Dogwood Acres Campground | Family Camping in South Central Pennsylvania

ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE

Fishing at Dogwood Acres

Joey Casting a Line

Christmas at Dogwood Acres

Come see Santa

Shiver me Timbers at Dogwood Acres

Arrrgh Pirate Fun

There is always something fun happening at Dogwood Acres Campground. We offer a full schedule of planned activities throughout the season, right from April 1st and the opening of trout season to the last bonfire on October 26th, 2024! Annual events and typical activities include, Cinco de Mayo Weekend, Pirate Weekend, Winter Wonderland, Halloween Weekends ... and much, much more. In addition to everything that is happening right here at the campground, there is a wide range of events that are scheduled throughout the season in Cumberland County and the surrounding communities, including several major automotive events at Carlisle. Whatever weekend you choose, you can be sure that there will always be something happening at Dogwood Acres!

Activities Schedule 2024 Click to find out about our Recreation and Disc Golf
Opening Day: Saturday, April 1st, 2024. ALL ACTIVITIES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Slideshow Hidden Large Screens
April 5-7 Clean Up Weekend: Welcome back to Dogwood Acres! Come join us for our clean up weekend. Meet friends and enjoy being outside. Stay 1 night free with 4 hours of labor on Saturday 8:00AM-1:00PM, followed by a welcome back thank you BBQ lunch. We are excited to get the new season started. Come on out and camp with us. First weekend of trout season at nearby streams/lakes.
April 12-14 Heroes Weekend: Cornhole and Pizza Party We want to honor our servicemen and women and give all active/retired military, policemen, firemen, and first responders, 1 free night with their stay. Please bring a picture/patch to add to our Honor Room wall.
April 19-21 Spring Carlisle Car Show Weekend Visit nearby Carlisle fairgrounds to explore the famous car show. Also come to enjoy the Spring weather, with plenty to do at the campground and around the area. Spring Carlisle (Collector Car, Flea Market, Corral, & Auction) April 17 - April 21.
April 26-28 Scavenger Hunt Weekend Enjoy the springtime. Take a stroll through the campground to complete the different scavenger hunt activities.

May

May 3-5
Cinco de Mayo Lunch and Kentucky Derby Social Saturday Evening:
Saturday, come out and celebrate Cinco De Mayo with our 19th Annual Chili Cook-Off. Bring your best chili and prepare to be judged, or just come for the tasting and party. Bowls will be sold to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).
Saturday evening, we will have our own Kentucky Derby Races. Join us at 5:00 PM to start the festivities, bring your drinks and snacks.

May 10-12
Mother’s Day Weekend, Meet the Chaplain & Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals:
Show your appreciation for our moms. The men are cooking! Saturday morning, Mother’s Day Breakfast ($) will be in the pavilion. Moms eat free and there will be a donation for all others. The Cornerstone Quartet will be playing during Mother’s Day breakfast and we will reintroduce our Chaplain Ken Rummel. Proceeds will benefit RMHC in Hershey. Crafts for Mother’s Day $.

May 17-19
Spring Frisbee Golf Tournament & Cornhole Tournament Weekend:
What better way to get ready for then summer them to hone up on your frisbee golf & cornhole skills. Join us for a fun tournament on Saturday. Hang out and meet your fellow campers.

May 24-27
Memorial Day Weekend (3-day minimum):
Saturday and Sunday are packed with activities for kids and adults. The swimming pool opens. Enter in the Pinewood Derby Annual Memorial Day Race. Bring your car from home or make one at craft time. We will have patriotic crafts and you can make your own tie-dye t-shirts. We will have a Memorial Day observance on Sunday. You may purchase a tree for our Memorial Garden with advanced notice. Bring a photo of yourself or family member, who has served/is serving our country for our Heroes Honor Wall.

June

May 31 - June 2
Wing Ding Social Weekend:
Summer is coming, let us party with wings ($), and lots of them. Let us know who is in (and what you are bringing) so we can prepare. Bring something that goes along with wings, or another dish to share. Even if wings are not your thing, please come to our fling. Do not forget your favorite drink. We will provide the place settings and fixings for the wings.
Carlisle Ford Nationals – May 31 - June 2.

