Camping sites near York Springs, Pennsylvania are concentrated within a 30-mile radius, with many positioned within the Michaux State Forest region at elevations between 500-1,000 feet. Winter temperatures in this area often drop below freezing from December through February, creating limited off-season camping opportunities. Most campgrounds in the York Springs vicinity sit along the eastern edge of Pennsylvania's fruit belt, known for its apple orchards and rolling terrain.
What to do
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground provides direct access to the Appalachian Trail at its midpoint. "We did a very nice run from our campsite out to the scenic viewpoint on top of Pole Steeple (about 7ish miles). The lake is great to jump in and cool off after a summer run," notes Carly E.
Fishing in stocked waters: The lakes at Codorus State Park Campground offer ample fishing opportunities. According to Sarah L., "The lake is large and fun to explore in the boat. We didn't actually get to swim because there were signs everywhere saying no swimming, but we dipped our legs in."
Historical tours: When staying near Gettysburg, battlefield tours are a must. A camper at Artillery Ridge Campground shared, "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."
Creek exploration for kids: At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, Emily recommends "A creek to fish or splash in. My husband loved finding frogs and fish. Lots of activities going on even during the week."
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural settings at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground. Julie Y. commented, "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."
Family activities: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm gets high marks for its animal encounters. One camper shared, "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires. The weather is perfect right now highs reaching low 80s, so the evenings are super lovely!"
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the cleanliness at most state park facilities. At Caledonia State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "Very nice campground with clean bathrooms and showers. Nice creek for the kids to play on a hot day. Great spot for kids."
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "The fireflies were amazing and there were few mosquitoes even in mid-July. If you have kids and like to camp it's a great place to let them roam," wrote Leah C. about Caledonia State Park.
What you should know
Site privacy varies widely: At Gettysburg Campground, sites can be tight. One camper observed, "Small sites! But tons to do! It is a wonderful place to have Kids. tons of things for them to do. we were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river."
Seasonal closures affect most campgrounds: While the existing description mentions some seasonal dates, it's worth noting that year-round options are extremely limited. Caledonia State Park is open all year, but facilities may be reduced and, as Sarah C. warns, "We arrived once the sun had gone down and the park was poorly lit and nearly impossible to navigate."
Water features have restrictions: Several lakes in the region have swimming limitations. At Codorus State Park, Sarah L. noted, "We didn't actually get to swim because there were signs everywhere saying no swimming, but we dipped our legs in."
Weather impacts: This region receives significant rainfall during summer storm season. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, a camper mentioned, "Some areas flood when it rains hard." Plan accordingly with proper equipment.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access for cooling off: During hot summer days, campgrounds with pools provide relief. At Gettysburg/Battlefield KOA, a camper shared, "Amazing family campsites. Staff is super friendly, amenities are perfect and super clean. A lot of activities for the entire family."
Animal interactions: For kids who love animals, Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm stands out. "We LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times. Beyond that though, we found there wasn't too much to do," notes a visitor.
Playground options: Most campgrounds offer play areas. At Mountain Creek, a reviewer mentioned, "Family friendly campground, lots of weekend activities, great pool, well stocked campstore, playground. Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters."
Site selection for families: Choose carefully when traveling with children. At Deer Run Campgrounds, a camper advised, "Fun campground! Only complaint is that the sites are not marked very well so it can be confusing to which spot is yours."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Many sites offer electric but not full hookups. At Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Adam P. notes, "If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up."
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging navigation. At Gettysburg/Battlefield KOA, a camper mentioned, "We stayed in site 55. Big site but hard to get into. There are a couple of pull thru sites that are much easier."
Big rig considerations: Larger RVs may find some campgrounds challenging. Jim G. from Gettysburg Campground advised, "The amenities of Gettysburg Campground are quite good: full hookups with cable, all working as expected. Level sites, friendly and efficient staff, decently sized sites long enough for my 32' coach and a toad."
Campground layout: Many RVers note that seasonal sites dominate some campgrounds. At Deer Run, a reviewer observed, "Some sites are close together or have trees that make it hard to get certain rigs in. A lot of seasonal sites."
