Hersheypark
Do you like chocolate? How about roller coasters? Or maybe games, shows, or water parks? Hersheypark has all of that and more in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Head over in your RV and camp at the park.
Event information
When someone says “Hershey,” you probably think of a chocolate bar, right? Well, there is also a town called Hershey in Southeastern Pennsylvania. This town, just 14 miles east of Harrisburg, is named for the chocolate-making Hershey Company, but it is also home to Hersheypark.
This 110-acre amusement park boasts over 70 rides, a waterpark, a tour ride, and even a zoo. They also have over 60 different food stands and restaurants to choose from while you’re there. Enjoy live entertainment, explore the shops, and stay overnight in your RV at the campground so you can enjoy it all over again the next day.
Chocolate lovers cannot beat the variety of candy at this park, so if you are into sweets, this park is going to be a favorite for you. Hershey-based, of course, guests will encounter plenty of chocolate, including chocolate-covered funnel cake. But you can also get all kinds of treats from ice cream to donuts and whoopie pies to slushies. After you enjoy your food, take in a show at one of the 12 different entertainment venues while your food settles before you get back on the rides.
Speaking of rides, Hersheypark has 14 roller coasters, 17 water rides, and 25 rides just for the kids. And if you want to ride as a family, there are ver 40 family rides, including the carousel, a dozen water rides, several roller coasters, and the Ferris wheel.
Take a walk over to the zoo and do a meet and greet with some woodchucks and other cute critters. Visit the scenes behind the sights, take the little ones to some of the special kids’ activities, and watch the majestic lions and bears enjoy the sunshine. Then head back to the park for some more food, fun, and rides.
Tickets
It is always a good idea to get your Hersheypark tickets online or by phone before the season starts so you can take advantage of the discounts they offer. In recent years, one-day tickets online were about $45, and two-day tickets were around $80.
If you wait and get your ticket at the park, you will typically pay $75 for one day and $100 for two. Season tickets are an even bigger discount at about $145, which is a stellar deal if you plan on coming back more than once a year. Camping is separate and usually runs about $50 to $80 per night.
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Transportation
Driving
Located just off of US-422 in Hershey, you might travel on I-81 to the north, I-76 to the south, or I-83 from the west to come near the park. Once you arrive, you will be just 15 miles to the east of Harrisburg, 30 miles to the northwest of Lancaster, and about 60 miles from Reading to the east. Although the roads in Pennsylvania can be hilly due to the mountainous area, most of the highways and roads leading into Hersheypark are straight and level.
Parking areas
No matter what time of year you are visiting Hersheypark, the best choice for parking is to get a campsite. The cost of an overnight spot is not much more than the cost of parking. And you’ll have the benefit of staying the night and all the amenities that come with it such as showers, utilities, picnic tables, and campfire rings. If you would rather park in the lot or there are no open campsites, there is a parking lot for oversized vehicles to the northwest of the Hersheypark Stadium. The parking attendants will tell you where to go if this lot is full.
Public Transportation
Capital Area Transit (CAT) provides transportation from all over the County of Dauphin and its surrounding areas. CAT’s 322 route has service around the Harrisburg and Hershey area. Transfer to other routes to get to other areas such as York, Reading, Lebanon, and many more. Taxi and rideshare services are also available.
Where to stay
Onsite
Plan ahead and reserve a spot for your RV at Hersheypark Camping Resort in the park. They have over 250 campsites ranging from primitive to full hookups that can accommodate rigs up to 56 feet long. However, most of them can only handle those up to 40 feet, so make sure you check the length limits when making your reservation.
The campground is almost as much fun as Hersheypark with two pools, a game room, several playgrounds, live entertainment, basketball, and much more. What’s even better is that you get an extra hour to ride before the park opens with no long lines!
Nearby
With over a dozen campgrounds near the park, you won’t have to worry if you did not get a spot at Hersheypark to camp. These campsites range from those with full hookups and showers to those with no hookups and port-a-potties.
Elizabethtown / Hershey KOA is just 15 miles to the south and has over 130 sites that can accommodate RVs up to 100 feet long. Choose from full or partial hookups, and they also have a pool, mini-golf, fishing, Wi-Fi, and cable television.
