Best Campgrounds near Bethel, PA

Campgrounds near Bethel, Pennsylvania include a mix of family-focused established campgrounds and nature-oriented recreation areas along the Susquehanna River. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville and Tucquan Park Family Campground represent the range of accommodations available, from tent and RV sites to cabins and glamping options. Most camping areas in this region feature full hookups for RVs, with water, electric, and sewer connections widely available. Several parks maintain year-round operations, though many observe seasonal schedules running approximately from March through November, reflecting the region's seasonal climate patterns.

Many campgrounds in the area maintain developed facilities with modern amenities including showers, toilets, and dump stations. "The bathhouses are rebuilt recently and are very nice," notes one visitor about Susquehannock State Park Campground. Access to most camping areas involves drive-in sites with occasional boat-in or walk-in options at locations like Muddy Run Recreation Park. The Lancaster County region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall particularly popular for camping. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holiday periods when water parks and family activities draw larger crowds.

Camping experiences in this region often center around water recreation, with the Susquehanna River providing scenic backdrops at several locations. The mixed-use campgrounds typically feature organized activities for families, particularly at resort-style locations. One reviewer described Jellystone Park as having "pools and playgrounds and fishing," noting it was "all for the kids" with numerous scheduled activities. Natural areas like Susquehannock State Park offer more traditional outdoor experiences with hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities. Several campgrounds in the area maintain seasonal programming, with Halloween events receiving particular praise from visitors. While most sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, the region tends to emphasize family-friendly developed campgrounds rather than primitive camping areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Bethel, Pennsylvania (119)

    1. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Quarryville

    19 Reviews
    Quarryville, PA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 610-4505

    "We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."

    "The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."

    2. Muddy Run Rec Park - PPL

    11 Reviews
    Holtwood, PA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4325

    "The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store."

    "The observatory is open to public once a month, we recommend you plan your trip around this."

    3. Tucquan Park Family Campground

    12 Reviews
    Holtwood, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-2156

    "Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."

    "There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."

    4. Pequea Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4587

    "Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."

    "The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . "

    5. Elk Neck State Park Campground

    60 Reviews
    Perryville, MD
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 287-5333

    $21 - $55 / night

    "I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
    The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. "

    "Surrounding area
    There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."

    6. Old Mill Stream Campground

    17 Reviews
    Lampeter, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 299-2314

    "Tent sites are lined up along the water which is great for fishing (especially when you need to stay close to the littles sleeping in the tent). Lots of benches lined up along the water."

    "Not to noisy being next to a theme park. The bath house was just remodeled so it's excellent! Good price!"

    7. Thousand Trails Circle M

    19 Reviews
    Millersville, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."

    "I used to stay here all the time with my grandparents when they were around. It was always some of the best times for me."

    8. Country Acres Campground

    12 Reviews
    Concord, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 983-3064

    "This is a great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County and about a one-hour drive to Hersheypark.  Our site(# 837) was a good size for our motor home+ toad."

    "We stayed at one of the primitive tent sites with no hookups adjacent to the farm field. Watching a horse drawn equipment cutting grass while we cooked dinner was a joy."

    9. Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort

    14 Reviews
    Concord, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 687-8181

    "Great, convenient location. Cost friendly considering the location. Clean grounds & maintained sites. Mix of open & shaded sites, all appear to be pretty level, our site was next to stream."

    "The site was right next to the creek. Shade is perfect for our dogs. Office personnel were so very helpful. Office does close at 4 but that is due to staff shortages."

    10. Otter Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 862-3628

    "Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."

    "Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal! Sites are spacious and nice! Restrooms clean!"

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Recent Reviews near Bethel, PA

929 Reviews of 119 Bethel Campgrounds


  • Gennifer K.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Country Acres Campground

    Nice park

    This was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.

  • M
    Oct. 6, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Hard with a large group

    Harder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Stoevers Dam Park

    Park is closed. We were kicked out.

    LThe park is a beautiful city park. There are 7 small, level, back-in sites with electric, a picnic table and fire pit. We arrived in a Sunday and you have to call for a permit, but the office is only open on M-F during working hours. At 8 pm, a police officer told us the park was closed because of a bear, but that they had not gotten around to putting up signs. Wound up in a Walmart instead.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Dog owners read!

    There’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Brandywine Creek Campground

    Brandywine

    We are on the third week of a four week trip. Campground is well maintained, quiet. This was our home while exploring Philadelphia. Uber to Downgrown, Septa or Amtrak to town. Reverse to camp. Very enjoyable. Hickory nut tree beside camper shared at times.

  • Peyton S.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Wonderful, Easy, Quick trip from Philly

    It’s about an hour away from Philadelphia. We tent camped in loop B. The site was wonderful. Just know it is a gravel site, not grass. The fire pit has a grill attachment and wood was easy to find. Water and bathrooms were close. We hiked around the lake and there were plenty of trails and even rentable kayaks and paddle boards! Would definitely recommend if looking for a quick overnight stay outside of the city.

  • 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.


Guide to Bethel

Camping near Bethel, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at French Creek State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Hiking and biking this park is fun," highlighting the great outdoor opportunities available.
  • Fishing: The Susquehanna River near Susquehanna State Park Campground is perfect for fishing. A visitor noted, "Has access to Susquehanna River, nice hiking trails," making it a great spot for anglers.
  • Family Activities: At Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Quarryville, families can enjoy a mini water park and laser tag. One camper shared, "Kids enjoy the water park and nighttime laser tag parties," emphasizing the fun for younger visitors.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Elk Neck State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "The bathrooms are immaculate," which is always a plus when camping.
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Lums Pond State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Nice smaller campground with large spacious sites," making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpful staff at Lake-In-Wood Campground. A guest noted, "The staff is very nice," which can make a big difference in your camping experience.

What you should know:

  • Site Selection: At Thousand Trails Hershey, sites are first-come, first-served. One camper said, "I made a reservation months in advance, but it only guaranteed me a site," so be prepared to arrive early.
  • Limited Amenities in Off-Season: Some campgrounds, like Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, may have limited activities during the off-season. A visitor mentioned, "Activities schedules are a little hit or miss for us," so check ahead.
  • Noise Levels: Campers at Susquehanna State Park Campground noted that weekends can get busy. One reviewer said, "The sites are well kept and the tent pads are in great shape," but it can be crowded.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Kid-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Quarryville, where there are plenty of activities for kids. A parent shared, "There is now an arcade and a mini water park! This place is awesome for kids and families!"
  • Pack for All Weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A camper at French Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Weather was great, the lack of people was perfect," indicating that conditions can vary.
  • Plan Group Activities: Engage in group activities like fishing or hiking. One visitor at Lums Pond State Park Campground noted, "If it rains, some sites are flooded," so have a backup plan for indoor fun.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Many RVers recommend checking the level of your site. A camper at Circle M RV and Camping Resort said, "Must have leveling blocks," which is crucial for a comfortable stay.
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some sites can be cramped. One visitor noted, "The place was packed, the lots were cramped up," so choose your site wisely.
  • Wi-Fi Availability: If you need internet, check the campground's Wi-Fi situation. A reviewer at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA mentioned, "The Wi-Fi at our site worked well," which can be helpful for planning your days.

Camping near Bethel, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning and the right campground, you're sure to have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Bethel, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bethel, PA is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Quarryville with a 4.4-star rating from 19 reviews.