154 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The rolling hills surrounding Glen Rock, Pennsylvania feature a mix of state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Codorus State Park Campground, located 8 miles southwest in Hanover, offers lakeside camping with both RV and tent sites, while Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground to the north provides waterfront options with full hookups and primitive sites. The region's camping landscape includes family-oriented private facilities like Cedar Lake Family Campground and Indian Rock Campgrounds, which remain open year-round. Several campgrounds in the area accommodate various camping styles from tent camping to large RVs, with many offering cabins and yurts for those seeking alternatives to traditional camping.
Camping seasons in the area typically run from early April through late October, with a few year-round exceptions. Most state park campgrounds open the second Friday in April and close by November 1, requiring advance reservations during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. Winter camping options are limited primarily to private campgrounds with heated facilities. As one camper noted, "We love Gifford Pinchot State Park. There are some great sites on the lake side where you can get amazing sunset views." Road access varies throughout the region, with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads, though some sites near water features may require short walks from parking areas. Cell service is generally reliable near Glen Rock, though coverage can be spotty in more remote camping areas.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Gifford Pinchot State Park where lakeside sites offer direct water access. According to one reviewer, "Camping on the peninsula at site 116 is absolutely perfect. There's a small beach area that makes it perfect for landing kayaks or canoes." Many campgrounds in the region feature wooded settings that provide natural shade and privacy between sites. Proximity to historical attractions like Gettysburg adds appeal for those combining camping with sightseeing. Facilities vary widely, with state parks typically offering clean but basic amenities, while private campgrounds may include swimming pools, game rooms, and organized activities. Traffic noise can be an issue at campgrounds near major highways, with several reviewers mentioning this as a consideration when selecting sites.
"The trails from Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail. The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some. "
"Older State Park just outside of Hanover, PA. Used it as a home base to explore Gettysburg and the surrounding area."
from $20 - $249 / night
Check Availability"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
"Large campground with some good trails. Will definitely return!"
"We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views. "
"We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. "
from $20 - $89 / night
Check Availability"The bathroom near the pool left a little something to be desired. It wasn’t filthy but also wasn’t sparking clean. It was great being close to the battlefield."
"We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us."
"Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."
"Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal! Sites are spacious and nice! Restrooms clean!"
"We were surprised to find this nice little spot next to the creek right outside of town. There’s a spot right next to it but was unoccupied while we were there so we were all alone."
"Nice lake for fishing. Easy check in. Nice little store. About an hour away from Hershey where we went to the RV show. We will come back if we are in the area again"
"Just takes away from the rural feel. Cabin was clean and perfect. Grounds were very clean. Toilet and showers clean. Golf carts a little dated but overall good. Night time was serene and quite."
from $60 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."
"The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . "
"This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"
"Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
"Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."
"There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."
LegendPros- Pool is sparkling clear and new. Mini golf is awesome. Nice people, nice store.
Cons- further from Hershey Park than ideal, lots of seasonal campers leaving for work before dawn in loud trucks, not much privacy, some road noise.
GuideBASE ACCESS REQUIRED!
Electric/Water/Sewer hookup sites for $56 a night! (2 night minimum) Which is a great full hookup price, even though it's gone up $6 since last year. Weekly and monthly pricing available as well.
The sites are neat, well maintained, level, and sunny with concrete pads and paved campground roads. Centrally located laundry facilities and airconditioned bath house. Playground, boat launch, beach volleyball court, disk golf, basketball court, and outdoor pool all within walking distance. Other base amenities include: commissary, gas station, bowling, BBQ, Dunkin', and Greek restaurants, and golf. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something.)
Note: in July it is very buggy - the biting flies are the worst. So bring bug spray or a screened in tent to eat in.
The downside: the reservation system is a major PITA. You have to download a PDF packet, fill it out, and EMAIL it in. When you get your confirmation, it doesn't include a specific site number. You get assigned one when they call you the week of your scheduled check-in for payment completion.
Don't miss out on: the water! My advice would be to reserve one of their boats at the same time you reserve your campsite. The water in this area is great - no jellyfish, low waves. You can SUP, kayak, pontoon boat. Whatever your preference. There are large flats of grasses - which you'd want to avoid with a motor but are so much fun to paddle over. Also check out the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge island. You can't go inland, but you can anchor off shore, jump in and wade around the shallows.
Also very driveable to an off-base movie theater, Baltimore, and Havre de Grace.
ScoutWe stayed only one night in primitive tent site which was massive with a turnaround. It was great. There are fire pits and picnic tables and level ground. Very serene. We walked down to the river, breathtaking. Not sure of other amenities as we didn’t use them.
ScoutFrome the moment you drive up the women at the gate is about as welcoming ( as my Pops would say ) "A fart in church.," Great way to start your vacation. Didn't get much better in the office. The one guy that worked there did at least smile at us....
ScoutWhere do I start?
We came to this campground to connect with family who was hiking the AT. We left after one miserable night. Here are some reasons:
A giant confederate flag near the entrance
Highway noise and not one but two train tracks
One Filthy “bathroom”
No shade at our campsite- despite other available sites with some shade
A trail of poison ivy on the narrow path to the river
Cigarette butts everywhere
And a creepy man on a bike who declared he was a local and wouldn’t leave our site while I was alone and insisted on talking to me about the strip club down the street, where to buy condoms and how my tent’s mesh shelf is perfect for drying out my wet panties.
ScoutWe called ahead of time to reserve two sites for two nights for a bunch of people from out of state and some hikers from the AT. They said it was $35 per site per night. When we arrived we were told that we had to pay for three nights because it was a holiday weekend AND that the price was per tent. The porta potties were gross and hadn’t been serviced in a while. It was difficult to use them. During a heat wave we were given a site with little shade when several sites further along with plenty of trees were empty. The plumbed bathroom was dirty and had no soap. The shop did not in fact sell love bait, which cramped our fishing style. There is a loud rail road with constant trains on one side and a very busy highway with loud trucks on the other. The river front was lovely, but with detritus from previous campers on the rocks. We left after one night.