Jonestown / Hershey NE KOA is only 18 miles to the north. They have full hookups and can handle rigs up to 90 feet long. There’s also a playground, cable TV, Wi-Fi, activity rooms, an arcade, mini-golf, and fishing. The KOAs are also pet-friendly, so you can bring Fido if you want.
Getting around
The park has three tram stops in the parking lots that will shuttle you to and from the entrance gate if you park in the lot. Inside the park, there are trams for those with mobility issues, but everyone else has to walk. But there are plenty of places to take a seat around the park. You can relax on one of the many benches or take a break while eating or seeing a show. Wear comfortable shoes and bring along some water to keep you cool.
What to pack
Clothing
If you are going to visit Hersheypark in the summertime, pack items like shorts, tank tops, and tee-shirts. However, you may also need to bring some long pants or jeans because the lows can get in the 50s at times. If you are planning your trip for April or May, you will need warmer clothes as the highs are typically in the 60s with lows in the 40s. You will also need comfortable walking shoes. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit for the water park if you are going anytime after Memorial Day.
Gear
Hersheypark does not allow guests to bring in food or drinks except for one bottle of water. It must be in an unopened plastic bottle. Backpacks and bags are welcome, but they will be searched at the gate. Also, if you are riding the rides, you will have to keep your bags and backpacks in a locker. It is best to just bring the essentials so you can keep your hands free for having fun. Glass, weapons, drugs, and alcohol are not permitted.
Health & Safety
It is a good idea to bring sunscreen with you even if you put it on before you go. If you go on the water rides or sweat, the effectiveness wears off quickly, so you will need to reapply. Sunglasses are good for keeping the sun out of your eyes, but many of the rides will make you remove them. Bring bug spray for both the campsite and the park. A first-aid kit with basic items like bandages and aspirin is a good idea as well.
Where to eat
Cooking
RVers can use the utilities at Hersheypark, one of the KOAs, or any of the other campgrounds for cooking. But it is also a good idea to have a backup barbecue grill and camp stove just in case you need them. And plenty of water in case the water at the campground is not potable. But who wants to spend their vacation cooking? Prepare your meals ahead of time and freeze them, so all you have to do is thaw them out once you reach your Hershey RV campground.
Restaurants
Were you thinking of having a meal with the family at a nice restaurant in town? You’re in luck because there are several less than two miles to the south in Hershey. Choose from French cuisine, an Italian restaurant, and a steak and seafood place. To keep the kids entertained while you relax and eat, check out the American diner with a game room just two miles to the north. There are also about a dozen fast-food joints in the area if you are in a hurry.
Vendors
Hersheypark has more than just chocolate. There are 64 dining and drink locations all around the park, with a huge variety of options. While some may be more interested in the sweet stuff, guests will also find several smokehouses, pizzerias, and even a taco truck. Other choices include gyros, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken, and catfish. If you are looking for souvenirs, gifts, or other items, the park has over 15 shops to peruse.
Safety
Security
Everyone has to go through a metal detector before entering. Be ready by removing your keys, wallet, phone, and other items before getting to the gate. Your purse, bag, or backpack will be searched as well. Check the list of prohibited items online before heading to the park entrance, so you don’t have to get sent back to your RV. If you need help from a security officer for any reason, you can go to one of the guest services stations at the front and back of the park or hospitality services by the front gate.
Weather
This section of Pennsylvania is typically in the middle the to upper 80s during the summer with low temperatures in the 60s. April and May can range from the 60s to the low 70s with lows in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Rain and thundershowers can happen anytime but are more likely from May until July. The creeks in the campground at Hersheypark can flood during heavy rain, so download a weather app to your phone, so you can stay updated on the local forecast to be on the safe side.
Medical
Nobody plans on getting sick or having an accident at the park, but it happens, so the park has several first-aid stations. The main one is at the Family Health and Services Center in Pioneer Frontier just to the south of The Claw ride. There is another in the Boardwalk area behind the Shoreline Sprayground. Guests can also find several urgent care facilities within a few miles of the park and the Hershey Hospital about four miles to the southwest.
