Mechanicsburg is a borough found in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland County. It’s just west of Harrisburg with a population of 8,981. It’s named for the settlement of mechanics that built and repaired Conestoga Wagons here during the early 19th century.
In 1837, Mechanicsburg was a designated water station along the Cumberland Valley Railroad line. It’s where locomotives would stop to restock their water and firewood. Lumber yards, grain and feed companies, and several factories were built along the railroad tracks. Once upon a time, 25 trains were coming through Mechanicsburg each day. They carried passengers, coal, fruit, ice, newspapers, and mail. During the Civil War, this railroad was used to transport troops and supplies. Today, you’ll find at least six trains that still come through the area each day.
On June 28, 1863, Brig. General Albert G. Jenkins led troops in a raid on Mechanicsburg. Two days later, the Skirmish of Sporting Hill took place east of town. Following this skirmish, the Confederate troops retreated south to Gettysburg where they fought in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Visitors will find numerous historical sites in Mechanicsburg that are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Irving Female College was the first Pennsylvania woman's college to grant degrees in arts and science. The Mechanicsburg Commercial Historic District has 91 buildings dating back to the 19th century. They include excellent examples of Late Victorian and Georgian architecture. The Cumberland Valley Railroad Station and Station Master’s House from 1857 now houses the Mechanicsburg Museum Association’s main museum. You’ll also want to see the 1887 Arden Orvis House and the 1892 Simpson Street School while in the area.
The pet-friendly Little Buffalo State Park in Newport has 46 sites with full hookups. Activities include fishing in the warmer months and sledding and cross-country skiing during the winter season. There’s a playground for the children, and you’ll appreciate the on-site dump station. Daily rates are $15 for residents and $20 for non-residents.
Deer Run Camping Resort in Gardners has 162 sites with full hookups. Guests can enjoy hunting and fishing. Children love the large playground, and there are basketball and volleyball courts for all ages along with miniature golf. Conveniences include a laundry facility, a dump station, and a camp store on the property. Cable TV, Wi-Fi, and cell reception are available. Daily rates range from $36 to $59, and monthly rates are $485.
Elizabethtown/ Hershey KOA has 118 sites with full hookups. Wi-Fi and cable TV are available. Each site includes an outdoor dishwashing station, and a shuttle is available to Hershey Park. Rates start at $48.50.
Little Buffalo State Park is named after a 10-mile tributary that extends from Buffalo Creek to Pennsylvania’s Union County. Fishing enthusiasts will enjoy fishing on Holman Lake while hunters will find over 100 acres devoted to the sport. Several hiking trails provide the perfect way for you to explore the park’s dense forest and scenic waterfront. Be sure to find the covered bridge and the restored grist mill while in the park. Two shaded picnic areas include views of the lake.
Colonel Denning State Park is in Pennsylvania's Lower-Mifflin Township in the Doubling Gap of the Appalachian Blue Mountains. The park encompasses 273 acres along with the 3.5-acre Doubling Gap Lake. The lake provides visitors with water activities such as trout fishing, swimming, and waterskiing. Hunting opportunities include white-tailed deer, turkeys, and squirrels. Hikers will enjoy the 105-mile Tuscarora Trail, and everyone will appreciate the 200 picnic tables found throughout the park.
Codorus State Park is found on the beautiful shores of Lake Marburg. The park’s 3,500 acres encompass scenic pine forests and rolling hills. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are all great ways to explore the area, and boating and fishing on the lake are popular activities. This park is open year-round. During the winter months, visitors enjoy cross-country skiing on the snow-covered trails as well as ice skating on the lake. Educational programs, meteor watch parties, campfire nights, and guided hikes are held from May through October.
The Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail tells the story of how the Continental and French armies came together in 1781 to fight the British Army in Yorktown. Along with the French Navy, they marched hundreds of miles. It was the largest movement of troops during the American Revolution. They saw a victory at Yorktown, which pushed them closer to independence. The Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail encompasses 680 miles of roads that these armies marched along during their 14-week journey to Yorktown.
The Hampton National Historic Site is located on a portion of the property that was owned by the Ridgley family from 1790 to 1948. The Ridgleys originally owned 25,000 acres. The Hampton National Historic Site encompasses 62.4 of those acres that are now open to the public. As you explore the area, you’ll find many historical structures and gardens. Enjoy it at your own pace, but you’ll need to schedule a tour of the mansion ahead of time. Tours explain the history of the site. There are numerous hiking trails, museums, shops, and restaurants surrounding this historic site.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park was created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1961. His goal was to preserve part of the United States' development. This park includes 20,000 acres along the Potomac River. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was built for barges carrying cargo from the interior of the country to the eastern shore. It was supposed to extend to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, but improvements in the railroad system ended the canal’s construction in Cumberland, Maryland. Many shops and restaurants are found alongside the park as it spans several communities. The park itself has numerous hiking and biking trails to enjoy, and fishing is excellent among the many ponds, lakes, creeks, and rivers.
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests encompass 1.8 million acres found within the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. It’s a beautiful area that provides visitors with camping, hiking, fishing, and birdwatching opportunities. While most of the forest is made up of pines and hardwoods, you’ll find 40 species of trees and over 2,000 species of plants as you explore the area. Wildlife is abundant with 200 types of birds and 100 species of fish and mussels.
