After spending a few days at Thousand Trails Hershey, we decided to head over to try out a new campground.
Shawn discovered Jonestown / Hershey NE KOA Journey campground and thought it would be a great place to check out. We’ve had great experiences with KOA campgrounds in the past, so we were excited to see what this one had to offer.
First Impressions
Our first impression was a good one. Our campsite was nice and level with a concrete patio, making it easy to set up and enjoy our outdoor space. The campground has plenty of trees, but it isn’t heavily wooded. It has more of an open feel while still providing some shade, which we really liked.
The campground offers a variety of campsite options with different hookup choices. I’m not sure if every site has full hookups, but ours did. We had water, sewer, and electric with 30-amp service, and everything worked perfectly during our stay.
The Best Bathhouses We’ve Seen
One of the first things Shawn commented on was the bathhouses. In his opinion, they are probably the nicest we’ve seen so far. They were exceptionally clean, modern, and very well maintained.
A Campground for Every Type of Camper
Since the campground is located right off Interstate 81, it’s a popular stop for travelers spending just one night on their way to another destination. During our stay, we enjoyed seeing the wide variety of campers that called this campground home, whether for a night or a longer stay.
We saw:
- Tent campers
- Pop-up campers
- Camper vans
- Truck campers
- Class B motorhomes
- Class C motorhomes
- Class A motorhomes
- Fifth wheels
- Travel trailers
There is also a large area dedicated to tent camping that looked spacious and inviting.
The campground does have some seasonal or permanent sites, but they are well maintained and blend in nicely with the rest of the campground.
Direct Access to the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail
One of the standout features for us was the direct access to the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. With a trailhead right inside the campground, it couldn’t be easier to step out and hit the path for a walk with the dogs. That said, we found the section closest to the campground a bit narrower than we prefer. So we hopped in the truck and drove a few minutes to another trailhead. The first path we tried had a slightly eerie vibe, but the next day Shawn and the pups discovered a much better stretch that made the extra effort totally worth it.
Great Camp Store and Food Options
The camp store is one of the nicest we’ve visited. It carries a nice selection of camping supplies, gifts, and snacks. Even better, the campground has its own restaurant and will actually deliver food right to your campsite.
And if you’re in the mood for dessert, you’ll be happy to know they also have an ice cream bar serving Hershey’s Ice Cream.
A Peaceful Creek Along the Campground
A small creek runs alongside the campground, adding a peaceful touch to the property. Shawn was hoping to do a little fishing, but there really wasn’t a good place to set up a chair along the bank. He thought waders would probably be needed if you wanted to fish there.
Family-Friendly Amenities
Although this campground doesn’t have a swimming pool, that wasn’t important to us. There are still several activities for families to enjoy, including:
- Mini golf
- Outdoor games
- A playground for kids
- A small dog park
There was plenty to do without the campground feeling crowded.
Is There Road Noise?
Because the campground is located just off Interstate 81, you will hear some highway traffic. We noticed it, but it wasn’t enough to bother us. After a short while, it simply became background noise.
Final Thoughts
We really enjoyed our stay at Jonestown / Hershey NE KOA Journey. Between the level campsites, concrete patios, beautiful bathhouses, friendly staff, excellent camp store, restaurant, Hershey’s Ice Cream, reliable cell service, and direct access to the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, this campground has a lot to offer.
Whether you’re looking for a comfortable overnight stop while traveling or a place to spend a few days exploring central Pennsylvania, we think this campground is well worth considering.
Our Rating
Campsite: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Bathhouses: 5/5
Amenities: 4.5/5
Location: 5/5
Would We Stay Again? Absolutely! We would definitely stay here again.