Dogwood Acres Campground
Well run
The staff here are amazing. Quiet time is respected, clean campground. Will come again.
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campsites around Amberson, Pennsylvania offer secluded woodland experiences with several options for primitive camping in nearby parks and forests. Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground, located east of Amberson in the Rothrock State Forest, provides tent-only sites in a peaceful wooded setting. Star Lee Farm and Long Acres on Clover Creek are smaller established tent campgrounds that offer more private camping experiences within driving distance.
Most tent sites in the region are situated on natural, ungraded surfaces with a mix of dirt and forest floor. Penn Roosevelt State Park offers basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, and drinking water, though no showers are available at this primitive campground. A review noted, "Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful." Tent campers should be prepared for limited cell service, as several campgrounds in the area have poor or no reception. Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations, requiring campers to carry gear short distances from parking areas.
In early fall, the tent camping areas around Amberson provide excellent stargazing opportunities and fewer crowds. The woodland settings offer good shade coverage during summer months, helping tent campers stay cooler during hot days. A recent review mentioned, "Place was very pretty and secluded... There's a huge field to star gaze as well as taking pictures, lots of hiking." Many tent campsites in this region are situated near creeks or small ponds, providing both scenic value and water access for filtering. Tent-only campgrounds like Penn Roosevelt State Park remain open year-round, though fall and spring offer the most comfortable camping conditions with fewer insects and moderate temperatures. The tent camping areas throughout the region connect to numerous hiking trails, making them ideal basecamps for day hikes or longer backpacking trips.
"There's a huge field to start gaze as well as taking pictures, lots of hiking and if you're a bee enthusiast they grow their own honey in the property and you're more than welcome to walk around and look"
"We're so happy to welcome this new property to our platform. Check them out, and come back here to leave them some love."
"They are in an area of the lake that has a lot of boat traffic, the waterfront spots usually book a few weeks in advance and are in a wake zone. There is mooring along both sides of the campground."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 / night
from $25 - $50 / night
"Then I go find a deserted section and a picnic table and just sit down. Immediately I can feel every bit is stress or anxiety dissipate."
"Nice and peaceful with a dozen or so tent only sites. We got a nice one tucked back in the trees, but a few of them are pretty close to the road - not like it's terribly busy."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 / night
"The secluded area combined with the creek nearby made for a great escape from reality. The stars are so bright out here and the tent was absolutely fabulous! Definitely 10/10 recommend."
Available this weekend
from $25 - $65 / night
"Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful. Has restrooms (no shower), picnic table, and fire pit at each site."
"The sites are tent only and pretty close together but some still feel secluded. Very accessible and the park has some good trails."
from $25 / night
from $40 - $50 / night
"Annapolis Rock Campground is right off the Appalachian Trail just about 1/5 of a mile before Annapolis Rock overlook."
"great primitive campsite that has undergone major restorations and preventative measures to reverse the damage from huge camping crowds of the past. no fires, but there are two privies and a really nice"
Campground full this weekend
The staff here are amazing. Quiet time is respected, clean campground. Will come again.
Great campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
We spent a long weekend for walks in the woods, seeing the fall colors, and all around a huge lake.
What We Liked:
- Even though the sites are sloped, they’re huge. I like that a lot.
- This property is enormous. They have a marina on the lake, a wedding facility, conference center, lots of cabins which look pretty good, and tent sites in addition to the RV sites. Go say hi to the goats behind the store. The property is amazing!
- If you’re interested, it’s a 90-minute drive to the Flight 93 Memorial— well worth the trip!
Things to Keep in Mind:
- The roads getting there are like a roller coaster. This isn’t the resort’s fault, but something you need to know if you’re going there.
- The sites are sloped. Took several blocks to get even close to level. I may be spoiled, but I really appreciate a level site.
- No sewer connection. There’s a dump station available, but just know the sites are water and electric only.
Would We Return?
- Probably not. It’s not fun driving in that area and there’s nothing much to do in the area.
We booked two nights mid October not realizing that it's duck hunting season and that hunting is allowed RIGHT by the campground - with kids everywhere. We were jolted out of sleep at 5 am by gun fire right near our site. It kept up for the next hour. In addition, the bathrooms, although clean are in poor condition. Peeling paint everywhere with bare concrete in the showers. For such a pretty site, we had a miserable stay. We left after one night.
