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Camping near Carlisle, Pennsylvania ranges from state park tent sites and RV facilities to privately operated campgrounds with full hookups, cabins, and glamping options throughout the Cumberland Valley region. Multiple state parks like Pine Grove Furnace State Park and Colonel Denning State Park offer cabin accommodations, tent sites, and RV facilities within 20 miles of Carlisle. Commercial campgrounds such as Mountain Creek Camp Ground and Dogwood Acres provide additional options with varying amenities including electric hookups, water access, and full-service facilities. The camping landscape includes both state-managed public land and privately operated mixed-use campgrounds offering traditional camping alongside glamping options.
Most campgrounds in the Carlisle area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October, though some remain open year-round. Pine Grove Furnace State Park typically operates from March through mid-December, while other facilities like Dogwood Acres Campground maintain a shorter season from April to late October. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when occupancy rates are highest. The region experiences typical Pennsylvania seasonal patterns with humid summers and moderate rainfall. Site sizes and layouts vary significantly between campgrounds, with some offering more spacious accommodations than others. One camper observed, "The sites for campers are very tight. Grounds are poorly laid out and maintained... If you like the outdoors, this is not that."
Family-friendly amenities represent a common feature at campgrounds surrounding Carlisle, with many facilities offering swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. Mountain Creek Camp Ground receives consistent praise for its recreational offerings, with a visitor noting, "Lots for kids to do. Camp store has pretty much anything you need! Friendly staff and clean grounds." Several campgrounds provide creek access for fishing, tubing, and water play, making them popular destinations for families with children. Bathhouse facilities generally receive mixed reviews, with maintenance and cleanliness varying by location. Proximity to attractions like Pine Grove Furnace State Park, the Appalachian Trail, and nearby Gettysburg makes the Carlisle region appealing for campers seeking both natural experiences and historical excursions within a reasonable driving distance.
"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 $20 - $89 / night
Check Availability"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 $20 - $43 / night
Check Availability"This central Pa campground is located a short drive to many attractions. Amish Country, Hershey, Gettysburg, and winerys are within 40 min drive. There are many things to do at the campground, also."
"A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground."
"The driving path is gravel with a steep hill at the end so if you can help it I would avoid sites 32,34,36 as they are VERY difficult to back into with larger rigs."
from $22 - $102 / night
Check Availability"Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."
"We stayed in site 28 which was a walk-in site, this was perfect for us since we wanted to be further away from people and the light from the bathroom/shower facility."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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 Availability"It's close enough to 81 that's it's easy to find but tucked back in that you are not bothered by anyone."
"Located a few miles off 81, in the country surrounded by beautiful views. It’s a mix campground of seasonal campers and short term campers. Very family oriented. Very nice off leash fenced dog park."
"Tucked in the woods but near activities. The store is well stocked and also has a variety of sweet treats!"
"It was also a gated entrance which was nice. We will definitely return."
from $35 - $150 / night
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LegendPros- 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.
ScoutWe 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.
ScoutFrome 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....
ScoutWhere 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.
ScoutWe 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.
ScoutWell maintained campgrounds with thoughtful touches. Staff very friendly and responsive.
ScoutIts such a beautiful campground and very quite and clean showers and bathrooms
GuideFabulous campground, off the beaten path. Stayed here 2 nights and enjoyed walking to the beach and hiking some of the extensive trail system. Campsites are well spaced and private. Although most are on on a slight hill, our parking spot was level and it appeared most others were as well.
LegendWe spent 4 nights at Gettysburg Campground to attend the AIM Club Rally(Lincoln’s Legacy- Gettysburg 250), and it served as base camp for the event.
WHAT I LIKED:
Location, Location, Location: This park is an absolute winner for convenience—just 5 minutes from the Gettysburg battlefields, museums, and the heart of town.
The Atmosphere: The staff gave us a warm reception at check-in, and the site itself was clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to back up to a running creek. Lots of mature trees offer lots of shade and character.
Big-Rig Friendly: Navigating a 45-foot motorhome with a toad can sometimes be stressful, but this park was easy to maneuver.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
Late-Night Power Struggles: On our final night, the campground experienced grid strain. Our Hughes Watchdog Power Center saved the day—but it had to shut off our power 7 different times due to low voltage. Aside from losing a few hours of sleep to the chorus of appliances cycling off and on, no harm was done. I recommend using a surge protector/voltage regulator if you stay here.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Campsites near Carlisle, Pennsylvania occupy diverse terrain in the Cumberland Valley region, ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet in elevation. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing from December through February. Most campgrounds in this region remain partially wooded, providing moderate shade even during peak summer months.
Hiking to scenic overlooks: At Pine Grove Furnace State Park, trails range from beginner-friendly paths to challenging routes. "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," reports Amanda H. The park serves as the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail, making it a popular spot for encountering long-distance hikers.
Water recreation beyond swimming: Gifford Pinchot State Park features fishing opportunities from multiple access points. One visitor noted, "Both areas have great access for fishing, and we caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore." The park maintains two separate day-use areas with distinct amenities and water access points.
Historical site exploration: Within the Colonel Denning area, visitors can explore regional iron-working history and tour historic structures. The proximity to Gettysburg (approximately 30 miles southwest) provides opportunities for historical day trips. "The park is also just north of the expansive Michaux State Forest, which has miles of trails for ATVs, biking, hiking/running," writes Carly E.
