Lampeter, Pennsylvania camping locations reflect the region's rural character, surrounded by rolling farmland at approximately 400 feet elevation. The area experiences moderate rainfall year-round with summer night temperatures often dropping into the 60s, creating comfortable sleeping conditions in tents. Most campsites near Lampeter, Pennsylvania have gravel or grass pads and are located within a 20-minute drive of town.
What to do
Explore creek activities: At Pequea Creek Campground, visitors can wade, tube, or fish in the gentle waters. "Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun," notes one camper at Pequea Creek.
Visit Amish countryside: Beacon Hill Camping provides direct access to Amish culture with walking paths to nearby communities. "Within walking distance of small town of Intercourse, PA, with plenty of shopping and Amish crafts," says a visitor who appreciated the location.
Water recreation: Thousand Trails Circle M offers river-based activities during summer months. "The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks! We didn't know but went and bought a tube and spent the day on the river!" reports one guest.
Disc golf course: Muddy Run Rec Park features a well-designed course as part of its recreation options. "A very well laid out and up kept disc golf course" is available according to a regular visitor who appreciates this less common camping amenity.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Country Acres Campground maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms and shower facilities. A camper noted, "This campground is probably the most well maintained campground we have ever stayed at. The grounds are beautiful, facilities above and beyond the expected."
Themed events: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville organizes special activities throughout the season. "The park throughout the year has activities and events that are fun for the whole family, my favorites being the Halloween fest in October and a Native American Pow wow," shares a frequent visitor.
Creek-side camping: Pequea Creek Campground offers sites with direct water access. "We had site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail. We enjoyed the birds singing in the mornings and welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek," writes a recent guest.
Quiet atmosphere: Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort provides a peaceful setting along a small stream. "We had a nice site that backed up to a creek. Very scenic and laid back campground," comments a visitor who appreciated the tranquility.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Muddy Run Rec Park, water hookups require planning. "Make sure you have a long hose for water hookup. Water pumps were spaced pretty far and we needed at least a 100 ft hose to reach," advises a camper who learned this through experience.
Seasonal pricing: Most campgrounds in the area charge premium rates from May through September. Old Mill Stream Campground charges "$45/night (high season) for a tent site with no hookups" according to one visitor who found this somewhat steep.
Agricultural scents: Farm odors can impact camping experiences in this agricultural region. "The overwhelming impression of this campground was the smell of cow manure from the nearby dairy farm feedlot. The smell was not present the first day or so we were there and we enjoyed sitting outside in the afternoon, but when the wind shifted the horrid smell drove us inside."
Reservation requirements: Country Acres Campground fills quickly during peak season. "We tent camp and the site was booked over the phone and we got there and the site was wooded and not enough room for our big tent, but they left us change sites and were very nice," notes a camper who recommends calling ahead.
Tips for camping with families
Water parks: Jellystone Park features extensive water recreation facilities for children. "The water park is super fun for adults and kids. The entire campground is clean and very well maintained," reports a family that visited during summer.
Playground access: Tucquan Park Family Campground maintains play areas for various age groups. "This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basketball court," describes a visitor with young children.
Age-appropriate campgrounds: Some locations specifically cater to family demographics. "This is a nice, family oriented campground. They had a lot of events that people participated in like candy bar and regular bingo, corn hole and horse shoe tournaments and a dj," notes a Tucquan Park guest with four children.
Budget-friendly activities: Old Mill Stream Campground provides access to affordable entertainment. "Nice campground with a creek that runs along the backside of the campground! Even though the amusement park wasn't open yet, kids still had a good time! The grounds are clean and there's also a small playground and basketball court!"
Tips from RVers
Concrete pads: Thousand Trails Circle M offers premium parking surfaces at select sites. "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level. It is absolutely beautiful out. The grounds are well-kept," writes an RV owner who stayed recently.
Site leveling: Spring Gulch Resort Campground requires preparation for uneven terrain. "Lots were a bit uneven, but pull through which was nice," notes a camper who appreciated the convenience despite the challenge.
Site spacing concerns: Old Mill Stream Campground has varying site dimensions. "Each site has a firepit and picnic table. The site was plenty long for our 45' RV and tow car," explains an RVer who found adequate room for their large vehicle.
Cell service reliability: Beacon Hill Camping provides consistent connectivity. "AT&T service is good. Wifi at our site was a bit weak," reports a recent visitor, noting that even with weaker WiFi, cellular service remained strong for those needing to stay connected.