Camping near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania centers around the south-central Appalachian foothills, with elevations ranging from 600-1,200 feet and moderate summer highs around 85°F. The region features a mix of mountain forest and valley terrain, with most campgrounds situated along creeks or near small lakes. Cell service can be spotty in many campgrounds due to the mountainous terrain, particularly in Cowans Gap State Park.
What to do
Hiking varied trails: At Cowans Gap State Park, access numerous hiking trails directly from camp. "Our first time at Cowans Gap and we loved it. 5 nights, 6 days with no cell or wifi to stress us out. Biking, Hiking, sitting around a campfire, very nice," shares one visitor. The park connects to challenging routes with rock scrambles.
Water recreation options: The 43-acre Hunting Creek Lake at Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park offers swimming, fishing and paddling. "The beach was too crowded for my liking" notes one camper, suggesting weekday visits. Boat rentals available on-site with electric trolling motors permitted.
Historical exploration: Less than an hour from Chambersburg, Artillery Ridge Campground sits adjacent to Gettysburg battlefields. One visitor notes: "My family and I stayed at this campground in late April. The staff was great. We had a site right on next to the trail going to Stangler Farm. The whole campground was clean and well kept." The campground even served as an artillery storage area during the battle.
What campers like
Natural water features: Creek access ranks high with campers at Twin Bridge Campground, where many sites border streams. "Our favorite campground. The most relaxing setting. Our kids love the creek and playing in and around it," writes one visitor. The cool water provides relief during hot summer months.
Fall foliage viewing: Late September through October transforms the region. "Beautiful fall color on the lake and great drives surrounding. Bathrooms are clean and hot showers," notes a Cowans Gap visitor. Many campgrounds remain open through October specifically for leaf-peeping season.
Family-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park focuses heavily on structured recreation. "We had a blast and will be returning next season. Multiple pools and a great little water park. Store was well stocked, they also had an ice-cream/quick food store attached to the pool area and staff super friendly," shares one camper. Scheduled activities run throughout each day.
What you should know
Site variations: Many campgrounds offer dramatically different site types. "This is a huge campground with mostly very large RVs situated on farmland. The sites varied. Some were in an open field, others by the stream with trees. We had Site C, which was right on the stream. This was a very nice site and we had more space between us than others had," reports a Twin Bridge visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds near Chambersburg operate April through October, with partial services in shoulder seasons. At Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park, a camper notes: "It was August 1st and the bugs were minimal and there is a visitor station and aviary but I wasn't able to see them." Call ahead about facility availability if camping outside peak summer months.
Glamping in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania: Upscale accommodation options have expanded beyond traditional tents and RVs. Luxury glamping near Chambersburg includes canvas structures, pods and cabins with amenities like electricity, bedding and private fire areas, offering a more comfortable wilderness experience.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access planning: "There's a nice small lake within walking distance along with a beach. There is also a few hiking trails near the campground," notes a Cowans Gap visitor. For families with small children, check beach-to-campsite distances before booking, as some require a long hike or short drive.
Playground proximity: Site selection matters for parents. At Granite Hill Camping Resort, "We stayed in the 'C' row site. Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It's only 15 yards for the play set."
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer programmed activities. A Cowans Gap visitor shares: "We went to Cowans gap last full for a Halloween weekend and the children loved it. We even won the campsite decorating contest." Check event calendars when booking to maximize kids' enjoyment.
Tips from RVers
Hookup extensions: Come prepared with extra cords and hoses. "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extensions handy. My electric hookup didn't work on 30A," cautions a Granite Hill visitor.
Site leveling requirements: Bring sufficient leveling equipment. "It took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot, thankfully we had enough wood to get the jack up without having to over extend it," warns another Granite Hill camper. Many sites throughout the region require significant leveling.
Water and sewage planning: Full hookups aren't universal. At Gettysburg Campground, "All sites have water and electric, but not all are 50 amp sites. About half the sites have sewer, but there are two dump stations that are centrally located and easy to get to. Make sure to bring your leveling blocks, some sites do have a slope to them of 3-4"."
