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Best Tent Camping near Craley, PA

908 Reviews

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.

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Best Tent Sites Near Craley, Pennsylvania (16)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Craley, PA

9 Photos of 16 Craley Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Craley, PA

908 Reviews of 16 Craley Campgrounds

  • Napunani
    Jun. 25, 2022

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Campsites Jammed Closely Together

    PROS 

    Reserved 328 days prior to arriving

    $13.50 senior discount 

    Immediately greeted by Loop C camp host who was extremely friendly and helpful 

    Site C3 parking pad level asphalt 

    Metal frame wooden picnic table that was moveable 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon our arrival 

    Some vegetation between sites provided a bit of privacy from neighbors sites 

    Park is 21 miles from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Catch National Park Service 90 minute trolley tour at the Visitor Center. 

    Shady Maple Smorgasbord...authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking…largest buffet in the USA…16 miles from French Creek SP 

    CONS

    $6.50 reservation fee for making my own on-line reservation 

    Horrible signage along PA-345. Never saw very small sign when we where intensely searching 

    Such a large overall park, but camping loop sites are jammed together

    Pitiful low water pressure  in Loop C

    Site sewer connection is high; needs to be knocked down to ground level 

    Short length of site caused creative tow vehicle parking 

    Loop C women’s toilet/shower building a big nasty mess Saturday 

    Trash dumpsters are on the main road near the campground check-in station (not walkable) 

    Noisy campground; 9pm quiet hour not enforced

    Lots of barking dogs 

    No wood sales in park 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon

  • Nate & Erika L.
    Aug. 31, 2021

    Susquehanna State Park Campground

    Great State Park Camping

    We decided to stay a weekend at Susquehanna based on the reviews on the Dyrt and it’s closer proximity to home. We arrived and were greeted by super friendly rangers who gave us the lay of the land. We found the rangers to be very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife, plants, and trees in the park. They had two display tables full of flora and fauna by the check-in station set up for kids and adults alike to glean some knowledge. On one night while we were there, there was a program run by the rangers where kids could learn about some common native and invasive species.

    We hiked the Green Trail, which had a sign saying it was ‘very difficult’, but we found it to be no problem for our crew of seven kids aged 3-10 and four adults. We only passed one other hiker. We saw some champion trees, lots of deer, and had some run ins with more than a few spotted lantern flies. One ranger told us they have nine champion trees in the park, we’d love to go back and hike to find the others.

    With only two loops, the sites were fairly spaced out with lots of trees between them. We had a spacious electric site for our pop up and camped with friends who had a nice level, secluded tent site. We hardly ever heard any neighbors and all was quiet at night. Each loop shares a bathhouse, and there are some portable toilets spaced around the loop, too. The facilities were cleaned every morning. They even have a large laundry utility sink in the bathhouse should you need it. The only downside we found was that showering at prime time (around 8 or 9 pm) led to very little hot water. A small price to pay for good camping and hiking!

  • Craig F.
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    Fun Camping and Lake Activities

    We had a wonderful stay at Gifford Pinchot State Park! 

    The camping area at GP is separated into A loop and B loops with approximately 300 sites. All sites had a paved pad, varying in size depending on the location, with tent site being smaller. Most sites have electric and there are 22 full hookup sites in the camping area. Both loops are peninsulas into the lake, which is convenient to launching boats directly from many sites. Loop A is closer to the designated swimming area with a sandy beach and playground. B loop is closer to many of the hiking trails and also several boat launch areas. It is nice that the camping area and amenities are separated from the public day use area. At the entrance to the camping area there are three dump stations. 

    During our stay we were at a full hookup site which was very spacious and often hard to find in PA State Parks. Our site was#299 and for some reason the entire site was paved/blacktop, which was different than all the other sites where the pad was paved and the picnic table area was gravel/grass. While this site made it easy to level our camper, it became quite hot in the afternoon/evening after the sun had baked it all day.

    Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed GP and couldn’t believe we hadn’t visited before because it is a great state park. Wood is available for purchase at the campground hosts’ sites and ice at the park office. As with most PA state parks, quiet hours are at 9:00PM, which is a bit early, and there is no alcohol allowed in the park. We look forward to returning to GP in the future.

  • Jim N.
    Apr. 29, 2019

    Hibernia County Park

    Hidden gem

    A nice primitive campground - good for a quick trip away. The campground is a county run one that works on a first come first serve basis, which is fine if there are others close by. They are wooded sites and have 2 loops. There is no store, but there a places close to get supplies. The park is dry, no alcohol. No hook ups either. There is an old mansion that gives tours on weekends.

  • A
    Sep. 24, 2020

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Nice Small Campsite Close to DC

    Nice small campsite in MD not too far from DC. One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. 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. Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby. Where we were hiking. 😬 The positives are as others have pointed out there is a huge park for kids- it’s not within walking distance for little kids but it’s a very short drive by the entrance to the park. There’s also another small park on the loop. The restrooms were central and well maintained. We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park. All sites had a picnic table and fire ring. Firewood available from camp host. Hiking poles would have been good for the trails when we had a kid in a pack on our back. Overall a nice close small campground.

