Pennsylvania - Gifford Pinchot State Park

Campground: Gifford Pinchot State Park

Location: Dover PA, 6 miles north of Dover

Overall Rating: B-

Setting Rating: B+
(a picturesque area; gentle wooded hills and farmland throughout the area, numerous 150+ year old homes and structures throughout the region on farms and in towns; a quiet campground located on a manmade lake,)

Site Rating: B+
(partly shaded to well shaded sites; moderate size and average spacing for a public park; recently converted 30 and 50 amp sites are larger than most of the rest; a growing number of non-electric sites are being converted into electric sites; newly converted sites can readily handle 35’+ units; recently converted electric sites are stony; older sites have paved pads; number of primitive sites have good overlooks of the lake; could use double the number of water taps as those that exists are at a distance from some sites; excellent sized fire pits)

Washroom Rating: C
(well placed but aged modern with showers; the washrooms could use maintenance attention; plenty of hot water; average cleanliness)

Recreation Rating: C+
(beach with warm water since is not situated in a high flow area; water is cloudy from all the activity in the water; when 50% occupied and hot, the beach is well undersized by 50%; the was closed during one of our stays due to pollution (limited flow, high use in a small area are at the heart of the issue); day use beaches at a drive; small boat rental at day use beaches; no significantly developed playground; volleyball area by group campground; numerous short too moderate hiking trails in the area; area good for bird watching; fishing)

Conclusion: This is a pleasant campground for families and extended stays if the beach is open. It can serve as a base for day trips to sightseeing in Lancaster, Gettysburg and Amish country. We have visited the park twice and though not a priority places to revisit, we may well make another visit.


http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/giffordpinchot.aspx