Kevin M.
Traveler
TravelerDogwood Acres Campground
Well run
The staff here are amazing. Quiet time is respected, clean campground. Will come again.
Camping near Bendersville, PA
21 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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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 Campgrounds near Bendersville (140)
1. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground
"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."
20 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $43 / night
2. Caledonia State Park Campground
"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."
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $24 - $151 / night
3. Gettysburg Campground
"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."
4. Artillery Ridge Campground
"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."
5. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground
"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. "
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $90 / night
6. Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA
"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."
7. Granite Hill Camping Resort
"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"
8. Mountain Creek Camp Ground
"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."
9. Codorus State Park Campground
"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. "
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $195 / night
10. Deer Run Campgrounds
"This central Pa campground is located a short drive to many attractions. Amish Country, Hershey, Gettysburg, and winerys are within 40 min drive. There are many things to do at the campground, also."
Drive Time
- 14 min from Gettysburg, PA
- 33 min from Chambersburg, PA
- 40 min from Harrisburg, PA
- 45 min from York, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Bendersville, PA
419 Photos of 140 Bendersville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Pine Grove Furnace State Park CampgroundS
Mountain Creek Camp GroundL
Michaux State Forest
Deer Run Campgrounds
Top Cat Farm LLC
Drummer Boy Camping Resort
Gettysburg Campground
Pinchot State Park Campground
Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA
Artillery Ridge Campground
Granite Hill Camping Resort
Caledonia State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Bendersville, PA
964 Reviews of 140 Bendersville Campgrounds
- kken
GuideArtillery Ridge Campground
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.
Pam R.GuideGifford Pinchot State Park Campground
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.
- jjohn L.Guide
Artillery Ridge Campground
Got us out of a jam.
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.
- jjohn L.Guide
Codorus State Park Campground
Hurricane camping
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.
- nnancy H.Guide
Hosack Run
Quiet & Dog friendly - 20minutes from Gettysburg Battfields
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)
- TTyler D.Guide
Gambrill State Park Campground
Great Camp Spot
This is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
Richard P.
ScoutCircle S Farm Camping
Grantville is great
The area is very nice and so are the people. The sites are clean and the livestock are a cool sight to see
Thomas B.
RangerRedemption Springs
Pleasant Stay and Hosts
We stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
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?
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 4.7-star rating from 26 reviews.
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