Shady Oak Campground
Easy access to Lancaster and Pennsylvania Dutch areas. Friendly, welcoming staff and plenty of colorful trees in the autumn. The only RV park in the area that is open year round.
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campsites near Blandon, Pennsylvania offer multiple options for primitive camping experiences within the surrounding region. Green Lane Park's Deep Creek Campground provides tent camping from April through October with basic amenities and large sites, though limited privacy between campsites. Boulder Ridge Farm offers more secluded tent sites with a natural setting approximately 10 miles south of Blandon, requiring walk-in access to reach the camping area.
Most tent campgrounds in the area feature fire rings and picnic tables, but amenities vary significantly between locations. Shambala at Mystic Hollow provides walk-in tent sites along a creek with access to drinking water, showers, and toilets, while more primitive options like the AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap offer free tent camping with no facilities beyond a basic fire ring. Tent campers should note that many campgrounds prohibit alcohol, and most require advance reservations through their respective management systems. During summer months, sites at established campgrounds fill quickly, particularly on weekends.
The tent camping experience varies dramatically between developed and primitive sites in the region. Hikers can access several backcountry tent sites along the Appalachian Trail, including the AT Overlook Campground that features panoramic valley views and stone fire rings. These primitive tent areas provide more seclusion than established campgrounds but require carrying in all supplies. According to one visitor, the AT Ridge Campground is "surrounded by a magical field of ferns and you can get views of both sides of the ridge with only a short walk down the trail." Tent campers at more developed sites like Deep Creek Campground should expect less privacy, as one camper noted that "sites are close to each other with absolutely no privacy," though the park itself offers excellent hiking and fishing opportunities.
"Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers great creekside campsites for anyone looking to pitch a tent and enjoy some time by the water. Check them out and share your experience on the Dyrt!"
from $40 / night
"Her boyfriend and I wanted to plan an outdoor camping trip but we’re completely over having no privacy, worrying about my reactive dog, feeling like we had to follow ridiculous rules when going camping"
Campground full this weekend
from $160 - $380 / night
"Clean restrooms, lots of open space!"
"Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails"
from $20 - $30 / night
"Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone."
"Easy drive from Philly area, courteous staff, very wooded and quiet at night. Has many sites right along the lake edge, some very large."
from $20 / night
"Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground."
"We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There’s running water available, porta potties are very clean and don’t smell and are lit with a street lamp. Very quiet at night."
from $15 - $50 / night
"Lots of tree cover running along a small running creek"
"You need a license to fish, and if you plan on catching Trout you need the Trout endorsement on the fishing licence, currently$9.90.The restroom facilities we're clean."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $43 / night
"The only downside was my sleeping pad sprung a leak, so it wasn't the best night's sleep. But the site itself was great and I would camp there again."
"A bed of pine needles creates a padded comfortable area that is perfect for a large group backpacking in the area."
"We'd like to welcome Joe, your host, to our platform! This property is close to town yet so serene. 2WD is fine but 4WD will make your experience getting to the property a bit more smooth."
"Plenty of fire wood, really cool huge rocks and waking up to owls was awesome."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $30 / night
"You can set up your tent to have a view of the valley right from your door and the space is flat, dry, and not too rocky."
"This site is really 2 separate sites that are a short ways apart along the trail. They are both excellent spots to set up a tent if you plan on camping up on the ridge."









Easy access to Lancaster and Pennsylvania Dutch areas. Friendly, welcoming staff and plenty of colorful trees in the autumn. The only RV park in the area that is open year round.
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
The advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
We stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
We only spent the night and didn't look at the amenities. The manager was very friendly and accommodating.
Tent camping near Blandon, Pennsylvania offers access to both rustic wilderness sites and developed campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The eastern Pennsylvania foothills in this region feature rolling terrain with elevations between 400-1,200 feet, creating diverse camping environments from lowland creek bottoms to ridgeline sites. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, with higher humidity levels near water sources.
Fishing opportunities: Mauch Chunk Lake Park provides a stocked lake with clear, clean water. One camper noted, "The lake was beautiful. Very clean and picturesque and perfect for swimming. The campsites were adequate size."
Hiking trail systems: Evansburg State Park Campground offers multiple trail options through wooded terrain. A regular visitor explains, "Since he was 2 years old I've taken my son, and we always have an amazing time, either hiking the trails to wandering in the woods looking for 'adventures'."
Paddleboarding access: Some lakefront campsites allow for direct water access. As one camper at Mauch Chunk Lake Park shared, "I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear."
Disc golf course: Deep Creek Campground features a well-regarded disc course. According to reviews, the park offers "Phenomenal disc golf course, hiking, and fishing."
Natural surroundings: Boulder Ridge Farm provides secluded tent sites with distinctive rock formations. One camper mentioned, "Plenty of fire wood, really cool huge rocks and waking up to owls was awesome."
Wildlife encounters: The ridgeline trails feature diverse wildlife. At AT Overlook Campground, a camper reported, "When I was up here I came across a flock of wild turkeys who thoroughly scared me when they flew off."
Water proximity: Several campgrounds offer lakeside tent sites. One visitor to Mauch Chunk Lake Park stated, "Our first time tent camping was here and it set a great tone. We set up the tent, kayaked on the lake, cooked up some dinner, watched a strawberry super moon rise over the lake."
Wilderness solitude: AT Ridge Campground near Lehigh Gap provides ridge-top camping with unique vegetation. As one hiker described, "They are surrounded by a magical field of ferns and you can get views of both sides of the ridge with only a short walk down the trail."
Campsite privacy varies: Many established campgrounds have limited separation between sites. At Hibernia County Park, "There is absolutely no privacy. The campsites are right next to each other with hardly any trees."
Primitive site considerations: AT Overlook Campground near Lehigh Gap requires hikers to carry in all water. As noted in reviews, "Just be prepared to bring in your water since there is nowhere to fill up while up on the ridge."
Weekend popularity: Summer weekends fill quickly at established campgrounds. One visitor to Mauch Chunk Lake Park observed, "We visited in the summer on a weekend when it was full. The campsites are too close to each other and we were surrounded by very loud campers."
Alcohol restrictions: Most public campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption. County parks like Hibernia are specifically noted as places where there's "no booze but camp sites are under trees."
Beginner-friendly options: Hibernia County Park provides accessible camping for new campers. A family reported, "We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There's running water available, porta potties are very clean and don't smell and are lit with a street lamp."
Activity diversity: Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers multiple recreation options in one location. As a visitor noted, "Great first trip! The campgrounds were nice and there was a lot to do. Volleyball courts, secret picnic areas, kayak and other boating rentals."
Children's fishing pond: Some parks feature designated fishing areas for younger anglers. According to a Hibernia visitor, "Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under."
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas within walking distance of tent sites. One family mentioned, "Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground."
Limited hookup options: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Blandon offer minimal RV facilities. As noted about Hibernia County Park, "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."
Site size limitations: Rolling Hills Retreats and similar small campgrounds aren't suitable for larger rigs. Reviewers of several campgrounds specifically note they are "NO big-rig-friendly."
Dump station access: Facilities for RV waste disposal are limited. According to a Hibernia visitor, "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."
Tent site conversion: Some tent sites can accommodate small RVs with creative positioning. At Hibernia, "Though at first glance the sites don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper. They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Blandon, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Blandon, PA is Shambala at Mystic Hollow with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Blandon, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Blandon, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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