June 7-9
Candy Camp Weekend:
Bring your sweet tooth this weekend and have fun with everything candy. Play candy bingo, make your own candy craft, and play candy games.

June 14-16
Father’s Day Weekend:
Show your appreciation for the best Dads around on Saturday morning with breakfast in the pavilion. The ladies are cooking. Dads will eat free, with a $ donation for all others. All proceeds to benefit RMHC of Hershey, PA. Cornhole tournament in the afternoon.

June 21-23
Kick off the Summer Family Glow Party:
Come have a great time – Bring all things neon, white, and glowing! Party with us Saturday night for our 2nd GLOW PARTY in the pavilion!
Carlisle GM Nationals – June 21-22.

June 28-30
Relaxing Weekend:
Sit by the pool and enjoy a weekend of peace and quiet after the busy holiday weekend.

July

July 3-7
Fourth of July Weekend (4-day minimum):
Come celebrate America’s birthday. We have a jam-packed weekend of activities for kids and adults. It is our 21st Annual Family Create-a-Boat race (we supply the box; you supply the materials). There will also be a bass fishing tournament & patriotic glow parade.

July 12-14
Relax Weekend:
Take in the summer time vibes and relax with the family.
Carlisle Chrysler Nationals – July 12-14.

July 19-21
Pool Party Weekend:
Come hang out at the pool, play games, and listen to music. Wet Wagon Ride #1 for the season. Bring your water guns and balloons or get our extreme soakers from the store. No hoses allowed since we are on a well.

July 26-28
Cornhole Tournament Weekend:
Chill out by the pool. Spend time fishing with the family. Cozy up by a campfire and enjoy the summer nights.

August

August 2-4
16th Annual Pirate Weekend:
Ahoy mates, if you missed last year’s swashbuckling pirates, come this year for fun and treasure hunting at night. Dress up: adults and children, bring all your pirate gear. Our Pirate wake up on Saturday morning. Kids pirate water games during the day! Decorate your sites if you like, and get ready for an action-packed day and night. Be ready for our Wet Wagon ride! Bring your own water guns and balloons or buy a soaker from the store. No water hoses allowed since we are on a well.
Carlisle Truck Nationals - August 2-4.

August 9-11
Pool Party Weekend #2 and Ice Cream Social Weekend:
Come have a great time at the pool. Listen to music and play games. End the afternoon with an Ice Cream Social. Dogwood provides the ice cream at a discount and toppings for free.

August 16-18
Cornhole Tournament Weekend:
Catch one of the last weekends in summer. Fish by the pond. Chill out by the pool. Spend time fishing with the family. Cozy up by a campfire and enjoy the summer nights.

August 23-25
Relax Weekend:
Catch one of the last weekends in summer. Fish by the pond. Chill out by the pool. Spend time fishing with the family. Cozy up by a campfire and enjoy the summer nights.
Corvettes at Carlisle, Celebrating 42 Years - August 22-24.

September

August 30 - September 2
Labor day Weekend (3 day minimum):
Enjoy the activity packed weekend. Participate in the annual ““Papa Jack Disc Tournament”. And pinewood Derby car race. Bring your car from home or make one at craft time. Pool season comes to an end.

September 6-8
Cornhole Tournament Weekend:
Take in the end of the summer and the approaching fall. Sit back and enjoy a quiet weekend after the busy holiday.

September 13-15
Chicken Corn Soup Weekend:
Bring fixings to make a good pot of soup. We will enjoy it for lunch on Saturday ($). Bowls will be sold for charity. Bring bread or side, let us know, and let us eat. Uprise Concert in Shippensburg September 13 & 14.

September 20-22
Winter Wonderland:
Bring your blowups and decorations for your site. Do not forget a wrapped present for your child/children (drop off wrapped and labeled in the office before Christmas dinner on Saturday). Presents will be handed out by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Break out your ugly sweater or t-shirt for Christmas dinner Christmas dinner will be later Saturday afternoon. Dogwood provides the main fixings and we ask everyone joining to please bring a side to go along. A donation towards Ronald McDonald House Charities is appreciated for the dinner. This will be our last Christmas.

September 27-29
Relax Weekend:
Sit back and enjoy the October weather. Put your feet up and unwind with us.

