Pet friendly camping near Gardners, Pennsylvania centers around the Michaux State Forest region, where elevations reach up to 2,100 feet in the Blue Mountain section of the Appalachian Mountains. Most campgrounds in this area are open from early spring through late fall, with temperatures typically ranging from 45°F at night to 85°F during peak summer days. The region experiences frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months.
What to do
Trail exploration: Hike the Appalachian Trail which passes directly through the area. At Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground, campers can access the halfway point of the AT. "This is the half way point of the AT! You may even bump into a through hiker excited to chat! Stop by the campstore for some Hershey's Ice cream," notes Amanda H.
Water activities: Visit the swimming areas at local parks. "There is a lake where you can swim or fish," says Amanda H. about Pine Grove Furnace, while at Codorus State Park Campground, "There is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," according to Catherine H.
Historical sites: Tour Civil War landmarks within a short drive of most Gardners area campgrounds. "Gettysburg is close enough for a day trip as well as Antetium," notes Amber from Pine Grove Furnace. The rich history of the area makes camping in Gardners an educational experience for history enthusiasts.
What campers like
Natural setting: Spacious wooded campsites provide privacy at many locations. At Caledonia State Park Campground, "Sites are shaded with mature trees" according to Bobby S., while Leah C. adds "The fireflies were amazing and there were few mosquitoes even in mid-July."
Appalachian Trail access: Direct connections to the famous long-distance trail. Timothy M. from Pine Grove Furnace notes it has a "Normal state park facilities. Park has several swimming lakes and Appalachian trail running through it." At Caledonia, Elliott B. mentions it's an "Excellent spot to get to some nice short hikes or the AT. Awesome views and easy access to the blue mountains."
Family activities: Organized events at private campgrounds keep children entertained. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, "The kids had a blast, tubing in the creek, swimming pool and an excellent camp store," reports Jim C. Barb C. adds, "Family friendly campground, lots of weekend activities, great pool, well stocked campstore, playground."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: May-September offers best weather for camping in this region. "We came for a hike and quick one night tent escape," shares Scott B. about Gifford Pinchot State Park, cautioning that summer brings "a serious case of chigger bites."
Site selection matters: Research campsite layouts before booking. At Deer Run Campgrounds, Michael G. warns, "Tight sites and no grass in the majority of the sites, but the majority are well shaded which was nice," and recommends site 88 which "appeared to be the largest non-seasonal site in the park."
Water access varies: Many sites lack direct hookups even at developed campgrounds. At Pine Grove Furnace, Adam P. advises, "If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas for convenient supervision. At Granite Hill Camping Resort, Larry N. suggests, "We stayed in the 'C' row site. Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It's only 15 yards for the play set."
Water activities: Take advantage of creek access at certain campgrounds. Emily from Mountain Creek Camp Ground shares, "A creek to fish or splash in. My husband loved finding frogs and fish," while noting "We stayed in the upper tent area. It's a walk to the pool and arcade area. As an adult I was fine with it. I have a 5 year old though and she got tired. Lesson learned: rent a golf cart ahead of time."
Family-focused campgrounds: Book at resorts with dedicated programs for children during peak season. Julie Y. shares about Gifford Pinchot State Park: "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach. I like that it wasn't a commercialized camping experience."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Bring leveling blocks as many campsites in the region have uneven terrain. At Granite Hill Camping Resort, Priscilla M. warns "it took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot, thankfully we had enough wood to get the jack up without having to over extend it."
Hookup locations: Pack extension cords for electric connections. Bobby S. notes at Granite Hill, "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extentions handy. My electric hookup didn't work on 30A."
Space considerations: Research site dimensions carefully before booking, especially for larger rigs. At Gettysburg Battlefield KOA, Bill B. advises, "We stayed in site 55. Big site but hard to get into. There are a couple of pull thru sites that are much easier."
