Best Tent Camping near Emigsville, PA

Several tent camping options exist within 30 miles of Emigsville, Pennsylvania, including primitive sites at Mill Creek Camping Area and Lower Allen Community Park. Mill Creek Camping Area in Lancaster offers walk-in tent sites along a stream, while Lower Allen Community Park provides tent-only sites adjacent to Yellow Breeches Creek. Susquehannock State Park, located south of Emigsville, also maintains tent campgrounds with both walk-in and drive-in options.

Most tent sites feature dirt or grass surfaces with minimal site separation. Lower Allen Community Park provides fire rings, picnic tables, and portable toilets but no drinking water. Mill Creek sites include fire rings and picnic tables with some sites having stream access. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies, as not all locations offer potable water sources. Seasonal access varies, with Lancaster County Mill Creek operating from March 15 to November 15. Sites generally accommodate 1-2 tents per location with limited privacy between neighboring campsites.

Stream proximity enhances the tent camping experience at several locations. Sites situated along creeks provide natural cooling and ambient sound that improves sleep quality. A recent review noted, "The campground is down by the creek making for a cooler camping experience and love the sound of water flowing at night." Most primitive tent areas maintain a rustic character with few amenities beyond basic fire rings and tables. Tree cover varies by location, with Mill Creek offering good shade coverage while sites at Hibernia County Park feature more open settings. Hikers sometimes pass through campground areas on trails, which impacts privacy at certain tent-only sites during peak daytime hours.

Best Tent Sites Near Emigsville, Pennsylvania (14)

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Showing results 1-10 of 14 campgrounds

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Emigsville, PA

6 Photos of 14 Emigsville Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Emigsville, PA

894 Reviews of 14 Emigsville Campgrounds


  • 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...

  • Nick C.
    Jun. 19, 2022

    Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    Cozy and Clean - Lots of Firewood

    The sites are very clean but close to each Other. You can hear the kids and families and all that. The sites have a nice mulched tent pad, fire ring / grill grate, lantern pole and picnic table. There is a firewood hut at the entrance and you can take what you need - just leAve a donation. The bathrooms are very clean and there’s some trails around the creek (dry creek/ nothing impressive)

  • 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.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2023

    Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    Peaceful w filtered sun

    Owens Creek Campground : (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 4.5 Price: $15/night w senior pass Usage during visit: very low including Fri night Site Privacy: understory trees, filter l e of site in many sites. Site Spacing: most very nicely spaced Site surface: blacktop Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Very quiet Road Noise: Only a bit in first few campsites Through Traffic: no problem Electricity: No Water: Spigots at bathhouses Sewer: No Dump: No Generators: 6 AM to 10 PM Bathroom: Old but very clean.
    Showers: Yes. Double curtains Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (Verizon): Very good Setting: A thick deciduous forest Weather: nice. Cooler because of shade Bugs: A few. Will probably increase as month moves on Solar: Too much shade for fixed solar panels Host: Yes Rig size: Not all sites will accommodate a 22’ trailing. Sites: Pictures are of some of the best sites. My favs: 14 nice woods view , (28 & 29 hear creek,)37. 45, 46

  • 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.

  • 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…!

  • 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!

  • Wendy W.
    Aug. 15, 2019

    Ole Mink Farm Recreation Resort

    Great resort-style cabin for “glamping!”

    Well-appointed, semi-rustic cabins set in Catoctin Mountain. Not far from the Wm. Houck lake area and trailhead to Cunningham Falls.

    Our cabin came equipped with A/C and heat, full kitchenette, fireplace, screened in porch, and firepit area (including wood and fire starters!) with seating and picnic table.

    Ole Mink Farm is very resort-like with a central pool and clubhouse. They also offer various activities — mainly on weekends — like cornhole tournaments and campfire gatherings.

    And I can’t say enough about the customer service!! They take hospitality to whole new levels! We ran into a couple personal snags on our trip, and they were so accommodating. Even when my Mom got sick, they checked in on us and asked about her by name. What a wonderful group of owners!

    If you want to “glamp,” I would HIGHLY recommend this place!


Guide to Emigsville

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Emigsville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.