ScoutWell maintained campgrounds with thoughtful touches. Staff very friendly and responsive.
ScoutIts such a beautiful campground and very quite and clean showers and bathrooms
ScoutGreat campsite, plenty of space. It rained a lot and our campsite was a little muddy (not bad) but nearby campsites had large puddles
Glen Rock, Pennsylvania camping destinations occupy a transition zone between the rolling Piedmont region and the more rugged Appalachian foothills. Elevations range from 450 to 800 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain conditions throughout the region's campgrounds. Winter camping options are limited primarily to sites with heated facilities, while most state parks close their campgrounds from November through mid-April.
Hiking near lake access: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers access to the 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail that encircles Pinchot Lake. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles. I also hiked/jogged the Quaker Race Trail and that was nice, too," notes one visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground.
Paddling opportunities: Multiple campgrounds provide water access for canoes and kayaks. "The lake is large and fun to explore in the boat," writes a camper who visited Codorus State Park Campground. Another reviewer adds, "You can bring your own boat (gas allowed) or rent one from their marina."
Historical exploration: The Gettysburg battlefield is easily accessible from several camping locations. "This campground is approximately a 3 minute drive from everything in the town of Gettysburg. The battlefields are very close as well," reports a visitor to Artillery Ridge Campground. Some campgrounds even have historical connections, with one camper noting, "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
Water-based sites: Waterfront camping options are consistently rated highly by visitors. At Pequea Creek Campground, one camper shared, "We had site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail. We enjoyed the birds singing in the mornings and welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek."
Farm atmosphere: Several campgrounds integrate farm elements that campers enjoy. "What's better than hanging out camping on a working farm? Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas. Plenty to see and learn," writes a visitor to Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer specific facilities for children. Cedar Lake Family Campground receives consistent praise for its family focus, with one visitor noting, "Amazing campground! The staff run the place like a resort or a cruise ship. So many activities for kids and adults and a huge family atmosphere with staff and campers!"
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options than others. At Otter Creek Campground, a camper reported, "Our site was very large and there was a wooded area between both sites aside of us." In contrast, tent areas can sometimes feel crowded, with one camper noting at Gifford Pinchot, "I noticed just how crowded it was. Lots literally right on top of each other."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Codorus State Park operates from "2nd Friday April to November 1" while Gifford Pinchot runs from "2nd Friday April to October 31." Several private campgrounds remain open year-round with varying levels of service.
Bathroom facilities: Quality and maintenance of bathroom facilities varies widely between locations. Some campers report issues like, "The shower is an annoying push button that only stays on for a few seconds" at Indian Rock Campgrounds, while others praise facilities, noting "Bathrooms were nice. The shower is decent" at other locations.
Look for accessible water features: Shallow water access points are popular for families with younger children. "We camped at site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man-made beach and playground," reports a visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Consider campground-organized activities: Many private campgrounds schedule regular activities for children. "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol. Wonderful experience for the whole family," shared one camper at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Check playground proximity: Site location relative to playgrounds matters for families. "We typically stay in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake. It can get a little busy on the weekends since there is a boat launch at the end of the primitive lane, but some of the sites are secluded/set back enough to be private," notes a camper at Codorus State Park.
Site selection strategy: Consider timing and location when choosing RV sites. One visitor to Tucquan Park Family Campground advised, "We were originally supposed to be in the woods — which FYI is far out of the way of the main activities, and also has a pretty steep incline. But the site was too uneven for our taste so we moved down in the main area, which was better for us."
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality throughout the region. "The only complaint we had was people walking through our sites due us being close to the playground," reported one camper, highlighting the importance of site location relative to common paths.
Hookup availability: Water, electric, and sewer connections vary between campgrounds. Most state parks offer electric hookups but limited sewer connections. Private campgrounds typically provide full hookups, though specific amp services differ, with most offering 30-amp connections and some providing 50-amp service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hiking trails around Glen Rock?
The Glen Rock area offers excellent hiking options. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground features multiple trails, including a section of the Appalachian Trail (the park marks the AT midpoint) and a nice path connecting two lakes. For more varied terrain, Gambrill State Park Campground offers scenic woodland trails with hidden rocky overlooks. Other notable hiking spots include Gifford Pinchot State Park with lakeside paths and Patapsco Valley State Park with forest trails of varying difficulty. Many trails in the region feature historic elements like covered bridges and old furnace ruins, making hikes both scenic and educational.
Are there any campsites with water access in Glen Rock?
Campground Island offers a unique water experience as it's completely surrounded by a creek with water on both sides—one side deep enough for fishing while the other is more tranquil with a peaceful waterfall. The sounds of ducks and egrets add to the ambiance. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground has excellent lakeside sites with stunning sunset views over the water. For river activities, Pequea Creek Campground provides river tubing opportunities nearby. Otter Creek Campground also features water access points ideal for fishing and casual water recreation in the Glen Rock vicinity.
What permits do I need for camping in Glen Rock?
For camping in the Glen Rock area, reservation permits are generally required at established campgrounds. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country requires advance reservations and membership or day passes for camping access. At state parks like Codorus State Park Campground, you'll need camping permits secured through the Pennsylvania State Parks reservation system, ideally 2-11 months in advance. For overnight parking at locations like The Home Depot or Cracker Barrel, always check with management first as formal permission is required. If planning to fish, a Pennsylvania fishing license is necessary at water-adjacent campsites. Most campgrounds charge separate entrance and camping fees, with additional permits required for special activities.
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