146 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
"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 $24 - $89 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $45 - $279 / night
Check Availability"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 . "
"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."
from $50 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Set 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"
"campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."
"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."
"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!"
"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!"
"Tucked into the rolling, wooded hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country RV Resort offers a unique blend of peaceful countryside and activity-packed camping, all just a stone"
"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."
ScoutPicked the nicest days of the week. Got here and the carousel, Ferris wheel, restaurant, and ice cream shoppe are closed. They are apparently only open 2 days a week, maybe 3. I would have just went down the road to the KOA had I not known this.
ScoutThis campsite was amazing for our first tent camping experience. The park was a godsend for keeping our toddler occupied and we felt very safe overall. While the beach is pretty, be careful about the water condition. We were warned before entering and informed of the risks. They were very clear on the condition of the water that day which was a yellow, slight risk. But normally it should be okay. We would definitely camp here again.
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
GuideWe used to camp here 30+ years ago. Nice that it hasn't changed much. Still has a game room with pool table, driving games, skeet ball, etc. No more pinball games like in the past. Apparently in the 1930 there was a working train around the campground, a restaurant and horse shoes - none of which are at present.
Sites are quite small. I thought our neighbor's awning was going to hit our RV, and that ours might hit the next neighbor's RV. In some parts the campers are also back to back, luckily ours is not.
They have wi-fi but you must pay for it, no free service. No cable TV (which is the norm these days). Good cell reception so you will need that or a Starlink to stream shows.
Staff are friendly. Sites are pretty level. The campground itself is rather pretty with trees, grassy areas, playgrounds for kids, etc. Lots of lightning bugs at night, and birds during the day.
At night it's interesting to walk around as so many seasonal and permanent campers have lights around their campers, trees, etc. Almost like walking around one of those light up parks they do around Christmas.
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.
GuideBASE ACCESS REQUIRED!
Electric/Water/Sewer hookup sites for $56 a night! (2 night minimum) Which is a great full hookup price, even though it's gone up $6 since last year. Weekly and monthly pricing available as well.
The sites are neat, well maintained, level, and sunny with concrete pads and paved campground roads. Centrally located laundry facilities and airconditioned bath house. Playground, boat launch, beach volleyball court, disk golf, basketball court, and outdoor pool all within walking distance. Other base amenities include: commissary, gas station, bowling, BBQ, Dunkin', and Greek restaurants, and golf. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something.)
Note: in July it is very buggy - the biting flies are the worst. So bring bug spray or a screened in tent to eat in.
The downside: the reservation system is a major PITA. You have to download a PDF packet, fill it out, and EMAIL it in. When you get your confirmation, it doesn't include a specific site number. You get assigned one when they call you the week of your scheduled check-in for payment completion.
Don't miss out on: the water! My advice would be to reserve one of their boats at the same time you reserve your campsite. The water in this area is great - no jellyfish, low waves. You can SUP, kayak, pontoon boat. Whatever your preference. There are large flats of grasses - which you'd want to avoid with a motor but are so much fun to paddle over. Also check out the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge island. You can't go inland, but you can anchor off shore, jump in and wade around the shallows.
Also very driveable to an off-base movie theater, Baltimore, and Havre de Grace.
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.
The Columbia area sits at approximately 390 feet above sea level on the eastern bank of the Susquehanna River. Camping near Columbia experiences warm, humid summers with average July temperatures reaching 85°F, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures in the 60-70°F range. The landscape features a mix of river valleys and rolling hills that define Pennsylvania's Piedmont region.
Kayaking at Otter Creek: Access the Susquehanna River directly from Otter Creek Campground, which offers proximity to both the main river and its tributary. "We really enjoyed the secluded sites and peaceful atmosphere. Access to many hiking locations," notes Jessica M. The boat launch provides easy river access for paddlers of all skill levels.
Historical exploration: Visit Indian Steps Museum, just a mile from campsites near Columbia, Pennsylvania. "Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground," shares Pamela S. from Pequea Creek Campground. Many historical sites throughout the region offer self-guided tours for $5-10 per person.
