down the road from the main attractions in Hershey. Hersheypark Camping Resort – until this week known as Hershey Highmeadow Campground — is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new name and new amenities.
New this year are 10 deluxe log cabins, each of which can accommodate up to seven guests and include heat and air conditioning, ceiling fan, dinner table and seating, kitchenetter, bathroom with shower, living area with pull-out sofa, flat-screen TV, DVD player, porch with grill and picnic table and two bedrooms.
These deluxe cabins have full amenities, including running water, all year long.
The campground also includes room for RV hookups and tents, plus rustic and other log cabins on its 55 acres. Guests have access to a country store and gift shop, two swimming pools, a kiddie pool, arcade, playground, basketball and volleyball courts, shuffleboard and horseshoe pits. Separate buildings host public showers and restrooms and 24-hour self-service laundry. Most areas even have wireless Internet access.
Free shuttle service to Hersheypark is offered seasonally. Hersheypark Campground Resort guests also can receive discount tickets to Hershey Gardens, The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Ave, and Hersheypark.
Six miles south of town, Hershey Conewago Campground provides another option for the camper. The 26-acre campground is equipped to host rigs, RVs, tents – and also has seven log cabins available for rent.
One-room cabins have a double bed and bunk beds, accommodating up to two adults and two children. Each cabin has an outside water spigot, porch, picnic table and fire ring.
Guest amenities include hot showers and on-site laundromat, plus a variety of recreational activities for the whole family, including 18-hole miniature golf, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball and tennis. Plus, kids will love the outdoor pool, playground and arcade. Children’s movies are shown nightly.
Paradise Stream Family Campground in Loysville can accommodate tents to Big Rigs.
Families are the focus here, and the campground features two playgrounds, a swimming pool, shuffleboard and basketball courts, sand volleyball and badmiton. There are new hiking and bicycle trails, plus canoe and paddleboat rentals as well.
Wifi is available throughout the campground.
