Camping near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania centers around historical sites with several established campgrounds situated within minutes of the famous Civil War battlefield. Artillery Ridge Campground, Gettysburg Battlefield KOA, and Gettysburg Campground provide convenient bases for exploring the national historical park, with most facilities located within walking distance or a short drive from battlefield monuments and the visitor center. State parks like Caledonia and Codorus offer additional camping options within 20-30 minutes of Gettysburg, providing more natural settings while still maintaining reasonable access to historical attractions. As one camper noted, "You can't get any closer to history than here," with some campgrounds like Artillery Ridge situated on land that served as Union artillery staging areas during the battle.
Most Gettysburg area campgrounds operate seasonally from April through November, with a few facilities like Granite Hill Camping Resort remaining open year-round. Summer months bring warm, humid conditions with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures ideal for battlefield tours. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly during peak summer season and on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day when historical tourism reaches its height. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with most campgrounds reporting adequate coverage for basic needs. Fire restrictions are uncommon but can occur during particularly dry periods in late summer.
The camping experience varies significantly between private campgrounds and state parks. Private facilities near the battlefield typically offer full hookups, camp stores, swimming pools, and family activities, but sites are often closely spaced with limited privacy. According to reviews, "If you're looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn't it." State parks provide more spacious sites with better separation and natural surroundings. Several campgrounds accommodate horses, with Artillery Ridge offering equestrian facilities and guided battlefield tours on horseback. Most locations welcome pets with standard restrictions, and family amenities like playgrounds, game rooms, and organized activities are common at the larger private campgrounds.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
"Spent a weekend at Gettysburg. We camped at Artillery Ridge Campground, which served as an artillery storage/staging area for the Union during the battle."
"Great campground within walking distance of Gettysburg"
"Spent 2 nights at Gettysburg KOA in July while touring Pennsylvania with granddaughter. Very convenient to historical stuff. Large sites, separated by rocks and trees. Quiet and private."
"We had a great stay at Gettysburg/ Battlefield KOA Holiday in Gettysburg, PA. We stayed in a level pull-thru site(#14) with deluxe picnic table, swinging Adirondack glider, and fire pit."
"If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."
"Very close to so much history, close to downtown Gettysburg with sight seeing tours offered for the battlefields, shopping and dining close by."
$20 - $92 / night
"Stayed here two nights while visiting Gettysburg (short 20mi drive between the two). Stayed on Chinquapin Hill, each site has picnic table and fire ring and good space for camp."
"Appalachian trail runs right by it. About 20 minute drive to Gettysburg"
$20 - $195 / night
"Older State Park just outside of Hanover, PA. Used it as a home base to explore Gettysburg and the surrounding area."
"We stayed Memorial Day weekend here because it’s so close to home. Our 1st ever RV camping was here 4 yrs ago. This time we’re in loop B site 79."
"Very close to Gettysburg and all the attractions but far enough out of town that you feel in your own world. Will definitely visit again"
"Hands-down, this is the best campground in Gettysburg."
$20 - $43 / night
"This campground is far enough away from home but at the same time close enough for a weekend camping trip. Nice level spots for RVs. A pet area as well as a non-pet area."
"Plenty of trails and attraction to explore. Gettysburg is close enough for a day trip as well as Antetium."
$99 - $138 / night
"We have been members at the Gettysburg battlefield resort campground for over 10 years. They have tons to do as the family."
"Gettysburg Battlefield Resort is a membership resort. As such, it has a great pool, most of the sites are level, and nice bathhouse facilities. It also has a lake and cabins available."
$20 - $89 / night
"Good bathrooms, a beach, and some hiking around the lake. It's also pretty convenient to Harrisburg, Gettysburg, and Hershey if you want things to do. It also has some nice birding."
"I liked the dish washing sinks outside of the shower houses. The site was nice with the tent pad backing up to the trees."
$30 / night
"This is a great base camp for getting out to the Gettysburg National park and battlefield. town is less than 10 miles away that has a grocery store and restaurants. FREE split firewood."
