Best Tent Camping near Chambersburg, PA
Tent campgrounds around Chambersburg, Pennsylvania provide hikers and outdoor enthusiasts with access to the Appalachian Trail and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The Annapolis Rock Campground offers tent sites along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, requiring a moderate 2-mile hike from Route 40 to reach the primitive camping area. Jordan Junction and Opequon Junction provide hiker-biker tent sites along the C&O Canal towpath with proximity to the Potomac River.
Most tent sites in the region are primitive with minimal amenities. Campers should bring adequate water supplies or water filtration equipment, as drinking water is available at some locations but not all. The Annapolis Rock Campground prohibits campfires due to ongoing restoration efforts but provides toilets and a natural spring nearby. Walk-in tent sites along the C&O Canal typically include basic amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets or porta-potties. Sites at Antietam Creek Campground require parking on the road and carrying equipment across a field to reach your campsite, with some sites located up to several hundred feet from parking.
The tent camping experience near Chambersburg rewards visitors with scenic natural settings. Many sites along the C&O Canal offer direct access to the Potomac River for swimming, paddling, or simply enjoying riverside views. Annapolis Rock provides elevated camping at 1,700 feet with a short walk to panoramic overlooks. The campsites along hiking trails offer quieter, more secluded experiences than drive-in campgrounds, especially midweek. In more populated areas, expect moderate trail traffic from hikers, runners, and cyclists passing by tent camping areas. A camper at Annapolis Rock noted, "About a dozen campsites to choose, and several group sites. Some fairly private. No camp fires allowed. Short walk to cold natural spring for water."
