Campsites near Airville, Pennsylvania cluster in a rural section of York County where the Susquehanna River widens to nearly a mile across. The area sits at approximately 400 feet of elevation with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65°F to 85°F. Local camping options range from basic tent sites to RV facilities with full hookups, with most campgrounds closed between November and March due to freezing temperatures and periodic snowfall.
What to do
Riverside kayaking access: The boat launch at Otter Creek Campground provides direct water access for paddlers wanting to explore the Susquehanna. "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," reports camper Sean M.
Local hiking trails: The Mason Dixon Trail passes near several campgrounds, offering wooded routes with river views. As one camper noted at Otter Creek, "Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal!"
Historical exploration: The Indian Steps Museum is located about a mile from some campgrounds. "Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society," mentions a visitor to the area.
Disc golf courses: Muddy Run Recreation Park offers a full disc golf course for visitors. One reviewer noted it has "a very well laid out and up kept disc golf course" adding that the park also features "plenty of playgrounds, disc golf, boat rentals, an observatory (closed due to covid for now), snack bar that is open 8-5 or 6 daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks."
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Pequea Creek Campground provides larger than average campsites with natural separation. "The campsites are large and include a firepit. They supplied a massive pile of firewood for free," mentions Sarah S. Another camper adds, "Nice quite spot secluded off the beaten path. Campsites have plenty of room and give you options to be along the creek or tucked back in the trees."
Water recreation options: Swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities exist at multiple locations. A camper at Muddy Run Recreation Park reports, "The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store."
Wildlife viewing: Abundant wildlife provides nature watching opportunities. "My favorite evening activities (besides enjoying a campfire) are dusk deer-watching! There are hundreds of deer in this protected park," notes a visitor to Muddy Run Recreation Park.
Clean facilities: Tucquan Park Family Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms. As one camper states, "The bath house was just remodeled so it's excellent!" while another mentions "Clean bathhouses! Fun activities planned through the season."
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have rough entrance roads. A Pequea Creek camper noted: "I realize that the private entrance road is long to maintain but patching some of the holes, clearing debris from the dump site deck, and wiping down the bathrooms would have netted a 5th star."
Seasonal water levels: The Susquehanna River can become muddy after heavy rainfall. One camper 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."
Limited cell service: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm and other campgrounds may have spotty connectivity. While some areas get decent service, others can be completely without signal, particularly in wooded sites.
Shower facilities: Pay showers cost $0.50 for 6-7 minutes at some locations. An Otter Creek camper explained: "I made sure to use every second of that nice hot shower. There was plenty of room in the shower and stall however the shower curtain could have been a little bigger."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly camp activities: Tucquan Park Family Campground provides organized events for all ages. "The family that runs the campground makes everyone feel welcome and feel like you've been their 1000 times," reports Dan A., while another visitor adds, "We very much enjoyed our stay here. Kids enjoyed the park, they offer a small paddle boat to take any time you want on their little lake on site."
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds feature updated play equipment. "This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basket ball court," notes a Tucquan Park visitor.
Swimming options: Thousand Trails Circle M offers indoor and outdoor pools. "There is an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," reports Leanne B.
Budget-friendly rentals: Boat and recreation equipment rentals are often reasonably priced. "$20 to rent a kayak for 1 1/2 hour!" notes a visitor to Muddy Run. "The snack shop had burgers and shakes that were very reasonably priced!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Electric and water connections may require extra equipment. A reviewer at Muddy Run noted: "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."
Site selection: Some campgrounds offer better RV sites than others. At Old Mill Stream Campground, "We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig. All gravel sites and we had full hookup with 50 Amp," reports Chuck W.
Site levelness: RV sites vary in how level they are. A Muddy Run camper observed: "Sites in the 20's are tiny and hanging off a cliff," while another mentioned, "There are paved parking pads, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and of course a fire ring in each."
Seasonal traffic: Weekend crowds can impact the camping experience. "It gets very full on the weekends here," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Circle M, suggesting midweek stays for a quieter experience.