"firewood hut on the way in, unfortunately most of the wood wasn't dry due to rain the day before and the wood being out from under the hut awning, but we made do with the stacks of dead wood along the outside"
TravelerIf youre looking for fun and people, go to the south campground. But if youre looking for true quiet and have a tent, check out the dispersed campsites. Good shower and bathroom setup that i bet would fare well in a tornado, its got that solid storm shelter feel. Next to a quiet airport, plenty of free firewood to gather
ScoutLess amenities than advertised. We usually camp in more rustic locations and planned this trip simply for the fun of the amenities. Their website claims that the pool is seasonal but doesn't list anything else as seasonal. There was supposed to be mini golf, a giant bounce pillow, indoor basketball, an arcade with air hockey and a pool table. Mini golf was fine. The bounce pillow was deflated and full of water. The arcade/pool table/air hockey building was locked and the maintenance guy(who locks it up) was outside smoking before leaving early for the day. The employee at the camp store said it was supposed to be open until the store closed but that he probably just closed it early.
The rules state that dogs need to be on a leash at all times and, in the two hours we actually stayed, we saw four that weren't. One was staying near us and started chasing us when we rode our bikes by. One was wandering about 4 campsites down from it's owner. We mentioned it to the person at the camp store before we were chased and she just shrugged it off.
The map is incorrect. It lists site numbers that don't exist and doesn't list some sites that supposedly do. We spent a fifteen minutes trying to find a non-existent site before going back to the camp office and getting assigned a new site. They acted like it was a new thing caused by maintenance but we just looked and saw a review from ten months ago saying the map was messed up then.
The description of the site we paid for was non electric tent with a sand tent pad. The site we got was on a hill(no actual flat spot) overgrown with weeds, no tent pad, a slanted picnic table, and no actual parking spot. You had to drive over a drainage ditch and park on the hill. If our car didn't have high clearance we wouldn't have made it. There was also a hole in the middle of the site. And the map showed that number site on the corner where another unmarked site was. Our originally assigned site was supposedly in the same group of sites, so it would've been similar. Also don't believe the claim that they're"large sites." Most of them are crammed together. There are a few that look decent sized and flat, but they want you to pay an extra$30 to pick your own site.
We didn't even look in the bathrooms.
We left after two hours. Definitely a waste of$60+ dollars.
Next time we'll go over to the Brunswick Family campground. Their owners are lovely people who care about their customers.
GuideIt is NOT closed for 2026! Spent the weekend here as it is only an hour from home. There are 4 large camping loops. Only loop C- cedar has electric. None of the loops have water hookups but all have spigots to fill your rig. There are also 3 fill stations at check in (which we missed). The campground is on a hill and the loop roads are narrow, hilly, and winding. We had no trouble with our 23 ft TT and saw some bigger rigs. There are some tight angles to get into a few sites. But, once you are in, the sites are spacious and mostly private. It is wooded without feeling overgrown. Loop D has some sites that are good buddy campsites. There are many hiking trails and a lovely lake. The only bad thing are the dated bathhouses. Mostly clean but there are only 2 showers for each fenced for each loop and they were yucky enough that we showered at our rig. It was busy but pretty quiet. It’s close to I-70
ScoutWe chose this campground expecting a family-friendly environment for Easter weekend, but unfortunately our experience was significantly impacted by repeated disturbances from a group of adults in nearby campsites. There was excessive screaming, loud music, and disruptive behavior that continued well past midnight, making it extremely difficult for families and young children to enjoy the holiday weekend. Even more concerning was the apparent lack of response to enforce quiet hours or address the ongoing noise issue. This does not reflect the family atmosphere many guests would reasonably expect during a holiday weekend. I strongly encourage management to take these complaints seriously and enforce campground rules consistently to ensure all guests can enjoy their stay. Families considering visiting during Easter weekend should be aware that this has been an ongoing issue.
ScoutThis is a lovely campground that I recommend and would stay again. We have been twice: once as a family and once with a Scout troop. The RV sites are fairly large and clean. The tent-only sites are smaller and have a metal fire ring with a grate (nice!). The RV sites have mostly brick rings without grates. The bathrooms are fairly small (two showers on the female and one on the male) which might be an issue on busy weekends. The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places. A, D, and E are sunnier. B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees. We used the site as a base for a bike trip along the C&O to go to Harper’s Ferry (14mi round trip along a gravel path). The staff were friendly and there is a small camp store.
