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Best Tent Camping near Bethel, PA

832 Reviews

Tent campsites near Bethel, Pennsylvania include several established options within county and state parks. Susquehannock State Park Campground offers dedicated tent sites with some walk-in options, featuring two distinct camping loops. Hibernia County Park provides primitive tent camping with lake and forest settings, particularly at the Lake Loop and Fiddler's Loop areas, which are available on weekends during the camping season of May through October.

Tent camping areas in this region feature varied amenities and conditions. Most sites include fire rings and picnic tables, though hookups are generally unavailable for tent campers. Hibernia County Park charges $15 per night for tent sites that come with only basic facilities - picnic tables and fire rings with no hookups. Potable water access varies by campground, with Susquehannock offering water spigots throughout camping loops, while Mill Creek Camping Area provides drinking water but more limited facilities. Many locations require reservations, though some permit first-come, first-served registration, particularly at county-managed properties.

Walk-in tent sites provide additional seclusion for campers seeking a more immersive forest experience. The tent-only areas at Mill Creek Camping Area require short hikes from parking areas, creating buffer zones from day-use traffic and noise. Tree cover is substantial at most locations, particularly at Fiddler's Loop in Hibernia County Park, which offers heavily wooded sites suitable for hammocks. Terrain varies from relatively flat to gently sloping, with most sites situated on grass or forest floor. A visitor to Hibernia noted, "Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Very clean and wooded sites. Walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful." Privacy between sites varies considerably, with some locations offering minimal separation, while others provide natural barriers of trees and undergrowth between neighboring campsites.

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Best Tent Sites Near Bethel, Pennsylvania (20)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Bethel, PA

15 Photos of 20 Bethel Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Bethel, PA

832 Reviews of 20 Bethel Campgrounds

  • Ra F.
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park

    OK, but camping gets a low rating.

    The park is lovely, but the camping facilities are subpar, primitive and lack any kind of privacy. I bike toured there. The only potable water was from a near-broken water fountain at the public rest rooms and no electrical connection to recharge electronics. There was also a fair amount of road noise at night. Bathhouse OK, but just basic. Tent spots are just lined up against one another facing a service road.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 25, 2022

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Campsites Jammed Closely Together

    PROS 

    Reserved 328 days prior to arriving

    $13.50 senior discount 

    Immediately greeted by Loop C camp host who was extremely friendly and helpful 

    Site C3 parking pad level asphalt 

    Metal frame wooden picnic table that was moveable 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon our arrival 

    Some vegetation between sites provided a bit of privacy from neighbors sites 

    Park is 21 miles from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Catch National Park Service 90 minute trolley tour at the Visitor Center. 

    Shady Maple Smorgasbord...authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking…largest buffet in the USA…16 miles from French Creek SP 

    CONS

    $6.50 reservation fee for making my own on-line reservation 

    Horrible signage along PA-345. Never saw very small sign when we where intensely searching 

    Such a large overall park, but camping loop sites are jammed together

    Pitiful low water pressure  in Loop C

    Site sewer connection is high; needs to be knocked down to ground level 

    Short length of site caused creative tow vehicle parking 

    Loop C women’s toilet/shower building a big nasty mess Saturday 

    Trash dumpsters are on the main road near the campground check-in station (not walkable) 

    Noisy campground; 9pm quiet hour not enforced

    Lots of barking dogs 

    No wood sales in park 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon

  • Nate & Erika L.
    Aug. 31, 2021

    Susquehanna State Park Campground

    Great State Park Camping

    We decided to stay a weekend at Susquehanna based on the reviews on the Dyrt and it’s closer proximity to home. We arrived and were greeted by super friendly rangers who gave us the lay of the land. We found the rangers to be very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife, plants, and trees in the park. They had two display tables full of flora and fauna by the check-in station set up for kids and adults alike to glean some knowledge. On one night while we were there, there was a program run by the rangers where kids could learn about some common native and invasive species.

    We hiked the Green Trail, which had a sign saying it was ‘very difficult’, but we found it to be no problem for our crew of seven kids aged 3-10 and four adults. We only passed one other hiker. We saw some champion trees, lots of deer, and had some run ins with more than a few spotted lantern flies. One ranger told us they have nine champion trees in the park, we’d love to go back and hike to find the others.