Campsite privacy variations: Colonel Denning State Park Campground offers walk-in sites for those seeking seclusion. "We stayed in site 28 which was a walk-in site, this was perfect for us since we wanted to be further away from people and the light from the bathroom/shower facility," shares Tiff T. These more isolated campsites require a short hike from parking areas.
Natural water features: Several campgrounds feature creek access where children can wade safely. At Paradise Stream Family Campground, creekside sites provide water access with electric hookups. "We stayed creekside so only had electric. The dump was up on the other side so had to pull a U turn, luckily our camper was small enough to make the turn," reports Jen R.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a deciding factor. "The bathhouse is very nice and clean," reports Casey L. about Colonel Denning State Park. Another visitor to Paradise Stream noted, "They go above and beyond to keep the grounds immaculate. The fire pits are even top notch."
Site variations and limitations: Deer Run Campgrounds has tight camping spaces in some areas. "The sites for campers are very tight. Grounds are poorly laid out and maintained," reports Pru. Site selection matters significantly, as another camper noted, "Site 88 where we were appeared to be the largest non-seasonal site in the park."
Seasonal considerations: Most Carlisle area campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter camping options. Little Buffalo State Park remains open year-round but with reduced services during winter months. Water is typically shut off from November through March at most facilities.
Bathroom facility distribution: Bathroom access varies widely between campgrounds. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, "Two bath houses, one near the entrance and one in the way back. May not be anything fancy or new, but they are clean," according to one camper. Some campgrounds have limited facilities requiring longer walks from certain sites.
Water play options: Mountain Creek Camp Ground provides creek tubing opportunities for children. "Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters," writes Barb C. The combination of pool access and natural water features gives families multiple cooling options during summer months.
Youth activities beyond swimming: Paradise Stream Family Campground offers diverse activities including "mini golf, ceramic painting, hiking, fishing, bike riding, sluicing for gems, game room." These structured activities provide entertainment regardless of weather conditions.
Transportation considerations: At larger campgrounds, distances between amenities can challenge younger children. "We stayed in the upper tent area. It's a walk to the pool and arcade area. As an adult I was fine with it. I have a 5 year old though and she got tired. Lesson learned: rent a golf cart ahead of time," advises Emily about Mountain Creek.
Hookup positioning: At Little Buffalo State Park Campground, RV sites require planning for utility connections. "We had one of the few full hook up sites," notes Shirley M., indicating the limited availability of comprehensive hookups. Most sites offer electric only, with water spigots shared between multiple campsites.
Turning radius challenges: Campgrounds in the mountainous terrain often have tight access roads. At Paradise Stream, one camper noted needing to "pull a U turn" at the dump station with a smaller camper. Larger rigs may struggle with some of the older campground layouts in the region.
Seasonal site considerations: Many campgrounds contain a mix of seasonal and temporary sites. "Deer Run is a mix campground of seasonal campers and short term campers," notes one visitor. This arrangement sometimes creates varying standards of site maintenance and available space between different camping areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Carlisle, PA?
Carlisle offers excellent camping options within easy driving distance. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground is a standout choice with electric sites, updated bathrooms, and great hiking including access to the Appalachian Trail. The park features two lakes connected by a pleasant walking path. For a peaceful island experience, Campground Island provides a unique setting surrounded by flowing creek waters on both sides, perfect for fishing and enjoying the sounds of nature. Other solid options include Dogwood Acres Campground near Newville, Western Village RV Park, and Hemlock Acres Camp Ground, known for its peace and quiet in the Pennsylvania woods.
Are there RV parks with full hookups near Carlisle, PA?
Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park provides full hookup sites for RVs with convenient access to highways, making it ideal for travelers visiting the Harrisburg/Hershey area. The campground offers roadside convenience while still providing a camping experience. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country is another excellent option with full hookup sites in the heart of Amish country. For those needing just an overnight stop without hookups, the Cracker Barrel in Mechanicsburg offers a spacious parking lot that accommodates RVs, with the bonus of a meal just steps away.
Can I find state park camping options near Carlisle, PA?
Several exceptional state parks offer camping near Carlisle. Cowans Gap State Park Campground features spacious, shaded sites with clean facilities and a beautiful lake for swimming, fishing, and boating. The lakeside trail provides scenic views and recreation opportunities. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground is another favorite with lakeside sites perfect for small campers. Additional options include Colonel Denning State Park near Newville, Little Buffalo State Park near Newport, and Caledonia State Park near Fayetteville - all offering reservable sites with varying amenities and beautiful natural settings within driving distance of Carlisle.
Are there campgrounds near the Carlisle Fairgrounds for event weekends?
Western Village RV Park is conveniently located near Carlisle and makes an excellent base for fairground events. With full hookups and good amenities, it's popular during car shows and other Carlisle Fairgrounds events. Dogwood Acres Campground is another nearby option with water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly sites. For those attending events without camping equipment, several locations offer overnight parking, including the Home Depot in Lower Paxton and the Cracker Barrel in Mechanicsburg. Book well in advance for event weekends as accommodations fill quickly during major Carlisle Fairgrounds shows.
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