Brian M.
Scout
ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Good experience
Great campsite, plenty of space. It rained a lot and our campsite was a little muddy (not bad) but nearby campsites had large puddles
Camping near Conowingo, MD
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The Susquehanna River corridor surrounding Conowingo, Maryland features a mix of state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. Susquehanna State Park Campground, located just south of Conowingo Dam, provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins with seasonal operation from March through October. Nearby Elk Neck State Park offers year-round camping options with waterfront views on a peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and Elk River. Several private campgrounds like Pequea Creek Campground and Muddy Run Recreation Park extend the camping options across the Pennsylvania border, creating a tri-state camping region that spans Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Reservations are essential during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly, particularly at Elk Neck and Susquehanna State Parks. Many campgrounds in the area maintain seasonal operations, with limited winter availability outside of Elk Neck. According to one camper at Susquehannock State Park, "There's a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles." The dam area attracts wildlife enthusiasts, particularly during winter months when bald eagles congregate. Road access varies throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring navigation of narrow country roads that can be challenging for larger RVs.
Waterfront sites receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with campers noting the opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The Susquehanna River and its tributaries provide numerous water recreation options, though swimming access is limited in some areas. Bathhouse facilities vary widely between campgrounds, with state parks generally offering more recently renovated facilities. One reviewer of Pequea Creek Campground noted, "Beautiful picturesque campground with large spots and a lot of trees. Very quiet and close enough to Lancaster for shopping." Site privacy differs significantly between campgrounds, with some offering well-spaced, shaded sites while others place units in closer proximity. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though some valley locations may experience limited coverage.
Best Campgrounds near Conowingo (114)
1. Elk Neck State Park Campground
"I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. ""Surrounding area
There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."from $21 - $55 / night
Check Availability2. Susquehanna State Park Campground
"The campsites are separated more widely than many other parks in Maryland (Cunningham Falls, Ft. Frederick, Pt. Lookout), and are quite secluded in comparison."
"I was a walk-up with no reservation and since it was a weekday the ranger gave me a great rundown of the best spots in the camp and let me drive through to check them out before going back with my decision"
from $21 - $50 / night
Check Availability3. Jellystone Park™ Quarryville
"We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."
"The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."
4. Lums Pond State Park Campground
"Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."
"The camp loop is a nice walk but there are also trails. They were pretty muddy when we were there. Site 35 was quite spacious as were many of them."
from $24 - $46 / night
Check Availability5. Muddy Run Rec Park - PPL
"The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store."
"The observatory is open to public once a month, we recommend you plan your trip around this."
6. Tucquan Park Family Campground
"Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."
"There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."
7. Pequea Creek Campground
"Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."
"The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . "
8. Susquehannock State Park Campground
"Some walk in tent sites. There are lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River."
"The camping area is small but worth it. a short walk from the scenic overlooks and other hiking trails."
from $28 - $72 / night
Check Availability9. Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina
"Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn’t but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge."
"This is close to us so it was an easy trip. Full hookup but we’re told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing."
from $75 - $115 / night
Check Availability10. Otter Creek Campground
"Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."
"Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal! Sites are spacious and nice! Restrooms clean!"
Drive Time
- 35 min from Lancaster, PA
- 48 min from Baltimore, MD
- 59 min from York, PA
- 1 hr 8 min from Reading, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Conowingo, MD
329 Photos of 114 Conowingo Campgrounds
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Elk Neck State Park Campground
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Recent Reviews near Conowingo, MD
961 Reviews of 114 Conowingo Campgrounds
Matt S.
LegendFrench Creek State Park Campground
Quiet Park with a Tight Fit
We spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
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Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
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Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
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The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
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Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
- Probably. While the site geometry required a little extra setup muscle, it’s hard to beat the location if you're visiting the area or catching the balloon festival.
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- M
Mark M.
GuideElizabethtown-Hershey KOA
It's rustic, well maintained and quiet
We've stayed here annually for 7 years and it's one of our favorite campgrounds. There are enough trees and green spaces that it feels like a park despite the number of RVs it accommodates.
The sites are level, large, and well maintained. If you need to contend with a tree blocking your satellite dish the sites are large enough that you can usually just move up or back a bit so that you are not blocked.