October

October 6-8
Oktoberfest:
Roast Pork provided by DAC. Bring covered dish for Oktoberfest. Enjoy the foliage! The Blue Mountain starts to change colors.
Fall Carlisle, Collector Car Flear Market, Corral & Auction – October 2-6

October 11-13
Halloween Extravaganza #1 (2-day minimum):
Children’s social, pumpkin picking/carving/painting, trick-or-treat parade, and haunted wagon ride.

October 18-20
Halloween Extravaganza #2 (2-day minimum):
Children’s social, pumpkin picking/carving/painting, trick-or-treat parade, and haunted wagon ride.

October 25-27
Bonfire Weekend:
Come out and celebrate our last weekend of the season. We will have a bonfire to say farewell to camping for 2024!

Weekends are 2 night minimum. All Holidays are a 3 or 4 night minimum.
Events may change due to weather or non participation. Check website for changes.
Wagon rides Saturday afternoon.
Worship service starts May 12 and ends September 22.

Recreation & Disc Golf
Dogwood Acres provides campers with a full range of top quality recreational amenities. As our guest, you will enjoy access to everything you need to ensure that every member of your family will have an enjoyable stay. In addition to the amenities that you would expect to find, we also offer a fishing pond which contains sizable fish, not just wishes, pedal cart rentals, hiking trails a short drive around the block, and a 9-hole disc golf course which was remodeled for 2009. Have a great time around the swimming pool. Youngsters 5-12 can experience our “Hundred Acre Wood” wooden playground climbing experience. Many of our planned activities are centered around our recreation hall and other recreational amenities. Whatever your recreational pursuits, our goal is to exceed your expectations.
• Swimming Pool • Snack Shack • Fishing Pond • Wooden Playground • Disc (Frisbee) Golf • Pedal Cart Rentals • • Paddle Boat Rentals • Basketball • Volleyball • Shuffleboard • • Recreation Hall • Game Room • Bike and Hiking Trails Nearby •
Hiking Trails
There is a wide range of excellent hiking opportunities within immediate proximity of Dogwood Acres, ranging from short hikes suitable for families to longer, more challenging treks for more experienced hikers. The campground offers close access to the Flat Rock Trail, with a 2.5 mile hike up to Flat Rock’s beautifully scenic vista of the Cumberland Valley. Another nearby hike is on the Tuscarora Trail, the northernmost portion of an Appalachian Trail bypass route that may be followed to reach the Appalachian Trail. Other nearby hiking options include the Opossum Lake, Woodburn Trail, and King’s Gap Environmental Center. Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch is a 20 minute drive down Route 944 to Route 74. Sit atop Waggoner’s Gap and see both sides of Cumberland and Perry Counties. Observe raptors in migration.
Disc Golf
Disc golf has a long history at Dogwood Acres. Early in the 1970s Papajack Roddick and his son Dan “Stork” Roddick installed a nine hole course using modified tractor trailer tires as ground baskets. The result was one of the earliest disc golf courses in the country. At present there are over 2500 courses shown in the PDGA course directory as well as many unlisted ones hiding in parks, campgrounds and playgrounds all over the country. Most of them can be played for free, needing only one or two golf discs usually costing under ten dollars, surely making this the best bargain in sports. The tires have long since been replaced with basket targets. These were fabricated by camper Charlie Witman using materials bought by some of the golfers anxious to leave the ground basket world. The original holes continue to move to accommodate the changing nature of the campground.
With the installation of our new swimming pool in 2009 came the need to move some holes, and we took the opportunity to completely remodel the course. New holes were plotted with increased risk=reward potential. We now take advantage of many trees, hills and the lake to make a course which players find more challenging and interesting than before. Rubber Fly Pad tee pads were installed on all holes, making footing perfect for those long throws now needed to clear the lake on holes #2, #5 and #6. Hole #4, from a high hill to a basket guarded by trees on the left and the lake on the right is probably our signature hole, although the return to old hole #9 is the favorite of many. Campers play almost every weekend and the annual Labor Day tournament, now named the Papa Jack Open is in its 23rd year. Whether you are a serious player or a casual player with a new interest in the sport, you will surely enjoy the disc golf course at Dogwood Acres!