But the trains! THE TRAINS!!! Every review will mention them for a reason. The site is adjacent to a rail yard that runs all day. Not just a passing train, but clanging car and engine changes. It’s LOUD. I slept with earplugs, but could still hear the noise. The yard really starts going around 5am and goes all day. It slows down after 8/9pm, but never stops entirely. The trains are the only reason for the removed star and it’s not the campground’s fault. But almost all of the real complaints are about the noise. If you want an extra quiet campground with only birds and running water, this is not the place for you. But if you don’t mind the loud bangs and low rumbles, this place is fine!
The entrance is beyond the train yard and about a mile down a widened part of the C&O. It is possible to be trapped inside or outside if a train is stopped at the crossing (30min for us, once).
In short, it’s a great campground if you bring ear plugs!
LegendSet just off I-76 in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, Pinch Pond Family Campground& RV Park is a large, all-in-one, family-focused campground with a layout that feels more like a small neighborhood than a traditional woods-only campsite. While its proximity to the highway makes access easy, the property itself is gated, organized into distinct camping zones and packed with amenities that clearly cater to longer stays and families looking for built-in entertainment.
HIGHLIGHTS:(1) Full-service resort-style amenities including pool, playground, arcade, laundry, propane refills, dump stations, sports field, picnic tables and in-ground fire rings throughout the property;(2) Wide variety of lodging options including RV sites with 30/50 amp hookups, water, sewer and cable, primitive tent sites, and multiple on-site cottages for non-campers;(3) Gated entrance and very welcoming, helpful staff at check-in with a well-stocked camp store offering snacks, ice cream, sundries and souvenirs;(4) Strong family appeal with fishing pond, barn, open play areas and space for kids to roam safely; and(5) Excellent location for regional attractions including Hershey Park, Chocolate World, Amish countryside tours and the nearby wolf sanctuary with guided educational tours.
LOWLIGHTS:(1) Immediate proximity to I-76 means persistent highway noise day and night with no real sound buffer;(2) Access is oddly indirect despite being next to the turnpike, requiring a several-mile loop through countryside roads to reach the entrance;(3) Overall layout is wide open with limited natural privacy between many RV sites;(4) Nearby shooting range produces frequent target practice noise, especially noticeable during early morning hours; and(5) Pricing for primitive tent sites feels disproportionately high compared to full-hookup RV rates.
Happy Camping!
TravelerBooked this site about a week before just as a spontaneous one night trip towards the end of fall. Was greeted with a nicely stocked firewood hut on the way in, unfortunately most of the wood wasn't dry due to rain the day before and the wood being out from under the hut awning, but we made do with the stacks of dead wood along the outside of the site. Our site had the main area with the picnic table and fire pit and then a large level tent pad a couple of steps below it. I believe we went the last weekend of the season so it wasn't too populated, despite this being a smaller campsite. We did have neighbors on each side of us and across from us, and the sites are a reasonable distance apart. The trees were thinned out by the time we went so there wasn't much privacy, but I can imagine that when they're grown in it adds much more privacy, at least from nextdoor neighbors. Everyone there was considerate and friendly, even the camp host. The bathrooms were clean, functional, and a short walk away from the site. Would recommend if you want a quick getaway without frill.
TravelerWe have camped there twice. One was a buddy site.
GuideWe had a beautiful spot at a stones throw from the beach area. The water was great and clean and a good temperature at this time of year. Our camping site was huge. We had some people come over and hang out with us and they did not feel cramped. The kids had a fantastic time and definitely wanna come back.
Gettysburg camping offers a mix of historical exploration and natural experiences, with the battlefield area sitting at 500-550 feet elevation. The region has a humid continental climate with summer highs reaching 85-90°F and winter lows often below freezing. Weather patterns can shift quickly, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months when most visitors come to gettysburg camp.
Historical horseback tours: Artillery Ridge Campground provides unique battlefield exploration options with their on-site stables. "You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback. Nice catch and release pond in campground," notes one camper at Artillery Ridge Campground.
Explore Appalachian Trail segments: Pine Grove Furnace State Park sits at the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail. "The park is the half way point on the AT, and we got to meet quite a few hikers and hear some cool stories about their travels on the trail," shares a camper who stayed at Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground.
Visit nearby Catoctin Mountain Park: Within 30 minutes of Gettysburg, this park offers additional hiking options. "During our trail hike, we located a trail map further up the mountain at The Poplar Grove group campsite information board. The trail we used is marked multi-use, and by plentiful hoofprints, appeared to be used mostly by equestrians," reports a visitor to Owens Creek Campground.
