Best Campgrounds near Columbia, PA
Are you in need of a campground near Columbia, PA? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Columbia. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Pennsylvania camping adventure.
Best Camping Sites Near Columbia, Pennsylvania (139)
1. Thousand Trails Circle M
19 ReviewsMillersville, PA9 milesWebsite+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
55 ReviewsWellsville, PA22 milesWebsite+1 (717) 292-4112$24 - $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 ReviewsElizabethtown, PA11 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsPequea, PA12 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsMount Gretna, PA16 milesWebsite+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. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park
14 ReviewsMount Gretna, PA14 milesWebsite+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."
7. Hersheypark Camping Resort
27 ReviewsHummelstown, PA19 milesWebsite+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."
8. Otter Creek Campground
10 ReviewsPequea, PA12 milesWebsite+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!"
9. Old Mill Stream Campground
14 ReviewsLampeter, PA15 milesWebsite+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!"
10. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country
13 ReviewsMount Gretna, PA14 milesWebsite+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."
Recent Camping Photos near Columbia, PA
448 Photos of 139 Columbia Campgrounds
The Dyrt
Rustic Camping near the Susquehanna
Kasey M.
Thousand Trails Circle M
Jen V.
Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA
Meagan J.
Mill Creek Camping Area
Megan S.
River Rock Recreation
J W.
Pequea Creek Campground
Zoe H.
Otter Creek Campground
Grace H.
Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park
Rachel D.
Old Mill Stream Campground
Dan A.
Tucquan Park Family Campground
AdventureStang
Indian Rock Campgrounds
Recent Reviews near Columbia, PA
998 Reviews of 139 Columbia Campgrounds
- C
Cheryl K.
GuideFrench Creek State Park Campground
Good place
Stayed here 2 nights without a reservation. We were in the D loop which is rustic with no hookups. Quiet, very few people mid-week. Spacious sites. Bathrooms were just okay. Muddy floors - don’t know how often floors are cleaned. Showers were odd - one large stall but no separate dressing area so you have to be very careful so as not to get your stuff wet during the shower. I would stay here again.
- JJ W.
ScoutPequea Creek Campground
Shaded spacious sites by a kid-friendly creek
The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . We enjoyed the birds singing in the mornings and welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek. (Nearby site 24 had steps down the 'levee'; affording easier access to the creek.) Lori was cheerful & timely with all communications; even sending new arrival directions the day before because of a road closure. I realize that the private 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.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideElk Neck State Park Campground
Nice full hook up
Our site was a level full hook up. The road on the FHUnloop is narrow and hilly. Out site was uphill and at a difficult angle. Plenty of bigger TTs and 5th wheels were camping. The lovely camp host, Carol, kept the bathhouse spotless.
Sadly most of the park, including the beach, was closed for major renovation while we were there and it was 99 degrees out. Very buggy.
- CChristine T.
TravelerGranite Hill Camping Resort
It'll Do
Not a bad campground, probably better for RVs not a tent like us. None of the buildings (including the office and bathhouse) are accessible. Lots of overgrowth (we had to move the picnic table due to the amount of growth), and not every site has a fire ring.
Beth B.GuideSpring Gulch Resort Campground
Has potential to be great family resort
Staff was nice but not enough staffing to keep amenities like pool open after 5 during the week. Upper showers were much better, no bugs and water was hotter. Heated spa/pool in upper area are a bonus. Lots of sports gear available for free to use within park, has to be returned by 5 when main office closes. Mini golf was fun but need to be regreened….several holes needed maintenance. Lots were a bit uneven, but pull through which was nice.
Sharon M.TravelerDutch Cousin Campground
Great campground
Very clean, quiet, nice level sites. Beautiful rentals are available. Affordable!
Nick E.GuideThousand Trails PA Dutch Country
TT PA Dutch Country
Definitely got lucky with site F03 for Starlink. The rest of the campground has a lot of tree cover. Beautiful grounds and clean. Site is gravel and pretty level. Water pressure is pretty low and the sewer pipe is a little high but all around a really solid experience.
- RRay P.Guide
Beacon Hill Camping
Quiet. Great home base to explore from
First off, I would love to give this place 5 stars but the lots are just too small and too tight. Pet friendly. No children. No frills. Great place to explore Amish country from. Also close enough to Hershey to take in the attractions Hershey transportation museum, Hershey candy store, and definitely take the Hershey trolly tour. And if so inclined, Hershey park, with over a dozen roller coasters. Many Amish store outlets in area. Close to Lancaster. If you’re a foodie, this area has many buffet style venues. Shady Maple Smorgasbord was excellent. Amish farms and fields everywhere. Careful driving Amish buggies are numerous. On one occasion, in the field right behind our sight, two horses hooked to a trailer took of across the field headed for the village with a dog and 6 or 8 young Amish men and boys chasing them. A few moments of angst and excitement.
- DDale Y.Guide
Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm
Excellent Park, primarily for seasonal campers
Had to overcome a minor bit of confusion at checkin but the staff resolved it reasonably quickly. I have a non-traditional RV, which I informed the campground of when I made the reservation, but the gate security wasn’t aware. A manager came by the following day to explain the campgrounds standards, allowed me to stay for the length of my reservation, but ensured I understood I couldn’t stay again with this camper. No issues. It’s private property and they can certainly decide who can rent their spots.
The campground itself is in excellent condition. While it is primarily occupied by seasonal units, they don’t seem to be victim of neglect in the way they so often are.
The restrooms were clean and modern. The laundry facility was clean, all machines operational.
The camp store has minimal stock, but does have the things you might need in a pinch, and there are full service grocery stores close enough that it shouldn’t be a problem.
The staff that I interacted with were excellent.
The park is expensive (based solely on my experience). It’s about 25 miles from the Gettysburg battlefield. That may account for the premium prices.
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
Which is the most popular campground near Columbia, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Columbia, PA is Thousand Trails Circle M with a 3.9-star rating from 19 reviews.
What parks are near Columbia, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Columbia, PA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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