Tent Camping near Gardners, PA
21 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites near Gardners, Pennsylvania range from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites, with several options along waterways and hiking trails. Lower Allen Community Park offers walk-in tent sites along Yellow Breeches Creek, while Warm Springs Camp provides more developed tent camping with amenities like drinking water and showers. Star Lee Farm, approximately 30 miles west, features secluded tent sites with basic facilities in a rural setting.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require some walking from parking areas to reach the actual campsites. Lower Allen Community Park's tent sites require campers to carry gear from designated parking areas to their sites, making compact camping setups advantageous. Many primitive tent areas have fire rings and picnic tables but limited or no drinking water. Vault toilets or pit toilets are common at established sites, while backcountry areas follow pack-in, pack-out protocols. Seasonal considerations include spring mud and summer insects, with fall offering ideal tent camping conditions. Reservations are required at some locations like Star Lee Farm, while others operate on a first-come basis.
The tent camping experience near Gardners emphasizes natural settings and access to outdoor activities. Sites along waterways provide opportunities for paddling and fishing, with Lower Allen Community Park positioned for kayak-in camping. According to one visitor, "You can put in a few miles up and float down to your site" at Lower Allen. Star Lee Farm tent sites offer stargazing opportunities in an open field setting with minimal light pollution. Tent campers at Annapolis Rock Campground, accessible via the Appalachian Trail, enjoy elevation advantages with sites at approximately 1,700 feet providing cooler temperatures during summer months. A review noted that "the sites sit right along the Yellow Breeches creek so you can put in a few miles up and float down to your site," highlighting the water-based recreation possibilities for tent campers in the region.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Gardners (21)
1. Lower Allen Community Park
"The park is in the suburbs so it’s close to lots of things. They do lock the park at dusk though. They have portapotties, fire pits, and picnic tables."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability2. Annapolis Rock Campground — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
"Annapolis Rock Campground is right off the Appalachian Trail just about 1/5 of a mile before Annapolis Rock overlook."
"great primitive campsite that has undergone major restorations and preventative measures to reverse the damage from huge camping crowds of the past. no fires, but there are two privies and a really nice"
3. Warm Springs Camp
4. Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
"All sites are walk-in only, which means you park on the street, cross the bridge over the C&O and towpath, and then down a little hill to your site."
"Small campground with a pit toilet right on the Potomac river picnic table and fire ring with a few nice trees throughout the camp area. Easy to get to and not far from the towns."
from $20 / night
Check Availability