Hersheypark Camping Resort

The honest review

Let's be direct about who this is for: families who want official Hershey on-site benefits — the shuttle, the early entry, the proximity — but aren't willing or able to pay hotel prices for 3–4 nights. Hersheypark Camping Resort is the smart solution.

The early park entry benefit is what makes on-site Hershey stays worth a premium over off-site. Hersheypark is a 120+ ride park with no lightning lane equivalent — waits for major coasters in July can hit 90 minutes during peak hours. Early entry lets on-site guests access the park before general admission opens, when ride queues are 5–20 minutes. Over a 3-day trip, this advantage accumulates substantially in rides-per-day experienced. The camping resort guests get this same early entry, same as the Lodge and Hotel Hershey guests.

Shuttle service runs continuously from the campground to Hersheypark. The campground is 2 miles from the park entrance — technically a short drive, but the shuttle eliminates the need to pack everything back in the car, deal with parking lot logistics, and reload exhausted kids at 9pm. This is legitimately useful.

Cabin options make this accessible to non-camping families. The deluxe cabins have beds, A/C, private bathrooms, and a small porch — it's a step down from a hotel room (no daily housekeeping, no hotel amenities) but a full night's sleep in a real bed. For a 2–4 night park trip, most families find it functional. The standard cabins with shared bath facilities are more rustic and better suited to families who regularly camp.

RV site configuration is well-designed — full hookup with electric, water, and sewer. Pull-through sites are available for larger rigs. This is a well-run campground, not a bare field. For RV families who travel with their own setup, this is the obvious Hersheypark choice.

On-property pool and splash area are basic but functional. It's a campground pool, not a resort pool. After Hersheypark ride days, kids primarily use it for a cool-down.

Food: camp store covers basics. You'll want to bring your own food for meals not at the park. Grilling at your site is allowed. There are restaurants within a short drive in the Hershey area.

Parent recovery is limited. There's no spa, no quiet bar, no structured adult programming. This is a campground. The Hershey Lodge and Hotel Hershey have genuine adult programming; the camping resort doesn't. If spa access or evening adult activities are important, the camping resort isn't the right pick.

Who shouldn't pick this: Families who want hotel-level comfort and amenities. Families with very young children who need the convenience of hotel services. Adults-only or couples trips to Hershey. Anyone who wants the spa. The camping resort is for budget-conscious families who are comfortable with the campground setup and want official Hershey proximity and benefits at the lowest price point.