Best Campgrounds near Bendersville, PA

Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground serves as a central hub for camping near Bendersville, Pennsylvania, positioned at the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail. The area contains several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, including Caledonia State Park, Gettysburg Campground, and Mountain Creek Camp Ground. Most facilities accommodate tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals. Pine Grove Furnace offers spacious, wooded sites with electric hookups, while campgrounds closer to Gettysburg provide full-service RV amenities with water and sewer connections. Several locations also feature glamping options and yurts for visitors seeking alternative accommodations.

The camping season in the region typically runs from April through November, with some facilities like Caledonia State Park open year-round. As one camper noted, "Cell service is pretty much nonexistent in the campground, so keep this in mind if you can't be out of touch." Most state park campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and fall foliage season. Water hookups are limited at Pine Grove Furnace, requiring campers to fill tanks before arrival. The terrain throughout the area features rolling hills and forested landscapes with varying elevation. Weather conditions remain moderate through summer months with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures ideal for hiking the numerous trails that connect these camping areas.

Camping experiences in the region benefit from proximity to historic sites and natural features. The Appalachian Trail provides extensive hiking opportunities directly from several campgrounds. According to visitor reviews, "Pine Grove Furnace State Park has two lakes for swimming, with a rail trail that separates them, so they are easily bikeable." Many campgrounds feature clean, modern facilities with shower houses and flush toilets. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound in the wooded settings, with several campsites backing directly to forest lands. The Gettysburg area campgrounds offer convenient access to battlefield tours while maintaining a natural camping atmosphere. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at most sites, with firewood typically available for purchase from camp hosts or nearby stores.

Best Camping Sites Near Bendersville, Pennsylvania (133)

    1. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Peach Glen, PA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 486-7174

    $20 - $43 / night

    "It’s at the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail so there are lots of great hikes as well as a nice path between the two lakes. Our new favorite in Pennsylvania!"

    "We were right at the intersection near the campground entrance and one of the other loops, but it wasn't noisy at all. The drinking water was right next to our site, which was handy."

    2. Caledonia State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Fayetteville, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 352-2161

    $20 - $92 / night

    "Stayed here two nights while visiting Gettysburg (short 20mi drive between the two). Stayed on Chinquapin Hill, each site has picnic table and fire ring and good space for camp."

    "It’s a fantastic state park with great picnic areas next to the creek. You can also drive up the road to the dam where there’s a beautiful lake with fishing, kayaking, etc."

    3. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $20 - $89 / night

    "We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views.  "

    "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. "

    4. Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA

    26 Reviews
    Fairfield, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 642-5713

    "Spent 2 nights at Gettysburg KOA in July while touring Pennsylvania with granddaughter. Very convenient to historical stuff. Large sites, separated by rocks and trees. Quiet and private."

    "Our site was very spacious, beautifully landscaped and wooded, but right next to the road. There was a buffer of trees, but unfortunately that didn’t make much of a difference with regard to noise."

    5. Gettysburg Campground

    26 Reviews
    Gettysburg, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 642-5713

    "I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."

    "If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."

    6. Artillery Ridge Campground

    24 Reviews
    Gettysburg, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 334-1288

    "This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"

    "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."

    7. Mountain Creek Camp Ground

    9 Reviews
    Peach Glen, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 486-7681

    "Campsites could be further apart and there's only one bathhouse and it's at the entrance."

    "Two bath houses, one near the entrance and one in the way back. May not be anything fancy or new, but they are clean. Staff needed to be reminded about activities scheduled during the week."

    8. Granite Hill Camping Resort

    16 Reviews
    Fairfield, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 642-8749

    "Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It’s only 15 yards for the play set."

    "Nice place to camp me and the wife was there July 4th weekend close to the pool"

    9. Codorus State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Porters Sideling, PA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 637-2816

    $20 - $195 / night

    "The trails from

    Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail.  The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some.  "

    "Older State Park just outside of Hanover, PA. Used it as a home base to explore Gettysburg and the surrounding area."

    10. Gettysburg

    11 Reviews
    Gettysburg, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 337-3363

    $66 - $127 / night

    "This campground worked out perfectly..so close to the battlefields. It was only for the weekend but we really enjoyed our stay."

    "It also has a lake and cabins available."

