If s’mores by the fire is how you want to end your day at Hersheypark, you might want to consider booking a stay at the Hersheypark Camping Resort. In this post I am sharing our experience and Hersheypark camping resort review to help you decide if it is a good choice for your Hersheypark trip.
The Hersheypark Camping Resort offers a quiet escape from the theme park from tent sites to tiny houses. It is located a few miles from Hersheypark and offers free shuttle transportation to the park.
We stayed during the winter season at Hersheypark which included a visit to Hersheypark at Christmas, but this review will give you everything you need to know to plan a visit anytime of the year.
Be sure to read our full guide to Hersheypark that goes into details on how to plan a visit to the sweetest place on earth.
Hersheypark Camping Resoert Accommodation
There are a few different options for guests wanting to stay at the campgrounds at Hersheypark.
- Cabins
- RV sites
- Tent Sites
- Tiny Homes
I really like that you can tent camp if you prefer or stay in a cabin and have the same quietness of being on the campgrounds.
Hersheypark Camping Resort Cabins
We stayed at a cabin and this was a perfect fit for us! I am not a sleep outdoors kind of girl so this was really the best fit for us.
Be aware that the Hersheypark cabins do not provide all the amenities of a hotel, like linens and towels, you need to bring them from home. I share exactly what to bring later in this post.
Guests have an outdoor space with a fire pit, a parking spot, and 1 and 2 bedroom cabins. Our 2-bedroom cabin fits up to 7 guests and has a full size bed, three twin beds, and a queen bed.
The cabins are equipped with bathrooms, heat, and air conditioning. There is also a kitchen and microwave. If you like the outdoors but want don’t want to be sleeping outdoors this may be a good choice.
Hersheypark Campng Resort Cost
The cost is going to depend on the season of your visit. The summer months will have a higher cost than the winter season. Cabins and Tiny Home rentals started around $200.00 a night wit a 2-3 night minimum. Sites started at $130.00 a night. Check here for latest pricing.
Perks for Hersheypark Camping Guests
Guests staying at the Camping Resort at Hersheypark receive on-site perks to make your visit to the park even better.
They include:
- 1 Hour early access to the park with “Sweet Start”. Some rides and attractions are open early allowing on-site resort guests a head start on the most popular rides. This is available during summer hours.
- Extra Evening Hours and Preview Hours, up to 3 hours, to resort guests.
- Preferred pricing for Hershey Gardens, The Hershey Story’s Museum, and ZooAmerica. (Hershey Hotel and Hershey Lodge provide free tickets included with your stay.)
- Complimentary shuttle service between Hersheypark and Hershey Camping Resort.
- 2 on-site pools and a kiddie pool that is open seasonally.
- Indoor game room
- On-site daily resort activities.
Hersheypark Camping Resort- What to Pack
- Towels
- Pillows
- Bed Sheets and Comforters
- Paper Towel Rolls
- Snacks/Food
- Hand Soap
- Dish Soap
- Toilet Paper
- Coffee and Filters
We stayed for one night and it was really nice to have our own sheets and blankets for the night. It was cozy and a little home away from home.
I found the easiest way to pack was to use large plastic totes. It made for easy storage in the car and easy to bring into the cabin.
Is Hersheypark Camping Resort worth staying at
I think Hersheypark Camping resort is worth staying at if you are looking for a more home vibe over a hotel vibe. We all appreciated the indoor and outdoor space staying at Hershey Camping resorts provided.
The downside of staying here is that you have to bring your own linens and towels. Guests are asked to bag their trash, do their dishes, and make their own beds. The cabin rentals are more like a house rental than staying at an option like The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge.
Another thing to consider is the time of year you visit. During the summer guests have access to the pool, basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard. Bring your own equipment.
Also during the summer months Hersheypark Camping Resort has daily activities. Guests can paint rocks, experience animal encounters from ZooAmerica, and many more daily activities.
In the winter, when we visited, the activities are limited- but they did have a letter to Santa station for the kids. A winter stay works well if you are attending the Christmas at Hersheypark event.
We wrote our letters and picked up our response the next day. They also had Christmas packets to color. I purchased crayons from the on-site Country Store.
At the Country Store guests can purchase smore kits, coffee, and other essentials you may need.
Overall I would recommend a stay at the campgrounds at Hersheypark. The cabins gave our family of five space and I liked the slower pace breaks from the parks. If you choose to stay at the cabin you can cook your own food and have a more home like stay.
If you prefer a full resort the camping resort may not be for you. I suggest reading Where to Stay at Hersheypark- Comparing the Hershey Resorts to help you find the Hersheypark accommodations that works best for your family.
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.