16 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent camping options around Carlisle, Pennsylvania include established sites at Lower Allen Community Park along Yellow Breeches Creek and primitive tent sites at Penn Roosevelt State Park in the nearby mountains. The region offers diverse tent camping experiences from riverside locations to more secluded forest settings, with varying levels of amenities.
Most walk-in tent sites at Lower Allen Community Park require reservations through the township office and feature basic amenities including fire pits, picnic tables, and portable toilets. Water access is available at some locations but not uniformly provided at all tent campsites. For more primitive camping experiences, Penn Roosevelt State Park provides tent-only sites that operate year-round with pit toilets but no showers. Campers should bring water filtration systems or sufficient supply as drinking water availability varies across tent camping areas.
Tent sites in the region offer distinct seasonal advantages. Spring camping provides moderate temperatures and flowing creeks, while summer brings lush vegetation and swimming opportunities. Penn Roosevelt State Park delivers a more secluded backcountry camping experience, with sites positioned near a small lake and hiking trails. According to one visitor, "It's a beautiful primitive campground with tent-only sites that are spaced out and peaceful." Sites at Lower Allen Community Park benefit from creek access, making them popular with kayakers who can paddle to their campsite. The walk-in tent locations generally remain quiet even on weekends, offering a peaceful retreat without the generator noise found at larger RV campgrounds.
"The park is in the suburbs so it’s close to lots of things. They do lock the park at dusk though. They have portapotties, fire pits, and picnic tables."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $50 / night
"Then I go find a deserted section and a picnic table and just sit down. Immediately I can feel every bit is stress or anxiety dissipate."
"Nice and peaceful with a dozen or so tent only sites. We got a nice one tucked back in the trees, but a few of them are pretty close to the road - not like it's terribly busy."
from $26 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful. Has restrooms (no shower), picnic table, and fire pit at each site."
"The sites are tent only and pretty close together but some still feel secluded. Very accessible and the park has some good trails."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Annapolis Rock Campground is right off the Appalachian Trail just about 1/5 of a mile before Annapolis Rock overlook."
"great primitive campsite that has undergone major restorations and preventative measures to reverse the damage from huge camping crowds of the past. no fires, but there are two privies and a really nice"
"There's a huge field to start gaze as well as taking pictures, lots of hiking and if you're a bee enthusiast they grow their own honey in the property and you're more than welcome to walk around and look"
"We're so happy to welcome this new property to our platform. Check them out, and come back here to leave them some love."
from $40 - $50 / night
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GuideBeautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful. Has restrooms (no shower), picnic table, and fire pit at each site. Short walk to creek and beautiful pond.
TravelerWalk in sites have picnic table and fire ring. Tent pads are level and smooth. Showers and restrooms are close to sites. Strongly recommend...
RangerThe sites are very clean but close to each Other. You can hear the kids and families and all that. The sites have a nice mulched tent pad, fire ring / grill grate, lantern pole and picnic table. There is a firewood hut at the entrance and you can take what you need - just leAve a donation. The bathrooms are very clean and there’s some trails around the creek (dry creek/ nothing impressive)
GuideWe 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.
LegendOwens Creek Campground :
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer)
Overall Rating: 4.5
Price: $15/night w senior pass
Usage during visit: very low including Fri night
Site Privacy: understory trees, filter l e of site in many sites.
Site Spacing: most very nicely spaced
Site surface: blacktop
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Very quiet
Road Noise: Only a bit in first few campsites
Through Traffic: no problem
Electricity: No
Water: Spigots at bathhouses
Sewer: No
Dump: No
Generators: 6 AM to 10 PM
Bathroom: Old but very clean.
Showers: Yes. Double curtains
Pull Throughs: Some
Cell Service (Verizon): Very good
Setting: A thick deciduous forest
Weather: nice. Cooler because of shade
Bugs: A few. Will probably increase as month moves on
Solar: Too much shade for fixed solar panels
Host: Yes
Rig size: Not all sites will accommodate a 22’ trailing.
Sites: Pictures are of some of the best sites. My favs: 14 nice woods view , (28 & 29 hear creek,)37. 45, 46
LegendSet just off I-76 in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, Pinch Pond Family Campground& RV Park is a large, all-in-one, family-focused campground with a layout that feels more like a small neighborhood than a traditional woods-only campsite. While its proximity to the highway makes access easy, the property itself is gated, organized into distinct camping zones and packed with amenities that clearly cater to longer stays and families looking for built-in entertainment.