    With only two loops, the sites were fairly spaced out with lots of trees between them. We had a spacious electric site for our pop up and camped with friends who had a nice level, secluded tent site. We hardly ever heard any neighbors and all was quiet at night. Each loop shares a bathhouse, and there are some portable toilets spaced around the loop, too. The facilities were cleaned every morning. They even have a large laundry utility sink in the bathhouse should you need it. The only downside we found was that showering at prime time (around 8 or 9 pm) led to very little hot water. A small price to pay for good camping and hiking!

  • Craig F.
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    Fun Camping and Lake Activities

    We had a wonderful stay at Gifford Pinchot State Park! 

    The camping area at GP is separated into A loop and B loops with approximately 300 sites. All sites had a paved pad, varying in size depending on the location, with tent site being smaller. Most sites have electric and there are 22 full hookup sites in the camping area. Both loops are peninsulas into the lake, which is convenient to launching boats directly from many sites. Loop A is closer to the designated swimming area with a sandy beach and playground. B loop is closer to many of the hiking trails and also several boat launch areas. It is nice that the camping area and amenities are separated from the public day use area. At the entrance to the camping area there are three dump stations. 

    During our stay we were at a full hookup site which was very spacious and often hard to find in PA State Parks. Our site was#299 and for some reason the entire site was paved/blacktop, which was different than all the other sites where the pad was paved and the picnic table area was gravel/grass. While this site made it easy to level our camper, it became quite hot in the afternoon/evening after the sun had baked it all day.

    Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed GP and couldn’t believe we hadn’t visited before because it is a great state park. Wood is available for purchase at the campground hosts’ sites and ice at the park office. As with most PA state parks, quiet hours are at 9:00PM, which is a bit early, and there is no alcohol allowed in the park. We look forward to returning to GP in the future.

  • Jim N.
    Apr. 29, 2019

    Hibernia County Park

    Hidden gem

    A nice primitive campground - good for a quick trip away. The campground is a county run one that works on a first come first serve basis, which is fine if there are others close by. They are wooded sites and have 2 loops. There is no store, but there a places close to get supplies. The park is dry, no alcohol. No hook ups either. There is an old mansion that gives tours on weekends.

  • A
    Sep. 24, 2020

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Nice Small Campsite Close to DC

    Nice small campsite in MD not too far from DC. One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down. Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby. Where we were hiking. 😬 The positives are as others have pointed out there is a huge park for kids- it’s not within walking distance for little kids but it’s a very short drive by the entrance to the park. There’s also another small park on the loop. The restrooms were central and well maintained. We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park. All sites had a picnic table and fire ring. Firewood available from camp host. Hiking poles would have been good for the trails when we had a kid in a pack on our back. Overall a nice close small campground.

  • Sean M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2020

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Great Small Campground - Cool Cabinso

    This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two is the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It’s a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great. It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes.

    The campground is on the smaller side. You get a fire pit and cooking crate, and a picnic table. The crushed stone at the sites isn’t comfortable for tents, and they won’t let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground. There are helpful and friendly camp hosts always on duty. The bathhouse is nothing special, but it’s well maintained and clean. The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely “rough it.” We found everything reasonably priced.

    Remember: no alcohol or firewood can be brought into the park. Firewood can only be purchased on site due to harmful insects. But the money goes toward the parks volunteer program.

    This is a very nice small campground that is great for kids!

  • Max C.
    Oct. 14, 2019

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Gorgeous in the fall

    Stayed in B-08 on mid October and had a great trip. The site was non-electric and it seems most of the outer side of this loop is basic camping with the inside of the loop having power. The other loops offer full hookups but opting for this area kept us from being surrounded by massive RV's. Easy back in spot for our car, partially shaded, decent brush cover between sites and able to keep tent about 20 yards from the road on a crushed rock pad. I will say this site has a little bit of slope but nothing that affected our sleep. The fire ring is very high sided and if you're not sitting on a higher camp chairs you kind of miss the fire. Picnic table was sturdy but easy enough to move lnto place to fit our needs. Tons of hike mg within the park including some historic sites at Hopewell Furnace like the blacksmith shop and old residences. Checked in a. It before the stated 3pm time without issues. Very few rangers seen during stay but it is after labor day and most of the seasonal attractions like the pool etc were closed for the season. Very clean bathrooms with easy to use dish sinks on the outside. Overall for a trip that within 75 minutes of Philly you can't go wrong for a quick jaunt out of town.