  • Sean M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2020

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Great Small Campground - Cool Cabinso

    This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two is the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It’s a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great. It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. 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. You get a fire pit and cooking crate, and a picnic table. The crushed stone at the sites isn’t comfortable for tents, and they won’t let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground. There are helpful and friendly camp hosts always on duty. The bathhouse is nothing special, but it’s well maintained and clean. The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely “rough it.” We found everything reasonably priced.

    Remember: no alcohol or firewood can be brought into the park. Firewood can only be purchased on site due to harmful insects. But the money goes toward the parks volunteer program.

    This is a very nice small campground that is great for kids!

  • Max C.
    Oct. 14, 2019

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Gorgeous in the fall

    Stayed in B-08 on mid October and had a great trip. The site was non-electric and it seems most of the outer side of this loop is basic camping with the inside of the loop having power. The other loops offer full hookups but opting for this area kept us from being surrounded by massive RV's. Easy back in spot for our car, partially shaded, decent brush cover between sites and able to keep tent about 20 yards from the road on a crushed rock pad. I will say this site has a little bit of slope but nothing that affected our sleep. The fire ring is very high sided and if you're not sitting on a higher camp chairs you kind of miss the fire. Picnic table was sturdy but easy enough to move lnto place to fit our needs. Tons of hike mg within the park including some historic sites at Hopewell Furnace like the blacksmith shop and old residences. Checked in a. It before the stated 3pm time without issues. Very few rangers seen during stay but it is after labor day and most of the seasonal attractions like the pool etc were closed for the season. Very clean bathrooms with easy to use dish sinks on the outside. Overall for a trip that within 75 minutes of Philly you can't go wrong for a quick jaunt out of town.

  • K
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Codorus State Park Campground

    Nice campground for primitive tenting

    Large campground but only 15 sites dedicated to“roughin’ it” tent camping. However, those sites are isolated from the others. The tent sites were in very good condition, spaced well, and fairly private. Most sites have plenty of shade and grassy, though a few are dirt only. Many sites within walking distance from the lake(no swimming) and set up for you to store and launch your kayak or other boat. Water, bathrooms, and showers a little distant but everything clean and in excellent condition. Ice and firewood available on the grounds. There is also a small store but I didn’t see it because it was open for very limited weekend hours only. Otherwise, major grocery stores are only a few minutes’ drive. Definitely going back…!

  • E
    Sep. 23, 2021

    Elk Neck State Park Campground

    Good Intro to Camping

    I booked a tent site as my first introduction to the park. Setting up a reservation was incredibly user friendly, park staff was fantastic at getting us checked in, and the camp store was well stocked and priced. 

    Our site, however, left something to be desired. The sites were all very close together, and the tent pad areas were fairly small. You can drive right up to your site and park there, which is incredibly convenient in terms of unpacking and set up. Around our site was pretty loud with neighbors at all hours, regardless of quiet hours, and balls being kicked into our tent pad area from surrounding visitors. There were some bottle caps and garbage on our tent pad upon arrival.

    I think if you had kids and were looking for a "not so quiet" get away into nature, this would be a fantastic spot. There were larger and more private sites on our loop, and if I returned I would prioritize getting one of those. There are also more loops than the one we were on. 

    The firepit had an adjustable height grill grate, and there was a picnic table at each site. Firewood ran $5 a bundle at the camp store.  Ice and potable water was also available. 

    There was a nearby dumpster that was easy to use. Disappointed that there did not seem to be a recycling receptacle. Bathrooms were nice, the handicapped shower was very spacious. No shortage of hot water. 

    We hiked all available trails from the trail map, though it seems there were more than listed, and a portion of the park is closed following previous tornado damage. We saw an abundance of herps, gorged ourselves on pawpaws, and generally foraged and tracked a ton of interesting wildlife. The trails themselves were pretty, but the rankings somewhat misleading. The "hard" trails would be hard in comparison to a flat gravel path, but in terms of general hiking, were comfortable with only a couple mildly steep or narrow points. I am unsure if the ranking system is for general hiking or in terms of ADA accessibility, however. If accessibility, it makes a lot of sense. For hiking? Less so; I'd rank the trails as a normal difficulty for their 'hard' trails. 

    The beaches were lovely! We did not get the opportunity to kayak, swim, or fish, but are hoping to do that sometime in the future. Was still relaxing to sit out with a book and watch the water.

    I do feel like we explored most of what the park had to offer, so while I would be happy to return it feels less urgent to do so. I think I would be better equipped to pick a site (or explore a cabin!) the next time which would resolve my minimal issues. Given the relaxed atmosphere of the trails, close amenities, etc. I think this would be a good choice to bring friends who are new to the camping scene, or for families.

Guide to Craley

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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."

Tips for camping with families

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."

Tips for RVers

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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