Hersheypark Camping Resort: Comfort for Non-Campers

As a 2017 Sweetest Moms Ambassador I’ve partnered with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts to bring you all the best news from the Sweetest Place on Earth.  Our stay at Hersheypark Camping Resort was hosted. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  You can read my full disclosure policy here.

I’m really not much of a camper. At all. I like the *idea* of it, but when it comes down to it I prefer the comforts of home (or a hotel). If you’re like me and kinda into it but kinda not, Hersheypark Camping Resort is for you. And actually if you are totally into it, it’s for you too. They have  campsites with partial and full hook-ups if you camp in an RV, they have sites to pitch a tent, and then for people like me, they have cabins. In total there are over 300 sites, 46 of them are cabins.

I visited for a daytime tour in the spring a couple of years ago, and you can get a better look at the grounds in these photos.  This time, I stayed overnight! The Hersheypark Camping Resort is open year round, so just after Thanksgiving my family was hosted in one of their 2-bedroom deluxe cabins. Below I’m sharing the scoop on how Hersheypark Camping Resort is comfort for non-campers…like me!

Hersheypark Camping Resort

This beautiful barn, built in 1843, is the check-in and go-to if you need anything while you’re there. In the warmer months, they show movies on a screen on one side of the barn.

Inside the barn is the check-in desk where you’ll get all set up for your camping trip. We grabbed our cabin keys here and then checked out the rest of this barn. Some goodies on either side of that desk!

There’s an awesome store right on site that really comes in handy if you forgot anything. It’s also an awesome places for Hershey souvenirs.

In the morning you can walk on down and grab yourself a hot cup of coffee to enjoy while strolling the grounds. I met the cutest doggie out for a walk the morning we checked out. Everyone on the grounds is so friendly. It really feels like a community.

On the other side of the check in desk is a game room, something my kids loved! In the summer months, the outdoor pool provides a great place to hang out. There is a playground, too, which is really nice.  The Camping Resort is actually located on 55 acres of beautifully wooded land right next to the Swatara Creek, so if you hit it at the right time of year you’ll have some additional recreation options. For us, it was pretty cold when we were there, and it got dark early so I really liked having somewhere to take the kids to entertain them a bit outside of our cabin.

Comfort for Non-Campers

There are a variety of cabins available at Hersheypark Camping Resort. Check out the differences here. The 2-bedroom deluxe cabins are the only ones that offer year-round plumbing, so of course that’s the one we chose! Each cabin has a fire ring outside and a nice deck with a picnic table.

The inside is so pretty! I love all of the exposed wood. You’ll find a fully-stocked kitchen with dishes and utensils plus a full-size fridge so you can easily cook right here in the cabin and save a few bucks on dining out. The door at the end of this hallway is the bedroom my kids slept in. It has 2 bunk beds which they loved!

The living room area includes a TV on the wall and a couch. It was a tight squeeze but all four of my family members were able to get on there and watch a football game the night we stayed. Behind the couch is the ‘master’ bedroom where my husband and I slept.

It includes a dresser and queen size bed. You might notice that there is no bedding on the mattress. In keeping with the true spirit of camping, linens are not provided and you need to bring your own. That includes sheets, pillows, and blankets for the bedrooms. We’ll get to your packing list below!

The campgrounds feel particularly cozy at night. Our cabin had a warm glow and the space was a little tight, but that was part of the fun of feeling like we were truly camping and not in a hotel room.

And that view of the front door is so pretty! If you’re not quite the outdoorsy type but still want to dip your toe in, the deluxe cabins are the perfect solution!

What to Pack

So let’s chat about what to pack. And you can go crazy here (I have been known to be an overpacker) but I’m going to give 3 main categories and you can fill in the details. This is the stuff you might not think to pack, not the usually stuff you take on a trip. So I won’t tell you to pack socks – you already know that!

Bedrooms:

• Bring all your linens. That includes sheets, pillows, and blankets.

Bathrooms:

• Bring your bathroom linens as well: towels, hand towels, and washcloths.
• Bring toiletries. There are no sample-sized shampoos, etc. like you might find in a hotel room. Bring hand soap for the sink.
• There is toilet paper, but there were no tissues. If you like a box in the bathroom, bring one.
• Bring a bath mat or a spare towel to throw on the floor in front of the shower stall.

Kitchen:

• Bring dish soap and a sponge to clean the dishes with.
• Bring hand soap for the sink.
• Bring  a dishtowel to dry dishes and wipe hands. There is a roll of paper towels (but I didn’t see any spare rolls laying around to refill it).
• There is a coffee pot there, but you need to bring your own coffee filters and ground coffee to use it.

If you are unsure if something is provided or you need to bring it, call! We called right before we walked out the door for a couple of last minute questions. They are super helpful!

Learn More

Get all your Hersheypark Camping Resort questions answered on their website that’s jam packed with info and beautiful pictures. You can even book a stay right online. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest camping news!