2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campsites near Cornwall, Pennsylvania include several primitive options with varying amenities and natural settings. Mill Creek Camping Area in Lancaster offers walk-in tent sites along a creek, while Hibernia County Park provides wooded tent camping with two distinct loops—Lake Loop and Fiddler's Loop. Shambala at Mystic Hollow, located within driving distance of Cornwall, features 15 tent sites with more amenities than most primitive options in the region.
Most tent campgrounds in the Cornwall area operate seasonally, typically from spring through fall. Hibernia County Park's tent sites are available from May to October and cost approximately $15 per night for up to six people. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Mill Creek's sites are situated along a creek, providing natural cooling and ambient sounds. According to reviews, many locations have limited privacy between sites, with Green Lane Park specifically noted for having "zero privacy" between campsites that are "lined up next to each other along the campground driveway."
The tent camping experience in this region offers varying levels of seclusion and natural immersion. Hibernia County Park features two camping loops with wooded sites, though some visitors note the lack of privacy. Lower Allen Community Park provides tent sites along Yellow Breeches Creek that are particularly suitable for kayakers who can put in upstream and float to their campsite. Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers creekside tent camping with more amenities than other primitive options, including drinking water, showers, and toilets. One camper at Mill Creek noted that "the campsite is down by the creek making for a cooler camping experience and love the sound of water flowing at night." Many sites require advance reservations, though some operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly during weekdays.
"Campgrounds are spaced out large spaces for multiple tents, camping cost $25 a night flat rate, for up to 6 days. Campground will refund you if rain prevents your stay or allow you to rebook."
from $23 / night
"Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers great creekside campsites for anyone looking to pitch a tent and enjoy some time by the water. Check them out and share your experience on the Dyrt!"
from $40 / night
"Potable water is available in several places on each loop. The bathhouses are rebuilt recently and are very nice. Some walk in tent sites."
"This is Organized Group Tenting Only."
Available this weekend
from $28 - $72 / night
"Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground."
"We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There’s running water available, porta potties are very clean and don’t smell and are lit with a street lamp. Very quiet at night."
from $15 - $50 / night
"The park is in the suburbs so it’s close to lots of things. They do lock the park at dusk though. They have portapotties, fire pits, and picnic tables."
from $10 - $25 / night
from $25 - $50 / night
"Her boyfriend and I wanted to plan an outdoor camping trip but we’re completely over having no privacy, worrying about my reactive dog, feeling like we had to follow ridiculous rules when going camping"
Campground full this weekend
from $160 - $380 / night
"Clean restrooms, lots of open space!"
"Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails"
from $20 - $30 / night
TravelerCountry Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
GuideWe booked two nights mid October not realizing that it's duck hunting season and that hunting is allowed RIGHT by the campground - with kids everywhere. We were jolted out of sleep at 5 am by gun fire right near our site. It kept up for the next hour. In addition, the bathrooms, although clean are in poor condition. Peeling paint everywhere with bare concrete in the showers. For such a pretty site, we had a miserable stay. We left after one night.
Traveleri mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
ScoutThe advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
GuideWe stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
GuideWe only spent the night and didn't look at the amenities. The manager was very friendly and accommodating.
ScoutThe campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
ScoutThe area is very nice and so are the people. The sites are clean and the livestock are a cool sight to see
Tent camping near Cornwall, Pennsylvania offers primitive sites within wooded settings that provide respite from summer heat. The region features several creek-side campsites where temperatures remain cooler and water sounds create natural ambient noise. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October with limited or no hookups, catering primarily to tent campers seeking basic outdoor experiences.
Fishing opportunities: Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park provides access to fishing spots throughout the 3,400-acre park. "Phenomenal disc golf course, hiking, and fishing" notes camper Benjamin C., making it a versatile destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking trails: Susquehannock State Park Campground offers multiple scenic walking paths with river views. One camper describes "lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River" and mentions "a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles."
Water activities: Kayaking is popular at Lower Allen Community Park, where campers can put in upstream and float to their site. "You can put in a few miles up and float down to your site. There is parking right there," explains one reviewer who appreciates this convenient setup.
Cooler temperatures: Mill Creek Camping Area sites sit adjacent to flowing water, creating natural climate control. According to Meagan J., "Campsite for where we stayed is down by the creek making for a cooler camping experience and love the sound of water flowing at night."
Affordability: Hibernia County Park offers economical camping at $15 per night. John Z. notes it's "Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under."
Secluded options: Some sites offer more privacy than others in the region. One camper at Rolling Hills Retreats appreciated "being able to ground our energy from the earth which is hard to do in a concrete city and really just enjoy one another's company."
Privacy concerns: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds. At Green Lane Park, Jen warns, "The sites are lined up next to each other along the campground driveway and there are absolutely no trees or shrubs between them."
Water availability: Bring sufficient water when visiting campgrounds with limited facilities. Many primitive sites have minimal amenities, with Hibernia County Park offering water spigots only at central locations.
Reservation systems: Booking procedures differ across locations. Mill Creek Camping Area charges a flat rate of $25 per night for up to six days and offers refunds for rain, while Hibernia County Park operates primarily on weekends during season.
Trail traffic: Some campgrounds experience hiker crossings through camping areas. At Mill Creek, Sakina P. reports, "Hikers take any trail instead of marked trails regardless of families camping in private areas. When I made the reservation it was noted that hikers were not allowed on campsites."
Child-friendly fishing: Hibernia County Park maintains a dedicated children's fishing pond. Anna remarks, "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," making it ideal for introducing kids to fishing.
Playground access: Several parks include play equipment for younger campers. Anna from Hibernia County Park notes, "My kids are age 3-12... The park ranger this weekend was the nicest and very helpful with directions to walk to the playground and indoor restrooms."
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between camping areas. One family at Shambala at Mystic Hollow appreciates the "creekside campsites" with more amenities than typical primitive sites, including drinking water, showers, and toilets.
Security measures: Some parks lock gates after hours. Lower Allen Community Park "is in the suburbs so it's close to lots of things. They do lock the park at dusk though," which provides security but requires planning for arrival times.
Site limitations: Most primitive campgrounds near Cornwall have significant RV restrictions. At Hibernia County Park, Jennifer S. advises, "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."
Dump station alternatives: Plan for waste management when visiting parks without dump facilities. Jennifer S. notes, "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at most woodland sites. Jennifer S. explains that at Hibernia County Park, sites "aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix," suggesting smaller RVs will have better success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cornwall, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cornwall, PA is Lancaster County Mill Creek Camping Area with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cornwall, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Cornwall, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
