Best Campgrounds near Dallastown, PA

Campgrounds surrounding Dallastown, Pennsylvania offer diverse accommodation options ranging from state parks to private facilities, with many properties located within 30 miles of the town. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground and Codorus State Park Campground provide established camping areas with a variety of amenities and are both managed by the Pennsylvania state park system. These developed campgrounds support multiple camping styles including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and even yurts or glamping options. Most established facilities in the region feature electric hookups, picnic tables, showers, and toilets, with many also offering water hookups and sanitary dump stations for recreational vehicles.

The camping season throughout the Dallastown area typically runs from April through October, with many campgrounds closing during winter months. Codorus State Park operates from the second Friday in April until November 1st, while Gifford Pinchot maintains a similar schedule ending October 31st. Indian Rock Campgrounds stands as an exception, remaining open year-round for campers seeking winter options. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays, particularly during summer months when facilities reach capacity. Mixed-use campgrounds like Otter Creek provide both primitive and developed sites with varying levels of access to amenities. According to one visitor, "We were surprised to find this nice little spot next to the creek right outside of town... The road noise is kind of annoying but the area is beautiful."

Campers consistently highlight water access as a major draw for several properties in the region. Otter Creek Campground receives particularly strong reviews for its location near the Susquehanna River, with one reviewer noting it's "perfect for all kinds of people from family, campers, boaters, fishers, someone who is seeking rest and relaxation, peace and quiet, adventure seekers on the river, history enthusiasts, trail seekers, nature lovers and more." The terrain varies across the region, with some campgrounds offering wooded, private sites while others feature more open layouts. Several facilities maintain a mix of permanent and transient sites, with seasonal campers often providing valuable local knowledge to visitors. Most developed campgrounds provide clean facilities with hot showers, though some may charge a small fee for shower use. Noise levels vary by property location, with sites near major roads experiencing more ambient sound than more secluded options.

Best Camping Sites Near Dallastown, Pennsylvania (147)

    1. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $20 - $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. "

    2. Codorus State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Porters Sideling, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 637-2816

    $20 - $195 / night

    "The trails from Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail.  The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some.  "

    "Older State Park just outside of Hanover, PA. Used it as a home base to explore Gettysburg and the surrounding area."

    3. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

    19 Reviews
    Freeland, MD
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 329-6636

    "It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."

    "Large campground with some good trails.  Will definitely return!"

    4. Pequea Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +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. Otter Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +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!"

    6. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +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."

    7. Thousand Trails Circle M

    19 Reviews
    Millersville, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +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."

    8. Tucquan Park Family Campground

    12 Reviews
    Holtwood, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-2156

    "Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."

    "There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."

    9. Indian Rock Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Jacobus, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 741-1764

    "We were surprised to find this nice little spot next to the creek right outside of town. There’s a spot right next to it but was unoccupied while we were there so we were all alone."

    10. Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm

    9 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "The bathroom near the pool left a little something to be desired. It wasn’t filthy but also wasn’t sparking clean. It was great being close to the battlefield."

    "We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us."

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Recent Reviews near Dallastown, PA

1165 Reviews of 147 Dallastown Campgrounds


  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • Gennifer K.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Country Acres Campground

    Nice park

    This was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.

  • M
    Oct. 6, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Hard with a large group

    Harder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Stoevers Dam Park

    Park is closed. We were kicked out.

    LThe park is a beautiful city park. There are 7 small, level, back-in sites with electric, a picnic table and fire pit. We arrived in a Sunday and you have to call for a permit, but the office is only open on M-F during working hours. At 8 pm, a police officer told us the park was closed because of a bear, but that they had not gotten around to putting up signs. Wound up in a Walmart instead.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Dog owners read!

    There’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Brandywine Creek Campground

    Brandywine

    We are on the third week of a four week trip. Campground is well maintained, quiet. This was our home while exploring Philadelphia. Uber to Downgrown, Septa or Amtrak to town. Reverse to camp. Very enjoyable. Hickory nut tree beside camper shared at times.

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.


Guide to Dallastown

Camping options near Dallastown, Pennsylvania extend throughout York County and into neighboring counties, with varied terrain including river valleys and rolling farmland. Located at approximately 600 feet elevation, the region experiences four distinct seasons with mild springs and falls ideal for outdoor recreation. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F while winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that regularly drop below freezing.

What to do

Water recreation: Explore the Susquehanna River at Otter Creek Campground, where visitors gain direct access to both the creek and river. "Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal," notes Gerald B. The boat launch accommodates private watercraft while multiple fishing spots line the shore.

Disc golf: Try two different 18-hole courses at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground. "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy," advises one visitor. The course in Conewago day use area offers relatively flat terrain while the Quaker Race course provides more challenging wooded holes on hillier landscapes.

Hiking options: Walk the 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail circling Pinchot Lake for varied perspectives of the water. Nearby White Rocks Trail connects with the Appalachian Trail for extended hiking. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles," reports one camper.

What campers like

Privacy levels: Find secluded woodsy sites at many campgrounds for a true forest experience. Pequea Creek Campground offers particularly spacious options. "We had a huge spot on the end and hardly saw the other campers," writes Danielle C. Sites backing up to trees or along the creek provide the most seclusion.

Mulch tent pads: Enjoy comfortable tent camping at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, which has upgraded their tent sites. "They have upgraded the tent sites since last year, no more primitive sites, all the tent sites are now mulch pad with water and electric," explains Melissa C., making this a good option for those who prefer more comfort while tent camping.

Farm animal interaction: Experience a working farm setting at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. "We were in C103. If you love farm animals, that is the spot to be. Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas," shares Robert M. The animals provide unique entertainment, especially for families with children.

What you should know

Seasonal flooding concerns: Check weather forecasts before visiting riverside campgrounds. At Pequea Creek Campground, some sites are more vulnerable to water issues. "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground," reports one camper at Circle M.

Cash requirements: Bring paper money as some facilities don't accept cards. Several parks operate on cash-only systems for activities, store purchases, or showers. "Yeah, I knows it's not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us," notes Sharon L.

Varying shower setups: Expect different shower facilities across campgrounds. Some feature timed push-button systems that require quarters. "The shower is an annoying push button that only stays on for a few seconds," explains one visitor at Indian Rock Campgrounds. Other parks offer unlimited hot water included with your stay.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience with children. Tucquan Park Family Campground receives praise for its facilities. "Our 3 young kids enjoyed the playground the most — there were lots of fun things for the kids on the playground," notes Melissa. Site selection near these amenities saves walking time with tired children.

Swimming options: Research water access restrictions before promising swimming to children. While many parks feature lakes, not all permit swimming. "There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," explains Catherine H. at Codorus State Park.

Kid-friendly creek play: Seek shallow water options where children can safely splash. "We enjoyed the birds singing in the mornings and welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek," shares J.W., noting that "site 24 had steps down the 'levee' affording easier access to the creek."

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategies: Request sites away from group areas to avoid noise at busier campgrounds. "Next time I will be getting a site away from the group area," advises Melissa F. at Gifford Pinchot, explaining, "Some of the groups can get rather loud especially when there are a bunch of teens."

Leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling blocks as site terrain varies across the best places to camp near Dallastown. Even campgrounds with paved sites may require adjustment. "Our site was level, shaded and quite large," notes one RVer about Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, but experiences differ across facilities and specific site numbers.

Utility availability: Check hookup locations before setup as placement varies between campgrounds. Most campgrounds offer electric sites, but amperage varies between 30 and 50-amp service. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," shares Toshi about their experience at Gifford Pinchot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Dallastown, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dallastown, PA is Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 56 reviews.