Camping sites near Street, Maryland offer both riverfront and woodland experiences with elevations ranging from 100 to 500 feet above sea level. The region sits at the upper portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed where the Susquehanna River widens. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with moderate humidity, making late spring and early fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Access the Susquehanna River directly from Pequea Creek Campground where sites are positioned along the water. A camper noted, "We enjoyed the birds singing in the mornings and welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek."
Fishing spots: Cast a line from your campsite at several locations including Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina. One visitor explained, "Full hookup but we're told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing. Many sites are on the water. No swimming in the Bush River but you can fish from the pier or right from your site."
Wildlife observation: Early mornings and dusk provide excellent viewing opportunities throughout the area. A camper at Susquehanna State Park Campground remarked, "We met a whole bunch of very nice people and would definitely go back. We had a corner site and had plenty of room."
Lighthouse hiking: Multiple trails connect to water views and historic sites. One Elk Neck visitor shared, "Near the state forest with rifle, archery, and handgun ranges including skeet shooting. In summer there is a beach on the North East River for swimming and the Turkey Point Lighthouse is nearby."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer generous site dimensions with natural barriers. A visitor to Otter Creek Campground shared, "The camp road was minimally hilly and would be safe and easy for little kids to ride their bikes, unlike some of the campgrounds that have pretty decent hills."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses remain a consistent positive across most locations. One camper at Otter Creek noted, "The campground was clean and quiet and not too crowded, the staff was very friendly and helpful."
Water proximity: Several camping options provide direct water access. A Pequea Creek Campground visitor reported, "We stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail."
Seasonal variety: Different campgrounds shine during specific seasons. As one Muddy Run Rec Park camper explained, "The campground throughout the year has activities and events that are fun for the whole family, my favorites being the Halloween fest in October and a Native American Pow wow."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Weekend spots fill quickly from May through September, especially waterfront locations. Book 3-6 months in advance for prime sites.
Weather considerations: The region experiences frequent summer thunderstorms with occasional flooding. A Tucquan Park Family Campground visitor shared, "Our specific site was supposed to have a tent pad but there wasn't a spot cleared for our tent and we had to move the heavy picnic table so we weren't putting up our tent on top of the fire ring."
Tent pad variability: Surface conditions for tent camping vary significantly between locations. One Susquehanna State Park camper warned, "I docked a star because I'd say about half, maybe more, don't have pads."
Water quality: River conditions fluctuate based on recent rainfall. An Otter Creek visitor observed, "Unfortunately, with all of the rain we have had here in Pennsylvania this summer the river was brown with mud and tree debris. There was no way any fish was going to see anything in that water."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Consider site proximity to play areas for convenience. A Tucquan Park visitor recommended, "This campground is a nice, family oriented campground. They had a lot of events that people participated in like candy bar and regular bingo, corn hole and horse shoe tournaments and a dj."
Kid-friendly hiking options: Several trails offer manageable distances for young hikers. As noted at Pequea Creek, "Nearby site 24 had steps down the 'levee' affording easier access to the creek."
Water safety precautions: River currents can be strong after rainfall. A parent at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm shared, "This campground is really nice. It's quaint, not overly swamped with an itinerary for kids, but just enough to keep them busy."
Evening activities: Most campgrounds offer weekend programming during summer. A visitor described, "There was a huge wood pile and it was only $10 per wheelbarrow full. We had a great time relaxing as this is in the fields of Lancaster county."
Tips from RVers
Site angles: Some campgrounds have challenging approaches to level sites. A camper at Elk Neck State Park noted, "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."
Hookup placement: Water and electric connections often have unusual layouts. One RVer at Muddy Run warned, "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."
Interior roads: Several campgrounds have narrow driving lanes. As one camper observed, "The road on the FHU loop is narrow and hilly. Our site was uphill and at a difficult angle. Plenty of bigger TTs and 5th wheels were camping."
Generator restrictions: Rules vary by campground, with some prohibiting generators entirely. Check specific policies before booking.
