The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Big Cove Tannery, PA

1,006 Reviews

Campgrounds near Big Cove Tannery, Pennsylvania include state park facilities and privately managed camping areas, with Cowans Gap State Park serving as a central destination for outdoor recreation. The region features a mix of accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options. Situated in the mountainous terrain of south-central Pennsylvania, Cowans Gap State Park Campground provides access to a lake with swimming beach, hiking trails, and both electric and non-electric campsites. Other nearby options include privately operated campgrounds like Saunderosa Park and Sunvalley that offer additional amenities for seasonal visitors.

Road access to campgrounds in the region requires careful navigation through mountainous terrain with significant elevation changes. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, with Cowans Gap State Park open from the second Friday in April through deer season in December. Cell service is notably limited throughout the area, with most campgrounds offering little to no connectivity. Water access is a prominent feature of camping in the region, with Cowans Gap Lake providing swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. Visitors should prepare for variable mountain weather conditions and limited nearby services. A visitor commented, "Our first time at Cowans Gap and we loved it. Five nights, six days with no cell or wifi to stress us out. Biking, hiking, sitting around a campfire, very nice."

Campers consistently highlight the natural surroundings and recreational opportunities available in the Big Cove Tannery area. Cowans Gap State Park receives particular praise for its lake activities, hiking trails, and clean facilities. The 1.5-mile lake trail offers an accessible walking path suitable for most visitors. Many camping areas feature shaded sites that provide privacy and natural surroundings, though site sizes and levelness vary considerably. According to reviews, fall brings spectacular foliage colors around the lake, making it a popular season for camping. Weekend periods typically see higher occupancy rates, especially at lakefront sites and in the pet-friendly sections of campgrounds. The primitive tent sites generally offer more spacing between campers compared to the RV sections, with walk-in sites providing additional privacy and a more secluded camping experience.

Map showing campgrounds near Big Cove Tannery, PennsylvaniaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Big Cove Tannery, Pennsylvania (162)

    1. Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Fort Loudon, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 485-3948

    $20 - $48 / night

    "Nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania, this gem of a campground."

    "The bathroom is close by,has showers & is very clean. You can walk or ride a bike to the beach. The water is clean with sand on the bottom. Lakeside trail is short and easy."

    2. Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA

    20 Reviews
    Williamsport, MD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 223-7571

    "Set right next to the river and you fish if you want to. DO NOT follow your GPS. Follow the directions on the KOA Website."

    "Beautiful campgrounds situated near a creek. The campgrounds have a homey feel and were decorated nicely for fall & Halloween. The staff & hosts were incredibly nice & helpful."

    3. McCoys Ferry Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

    13 Reviews
    Big Pool, MD
    17 miles
    Website

    $20 - $40 / night

    "There is no privacy from adjacent campsites, but you are on the Potomac in sites 1 - 7.
    Price 2023: $10 w interagency pass Usage during visit: Light during the week. 40% full on weekends."

    "We stayed at campsite 1 which had nice views of the river and a pretty good distance from neighbors. Closest site to the drop toilet and day use area portapots (very clean!)."

    4. Green Ridge State Forest

    29 Reviews
    Little Orleans, MD
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 478-3124

    $10 / night

    "All are roadside, but plenty are tucked away so you feel alone in the woods. You can occupy a site as long as you register at the parks main office. $10/night."

    "Very few sites are within walking distance of each other. The exception is a group of sites near the Potomac Riverand the C&O Canal."

    5. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD

    23 Reviews
    Williamsport, MD
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 223-7117

    $99 - $471 / night

    "There is a food court in the swimming pool and a camp store right next to it. They play movies every night at the outdoor theater near the pool."

    "This campground has tons of nice cabins and tent sites, all in wooded surroundings. There is a small creek to play in and a nice little hiking trail within the campground."

    6. Fort Frederick State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Big Pool, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $15 - $17 / night

    "Added some more photos to show proximity to other sites. Great spot for some small hikes and history at the fort. There’s also tons of markers on the trails with history."

    "My spot had a cool path down to the river. There aren’t really facilities other then a porta potty near the sites and there is a code to get into the gate."

    7. Saunderosa Park Inc

    1 Review
    Mercersburg, PA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 328-2216

    8. Sunvalley

    1 Review
    Mercersburg, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 328-3593

    9. Happy Hills Campground

    7 Reviews
    Berkeley Springs, WV
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 678-7760

    "Lots of trails around, Molly and I got a lot of walking in. No cell service for us, wifi is OK I recon depends on the load on it. All in all it is a very nice family Campground, we will return."

    "The price was right and the location was fairly convienient. There is hiking at the canal and a nice restaurant/ice cream parlor called Buddy Lou’s."

    10. Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Flintstone, MD
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 722-1480

    $23 - $29 / night

    "We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites."