Fishing opportunities: The area provides diverse fishing spots from riverbanks to stocked ponds. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," reports one angler who visited the lakes near campsites. Early morning and evening hours typically yield the best results.
Mini golf and recreation: "The facilities all seemed clean and well-maintained from what we could see. We were able to order food from the campground's onsite cafe, which was surprisingly tasty for standard CG fare," mentions Jen V. about their stay at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, which offers mini-golf courses, basketball courts, and other recreation options.
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the generously sized campsites at several locations. "Our site was very nice! We were in a back in site #4. The patio was concrete stone, very pretty. Nice chairs, fire pit, and picnic table," writes Cat R. about Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA. Most campsites provide at least 30 feet of separation between neighbors.
River access: Direct river access ranks high among camper preferences. "Great campsite right on the Susquehanna! Secluded and nice amenities!" reports Zoe H. who camped at Otter Creek Campground. The swimming areas and boat launches provide water recreation throughout the camping season.
Winter options: Unlike many seasonal facilities, some campgrounds remain operational year-round. "Our kids enjoyed the indoor pool. Looking forward to coming back in the summer. Thank you Brenda our check in lady, you made us feel welcome," mentions Davie Q. about Circle M RV Resort, which offers winter camping options with heated facilities.
Clean facilities: "Bathrooms are very clean and modern, but a decent walk from tent sites. The facilities are all lovely, staff in the camp store are kind and helpful," shares Melissa C. about her experience at a Columbia area campsite. Most campgrounds refresh bathroom facilities twice daily.
Water quality: Campers should check water conditions before planning water activities. "Personally, I would not get in the river because of all the agricultural runoff that is probably in it and it was pretty stagnant in places," advises Nancy W. from Old Mill Stream Campground. Water quality tends to be better after several days without rain.
Seasonal closures: Most camping facilities close from November through March. "We stayed over Labor Day weekend however it rained so badly on Friday night that York was flooded in several areas so we decided to stay home and leave on Saturday morning," shares Jen R. about Otter Creek, highlighting the impact of seasonal weather on camping plans.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from transportation and other sources. "There is a shooting range near the property, so at all hours you will hear target practice going on, especially in the wee early hours," notes Tara N. about Pinch Pond Campground. Request sites furthest from highways or railways when making reservations.
Shower costs: Several campgrounds charge for shower use. "Showers good; cost 50¢ for 6 min, but that's fine...ensures enough hot water for everyone and no waste," explains Gerald B. about the practical shower arrangement at Otter Creek. Carry quarters for shower use at most locations.
Kid-friendly swimming: Look for campgrounds with dedicated swimming areas safe for children. "This is a nice KOA but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!" advises Kit from Hersheypark Camping Resort. Swimming areas typically have lifeguards on duty from 10am-6pm during summer months.
Playground access: Most family campgrounds feature playgrounds. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," writes Julie Y. about Gifford Pinchot State Park, where multiple playgrounds are available throughout the grounds.
Organized activities: Weekends often include scheduled activities for children. "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground," shares Leanne B. about their family camping experience.
Level terrain: For families with strollers or young walkers, terrain matters. "The campground is uphill in parts so it was nice to be able to walk our two dogs around in a large circle without having to leave the campground," notes Jen R. Request lower sections of campgrounds if mobility is a concern.
Site selection: RV campers emphasize the importance of selecting the right site. "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level. It is absolutely beautiful out. The grounds are well-kept," reports Nick E. about his experience at Circle M RV and Camping Resort. Request full hookup sites with 50 amp service when available.
Arrival timing: Early arrival improves site selection at first-come, first-served campgrounds. "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," explains Yamileth K. about Thousand Trails Hershey. Plan to arrive between 12-2pm for best site selection.
Leveling challenges: Many campsites require substantial leveling. "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground. Many other sites were the same," cautions Justin B. Pack extra leveling blocks when camping in this region's hilly terrain.
Seasonal site access: Some roads become difficult after rain. "The entrance road is long to maintain but patching some of the holes, clearing debris from the dump site deck, and wiping down the bathrooms would have netted a 5th star," notes J W. about seasonal road conditions at Pequea Creek.
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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