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Best Campgrounds near Columbia, PA

1,024 Reviews

The Susquehanna River valley surrounding Columbia, Pennsylvania features diverse camping options within a 30-mile radius, from state parks to private resorts. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, about 25 miles northwest, offers 339 campsites with waterfront options and accommodations ranging from tent sites to yurts and cabins. Closer to Columbia, Pequea Creek Campground provides riverside camping with "large spots and a lot of trees," as one visitor noted. The area's camping landscape reflects Pennsylvania Dutch Country's rolling farmland and wooded terrain, with several Thousand Trails locations including Circle M in nearby Lancaster offering full hookup RV sites alongside tent camping areas and rental accommodations.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, with a few exceptions like Old Mill Stream Campground which remains open year-round. Reservations become essential during summer weekends and fall foliage season when facilities reach capacity. The region experiences humid summers with occasional thunderstorms and cold winters that limit camping options. Road conditions vary significantly, with some campgrounds requiring navigation through narrow country roads. According to one camper at Pequea Creek: "Beautiful picturesque campground with large spots and a lot of trees. Very quiet and close enough to Lancaster for shopping. Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by."

Waterfront sites at Gifford Pinchot State Park receive consistently high ratings, with campers praising the sunset views over Pinchot Lake. One visitor described it as "one of our favorites" with "great sites on the lake side." Proximity to attractions shapes many camping experiences in the region, with several campgrounds positioned to provide access to Hersheypark, Lancaster's Amish country, and the Susquehanna River. Highway noise affects some locations, particularly those near the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Campground density varies widely, with some visitors noting tight spacing at certain private campgrounds while others highlight the spaciousness of state park sites. Bathroom facilities receive mixed reviews across the region, with state parks generally maintaining clean, well-kept facilities while some private campgrounds struggle with maintenance issues.

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Best Camping Sites Near Columbia, Pennsylvania (138)

    1. Thousand Trails Circle M

    19 Reviews
    Millersville, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."

    "I used to stay here all the time with my grandparents when they were around. It was always some of the best times for me."

    2. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $20 - $89 / night

    "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. "

    3. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 367-7718

    $45 - $279 / night

    "There was a bathhouse and dish sink nearby, as well as the entrance to a nice little nature trail a few sites down. "

    "Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too! Everyone we talked to was nice and friendly."

    4. Pequea Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4587

    "Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."

    "The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . "

    5. Thousand Trails Hershey

    21 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    $50 - $60 / night

    "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you."

    "This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."

    6. Old Mill Stream Campground

    17 Reviews
    Lampeter, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 299-2314

    "Tent sites are lined up along the water which is great for fishing (especially when you need to stay close to the littles sleeping in the tent). Lots of benches lined up along the water."

    "Not to noisy being next to a theme park. The bath house was just remodeled so it's excellent! Good price!"

    7. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 665-7640

    "campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."

    "Please note there is a driving range so starting around 10am you will here guns go off. Also the highway is close by so you can hear it."

    8. Hersheypark Camping Resort

    29 Reviews
    Hummelstown, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (833) 936-0949

    "This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."

    "They don’t sell alcohol but there is a shopping center within walking distance with restaurants and liquor stores! Even a supermarket. There is shuttle service to the park."

    9. Otter Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 862-3628

    "Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."

    "Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal! Sites are spacious and nice! Restrooms clean!"

    10. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country

    13 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility."

    "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time."

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Recent Camping Photos near Columbia, PA

453 Photos of 138 Columbia Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Columbia, PA

1024 Reviews of 138 Columbia Campgrounds

  • M
    Oct. 6, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Hard with a large group

    Harder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Stoevers Dam Park

    Park is closed. We were kicked out.

    LThe park is a beautiful city park. There are 7 small, level, back-in sites with electric, a picnic table and fire pit. We arrived in a Sunday and you have to call for a permit, but the office is only open on M-F during working hours. At 8 pm, a police officer told us the park was closed because of a bear, but that they had not gotten around to putting up signs. Wound up in a Walmart instead.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Dog owners read!

    There’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Brandywine Creek Campground

    Brandywine

    We are on the third week of a four week trip. Campground is well maintained, quiet. This was our home while exploring Philadelphia. Uber to Downgrown, Septa or Amtrak to town. Reverse to camp. Very enjoyable. Hickory nut tree beside camper shared at times.