    "Our friends were in the site next to us (17) which was also nice and there was a wide walking path between them. Family also stayed in one of the rental cabins (21)."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 162 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Big Cove Tannery Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Big Cove Tannery, PA

435 Photos of 162 Big Cove Tannery Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Big Cove Tannery, PA

1006 Reviews of 162 Big Cove Tannery Campgrounds

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Hot showers! But no dump station

    Campsite We stayed at M17 after staying at M26 for a night. 17 wasn’t as level and so we had to scrunch to one side of the site to get level. It was closer to the bath house. Overall cozy. Bath house It’s in need of some repairs but don’t let that scare you- these showers are hot and the shower wands are a really nice convenience after using cold push button showers. Lantern flies! Invasive Spotted Lantern Flies are everywhere. I squished as many as I could but keep an eye out and check your gear before leaving! Dump station This campsite doesn’t have a dump station so we went to the Cunningham falls site to dump after leaving and they let us dump no problem. Road noise Since you’re near the highway, there is constant road noise and it’s even worse on the trails but it’s quiet otherwise. Deducted one star for no dump station.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA

    Dense and chaotic, but great breakfast

    We got here late on a Friday and boy was it packed. It was a pretty tight fit and at a perpendicular. Not sure why campsites do that. We didn’t use the bathroom or showers because it was so late and honestly because they only had one bathroom location for all those people and it was on the opposite side of the campsite. They have SO many activities going on for kids and families including crafts and a magic show. They also had a diner and general store. Didn’t go into the store but did get breakfast from the diner and the breakfast was honestly delicious. It was about a 20 min wait at 8:15 but the quality of the food totally makes up for that. I recommend the sausage gravy and biscuits. Overall, great spot if you’ve got kids. Pretty packed if you’re just traveling or looking for some outdoor time.

  • E
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Camp Cacapon

    Great camping in a perfect spot

    We stayed at this campground Sep 26-28 and had a fantastic time. The campsite is in a perfect spot on the Cacapon river, and the facilities are excellent. Nice campsites, clean bathrooms and a charming little pavilion that you can rent and hang out with your group.

    Highly recommend

  • Brian C.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Solid State Park Camping

    Stayed in a walk-in tent site. Much better spacing than typical sites, though sites 2 & 3 were basically connected. The non-walk in sites in Loop B are typical to smaller than average and mostly suited for campers/RVs.

    Pros : Site spacing/privacy was good Bathrooms and showers were clean. Firewood available at the park ($5 for 6 pieces self-serve). Location near the dam and lake trail is nice. Cell service was limited, but had reliable (but low) signal with T-Mobile at my site. Easy access (on foot) to all of the hiking trails.

    Cons: The tent pads could use some leveling and there was some trash around the site. The major negative was generator noise coming from the facility just beyond the dam. Droning generator noise was on/off at all hours of the day and went on until 10pm in the evening. Not sure how far up in Loop B this was heard, but it was pretty loud in the walk-in site area.

  • 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.

Guide to Big Cove Tannery

Camping near Big Cove Tannery, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Many campers enjoy the trails around the area. One visitor at Rocky Gap State Park Campground mentioned, "We walked the trail around Lake Habib which was 5.3 miles. The weather was perfect with mild temps and a cool breeze."
  • Fishing: If you love fishing, Caledonia State Park Campground is a great spot. A reviewer noted, "Nice creek running through. Pool. Appalachian trail runs right by it."
  • Swimming: For a refreshing dip, check out the swimming areas. A camper at Cunningham Falls State Park said, "The swimming lake is great, especially for small kids, because the roped-in part only gets a few feet deep."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathhouses. One visitor at Greenbrier State Park Campground shared, "The bath houses & sites are always clean, camp hosts are friendly and park rangers are present and helpful."
  • Secluded Sites: Many enjoy the privacy of the campsites. A reviewer at Cowans Gap State Park Campground mentioned, "Even on Labor Day weekend, it didn’t feel busy because of how few sites are in this section."
  • Natural Beauty: The scenery is a big draw. A camper at Green Ridge State Forest said, "If you love to camp and view nature, this is the place to be. There are plenty of beautiful scenery and you can hear the beautiful sounds of nature."

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Many campgrounds, like Maryland Greenbrier State Park Campground, have strict no alcohol policies. A visitor noted, "The only negative that stinks is that campers have to drive down and park their cars in the parking lot by the lake EARLY."
  • Limited Amenities: Some sites may not have electric hookups or water. A camper at Owens Creek Campground mentioned, "The sites are very clean but close to each other. You can hear the kids and families."
  • Crowded During Peak Times: Campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Shawnee State Park Campground said, "Traffic and highway noise can be heard from the campground but it isn’t incredibly loud."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. A parent at Cunningham Falls State Park said, "My kids also LOVED the swimming lake -- especially great for small kids."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A visitor at Caledonia State Park Campground noted, "There is a pool there and the area is fantastic."
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring items that make camping easier for kids. A camper at Rocky Gap State Park Campground mentioned, "The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Caledonia State Park Campground said, "I would give my site an 8. It would be a 10 if the utilities were closer to the back of the site."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Some campgrounds may not have full hookups. A visitor at Cowans Gap State Park Campground noted, "The campground has a beach swim area with concession stand, picnic area with tables, and large bath house."
  • Plan for Access: Some campgrounds require a bit of driving to get to amenities. A camper at Seven Points Campground mentioned, "The bath house is up at the top of the hill. Be prepared for that walk."

Camping near Big Cove Tannery, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or tent camping, you'll find plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Big Cove Tannery, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Big Cove Tannery, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 162 campgrounds and RV parks near Big Cove Tannery, PA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Big Cove Tannery, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Big Cove Tannery, PA is Cowans Gap State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Big Cove Tannery, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Big Cove Tannery, PA.

What parks are near Big Cove Tannery, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Big Cove Tannery, PA that allow camping, notably Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

Keep Exploring