The pool is nice and clean. Has water fountains, etc. for kids to play in in addition to a kiddie pool. I do wish it was open a bit later into the evening. The camp store is a bit small but is well stocked with camping items in addition to souvenirs and impulse purchase items.
Since the pandemic what they offer has varied. Sometimes hot food like taco Tuesday, ice cream sundaes, burgers and dogs in their activity center at certain times and days. Sometimes ceramic, arts and crafts, etc.. Sometimes their activity center remains closed during our entire stay.
Paul E. R.ScoutHersheypark Camping Resort
This is the greatest place to enjoy all the activities your family desires
Enjoy an amazing experience staying at Hershey Park camp site 😄😄
MsTrailBlazer 🏔.
RangerCodorus State Park Campground
Top Tier
I love this place. The tent sites are super, rustic but superior. Showers are a walk. Tent Sites are very private huge and I love that.
- FFrank F.Scout
Thousand Trails Hershey
Nice park but the site not so much
The park is very nice however the site H2 was the site assigned to us. The distance between our Coach and the fence was 7 feet and the bathhouse was blocking the view. I do not recommend this site.
- MMaybe I.Guide
Codorus State Park Campground
Excellent campground!
The sites offer plenty of space and privacy, making it easy to relax and enjoy nature. The campground is conveniently located near the lake, with beautiful views and easy access to the water. There is also a nice swimming pool, which is a great bonus. We enjoyed kayaking on the lake and spending time outdoors. Overall, it's a wonderful place to unwind, relax, and enjoy a peaceful getaway. We would definitely come back!
Nancy W.LegendLums Pond State Park Campground
Clean, big-rig friendly, large sites.
Overall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
- Matt S.Legend
Bay Shore Campground
What stands out about this campground? The view!
We spent a week at Bay Shore Campground to explore Rock Hall, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What stands out about this campground? The view!
For me, this is a 4-star campground because of the view and nice staff, but not 5-stars because of the sloped site packed in with the neighbors and no sewer connection.
THINGS I LIKED:
— Great view from our site of the Chesapeake Bay— especially for sunset each evening
— Friendly staff
— Nearby Rock Hall, Chestertown, and Eastern Neck Island Wildlife Refuge
— They offered a promo to pay for 6 nights, and the 7th was free
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(Site B) had an amazing view of Chesapeake Bay, but the slope made it difficult to get even close to level— even with my front jacks fully extended. I had to buy additional leveling blocks from the camp store(at twice the price of Amazon) just so we didn’t feel like walking uphill to walk around our motorhome. I admit, I am spoiled but really appreciate the campgrounds that level their sites. I think it could be done in a few hours with a rented front loader at a couple nights’ cost.
— Our site(Site B) was tight. The neighbor’s awning was just inches from our motorhome. I understand the need for any business to maximize revenue, but this was unpleasantly close.
— There are no sewer hookups at the sites. They do have a couple of dump stations for your way out and provide a pump-out service once per week at$40 a pop. They were nice enough to pump me out a second time since I stayed 7 nights. Again, I know I’m spoiled, but a sewer connection is a necessity when you’re staying 8 days.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Sure thing, but we’d stay at a different site.
Guide to Conowingo
The Conowingo area sits at the lower Susquehanna River, where the river widens before entering the Chesapeake Bay. This region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 85°F and mild winters with occasional snow. Camping sites near Conowingo, Maryland remain popular year-round due to their diverse ecosystems and access to both river recreation and nearby hiking trails.
What to do
Kayaking at Otter Creek: Paddle from Otter Creek Campground where the boat launch provides direct river access. "The boat launch is in great shape and with the close islands makes it great to put the kayaks in this huge gorgeous river! Then throw in Otter Creek... it's a great adventure paddling up the creek," notes Sean M.
Hiking the Mason Dixon Trail: Several campgrounds connect to regional trail networks within a 10-minute drive. "There is a hiking trail that will take you all around the parameter of the large 144 acre park with plenty of wildlife to be seen as well as small trails easily marked near the campground," explains Alanna M. about trails near Muddy Run Recreation Park.