HIGHLIGHTS:(1) Full-service resort-style amenities including pool, playground, arcade, laundry, propane refills, dump stations, sports field, picnic tables and in-ground fire rings throughout the property;(2) Wide variety of lodging options including RV sites with 30/50 amp hookups, water, sewer and cable, primitive tent sites, and multiple on-site cottages for non-campers;(3) Gated entrance and very welcoming, helpful staff at check-in with a well-stocked camp store offering snacks, ice cream, sundries and souvenirs;(4) Strong family appeal with fishing pond, barn, open play areas and space for kids to roam safely; and(5) Excellent location for regional attractions including Hershey Park, Chocolate World, Amish countryside tours and the nearby wolf sanctuary with guided educational tours.
LOWLIGHTS:(1) Immediate proximity to I-76 means persistent highway noise day and night with no real sound buffer;(2) Access is oddly indirect despite being next to the turnpike, requiring a several-mile loop through countryside roads to reach the entrance;(3) Overall layout is wide open with limited natural privacy between many RV sites;(4) Nearby shooting range produces frequent target practice noise, especially noticeable during early morning hours; and(5) Pricing for primitive tent sites feels disproportionately high compared to full-hookup RV rates.
Happy Camping!
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.
ScoutStayed 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.
ScoutLarge 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…!
Tent camping near Carlisle, Pennsylvania offers locations beyond established campgrounds. The Yellow Breeches Creek area serves as a popular watercraft access point, while state forests provide more secluded options at elevations ranging from 700 to 2,000 feet. Seasonal considerations affect water availability with spring bringing higher water levels and summer requiring additional planning for water supplies.
Creek paddling excursions: Campers at Lower Allen Community Park can combine paddling with camping. "You can put in a few miles up and float down to your site. The park is in the suburbs so it's close to lots of things," notes one visitor who appreciated the convenience of parking adjacent to the sites.
Winter camping adventures: The colder months provide solitude at Penn Roosevelt State Park where camping continues year-round. "Stayed during the winter so the park wasn't very busy but there was one other group of campers. The sites are tent only and pretty close together but some still feel secluded," explains a winter camper.
Night sky viewing: Star Lee Farm offers exceptional dark sky conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. A camper reports, "There's a huge field to star gaze as well as taking pictures. Service is a little sketch but it's perfect for those who want to completely escape the business of modern world."
Natural water access: The region's streams and small lakes provide cooling relief during summer camping trips. At Reeds Gap State Park, "There's a nice creek that runs through it, picnic pavilions and a playground for the kids! They used to have a swimming pool but they removed it a few years ago," mentions one reviewer.
Digital disconnection: Limited cellular service creates opportunities for undistracted nature immersion. As one Reeds Gap visitor notes, "Put your phone away cuz there's no cell service here! Nice and peaceful with a dozen or so tent only sites." Similarly, campers at Annapolis Rock Campground appreciate the complete break from technology on this Appalachian Trail site.
Spring water sources: Natural springs provide drinking water at select locations. An Annapolis Rock camper explains, "Short walk to cold natural spring for water. Short walk to Annapolis rock. Rock climbing available." This reduces the need to carry large water quantities when backpacking to these sites.
Primitive facilities standard: Most tent-focused sites offer basic amenities only. At Lancaster County Mill Creek Camping Area, "The stream is refreshing and the site stays fairly cool. The site is public access and there are lots of hikers, joggers, and people expecting you not to be camping," reports a visitor who experienced morning walk-throughs.
Permit requirements vary: Some locations require advance reservations while others operate on first-come systems. Lower Allen Community Park sites need township office contact, while Reeds Gap State Park Campground uses an honor system as one camper notes, "Stayed here on a Sunday night without a reservation. We were the only ones there. Pay by honor system at the park office."
Water planning essential: Water availability changes seasonally and by location. A Penn Roosevelt visitor warns, "The water was off, but I was prepared to wilderness camp later in my trip so, that was no big deal." Always confirm current water status before arrival, especially during shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Carlisle, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carlisle, PA is Lower Allen Community Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Carlisle, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Carlisle, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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