The Finger Lakes National Forest in upstate New York is the second-smallest national forest in the country. Its beauty comes from the many waterfalls, deep gorges, and spring wildflowers. Over 30 miles of trails allow visitors to explore the forest on foot, bike, or horseback. Fishing enthusiasts love the many types of fish available such as bass, walleye, yellow perch, panfish, and northern pike. Skiing is a popular activity in the winter months, and it’s possible to see the northern lights from this area. Wildlife you can expect to see includes white-tailed deer, beavers, bobcats, and red foxes.
The Allegheny National Forest near Mechanicsburg encompasses 517,000 acres. It’s located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains with 2,300 feet high plateaus and stunning valleys. The hundreds of miles of hiking trails allow you to see the forest’s beauty up close. The changing color of the leaves in the fall is spectacular. The Allegheny River and the Kinzua Reservoir offer several water activities to enjoy during warmer months. In the winter, you can go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ride snowmobiles. Wildlife includes black bears, red and gray foxes, beavers, raccoons, gray squirrels, wild turkeys, and white-tailed deer.
The Mechanicsburg Museum Association is dedicated to preserving the rich history of Mechanicsburg and Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The museum offers a variety of exhibits that showcase the area’s rich history. The Mechanicsburg Museum Association was founded in 1975 in a community effort to preserve the Stationmaster’s House, a historic Mechanicsburg landmark, from destruction. Since its founding, the Association has preserved and promoted Mechanicsburg’s unique history with educational programs, and gallery exhibits, and by acquiring four more historic buildings in the area. Renting an RV from RVshare when traveling to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania is the best way to explore the area. A budget-friendly RV rental experience is possible with RVshare. With a wide variety of RV classes and price points, RVshare makes it easy to find the perfect option. Williams Grove Park is a great place to visit if you’re an RV owner on the hunt for a place to camp. The park has over 400 campsites and is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. If you’re going to be staying at the campground for more than a few days, you’ll have access to laundry facilities, showers, and restrooms. There are also plenty of activities for guests to get involved in during their stay including hiking trails, fishing spots, swimming holes, and playgrounds. The Paulus Farm Market is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. It has been family owned and operated since 1825. It is the oldest operating market in Cumberland County, PA. Paulus Farm Market is a family-owned and operated open-air market and family farm featuring the finest locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables! Kids love to visit Paulus Farm Park, just out the back door of the market to a childhood preservation station of friendly barnyard animals, unique play areas, gardens, and farm fields. The COWLICK ice cream truck serves soft-serve treats to enjoy while visiting or to take home.
Shenandoah National Park, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, is a unique national park with two sections. The northern portion includes Skyline Drive, which runs along the ridges and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains. The southern section features more than 500 miles of hiking trails and a large campground with over 200 campsites. Five hundred miles of trails, consisting of 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, lead visitors to waterfalls, panoramic views, protected wilderness, and preserved human history in the Shenandoah valley. A park full of recreational opportunities for the entire family, Shenandoah is worth a repeat visit. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Nestled in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, and running alongside the Shenandoah River, the valley is a nature lover's paradise. Over a million people visit Shenandoah every year seeking a break from their day-to-day lives. Visitors take in panoramic vistas from Skyline Drive; share picnics with family members; saddle horses for trail rides; hike mountains; wade under waterfalls; and find physical, emotional, and spiritual respite.
Little Buffalo State Park is located just 17 miles away from Mechanicsburg. With over 200 campsites, Little Buffalo State Park is a great place to camp with family and friends. American Indians frequented Little Buffalo Creek on hunting trips. Farmers and merchants used to gossip and pass news while the grain was ground at Shoaff’s Mill. Nearby, merchants, local people, and travelers met at Blue Ball Tavern. This 356-acre park is located along Codorus Creek. The park's main attraction is its large lake, which offers fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, and catfish. Visitors can also enjoy swimming from the beach or one of two swimming docks. A playground and picnic pavilions are available on site. Colonel Denning State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Cumberland and Franklin Counties in Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is located along the Susquehanna River, which forms the Maryland border. Colonel Denning State Park was established as a state park in 1937.
Independence National Historical Park is a great place to visit in Mechanicsburg. This national park preserves several important locations from the founding of America, including Benjamin Franklin's home and grave. The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is another must-see landmark near Mechanicsburg. This memorial commemorates the life and achievements of one of our country's most famous Founding Fathers. The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is located in our rotunda. The centerpiece of the memorial is a dramatic 20-foot-high marble statue of Benjamin Franklin. Sculpted by James Earle Fraser, the statue is crafted of white Seravezza marble and weighs 30 tons. The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, located in the rotunda of the Franklin Institute science museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., features a colossal statue of a seated Benjamin Franklin, American writer, inventor, statesman, and Founding Father. In 1730 Franklin became the official printer of Pennsylvania, and the following year he helped to found the Library Company in Philadelphia, a subscription library that was the first of its kind in America.
- Mechanicsburg is a great place to RV in Pennsylvania. - If you're looking for an RV park or campground, you have multiple options to choose from. - 3 of the popular options include Greene Hills Family Campground and RV Park, Deer Run Camping Resort and Deer Run Camping Resort . - Many of them are centrally located and easily accessible. These RV parks offer amenities like electric hookups, Wi-Fi, and a free dump station.
- There are four dump stations in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and nearby options in the surrounding areas. - You’ll find dump stations at KOA - Elizabethtown/Hershey KOA Campground, Hershey Conewago Campground, Gretna Oaks Campground and Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park. - See RVshare’s guide to RV dump stations in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, for dump station addresses and details.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Mechanicsburg, PA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Mechanicsburg?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Mechanicsburg from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Mechanicsburg?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