Bald eagle viewing: Winter months bring concentrations of eagles to the dam area. Birdwatchers can access multiple observation points near Susquehanna State Park Campground, where one reviewer mentioned, "This is a state operated park with camping and primarily draws Eagle watchers and photographers."
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise the water-adjacent options at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina. "The daily waterfront sites are pricy but right on the water with great views. Some of the trailer sites are a tough back in but worth the trouble," reports George L.
Clean bathhouse facilities: Modern bathroom facilities rank high in camper satisfaction. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," according to Mark.
Creek access for cooling off: During hot summer months, creek access provides welcome relief. At Tucquan Park Family Campground, visitors appreciate the water options. "Our 3 young kids enjoyed the playground the most — there were lots of fun things for the kids on the playground. There was also a nice pond — it looked pretty full of fish."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill up months in advance, especially waterfront sites. "Book early because it fills up fast!" warns Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park.
Seasonal operations: While some parks remain open year-round, many have limited winter availability. At Pequea Creek Campground, operations run from "Early March to Late November" with seasonal activities peaking in summer.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigation through residential neighborhoods or narrow roads. "You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution," notes Craig Z.
Hookup inconsistencies: Water and electric hookup locations can vary significantly between sites. "Bring 50 ft of hose for water hook up and an extension cord with a converter. The water hook ups are randomly placed, ours was 2 sites away," advises Chris G. at Muddy Run Recreation Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: When booking with children, check proximity to play areas. At Susquehanna State Park, a camper noted: "As I mentioned, we stayed on a busy weekend in September and on Sunday morning, I found that there was no toilet paper in the ladies bathroom. Luckily, some generous camper had some and left a roll for the rest of us."
Kid-friendly water features: For summer camping with children, prioritize campgrounds with splash pads or swimming areas. "There is a ton of camping at Elk Neck, including a loop with full hook ups. There's a camp store, boat ramp, swimming, fishing and lots of great hiking," mentions David G.
Family event scheduling: Many campgrounds host regular activities for children. At Jellystone Park™ Quarryville, "Our first year we did a birthday package where they brought a cake to the camp with Booboo for my daughter. They have the pools and playgrounds and fishing," shares Mya M.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many campsites throughout the region require significant leveling. "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites," warns David G. about Elk Neck State Park.
Full hookup availability: For extended stays, research hookup options in advance. "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November. Bathhouses were open with hot water. Nice clean bathhouses. Sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface," reports Laure D.
Cell service considerations: While most campgrounds near Conowingo offer reasonable connectivity, some low-lying areas have spotty coverage. "I camp there multiple times a year! It's dog and family friendly, close to resources, but far enough that it's quiet and feels remote! No cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect," notes Megan S. about Elk Neck State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve a camping spot at Susquehanna State Park near Conowingo?
How do I reserve a camping spot at Susquehanna State Park near Conowingo?
To reserve a camping spot at Susquehanna State Park near Conowingo, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reservation website or call their reservation line. Similar to Susquehannock State Park Campground, which features two camping loops (one with electric sites and cabins), Susquehanna offers various site options. Reservations are typically available up to six months in advance, and it's advisable to book early, especially for summer weekends and holidays. For alternative options in the area, Otter Creek Campground is nearby and offers drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access with similar reservation procedures through their dedicated system.
What amenities are available at Conowingo campground?
What amenities are available at Conowingo campground?
For camping near Conowingo, Pequea Creek Campground offers picturesque sites with large, wooded spots providing plenty of shade and privacy. The campground features quiet surroundings with convenient access to river tubing, covered bridges, and roadside shopping. Amenities include weekend activities like music bingo. Alternatively, Muddy Run Rec Park - PPL provides boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access with water hookups, toilet facilities, and sites that can accommodate big rigs. Both campgrounds are located in the scenic area surrounding Conowingo and offer convenient bases for exploring the natural beauty of the Susquehanna River region.
What camping is available near Conowingo, MD?
What camping is available near Conowingo, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, Conowingo, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near Conowingo, MD and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Conowingo, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Conowingo, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Conowingo, MD is Elk Neck State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 61 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Conowingo, MD?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Conowingo, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Conowingo, MD.
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