Close battlefield access: Many campsites offer direct connections to historic areas. "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts," explains a camper from Artillery Ridge Campground.
Lake activities near Gettysburg: Within 30 minutes, Codorus State Park offers water recreation options. "You can bring your own boat (gas allowed) or rent one from their marina. 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," mentions a camper at Codorus State Park Campground.
Organized family activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events. "They have plenty of activities for the kids from swimming, mini golf, and a scavenger hunt! They also had live music one night! They just opened up a new pavilion and the camp store was very well stocked!" shares a visitor to Gettysburg Battlefield KOA.
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options than others. "If you are looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn't it. If you are looking for a campground that is very close to an historical National Park not to mention shopping and restaurants, this is for you," notes a camper about Gettysburg Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most parks fill quickly during peak season. "Sites look to be semi private in alot of pictures but that isnt the case. We had a full hook up with our 15ft travel trailer. Pretty tight even with my Tacoma," comments a visitor to Gettysburg Battlefield KOA.
Primitive camping limitations: True backcountry camping is limited in the immediate Gettysburg area. "The tent sites have numerous walnut trees, so there's a bit of a hazard there when walking around trying to dodge the falling nuts (cars are targets too!)," warns a Gettysburg Campground visitor.
Look for campgrounds with dedicated kid zones: Many facilities offer specific amenities for children. "The main building also has a nice common areas and a kids activity area complete with a wooden camper play set your kids can crawl around in," notes a visitor to Gettysburg Battlefield Resorts.
Consider educational opportunities: The historical setting provides learning experiences. "We did Park Ranger tours to learn about the 1st shot and how the war started to stand in the footsteps of General Buford at Senitary Ridge in the cupola overseeing the battlefield," shares an Artillery Ridge camper.
Check for swimming options: During hot summer months, cooling off is important. "There is a wide variety of sites so finding one that you like should not be difficult, there are some in wide-open park-like settings, and some that are treed. For the most part we didn't notice any that really seem to be right on top of each other," explains a Codorus State Park visitor.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra equipment. "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," warns a visitor to Granite Hill Camping Resort.
Hookup configuration variations: Electric and water placements differ between campgrounds. "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extentions handy. My electric hookup didn't work on 30A," shares another Granite Hill camper.
Size restrictions at some locations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "We stayed in site 55. Big site but hard to get into. There are a couple of pull thru sites that are much easier," notes a Gettysburg Battlefield KOA visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Gettysburg battlefield?
Artillery Ridge Campground stands out for its historical significance and proximity, located within walking distance of the battlefield on land that served as Union artillery storage during the battle. For those seeking amenities with historical context, Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA offers large, private sites separated by rocks and trees, with full hookups, deluxe picnic tables, and Adirondack gliders. Both campgrounds provide convenient access to Gettysburg's historical attractions while offering comfortable accommodations for various camping styles.
Are there any state park campgrounds near Gettysburg, PA?
Several state parks offer camping options within a short drive of Gettysburg. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground features level RV spots, pet and non-pet areas, and a lake with a beach. It's close enough for weekend trips while providing access to the Appalachian Trail. Caledonia State Park Campground is just a 20-mile drive from Gettysburg, offering sites with picnic tables and fire rings on Chinquapin Hill. While sites are somewhat close to neighbors, the good canopy cover creates a pleasant camping environment.
Can you find free camping near Gettysburg, PA?
Free camping options are extremely limited in the immediate Gettysburg area. Most campgrounds near the battlefield and historical sites charge fees, including the state parks and private campgrounds that surround Gettysburg. For budget options, consider Granite Hill Camping Resort which occasionally offers discounted rates during off-peak seasons. For truly free camping, you'll likely need to venture farther into nearby national forests, approximately 1-2 hours away. Always verify current regulations before attempting dispersed camping, as rules change frequently and unauthorized camping can result in fines.
What RV camping options are available near Gettysburg National Park?
Gettysburg Campground offers excellent RV accommodations with full hookups and is conveniently located near the National Park, shopping, and restaurants. The campground features numerous family-friendly amenities including a pool, playgrounds, and themed events. Codorus State Park Campground provides both open and wooded electric sites for RVs just outside Hanover, PA, making it a good home base for exploring Gettysburg. Fresh water access is available on entry and at various spigots throughout the park, ensuring convenient RV camping.
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