Hershey, PA Outdoor Activities

The night sky lay heavy over the rolling hills of Gettysburg. In a tent among his fellows in the Union Army, Private Ron Angleberger woke from a restless sleep to the blaring of a cavalry horn and the earth-shaking rumble of hundreds of horses on the charge. He raced outside his tent with the other Civil War reenactors to discover that there were no horses present, and, in the eerie silence that followed the apparition, the regiments of actors realized they might have been privy to one of General Custer's July 3rd charges. This incident, along with a love for history and similar paranormal experiences on the many battlefields around Frederick, led Ron to form Candlelight Ghost Tours of Frederick.

Today, Ron's tours explore the bone-chilling histories of Frederick's most haunted abodes as he tells stories of their inhabitants both living and dead. Walking tours began in late March and end late in the year, depending on the weather.

Contrary to cartoon portrayals, visitors to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Hagerstown need not fear having picnic baskets stolen by tie-sporting ursine bandits. Instead, they get to slip down a pair of 400-foot water slides in a heated pool with hydro-therapy jets, putt beneath the waterfalls of an 18-hole mini golf course, and zip through the 1,000-foot pedal-cart track of the Cindy 500 Speedway. Families can hone their soaking skills in preparation for laundry day at a pair of balloon-launcher battle stations, or master stealth with outdoor laser tag. Throughout the campground, visitors kindle excitement at facilities as varied as an outdoor theater, koi pond, and an arts-and-crafts center with ceramic painting and a stuff-it-yourself Create A Critter shop.

Campfire rings at each campsite—from big-rig spots with hookups to wooded tent zones—make it easy to roast s'mores without summoning the family dragon from his kennel. Cabins and cottages range from basic structures to luxury cabins with kitchens and cable TV. Nearby Boonsboro and Shepherdstown make historic and charming day trips, and campers can drive just over 75 miles to get to Baltimore or Washington, DC for big-city exploration.

As his kayak group floats down the Susquehanna River, one of Chiques Rock Outfitters' guides points out some of the area's most scenic features—rocky hillsides dotted with trees, denser forests near the water's shore, and a bald eagle perched on a tree branch. Then, just as the watercrafts round a bend, the guide bursts into song, eliciting applause from his group and nearby fish that have really big flippers.

These musical guides are just one of the signature touches Chiques Rock Outfitters adds to its trips down the Susquehanna River. After the shuttles lug canoes and kayaks to launch points, customers embark on guided trips, unguided floats, or team-building exercises. Additionally, Chiques Rock Outfitters encourages more than just leisurely floats, inviting customers to bring along fishing poles and pre-prepared questions for local wildlife. Back on shore, the staff partners with Starrk Moon Kayaks and Gear to sell equipment ready for future aquatic jaunts.

The shores of the Juniata River abound with lofty trees and verdant plants, creating a scenic backdrop for Juanita River Adventures's aquatic excursions. The family-owned-and-operated company saddles guests into quality and clean tubes, canoes, and kayaks while pointing them toward scenic routes, plentiful fishing holes, and cozy campsites. Staff at their headquarters lease fishing rods and tackle, while their campgrounds speckle with picnic tables, horseshoe pits, and a beach-volleyball court. Throughout the trip, guests have the chance to witness diverse wildlife— such as bald eagles, smallmouth bass, and tech-startup employees on wilderness team-building retreats—in its natural habitat.