Best Campgrounds near Wrightsville, PA

The Susquehanna River region surrounding Wrightsville, Pennsylvania contains a mix of established campgrounds and riverside recreation areas within a 30-mile radius. Notable options include Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground in Lewisberry and Thousand Trails Circle M in Lancaster, which accommodate tent camping, RVs, and cabin rentals. Several KOA properties operate in the area, including the Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, providing developed sites with modern amenities. The landscape features both wooded settings and riverside locations, with campgrounds generally concentrated along major travel corridors connecting Lancaster, Hershey, and York County.

Campground operations typically run from April through October, with most facilities closing for winter. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when Hershey Park visitors frequently fill area campgrounds. Sites with water and electric hookups are common, though availability varies by property. Many campgrounds feature level, gravel parking pads for RVs, while tent sites are often mulched or grassy. Weather conditions remain relatively moderate throughout the camping season, though summer humidity can be significant. A visitor noted: "Site details: Our site was level, shaded and quite large. Almost every site in this section was similarly large and wooded, with an impressive amount of space between sites for a KOA."

Riverside camping opportunities represent a particular draw in the region. River Rock Recreation offers direct access to the Susquehanna River with primitive tent platforms and canoe/kayak launch points. Several campers highlight the riverfront experience as a key attraction despite occasional noise from nearby infrastructure. The area's campgrounds vary significantly in size and privacy levels, with some offering spacious wooded sites while others feature more compact layouts. Reviews frequently mention proximity to regional attractions like Hershey Park and Amish Country as significant benefits. Based on feedback on The Dyrt, campers appreciate the diversity of camping styles available: "We had the whole place to ourselves. We saw no one while there and you're literally about 100-150 yards off a side road. It was definitely convenient and private."

Best Camping Sites Near Wrightsville, Pennsylvania (137)

    1. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $20 - $89 / night

    "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. "

    2. Thousand Trails Circle M

    19 Reviews
    Millersville, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."

    "I used to stay here all the time with my grandparents when they were around. It was always some of the best times for me."

    3. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 367-7718

    $45 - $279 / night

    "There was a bathhouse and dish sink nearby, as well as the entrance to a nice little nature trail a few sites down. "

    "Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too! Everyone we talked to was nice and friendly."

    4. Pequea Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4587

    "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 . "

    5. Hersheypark Camping Resort

    29 Reviews
    Hummelstown, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (833) 936-0949

    "This campground has a little something for everyone, from full hook up sites neatly stacked next to each other, to quiet patches of grass next to the river."

    "They don’t sell alcohol but there is a shopping center within walking distance with restaurants and liquor stores! Even a supermarket. There is shuttle service to the park."

    6. Thousand Trails Hershey

    21 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    $50 - $60 / night

    "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you."

    "This is a clean, nice looking campground in a location very close to Hershey park and the outlets. It’s a very nice area."

    7. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 665-7640

    "campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."

    "Please note there is a driving range so starting around 10am you will here guns go off. Also the highway is close by so you can hear it."

    8. Otter Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 862-3628

    "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!"

    9. Old Mill Stream Campground

    17 Reviews
    Lampeter, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 299-2314

    "Tent sites are lined up along the water which is great for fishing (especially when you need to stay close to the littles sleeping in the tent). Lots of benches lined up along the water."

    "Not to noisy being next to a theme park. The bath house was just remodeled so it's excellent! Good price!"

    10. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country

    13 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "this campground is completely surrounded by a fairly dense forest, which likely is what blocks any irritable sound and most certainly blocks any highway or traffic visibility."

    "Not much for amenities, but I loved the surrounding dutch/Amish towns! It was pretty cool to seemingly step back in time."

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Recent Reviews near Wrightsville, PA

1001 Reviews of 137 Wrightsville Campgrounds


  • Gennifer K.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Country Acres Campground

    Nice park

    This was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.

  • M
    Oct. 6, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Hard with a large group

    Harder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Stoevers Dam Park

    Park is closed. We were kicked out.

    LThe park is a beautiful city park. There are 7 small, level, back-in sites with electric, a picnic table and fire pit. We arrived in a Sunday and you have to call for a permit, but the office is only open on M-F during working hours. At 8 pm, a police officer told us the park was closed because of a bear, but that they had not gotten around to putting up signs. Wound up in a Walmart instead.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Dog owners read!

