Hershey Park Thousand Trails has become one of our favorite campgrounds, but it wasn’t love at first sight.
This campground has been part of our camping story for several years now. In fact, one of our very first trips after buying our Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S was here.
Unfortunately, weather did not cooperate.
We camped in the spring of 2022 during a Nor’easter. It was cold, rainy, and one of the wettest camping trips we’ve ever had. To make matters worse, our campsite flooded! Needless to say, it wasn’t exactly the memorable first visit we had hoped for.
Thankfully, we didn’t let one bad weekend keep us from coming back.
A Campground That Grew on Us
Since then, we’ve returned several times, including with our new travel trailer. With each visit, we’ve enjoyed Hershey Park Thousand Trails a little more.
This year, though, something really clicked.
Maybe it’s because we’ve stayed at several other Thousand Trails campgrounds over the past few years, but this one truly stands out. It has a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, plenty of room to explore, and it simply feels welcoming.
Sometimes you don’t fully appreciate a campground until you’ve experienced a variety of others, and that’s exactly what happened with us.
Friendly and Accommodating Staff
One thing I really appreciated on this trip was how accommodating the staff was.
Like many Thousand Trails campgrounds, Hershey now assigns campsites before you arrive. When Shawn arrived before me, he went to the assigned site. As soon as I got there, I knew it wasn’t the right fit for us. It was heavily wooded and felt a little too secluded for my liking.
Since we camp with Cooper and Penny, I also knew I’d spend the whole trip worrying about ticks. Cooper is allergic to tick collars, so even though both dogs take tick medication, it doesn’t keep ticks from crawling onto them. I knew I wouldn’t be able to relax.
We stopped by the office to ask if another site was available, and they couldn’t have been nicer. They happily moved us to a different site that we absolutely loved, and it made all the difference in our stay.
I know changing sites isn’t always possible, especially when a campground is busy, but I really appreciated how friendly and helpful they were. Great customer service goes a long way.
Plenty of Room to Explore
One of my favorite things about Hershey Park Thousand Trails is simply walking around the campground.
One morning I went for a 40-minute walk and still didn’t cover every section. I love strolling through the different loops, seeing everyone’s campers, admiring all the unique campsite setups, and just enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
There is so much to see that every walk feels a little different.
A Bonus for Walking Lovers
Another reason we enjoy staying here is that it’s just a short drive from the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail.
If you’ve followed S&K On The Road for very long, you know Shawn and I love exploring rail trails. They’re some of our favorite places to walk because they’re generally nice and flat, making them enjoyable for just about anyone.
The Lebanon Valley Rail Trail is beautiful, peaceful, and surrounded by God’s amazing creation. We spent a morning walking there and absolutely loved it. Having such a wonderful trail nearby is another reason Hershey Park Thousand Trails has become one of our favorite places to camp.
Great Amenities
The campground offers something for everyone.
Some of the highlights include:
- A beautiful swimming pool
- Basketball courts
- Playgrounds and family activities
- Clean, well-maintained bathhouses
- Nice cabins for those who don’t have an RV
- Plenty of roads and loops for walking
Everything feels well cared for, and that really adds to the experience.
Is a Thousand Trails Membership Worth It?
We’ve often been asked whether a Thousand Trails membership is worth it.
For us, campgrounds like Hershey are one of the reasons we’d seriously consider it. While every Thousand Trails campground is different, places like this remind us just how enjoyable the membership can be.
If more of the campgrounds were like Hershey, the decision would be much easier.
Our Final Thoughts
No campground is perfect, but Hershey Park Thousand Trails comes pretty close for us.
Between the friendly staff, clean facilities, family atmosphere, nearby Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, and all the opportunities to simply enjoy being outdoors, it’s become one of our favorite Thousand Trails campgrounds.
If you’re looking for a campground near Hershey that offers plenty to do while still giving you a relaxing place to unwind, we definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Our Rating
★★★★★ 5 out of 5 Stars
If we decide on a membership, or before our free membership runs out, we will definitely be back.