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Best Tent Camping near Dauphin, PA

860 Reviews

Tent campsites near Dauphin, Pennsylvania range from primitive walk-in sites to established campgrounds within state parks. Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground offers tent-only sites in a secluded forest setting approximately 50 miles west of Dauphin, while Reeds Gap State Park provides tent camping with more amenities about 45 miles northwest of town. Several smaller tent-specific areas like Lower Allen Community Park also accommodate tent campers along creekside locations.

Many tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Penn Roosevelt State Park provides pit toilets but no showers, with potable water available seasonally. Sites typically sit on packed dirt or forest floor with minimal leveling. Most tent areas include fire rings and picnic tables, though firewood must be purchased locally or brought from approved sources. Several campgrounds maintain seasonal restrictions, with full services typically available from April through October. Campers should check current conditions before departure as water systems may be winterized during colder months.

Tent camping experiences in this region often feature woodland settings with good tree cover. Areas along creeks provide natural cooling and ambient sounds that enhance the camping experience. A recent review noted, "The sites are tent only and pretty close together but some still feel secluded. Very accessible and the park has some good trails." Reeds Gap State Park offers a particularly quiet experience with creek access. Some tent sites require short walks from parking areas, providing buffer zones from vehicle noise. Mill Creek Camping Area features stream-adjacent sites that remain cooler during summer months. Most tent-only campgrounds maintain quieter atmospheres than mixed-use facilities, with limited cell service at more remote locations enhancing the disconnected experience.

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Best Tent Sites Near Dauphin, Pennsylvania (16)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Dauphin, PA

20 Photos of 16 Dauphin Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Dauphin, PA

860 Reviews of 16 Dauphin Campgrounds

  • Joann&WellsThePup I.
    Jul. 14, 2021

    Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground

    Quiet camping

    Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful. Has restrooms (no shower), picnic table, and fire pit at each site. Short walk to creek and beautiful pond.

  • Rick W.
    Aug. 15, 2022

    Colonel Denning State Park Campground

    Tent camping sites

    Walk in sites have picnic table and fire ring. Tent pads are level and smooth. Showers and restrooms are close to sites. Strongly recommend...

  • 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.

  • V
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Knoebels Campground

    Clean, quiet, inexpensive, fun place to camp!

    Knoebels campground is situated next to Knoebels amusement park and offers sites for tent campers and RVs, as well as cabins.

    There is electricity at every site but not water. There are fill stations throughout the campgrounds. Most sites are level and shaded. There are nice sturdy wooden platforms for tent campers.

    The bath houses are clean and well maintained. There are outside sinks with mirrors, laundry facilities, shower stalls, and toilet stalls. Or if you prefer there are also traditional bathrooms with showers.

    Quiet hours are enforced between 10p and 8a.

    Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Wood is available by the bucket near the check in building. Sites are inexpensive and are all a short walk, or free shuttle ride, to the park!.

  • 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…!

  • J
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Poe Paddy State Park Campground

    Great little campground

    I’ve stayed here twice for camping trips. It’s a great small campground that has basic amenities. The experience is likely highly site dependent, as there are a few distinct areas to stay depending on your needs and luck. There is NO cell service and park rangers do “rounds” but aren’t stationed at the site. There are a couple of water pumps, several well-maintained pit toilets, and an emergency phone. It’s about 20-30 min to gas. There’s no camp store here but about 3.5 miles away at Poe Valley there’s a store, real bathrooms and showers, kayaking rentals, etc. There’s a guy that sells firewood just past Poe Valley. The Poe Paddy sites I prefer are well-shaded, fairly large, surrounded by trees, and private (but you’ll be able to hear a couple neighbors). Dogs are only allowed in the RV loop, which is intense gravel, so be sure you have a good sleeping pad if you’re tent camping. The campground is in the middle of the dense Bald Eagle State Forest with lots of hiking opportunities. The creek that runs through Poe Paddy is awesome for wading and people also tube it when conditions are right. Get a Purple Lizard map for best enjoyment of the area.

  • Danielle
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Bald Eagle State Forest

    Dispersed Site #13; Pretty, loud, not accessible for pop up campers

    Husband and I set off for a weekend of boon docking at Bald Eagle State Forest in our little pop up camper. We stayed at site #13, which is a dispersed site- not in the campground. 

    Picture a lovely large, round grassy meadow surrounded by trees at the end of a long gravel road. Picnic table, fire ring, one pretty tree in the center, and a babbling brook down below the site. It looks so perfect! Now picture large boulders preventing any wheeled vehicle (including a light little pop up) from rolling into said field. Add in that the I-80 interstate is so close that you can see trucks through the trees in some places- not to mention hear them all.night.long. Would we camp here again? Nope. We would not. Would this be right for some? Probably yes- especially tent campers, loud groups, and those who feel safer with road noise in the background. 

    This site was not listed as"tent only", and I suppose being able to set up on the gravel road did work. But I was majorly bummed we couldn't set up at the back of the actual site itself. The road set up was not nearly as nice. You can see in my photos the size of the site, and the boulders, and where we ended up setting up. 

    I will also mention that the road getting here involved a hairpin turn (from Long Run Rd. onto Ransaires Rd.) that large set ups would not be able to make. We made it work and we had a great trip.

