Glamping options near Arendtsville, Pennsylvania include yurts and cabin accommodations set within the rolling foothills of South Mountain. At 670 feet above sea level, the area experiences mild summer temperatures averaging 85°F and cooler autumn nights dropping to the mid-40s. Sites typically range from primitive to full-hookup locations, with most campgrounds maintaining operating seasons from April through October.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Cunningham Falls State Park, the trails range from easy to moderate difficulty levels with access to a scenic waterfall. One visitor noted, "We hiked to the falls but with little rain, there was no falls. A very crowded hike with people everywhere." The park offers multiple trail options including an 8.5-mile lakeside path that circles the water.
Horseback riding: Artillery Ridge Campground offers guided horseback tours through historic Gettysburg battlefields. As one camper shared, "Amazing horse rescue on the campground. You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback." Tours typically last 1-2 hours and provide a unique perspective of the Civil War sites.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access in stocked ponds and lakes. At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, "The bathhouses/restrooms are clean (about average for PA state park system)... We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore." Fishing licenses are required and actively checked by rangers.
Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park features two 18-hole disc golf courses with different terrain challenges. "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge."
What campers like
Proximity to battlefield sites: Gettysburg Campground provides easy access to historic locations. A visitor reported, "Really nice place. Recommend a site by the creek. Cool laid back staff and clean bathrooms nice playground for kids. Not to mention it's a few minute drive to historic Gettysburg." Most historical attractions are within a 5-10 minute drive.
Creek-side campsites: Several campgrounds offer sites adjacent to flowing water. One camper at Gettysburg Campground mentioned, "It is a wonderful place to have Kids. tons of things for them to do. we were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river." These waterfront sites often book first, especially during summer months.
Scheduled activities: Gettysburg Battlefield Resort organizes regular themed events. According to a visitor, "The resort had great amenities for all ages. We stayed in October so there was plenty of activities for kids from crafts, games, dancing, to trick or treating. The resort ensured safety for the kids during trick or treating and closed all vehicle traffic for 2 hours." Most activities are included with site fees.
Lake swimming: Codorus State Park maintains a large beach area with additional amenities. "The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature closely spaced sites. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, a visitor noted, "Camped here 3 times. Campsites could be further apart and there's only one bathhouse and it's at the entrance." Request sites along wooded edges for more privacy when available.
Seasonal operating schedules: Most glamping facilities in the area operate from April through October, with limited winter availability. According to a Gifford Pinchot visitor, "The season runs from the second Friday in April through October 31." Call ahead for shoulder season reservations as facilities may be limited.
Uneven terrain at some locations: Site leveling can be challenging at certain campgrounds. One camper at Granite Hill reported, "We have stayed at this camp ground twice now. The people are polite and they have a lot of activities to keep everyone occupied. But the lots are filled with tree roots that someone was always tripping over, it took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely by location and carrier. At Cunningham Falls State Park, a visitor commented, "Cell service doesn't work, electric hook ups only. This state park is beautiful and off the grid!" Bring printed directions and reservation details as backup.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Codorus State Park Campground offers various water activities for children. A family noted, "Nice campground. Very clean facilities. We typically stay in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake. You can bring your own boat (gas allowed) or rent one from their marina. There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park."
Playground accessibility: When booking sites with young children, consider proximity to play areas. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, a parent shared, "We stay here 2-3 times a year in a tent. Family friendly campground, lots of weekend activities, great pool, well stocked campstore, playground. Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters."
Kid-friendly trails: Select campgrounds with manageable hiking distances for younger hikers. One visitor to Cunningham Falls commented, "The park was gorgeous and staff were friendly. There are a few spots to get away and do some fishing. The beach was too crowded for my liking." Waterfall trails typically range from 0.5 to 3 miles round-trip.
Educational programs: Many state parks offer ranger-led activities during peak seasons. "During peak season, there are nature programs going on," noted one Cunningham Falls visitor. Programs typically run weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: Deer Run Campgrounds presents some navigation difficulties for larger rigs. One RVer stated, "Nice campground with a good amount of things to do. Some sites are close together or have tree that make it hard to get certain rigs in." Call ahead to confirm site dimensions and approach angles.
Hookup configurations: Some campgrounds have unusual utility layouts. According to a reviewer, "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extentions handy. My electric hookup didn't work on 30A." Bringing additional hose lengths and electrical cords is recommended.
Level site options: Artillery Ridge Campground has worked to improve RV accommodations. A visitor mentioned, "The grounds are nice and shaded, and you don't feel crowded. The only issue is there is a lot of construction at the moment. No pool, no mini golf, and a lot of sites are closed." Call for updated facility information.