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

Guide to Columbia

Camping near Columbia, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful nature and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails in the area. Many campers enjoy the nearby state parks for hiking. One visitor at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground mentioned, "We love this park… it's one of our favorites!"
  • Fishing and Swimming: Enjoy the lake at Codorus State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "The lake is great! Lovely areas to relax and explore."
  • Amusement Parks: If you're in the mood for some thrills, Hersheypark Camping Resort is nearby. One camper noted, "The trolley was a great addition to getting to and from the Hershey attractions."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lake-In-Wood Campground said, "The campground is very well maintained, and the staff is very nice."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Codorus State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The trailer sites in loop C are spacious enough with plenty of shade and trees."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Quarryville offer plenty for kids. A camper shared, "Kids enjoy the water park and nighttime laser tag parties."

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Some campgrounds, like Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, have strict no-alcohol policies. A camper noted, "We had to write in large letters with chalk on the road for people to slow down."
  • Site Availability: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A visitor at Thousand Trails Circle M mentioned, "We drove two hours to get there… all the travel trailers were literally on top of one another."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. One camper at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Quarryville reported, "We had a skunk living under our cabin."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. A parent at Hersheypark Camping Resort said, "Our kids were able to walk to the playground and play every day before our outings."
  • Check Site Size: Make sure your site can accommodate your family. A camper at Lake-In-Wood Campground mentioned, "The sites appeared to all be a very good size."
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Keep kids entertained with outdoor games. A visitor at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm said, "They have a lot to do but half is only open on the weekends."

Tips from RVers:

  • Leveling Blocks: Many sites are uneven, so bring leveling blocks. A reviewer at Circle M RV and Camping Resort noted, "Only negative is that sites are uneven. Must have leveling blocks."
  • Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Thousand Trails Hershey mentioned, "Sites came with full hookups, picnic table, and fire pit."
  • Arrive Early: Get to the campground early to secure a good spot. A visitor at Jonestown/Hershey KOA said, "We had a reservation booked MONTHS in advance, yet when we arrived… the previous night's resident was still in the site assigned to us."

Camping around Columbia, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone. Whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most scenic camping areas around Columbia for fall camping?

For spectacular fall scenery, Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground offers an exceptional autumn experience with colorful foliage along its Appalachian Trail access points and paths between two beautiful lakes. The updated bathrooms and electric sites make it comfortable for fall camping when temperatures drop. Another excellent fall option is Blue Rocks Family Campground, nestled in the woods and rolling hills beneath the Appalachian Trail. True to its "Rocksylvania" nickname, the dramatic rock formations surrounded by autumn colors create a stunning seasonal backdrop for campers seeking picturesque fall views.

What are the best campgrounds near Columbia for a weekend getaway?

French Creek State Park Campground is perfect for weekend getaways, offering an escape from city life with excellent car camping spots and easy hiking trails. The park features a lake for fishing and a public pool during warmer months. For families, Pequea Creek Campground provides a picturesque setting with spacious sites among trees. Its quiet atmosphere is complemented by nearby attractions including covered bridges, riverside shopping, and tubing opportunities. The Saturday night music bingo adds a fun social element to weekend stays, making it ideal for short breaks.

Are there any year-round campgrounds near Columbia for extended stays?

Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country offers year-round accommodations for extended stays in Amish country, with resort-style amenities that make it comfortable across all seasons. The campground's location provides a cultural experience alongside comfortable camping facilities suitable for longer visits. Another excellent option for extended stays is Hersheypark Camping Resort, which remains open year-round and features a variety of full hook-up sites. Its proximity to Hersheypark attractions means there's always something to do nearby, regardless of how long you're staying or what season you visit.

Where can I find affordable camping spots near Columbia?

For budget-conscious campers, Campground Island offers an affordable and unique experience where you're completely surrounded by water, creating a peaceful atmosphere with waterfall sounds and wildlife viewing. For those with RVs looking to save money, several overnight parking options exist, including The Home Depot — Lower Paxton and Cracker Barrel — Mechanicsburg, which provide free overnight stays in their parking lots. These are particularly economical for travelers passing through the area who need a quick, no-cost place to park overnight.

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