    Not what we expected, but we still had a good time. We will try again at Bald Eagle State Forest, but would not choose this site again.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2023

    Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground

    Camping at the AT Halfway Point

    Great small campground in South-central PA.  Sites are nicely spaced except for a few that are tucked into a few odd-shaped places.  I stayed in site 21, which was on an outside loop with a lot of space.  Campground seems very well maintained and the hosts were very friendly and active.  I wasn't there on a busy night, but nice to know it is a place where the hosts are trying to keep a relaxing atmosphere.  Nearly everything is in the woods so there's lots of shade during the warm seasons.  There's a fire ring, picnic table, lantern hanger and generous tent pad.  There's also room in many outside loop sites to set up in the woods.  Very quiet and relaxing evening.

    Bathrooms feel very modern and there is a combination of a traditional shower/bathroom center and a separate bathroom only area with 4 private bathrooms (though now showers).  Showers were clean and had hot water, though when you press the button for water, it only runs for about 10 seconds.  So you really have to just hold the water on while you shower one-handed.  I think there was a 1-car per site rule while I was there.

    Firewood is on-site for $5 for a six-piece bundle, with kindling available.  Wood lit right up for me.  The park has a general store, swimming lake, Appalachian Trail Museum, Park office and a few other historic buildings so there's a lot to do.  Just take note that everything closes at 4 PM.  The park is just north of the halfway point of the AT and is a popular place for hikers to stop and take a slow or zero day.  The museum is interesting if you have any interest in the AT and very knowledgeable host.

  • Laure D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2021

    Muddy Run Recreation Park

    Older but great day use area

    We visited the day use area but drove through the campground for future reference. The campground offers a lot of sites (189 sites). 148 sites have electric and water. Some sites are monthly rental only. They also offer seasonal sites. There are 38 tent only sites as well. There are 3 primitive group sites. There are paved parking pads, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and of course a fire ring in each. No sewer hookups but we saw 2 dump stations. There are laundry facilities and bathhouses. $35 a night or $185 a week. Use of the day use area included is awesome. Plenty of playgrounds, disc golf, boat rentals, an observatory (closed due to covid for now), snack bar that is open 8-5 or 6 daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks, and a splash pad (free!) for water fun open 10-7 daily but shuts down Sept 6. All this is all nestled around a 100 acre lake. You can fish, or rent boats (kayak, paddle boats, canoes, or rowboats with electric motors) on the lake. Tons of fun here!

Guide to Dauphin

Tent camping near Dauphin, Pennsylvania offers opportunities in the Appalachian foothills with sites situated at elevations between 400-1,200 feet. The area receives approximately 42 inches of annual rainfall with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Most tent camping locations feature forest canopy coverage ranging from 60-90%, providing natural temperature regulation during warmer months.

What to do

Hiking trails access: Shikellamy State Park Campground provides direct connections to several hiking paths. "Had a great time walking the trails and enjoying a picnic at the cliff-side pavilion," reports one camper.

Creek exploration: At Mill Creek Camping Area, campsites positioned alongside moving water create natural cooling effects. A visitor notes, "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."

Fishing opportunities: Lower Allen Community Park offers creek access with trout fishing. "You can put in a few miles up and float down to your site. There is parking right there," according to a reviewer who enjoyed kayak camping.

What campers like

Stream-side camping: Visitors appreciate the natural water features at Shambala at Mystic Hollow where sites are positioned for water access. "Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers great creekside campsites for anyone looking to pitch a tent and enjoy some time by the water," mentions one camper.

No cell service: Reeds Gap State Park Campground provides a technology break for campers seeking disconnection. A visitor advises, "Put your phone away cuz there's no cell service here! Nice and peaceful with a dozen or so tent only sites."

Private site layouts: Some campgrounds feature better site spacing and natural barriers. "The sites are spaced out and peaceful. Has restrooms (no shower), picnic table, and fire pit at each site," notes a Penn Roosevelt State Park visitor.

What you should know

Winter water systems: Most campgrounds in the area shut off water systems between November and April. For winter camping at Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground, be prepared for limited facilities: "The water was off, but I was prepared to wilderness camp later in my trip so, that was no big deal."

Reservation requirements: Several camping areas require advance booking or permits. Lower Allen Community Park requires township permission: "You just need to call the township to reserve. The sites sit right along the Yellow Breeches creak."

Trail proximity issues: Some camping areas experience hiker traffic through sites. "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," reports a Mill Creek visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Playground facilities: For families with children, Reeds Gap State Park offers developed recreation areas. A visitor mentions, "There's a nice creek that runs through it, picnic pavilions and a playground for the kids!"

Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for insects and small animals at creek-side locations. One Mill Creek camper warns, "Lots of creepy crawlers. The stream is refreshing and the site stays fairly cool."

Park hours: At Lower Allen Community Park, be aware of gate schedules with children. "They do lock the park at dusk though. They have portapotties, fire pits, and picnic tables."

Tips for RVers

Access limitations: Most tent camping areas near Dauphin restrict vehicle size. Penn Roosevelt State Park has specific access challenges: "If you have a trailer, I do not recommend this spot. There is a very tight hairpin turn on the way in. My six foot long trailer barely made the turn!"

Bathroom facilities: RVers considering tent camping should note facility limitations. Reeds Gap State Park offers "One shower stall in each bathroom and the showers had a large dressing area. Water is near the picnic pavilion."

Parking distance: Vehicle parking often requires carrying gear to tent sites. "A quiet, peaceful campground. It's a bit primitive having only bathrooms and water in several spots in the campground," notes a visitor about Penn Roosevelt State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dauphin, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dauphin, PA is Lower Allen Community Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Dauphin, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Dauphin, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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