Where we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
You just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
This pet friendly campground in Caledonia State Park is .8 miles from the larger Chinquapin campground (no pets), ranger station and swimming pool. Our site #171 was level, paved, full hook ups and next to modern clean bathrooms with flush toilets, warm showers and outside dish washing sinks. Many available sites with and without services on a Sunday in October. There were a good number of friendly, tidy, long term campers with large wall tents. (They allow 21 day stays after Labor Day)
Trip -week before labor day , temps 93 degrees, nothing on website when booked said about peak and non peak days on booking page. Said there were only 7 sites left(complete lie) campground was empty. First time we ever been to a place where EVERYTHING was closed. Campstore, jump pillow and the final straw was we went to go to the pool and that was closed. It was 545 pm sun still bright in the sky , nowhere near dusk( when its suppose to close) . So much conflicting info from what the paper we got handed vs what internet site said. Charged a resort fee ? for what a place to park? This is no resort. Grass was high enough to be seeding itself. My wife was so upset she was actually crying. This was supposed to be a fun trip for our da6ughter before going back to school. We decided this place over Buttonwood just because it was alittle closer. Did a full tour of the place. Realized there is nothing here. Went to dinner in town. Decided we didnt want to stay where we knew our Daughter would be bored. She's pretty easy to entertain but this was just ridiculous. 12 HOURS OF MY LIFE AND $400 BUCKS i will never get back. (Loading , driving , realizing we got screwed, driving, unloading) yup was pretty bad.
Very clean campgrounds with nice trails along the lake and the creek that feeds it! Plenty of space near swimming area and even a geocache to find!
Tent camping near Amberson, Pennsylvania offers a mix of primitive and established campgrounds set amid the rolling terrain of south-central Pennsylvania. The region sits at elevations between 1,000-1,700 feet, creating comfortable summer camping conditions with temperatures typically 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby urban areas. These woodlands experience distinct seasonal changes, with tent camping opportunities available from early spring through late fall at most locations.
Hiking the Mid State Trail: Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground connects to multiple hiking trails including the 327-mile Mid State Trail. A camper noted, "The area has lots of hikes to offer including the Alan Seeger State Forest, Midstate Trail and several others. It's a beautiful natural area and some sites are very private."
Stargazing in open fields: Long Acres on Clover Creek provides exceptional night sky viewing opportunities from its open meadows. "The stars are so bright out here and the tent was absolutely fabulous! Definitely 10/10 recommend. Close access to state game lands and nearby hiking trails and fishing spots!" reports one visitor.
Creek exploration and fishing: Star Lee Farm offers creek access for wading and fishing. "Place was very pretty and secluded. And customer service was excellent. There's a huge field to stargaze as well as taking pictures, lots of hiking," mentions a camper who enjoyed the peaceful setting.
Private, spaced-out sites: Reeds Gap State Park Campground offers well-separated tent sites that provide privacy. A reviewer explains, "This campground is beautiful! It's so peaceful and serene. There's a nice creek that runs through it, picnic pavilions and a playground for the kids!"
Natural water features: Annapolis Rock Campground provides access to natural springs. "Short walk to cold natural spring for water. Short walk to Annapolis rock. Rock climbing available," shares one visitor who appreciated the natural water source.
Digital disconnection: Reeds Gap State Park offers a true escape from technology. A camper advises, "Put your phone away cuz there's no cell service here! Nice and peaceful with a dozen or so tent only sites. We got a nice one tucked back in the trees, but a few of them are pretty close to the road."
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds have limited or seasonal water access. At Penn Roosevelt, one camper noted, "The water was off, but I was prepared to wilderness camp later in my trip so, that was no big deal."
Bathroom facilities are basic: Most tent camping options provide only vault toilets or primitive facilities. A visitor to Jordan Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite summarized it well: "Good site, has the necessities. Water, Porta p, fire pit. What else do you really need? Want to rinse off? Jump into the Potomac for a swim."
Prepare for isolation: Many campgrounds are remote with minimal services nearby. A Penn Roosevelt camper shared, "Driving in I got a little worried I was getting lost, but I drove on. I arrived on a Wednesday evening. I had my pick of campsites, because I was the only person there!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Amberson, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Amberson, PA is STAR LEE FARM with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Amberson, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Amberson, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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