J
John B.
Scout
ScoutArtillery Ridge Campground
One of the nicer campgrounds in the area
Staff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
Camping near Bendersville, PA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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 (138)
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."
from $24 - $43 / night
Check Availability2. 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."
from $20 - $102 / night
Check Availability3. 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. 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. "
from $24 - $89 / night
Check Availability5. 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."
6. 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."
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. "
"Older State Park just outside of Hanover, PA. Used it as a home base to explore Gettysburg and the surrounding area."
from $24 - $280 / night
Check Availability10. Gettysburg
"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."
from $66 - $127 / night
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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
415 Photos of 138 Bendersville Campgrounds
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Recent Reviews near Bendersville, PA
950 Reviews of 138 Bendersville Campgrounds
- JJohn S.Scout
Ramblin' Pines
Weak WiFi
For $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
- M
Mark M.
GuideWestern Village RV Park
Pretty campground, friendly staff, but RVs are packed in like sardines
We used to camp here 30+ years ago. Nice that it hasn't changed much. Still has a game room with pool table, driving games, skeet ball, etc. No more pinball games like in the past. Apparently in the 1930 there was a working train around the campground, a restaurant and horse shoes - none of which are at present.
Sites are quite small. I thought our neighbor's awning was going to hit our RV, and that ours might hit the next neighbor's RV. In some parts the campers are also back to back, luckily ours is not.
They have wi-fi but you must pay for it, no free service. No cable TV (which is the norm these days). Good cell reception so you will need that or a Starlink to stream shows.
Staff are friendly. Sites are pretty level. The campground itself is rather pretty with trees, grassy areas, playgrounds for kids, etc. Lots of lightning bugs at night, and birds during the day.
At night it's interesting to walk around as so many seasonal and permanent campers have lights around their campers, trees, etc. Almost like walking around one of those light up parks they do around Christmas.
- MMorris R.
TravelerJordan Junction
Great park! Hanna Park
This is a very nice and quiet park owned by the city of Jacksonville, Florida. On the beach with tons of stuff to do.
Greg S.
LegendHershey Road Campground
4.5 stars
Pros- Pool is sparkling clear and new. Mini golf is awesome. Nice people, nice store.
Cons- further from Hershey Park than ideal, lots of seasonal campers leaving for work before dawn in loud trucks, not much privacy, some road noise.
Carol C.ScoutOtter Creek Campground
Lovely tranquil campsites next to river
We stayed only one night in primitive tent site which was massive with a turnaround. It was great. There are fire pits and picnic tables and level ground. Very serene. We walked down to the river, breathtaking. Not sure of other amenities as we didn’t use them.
Linda R.ScoutGettysburg
Cranky
Frome the moment you drive up the women at the gate is about as welcoming ( as my Pops would say ) "A fart in church.," Great way to start your vacation. Didn't get much better in the office. The one guy that worked there did at least smile at us....
KikicarlisleScoutRiverfront Campground
Disgusting
Where do I start?
We came to this campground to connect with family who was hiking the AT. We left after one miserable night. Here are some reasons:
A giant confederate flag near the entrance
Highway noise and not one but two train tracks
One Filthy “bathroom”
No shade at our campsite- despite other available sites with some shade
A trail of poison ivy on the narrow path to the river
Cigarette butts everywhere
And a creepy man on a bike who declared he was a local and wouldn’t leave our site while I was alone and insisted on talking to me about the strip club down the street, where to buy condoms and how my tent’s mesh shelf is perfect for drying out my wet panties.
Laurie P.ScoutRiverfront Campground
Trashy
We called ahead of time to reserve two sites for two nights for a bunch of people from out of state and some hikers from the AT. They said it was $35 per site per night. When we arrived we were told that we had to pay for three nights because it was a holiday weekend AND that the price was per tent. The porta potties were gross and hadn’t been serviced in a while. It was difficult to use them. During a heat wave we were given a site with little shade when several sites further along with plenty of trees were empty. The plumbed bathroom was dirty and had no soap. The shop did not in fact sell love bait, which cramped our fishing style. There is a loud rail road with constant trains on one side and a very busy highway with loud trucks on the other. The river front was lovely, but with detritus from previous campers on the rocks. We left after one night.
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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