The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Harrisburg, PA

945 Reviews

Several good camping spots are within reach of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground draws many families with its clean sites and hiking trails nearby. Kids tend to have fun at Pinch Pond Family Campground, which has spaces that work for both tents and RVs. Caledonia State Park Campground feels more basic and quiet, with lots of trees and natural surroundings. Most campers find spring and fall are the best times to visit these places since the weather stays comfortable for outdoor activities. The summer gets pretty hot and sticky around Harrisburg, which can make camping less pleasant if you don't like the heat. Most of these campgrounds come with basic stuff like bathrooms, tables for eating, and fire rings. You won't have trouble finding these places - the roads are clearly marked and in good shape. It's always smart to look up whether any campgrounds close during certain seasons before you make plans.

Map showing campgrounds near Harrisburg, PennsylvaniaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (155)

    1. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $24 - $89 / night

    "My friends and I booked a spot at this campground after visiting Harrisburg, PA."

    "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."

    2. Hersheypark Camping Resort

    27 Reviews
    Hummelstown, PA
    10 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."

    3. Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, PA
    15 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. Thousand Trails Hershey

    21 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    19 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."

    5. Little Buffalo State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    New Bloomfield, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 567-9255

    $26 - $102 / night

    "A playground is near bathhouse in the campground, along with several hiking trails. The dump station is easily accessible. Firewood is also available for purchase at the campground."

    "The driving path is gravel with a steep hill at the end so if you can help it I would avoid sites 32,34,36 as they are VERY difficult to back into with larger rigs."

    6. Harrisburg East Campground

    2 Reviews
    Steelton, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 939-4331

    $84 - $94 / night

    "The sites that were close to the interstate were noisy from traffic. Also it was close to Harrisburg International Airport so planes also made it noisy at times."

    "The highway bordered it on one side and while we were on the other side of the campground we could still hear the noise if our door was open. Our site was level, but many were not."

    7. Riverfront Campground

    4 Reviews
    Duncannon, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 834-5252

    "Great river front location! Could be a bit muddy depending on the river. The train does run right near all night long, but I find it soothing. Bath houses are a bit rough, hence the 4 stars."

    8. River Rock Recreation

    5 Reviews
    Bainbridge, PA
    15 miles
    Website

    $75 - $90 / night

    "There is no on site running water or electric but they did leave us with a 5 gallon water jug and a 5 gallon shower bag to use in the outside shower."

    "https://www.riverrockadv.com/#/ I was fortunate enough to find this local gem while browsing“camping near me”. Not only that, my unlucky butt won a 2 night stay there!"

    9. Lower Allen Community Park

    1 Review
    Lewisberry, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 975-7575

    $10 - $25 / night

    "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."

    10. Camp Hebron

    2 Reviews
    Halifax, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 896-3441

    $26 - $85 / night

    "Nice pool and lots of hiking trails. The sites have lots of tree cover and they are private. This place does not have many amenities as far as crafts and "drop off the kids" activities."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 155 campgrounds

Recent Camping Photos near Harrisburg, PA

402 Photos of 155 Harrisburg Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Harrisburg, PA

945 Reviews of 155 Harrisburg Campgrounds

Guide to Harrisburg

Camping near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to escape into nature.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the numerous trails available in the area. At French Creek State Park Campground, one reviewer noted, "Hiking and biking this park is fun. It's a great place to camp and enjoy downtime!"
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, provide access to lakes for fishing. A visitor shared, "The lake is very nice and it's a very family park!"
  • Historical Sites: Visit nearby Gettysburg for a dose of history. Campers at Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA mentioned, "Just 15-minutes to historic sites, restaurants, and breweries."

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Codorus State Park Campground. One review said, "The sites are fairly large and they do have some full hookup sites which is nice."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, such as Caledonia State Park Campground, are praised for their cleanliness. A visitor remarked, "I was very impressed with the cleanliness of the campground, privacy from other campers and the amenities they offered."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpful staff at places like Hersheypark Camping Resort. One guest noted, "The security guard patrols the park at night, and he was very nice!"

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Some campgrounds, like Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, have strict rules against alcohol. A camper mentioned, "This park is one of our favorites! We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side."
  • Site Proximity: Campers at Locust Lake State Park Campground noted that sites can be close together. One review stated, "We felt very squished together with our neighbors."
  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, including Cowans Gap State Park Campground, have little to no cell service. A visitor shared, "There is none. NONE. No AT&T, no Verizon, no TMobile."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. At Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA, families enjoyed "mini golf and a few other games."
  • Safety First: Ensure kids know campground rules, especially about noise. One parent at Codorus State Park Campground mentioned, "People don't understand quiet after 10 PM."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food and snacks, as some campgrounds may not have markets nearby. A camper at Caledonia State Park Campground noted, "There are lots of neat things around such as an apple orchard."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Some sites can be unlevel, so be prepared to adjust. A visitor at Hersheypark Camping Resort said, "Our site was very unlevel, but we made it work."
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. Campers at French Creek State Park Campground appreciated the "fifty amp hookups."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds, like Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground, have limited stores. A camper advised, "Bring everything you are planning to have in with you."

Camping near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic experience for everyone involved!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Harrisburg, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harrisburg, PA is Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 55 reviews.

What parks are near Harrisburg, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Harrisburg, PA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

Keep Exploring