Tent Camping near Jonestown, PA

Tent campsites near Jonestown, Pennsylvania sit within the Lebanon Valley, where elevations range from 400 to 500 feet and summer temperatures average 80-85°F during peak camping season. Winter camping options are limited, with most campgrounds closing between November and March. Seasonal access restrictions apply at many locations with unpaved tent sites becoming muddy after rainfall.

What to do

Kayaking on creeks: At Lower Allen Community Park, kayakers can put in upstream and float down to their campsite along Yellow Breeches Creek. A camper noted, "Cute site in a local township park that not many people know about. You can put in a few miles up and float down to your site."

Wildlife viewing: Visit Conowingo Dam near Susquehannock State Park Campground to spot eagles. "There's a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles. There are amazing wildflowers on that trail," explains one reviewer.

Fishing access: Most creek-side tent sites provide fishing opportunities. The children's pond at Hibernia County Park is restricted to anglers 12 and under. A camper mentions, "Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too."

Trail hiking: Several campgrounds connect to hiking networks. Susquehannock State Park offers "lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River" with "two amazing specimen trees" according to one visitor.

What campers like

Creekside cooling: Tent campers appreciate waterside sites during summer heat. A Mill Creek Camping Area visitor shared, "Campsite for where we stayed is down by the creek making for a cooler camping experience and love the sound of water flowing at night."

Budget-friendly options: Many tent campgrounds near Jonestown offer affordable rates. Hibernia County Park charges $15 per night for primitive sites. One camper noted, "Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups."

Paddle boarding access: Waterfront camping at Mauch Chunk Lake Park allows direct water access. "You can get sites right on the water that are nice size. If you go during the week, it's quite calm. I like that I can launch my paddle board from my sight and the water is so clean and clear," reports one visitor.

Privacy variations: Walk-in tent sites typically offer more seclusion. A Shambala at Mystic Hollow visitor noted, "Shambala at Mystic Hollow offers great creekside campsites for anyone looking to pitch a tent and enjoy some time by the water."

What you should know

Bathroom facilities vary: Toilet options range from pit toilets to full facilities. At Hibernia County Park, "There are only pit toilets in Fiddler's loop, however there is a bathroom with running water, flush toilets and electric outlets (no shower) within walking distance of the loop."

Site types differ: Tent camping in this region includes standard drive-up, walk-in, and boat-in options. At Lower Allen Community Park, "The sites sit right along the Yellow Breeches creak so you can put in a few miles up and float down to your site. There is parking right there."

Weekend crowds: Expect more activity and noise on weekends. A Mauch Chunk Lake Park visitor cautioned, "We visited in the summer on a weekend when it was full. The campsites are too close to each other and we were surrounded by very loud campers."

Trail traffic: Hikers sometimes pass through camping areas. One Mill Creek visitor warned, "Hikers take any trail instead of marked trails regardless of families camping in private areas. When I made the reservation it was noted that hikers were not allowed on campsites."

Tips for camping with families

Lake swimming: Hibernia County Park Lake Campground offers family-friendly water activities. A parent shared, "We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. The lake is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails."

Playground proximity: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment. A parent at Hibernia noted, "The park ranger this weekend was the nicest and very helpful with directions to walk to the playground and indoor restrooms."

Site selection: Choose sites away from hiking paths if privacy is important. One camper cautioned, "The campground is ON the hiking trail so everyone doing the loop walks along the sites. Including people with dogs off leash."

Group camping: Susquehannock State Park offers dedicated areas for organized group tenting, making it suitable for scout troops or family reunions.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookups: Most tent-focused campgrounds offer minimal RV amenities. At Hibernia County Park, "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."

Site leveling challenges: Many tent sites near Jonestown require effort to accommodate RVs. At Hibernia, "Though at first glance the sites don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper. They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."

Dump station access: Plan for off-site dumping. A Hibernia visitor warned, "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home."