    There’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Brandywine Creek Campground

    Brandywine

    We are on the third week of a four week trip. Campground is well maintained, quiet. This was our home while exploring Philadelphia. Uber to Downgrown, Septa or Amtrak to town. Reverse to camp. Very enjoyable. Hickory nut tree beside camper shared at times.

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.


Guide to Wrightsville

Camping near Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. One camper mentioned, “Hiking and biking this park is fun. It’s a great place to camp and enjoy downtime!” at French Creek State Park Campground.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are near lakes and rivers, perfect for fishing. A reviewer at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground noted, “The lake is very nice and it's a very family park!”
  • Visiting Historical Sites: The Gettysburg area is rich in history. One visitor at Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA said, “This is a great campground in a great location and we can’t wait to go back!”

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at places like Codorus State Park Campground, where one reviewer said, “Spacious, beautiful, clean, quiet, easy, and lots to do and see.”
  • Clean Facilities: Clean bathrooms and well-maintained grounds are a big plus. A camper at Elk Neck State Park Campground mentioned, “The bathrooms are immaculate.”
  • Pet-Friendly Options: Many campgrounds allow pets, making it easier for families to bring their furry friends along. A reviewer at French Creek State Park Campground noted, “Very spacious sites. The paved parking spot was tight but a short walk down to the spacious fire pit picnic table area.”

What you should know:

  • Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Lums Pond State Park Campground, allow alcohol, while others do not. Be sure to check the rules before you go.
  • Site Levels: Not all sites are level, which can be tricky for RVs. A camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground mentioned, “Though it was rainy and chilly, we had fun hanging out at our site.”
  • Crowded Areas: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Codorus State Park Campground said, “I think a lot of people that really don't know campground etiquette come here.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds nearby. A family at Elk Neck State Park Campground enjoyed being “right there to play and watch” their kids.
  • Activities for Kids: Many campgrounds offer activities like mini-golf or scavenger hunts. A reviewer at Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA mentioned, “They have plenty of activities for the kids from swimming, mini golf, and a scavenger hunt!”
  • Quiet Hours: Make sure to respect quiet hours, especially in family-friendly areas. A camper at Codorus State Park Campground noted, “People don't understand quiet after 10 PM.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites before booking. A reviewer at Hersheypark Camping Resort said, “The ONLY good thing this RV park has going is the Hershey park bus that runs all day back and forth.”
  • Leveling Equipment: Bring leveling blocks if you have an RV, as some sites can be uneven. A camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground mentioned needing to make adjustments to level their camper.
  • Plan for Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have full amenities, so plan accordingly. A visitor at Owens Creek Campground noted, “The sites are very clean but close to each other.”

Camping near Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is camping allowed on Wrightsville Beach?

Camping directly on Wrightsville Beach is not permitted. Beach camping is generally restricted in this area due to conservation efforts and local ordinances. Instead, consider staying at nearby established campgrounds like Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground, which offers electric sites and updated bathrooms with convenient access to hiking trails and lakes. Alternatively, Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country provides camping options in the scenic Pennsylvania countryside while still allowing day trips to nearby beaches and water recreation areas.

What are the best camping spots at Wrightsville Beach?

While Wrightsville Beach itself doesn't offer direct beach camping, several excellent options are available nearby. Campground Island provides a unique island camping experience with tranquil waterfall sounds and wildlife viewing. The creek surrounds the entire campground, creating a peaceful atmosphere with good fishing opportunities. Another option to consider is Pequea Creek Campground, which offers picturesque sites with large, shaded spots and proximity to water activities like river tubing.

What camping facilities are available near Wrightsville Dam?

Near Wrightsville Dam, you'll find several campgrounds with excellent facilities. French Creek State Park Campground offers car camping spots, easy hiking trails, and lake access, making it perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts. The park provides a good balance of amenities while maintaining a natural setting. For those seeking more amenities, Hersheypark Camping Resort offers diverse camping options from full hookup sites to quieter spots along the river, with convenient access to water recreation and nearby attractions.