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Recent Reviews near Bendersville, PA

902 Reviews of 133 Bendersville Campgrounds


  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    Better than OK

    Stayed for 2 days while passing through from FL to NH. Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay. Office staff did ok. Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills , not just a big open field. It’s a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through. Tried to book 2 nights but system only set us up for 1. Phone call to help line easily resolved the issue. Quiet and no spotlights on all night.

  • Stephen W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Hersheypark Camping Resort

    Very clean campground friendly staff

    We stay here once a year in September. Stone surface. Not to bad for leveling. Our site was spacious.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    Peace and quiet !

    Great spot! We had site 114 . It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    I camped and worked here.

    I’m a shamanic energy healer and health enthusiast exploring a new life and hunting for healthy. While this campground has some nice features. This certainly is not a health conscious facility. Lots of smoking, drinking and unhealthy food. There was also evidence of mice in the main store and definitely issues with the water.

  • R
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Deer Run Campgrounds

    Good for kids

    It's very nice here, good for kids, big pool. The sites for campers are very tight.

  • Sharon L.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

    Great getaway close to home!

    We totally loved our camping trip here! I was a little apprehensive because I read so many disappointing reviews about pretty much everything. People didn’t like this or that, but most of it seemed as if they weren’t happy with rules! Neither of us found anything that was so terrible in the rules and truthfully, if more campgrounds had them and enforced them, it would be nice for all.

    We loved the peace and quiet, the restrooms were clean and tidy, the usable sites all looked nice. They had a tornado come through at the beginning of the season that messed some areas up, but they are working it. The pool area seemed like the place to be. We just went to rest though. Honestly, we liked the campground so much that we would consider parking our camper over the summer! There are occasional whiffs of McCormick spices in the air that is very soothing. Prices aren’t horrible. One of the complaints was they work on cash. Yeah, I knows it’s not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us. The activities and store weren’t outrageous. Ready to go back!


Guide to Bendersville

Camping options near Bendersville, Pennsylvania range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV accommodations with varied terrain and seasonal considerations. The region sits at elevations between 550-1,580 feet within the South Mountain area, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions. Winter camping remains available at Caledonia State Park, which operates year-round, while most other campgrounds close from mid-November through March.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers multiple fishing access points across the 340-acre Pinchot Lake. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," notes one camper, who recommends bringing a fishing license as "the rangers in this park check."

Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot features two complete 18-hole disc golf courses at separate day-use areas. The Conewago course is relatively flat while the Quaker Race course is "built into the side of the hill leading into the QR day use area, so it is a lot more wooded and hillier."

Horseback battlefield tours: Artillery Ridge Campground provides a unique opportunity to explore Gettysburg's historic sites on horseback. "You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback," mentions a visitor. The campground includes horse stalls and rings for campers who bring their own horses.

Mini golf and games: Several campgrounds feature recreational facilities beyond hiking. "There is a pool, mini golf, and 4 wheel bikes. The kids enjoyed playing in the creek and tubing," writes a camper at Mountain Creek Camp Ground, which operates from mid-March through November.

What campers like

Creek access for summer cooling: Mountain Creek Camp Ground provides direct water access that families appreciate. "We loved camping here. The store has everything. Including hand dipped ice cream. Pool. Mini golf. A creek to fish or splash in," writes one visitor. Several sites back directly to the water, allowing for tubing during hot summer days.

Historical immersion: The proximity to battlefield sites creates educational opportunities. "This campground is far enough away from home but at the same time close enough for a weekend camping trip... Close to Gettysburg as well," notes a visitor to Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground. The park includes iron furnace ruins and an Appalachian Trail museum.

Appalachian Trail access: Several campgrounds provide direct connections to notable hiking paths. "Tons of wonderful trails to explore! Make sure you take a hike on the AT and then up to Pole Steeple for a great view! You may even bump into a through hiker excited to chat!" explains an enthusiastic Pine Grove Furnace visitor.

Natural swimming areas: While some parks have pools, others offer natural swimming. "Codorus State Park has a wide variety of sites so finding one that you like should not be difficult... the lake was the biggest attraction for me," shares a visitor who appreciated the varied terrain options.

What you should know

Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds. "AT&T cell reception at our site was hit or miss, but good in the rest of the campground," reports a visitor at Artillery Ridge. Prepare for spotty service or complete disconnection at more remote sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Bendersville, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bendersville, PA is Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 25 reviews.