2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campsites near Craley, Pennsylvania provide multiple options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking overnight wilderness experiences. Susquehannock State Park Campground offers tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings in a wooded setting, while Mill Creek Camping Area in Lancaster County provides more primitive tent camping experiences along a creek. Both locations are within 20 miles of Craley and offer walk-in access options for tent campers seeking more secluded spots.
Sites at most tent campgrounds in the Craley region feature natural surfaces with minimal grading, typically set on grass, packed dirt, or forest floor. Amenities vary significantly between locations, with Susquehannock providing electric hookups at select tent sites while Mill Creek Camping Area maintains a more primitive camping experience with basic facilities. Both areas typically offer drinking water, though Mill Creek's walk-in tent sites require campers to carry water from central spigots. Most tent campgrounds maintain pit toilets or vault toilets rather than flush facilities, with trash collection available but sometimes limited to designated collection points rather than at individual sites.
The tent camping experience near Craley offers diverse terrain and natural features particularly suited for tent campers seeking immersion in nature. Hibernia County Park provides tent sites in wooded areas with good tree coverage for shade and hammock setup opportunities. The walk-in tent sites at Mill Creek follow the creek, creating a cooler camping experience with the natural soundtrack of flowing water. One camper noted, "Campsite is down by the creek making for a cooler camping experience and love the sound of water flowing at night." Many sites offer hiking trail access directly from camping areas, with Susquehannock State Park featuring "lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River." Sites are generally spaced to allow for some privacy, though proximity to other campers varies by location and weekend occupancy.
"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
"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
"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
"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
"We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
from $20 - $51 / night
from $40 - $45 / 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!
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
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.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
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.
Tent campsites near Craley, Pennsylvania range from primitive forest camping to waterfront sites along creeks. The region features low-elevation terrain within the Piedmont Plateau averaging 300-500 feet above sea level, creating relatively flat camping areas with occasional moderate hills. Weather patterns typically allow for camping from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak season and cooler spring and fall conditions more suitable for backcountry camping.
Kayaking and creek access: At Lower Allen Community Park, campers can enjoy creek-side activities. "You can put in a few miles up and float down to your site. There is parking right there. The park is in the suburbs so it's close to lots of things," notes reviewer Joann&WellsThePup I.
Bird watching: The Susquehanna River area offers excellent opportunities for bird watching. "There's a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles," shares David G. about local wildlife viewing options.
Fishing for families: Hibernia County Park provides stocked ponds specifically for younger anglers. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," reports Anna, while noting the park's family-friendly atmosphere.
Hiking varied trails: The area features multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. Chelsea from Hibernia County Park mentions, "Walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful," highlighting the tranquil nature of the park's trail system.
Natural cooling features: Mill Creek Camping Area offers creek-side camping that provides natural temperature control. Philip B. notes, "The stream is refreshing and the site stays fairly cool. When it hits the high temperatures a quick dip in the water is amazing."
Tree coverage for hammocks: Many sites in the region feature wooded areas suitable for hammock camping. Jennifer S. from Hibernia County Park explains, "Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities."
Convenient water features: Creekside camping creates a natural soundtrack. "Campsite is down by the creek making for a cooler camping experience and love the sound of water flowing at night," reports Meagan J., highlighting the auditory benefits of waterfront tent camping.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The riverside location provides chances to spot various wildlife species. Tom F. from Susquehannock State Park Campground says, "There are some excellent views of the Susquehanna River," where eagle sightings are common during certain seasons.
Spacing between sites: Campground density varies significantly throughout the region. At Hibernia County Park, Jennifer S. notes, "The sites are mostly grass, and not very well defined which means the distance between you and your neighbor can vary depending on how you set up camp."
Site surface types: Be prepared for varied camping surfaces. Jim N. explains Hibernia County Park as "A nice primitive campground - good for a quick trip away... They are wooded sites and have 2 loops."
Water access challenges: RV campers should note water availability limitations. Jennifer S. warns at Hibernia, "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. There is one spigot at the bathroom."
Trail traffic: Some camping areas intersect with hiking paths. Sakina P. from Mill Creek Camping Area 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."
Age-appropriate fishing: Hibernia County Park offers dedicated fishing areas for children. "The children's pond is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails. Great for families," notes Anna.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment for children. Anna also mentions that Hibernia has a "Great playground" for kids to enjoy between outdoor activities.
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The porta potties are very clean and don't smell and are lit with a street lamp," states Anna about Hibernia County Park's facilities, important information for families with young children.
Group camping options: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides youth camping areas. Angel G. notes, "There are two huge playgrounds and a youth campground as well as a family campground."
Site limitations: Most tent campgrounds near Craley have limited space for larger vehicles. Jennifer S. cautions about Hibernia County Park, "At first glance the sites don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper."
Leveling requirements: Be prepared with leveling equipment. Jennifer S. adds, "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
Dump station availability: Plan for waste management. "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," advises Jennifer S. regarding Hibernia County Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Craley, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Craley, PA is Susquehannock State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Craley, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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