Elizabethtown / Hershey KOA

The Great Outdoors

Camp in an RV near Elizabethtown and head to the Chickies Rock County Park, which lies along the east bank of the Susquehanna River. Its name translates from the local Native American language as “place of the crayfish” and the park is renowned for its large quartzite outcrop that offers sweeping views across the river. Follow the 14-mile-long Northwest Lancaster County River Trail if you want to stretch your legs or explore the remains of a historic trolley line and iron furnaces that date from the area’s industrial days.If you’re a keen angler, make the short drive across the Susquehanna River to the Gifford Pinchot State Park, which centers around the 340-acre Pinchot Lake. There are three launch areas for getting out on the water, with largemouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, and crappie all for the taking. Wooded hiking trails that open out into rural fields surround the lake, with some also accessible to mountain bikers and horseback riders, as well cross-country skiers during the winter months.Also nearby is the Samuel S. Lewis State Park, which is dominated by the 885-foot-high peak of Mount Pisgah. You can hike to the top of the peak for impressive views across the area or visit after dark when it becomes one of Pennsylvania’s top stargazing destinations. It’s just a stone’s throw from the Highpoint Scenic Vista & Recreation Area, another natural area that’s worth visiting for its Susquehanna River views.

Exploring the Area

Just five minutes’ drive from the Elizabethtown / Hershey KOA is the center of Elizabethtown where you’ll find a good selection of supermarkets for picking up grocery supplies. There are also gas stations for filling up your RV rental and plenty of fast food restaurants and eateries for dining out. If you’re interested in the local history, don’t miss a visit to the Winters Heritage House Museum, which occupies a Victorian brick home, a Scotch-Irish log home, and a PA German log home that date from the mid-18th century.Renting an RV in Elizabethtown is a good option for families wanting to visit Hersheypark, a chocolate-themed amusement park in nearby Hershey. Aside from letting loose on the roller coasters and kid-friendly rides, you can get up close to native wildlife at Zoo America or experience one of the live performances. If you’re visiting during the summer months, head to the themed pools of Hersheypark’s waterpark or embark on a chocolate tour at Hershey’s Chocolate World where you can create your own candy bar.RV camping at Elizabethtown / Hershey KOA also makes a great base for exploring Harrisburg, which lies just 30 minutes’ drive north and serves as the capital of Pennsylvania. It’s home to the National Civil War Museum where you can learn about both sides of the conflict through re-enactments and a range of engaging, interactive exhibits. Another museum not to miss is the State Museum of Pennsylvania, with exhibits that celebrate the region’s natural, cultural, and industrial history. Aside from more than three million objects that date from pre-history to the modern day, the museum is also home to a multi-media planetarium.Whether you want to explore Central Pennsylvania’s great outdoors, be immersed in the world of chocolate, or discover the region’s rich history, book an RV in Lancaster County and start planning your next vacation.