154 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Jacobus, Pennsylvania range from large state park facilities to private year-round campgrounds, all within an hour's drive. State parks dominate the landscape, with Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offering 339 sites around Pinchot Lake about 20 miles northeast of Jacobus. This large park features tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts with lakefront options that campers particularly value. Codorus State Park Campground, located 15 miles southwest near Hanover, provides similar amenities with water recreation opportunities. Private campgrounds like Cedar Lake Family Campground in Dover and Indian Rock Campgrounds in York supplement the state park options with year-round availability and varying levels of amenities from primitive tent sites to full-service RV hookups.
Pennsylvania's seasonal camping patterns heavily influence availability in the Jacobus area. Most state parks operate from April through October, with Gifford Pinchot opening the second Friday in April and closing October 31. Heavy rainfall in spring can affect site conditions, particularly at campgrounds near creeks and rivers. One camper noted at Pequea Creek Campground: "Beautiful picturesque campground with large spots and a lot of trees. Very quiet and close enough to Lancaster for shopping." Reservations become essential during summer weekends and holidays, with lakeside sites at Gifford Pinchot booking months in advance. Winter camping options are limited primarily to year-round private facilities like Cedar Lake.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest praise from campers visiting the region. At Gifford Pinchot, sites along the peninsula (particularly site 116) offer prime locations for water access. According to one visitor: "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." Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with some locations near highways or train tracks experiencing disruption. Bathhouse quality differs widely across facilities, with state parks generally maintaining clean but basic amenities. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, swimming areas, and hiking trails are common at most established campgrounds, with Gifford Pinchot's beach area and disc golf courses receiving particular praise.
"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 $24 - $89 / night
Check Availability"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 $24 - $280 / 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!"
"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."
"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."
from $45 - $279 / night
Check Availability"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"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."
"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 . "
"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."
ScoutPicked the nicest days of the week. Got here and the carousel, Ferris wheel, restaurant, and ice cream shoppe are closed. They are apparently only open 2 days a week, maybe 3. I would have just went down the road to the KOA had I not known this.
ScoutThis campsite was amazing for our first tent camping experience. The park was a godsend for keeping our toddler occupied and we felt very safe overall. While the beach is pretty, be careful about the water condition. We were warned before entering and informed of the risks. They were very clear on the condition of the water that day which was a yellow, slight risk. But normally it should be okay. We would definitely camp here again.
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
ScoutFor $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
GuideWe used to camp here 30+ years ago. Nice that it hasn't changed much. Still has a game room with pool table, driving games, skeet ball, etc. No more pinball games like in the past. Apparently in the 1930 there was a working train around the campground, a restaurant and horse shoes - none of which are at present.
Sites are quite small. I thought our neighbor's awning was going to hit our RV, and that ours might hit the next neighbor's RV. In some parts the campers are also back to back, luckily ours is not.
They have wi-fi but you must pay for it, no free service. No cable TV (which is the norm these days). Good cell reception so you will need that or a Starlink to stream shows.
Staff are friendly. Sites are pretty level. The campground itself is rather pretty with trees, grassy areas, playgrounds for kids, etc. Lots of lightning bugs at night, and birds during the day.
At night it's interesting to walk around as so many seasonal and permanent campers have lights around their campers, trees, etc. Almost like walking around one of those light up parks they do around Christmas.
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....
Campsites near Jacobus, Pennsylvania cater to diverse camping styles within a rural backdrop of rolling farmland and forested areas. The region sits at elevations between 400-800 feet, with summertime temperatures averaging 78-85°F during peak camping season. Fall camping brings cooler temperatures and colorful foliage, while spring often features significant rainfall that affects creek-side camping locations.
Trail access from camp: At Otter Creek Campground, proximity to multiple trails provides easy hiking options. "The campground's close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal!" reports Gerald B. Trails range from easy riverfront paths to more challenging terrain.
Disc golf courses: Enthusiasts can find two complete 18-hole courses at Gifford Pinchot State Park. One camper notes, "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge."
River activities: The Susquehanna River offers kayaking and fishing opportunities at several campgrounds. "The boat launch is in great shape and with the close islands makes it great to put the kayaks in this huge gorgeous river! Then throw in Otter Creek... it's a great adventure paddling up the creek," shares Sean M. about his experience at Otter Creek Campground.
Farm animal interactions: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm offers unique farm experiences for campers. "If you love farm animals, that is the spot to be. 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," explains Robert M.
Waterfront access: Creek and riverfront sites consistently receive high marks. At Pequea Creek Campground, campers appreciate the natural water features: "We brought our 7 year old and we visited the playgrounds, hiked the trails and explored the creek area. Boat ramp near by, we had site 54 which was nice and private," reports Jessica A.
Private wooded sites: Many campers value separation between sites. "We have camped here several times and love the waterfront sites and the yurts," notes Tom F. about Gifford Pinchot State Park. For tent campers, shaded sites are particularly valuable during summer months.
Weekend activities: Cedar Lake Family Campground receives praise for its organized events. "This campground has it all, friendly staff, activities galore, cleanliness, & fun, fun, fun," writes Laurie D. The campground maintains year-round availability, making it popular for off-season camping.
Site variety: Most campgrounds offer multiple terrain options. As one camper at Codorus State Park Campground describes, "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."
Reservation policies: Many campgrounds have unique site selection methods. At Thousand Trails Circle M, "As with all thousand trails, this campground is first come best site. While the top part of the campground seemed more communal, we chose the lower, Riverside sites and we're glad we did!"
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between parks. "There was one main bathhouse with flushing toilets, running water and pay showers. It was $0.50 for 6 minutes as per the sign however when I put my quarters in I got 7 minutes on the clock!" reports Jen R. about Otter Creek Campground.
Weather impacts: Spring rainfall affects low-lying campsites significantly. "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground," warns a camper at Circle M. Consider booking elevated sites during rainy seasons.
Wildlife awareness: Snakes and insects require caution. "This area (central PA in general) tends to have a lot of rattlesnakes, and we spotted one about 20 feet off the trail in a downed wood pile - cool, but a little terrifying!" shares one visitor to the region.
Kid-friendly camping areas: Some loops and sections cater specifically to families. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," writes Julie Y. about Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground.
Activity options: Campgrounds with multiple recreation choices keep children engaged. "We have visited 5x this year. Wooded sites, open sites, tent sites. All great!" notes Amy R. about Cedar Lake Family Campground, where fishing in the stocked lake is particularly popular with families.
Swimming options: Not all water features permit swimming. At Codorus State Park, "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," explains Catherine H.
Playground accessibility: For parents wanting easy playground access, site selection matters. "The pool through RV sites are in the centerfield and kind of exposed to the elements but you are right across from the pool and right across from an amazing playground," notes one camper about their experience.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have terrain variations. "Roads are narrow, but the sites are large and level. The lake is nice and they stock it with trout," reports Nate J. about Cedar Lake Family Campground.
Hookup availability: Electric options vary between parks. "No water but the bath house was close and very clean," reports Kevin M. about Codorus State Park. Most established campgrounds offer at least electric hookups, with full hookups available at select sites.
RV size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. Indian Rock Campgrounds has limited space for larger vehicles, while parks like Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA can handle bigger RVs: "Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too!"
Off-season options: Year-round camping opportunities exist primarily at private campgrounds. Cedar Lake operates throughout the year, while most state parks close between late October and April. Winter camping requires preparation for limited water access and potential freezing conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Jacobus, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jacobus, PA is Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 57 reviews.
Keep Exploring