  • K
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Codorus State Park Campground

    Nice campground for primitive tenting

    Large campground but only 15 sites dedicated to“roughin’ it” tent camping. However, those sites are isolated from the others. The tent sites were in very good condition, spaced well, and fairly private. Most sites have plenty of shade and grassy, though a few are dirt only. Many sites within walking distance from the lake(no swimming) and set up for you to store and launch your kayak or other boat. Water, bathrooms, and showers a little distant but everything clean and in excellent condition. Ice and firewood available on the grounds. There is also a small store but I didn’t see it because it was open for very limited weekend hours only. Otherwise, major grocery stores are only a few minutes’ drive. Definitely going back…!

Guide to Bethel

Tent camping areas near Bethel, Pennsylvania include sites situated along waterways and within forested settings, creating a diverse camping environment. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, with the main camping season running from spring through fall. Facilities at camping areas range from primitive options requiring campers bring their own supplies to established sites with community access to drinking water spigots.

What to do

Creek exploration: At Mill Creek Camping Area, sites are positioned near flowing water, providing natural cooling and ambient sound. "Campsite for where we stayed is down by the creek making for a cooler camping experience and love the sound of water flowing at night," reports Meagan J.

Hiking adventures: Susquehannock State Park Campground offers multiple trail options with views of the Susquehanna River. "There are lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River," notes David G., who adds "One trail has two amazing specimen trees."

Bird watching: Waterfront locations provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. "It's look out over the Susquehanna River is fantastic and puts you up with the birds," writes Nick S. about Susquehannock State Park.

Fishing access: Hibernia County Park includes child-friendly fishing opportunities. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," shares Anna about the park's family-friendly amenities.

What campers like

Tree cover: Hibernia County Park features heavily wooded sites perfect for hammock camping. "It's quiet, it's heavily wooded. There is NOTHING to do except walk or bike the beautiful trails, spend time on Chamber's Lake, spend time in the hammock and stare at the fire," writes Jennifer S.

Budget-friendly rates: Many campgrounds in the region charge modest fees. "Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups," notes John Z. about Hibernia County Park.

Natural separation: The forest setting provides visual barriers between campsites. "Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities," explains Jennifer S. about Fiddler's Loop at Hibernia.

Easy trail access: Patapsco Valley State Park, while a bit further, offers direct trail connections from camping areas. "There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes," explains Sean M.

What you should know

Weekend-only operations: Some county parks have limited scheduling. "This campground is only open on the weekends, in season," notes Jennifer S. regarding Hibernia County Park.

No hookups: Most tent camping areas have minimal facilities. "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV," cautions Jennifer S. about Fiddler's Loop at Hibernia.

Water access locations: Finding drinking water requires planning. "Potable water is available in several places on each loop," mentions David G. about Susquehannock State Park.

Trail traffic: Public trails sometimes run through camping areas. "Hikers take any trail instead of marked trails regardless of families camping in a private areas," warns Sakina P. about Mill Creek Camping Area.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park offers kid-friendly amenities. "I had the best time here hiking up and down the mini mountains. The water was clear and beautiful," shares Meg F.

Spacious sites: Larger families need room to spread out. "Large campsites at the Lake Loop," reports Chelsea about Hibernia County Park.

Restroom facilities: Check bathroom availability and type before booking. "There are only pit toilets in Fiddler's loop, however there is a bathroom with running water, flush toilets and electric outlets (no shower) within walking distance of the loop," explains Jennifer S.

Organized activities: Some parks host special events. "Hibernia annually hosts the (super fun!) 'Old Fiddlers Picnic' (Folk/Americana/Bluegrass etc. music & arts, beginner to pro!) the second weekend in August," mentions Jennifer S.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Not all campsites accommodate larger vehicles. "There are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper," advises Jennifer S. about Fiddler's Loop at Hibernia County Park.

Water planning: Limited hookups mean preparation is essential. "If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank," warns Jennifer S.

Alternative dump stations: Plan for waste disposal before arrival. "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home," notes Jennifer S.

Site leveling: Terrain varies throughout the region. "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix," explains Jennifer S. about RV sites at Hibernia County Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bethel, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bethel, PA is Susquehannock State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Bethel, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Bethel, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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