Best Campgrounds near Lancaster, PA

The area around Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has a mix of camping spots that work well for families. Pinch Pond Family Campground keeps kids busy with playgrounds and regular activities throughout the season. If you want more of a natural setting, French Creek State Park Campground sits within a 7,526-acre park with good hiking options. Many campers also head to Elk Neck State Park Campground, which has larger sites and staff who tend to be helpful with local information. Each place has different facilities depending on what you're looking for in a camping trip. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable camping weather in Lancaster. Summers get pretty hot and humid, so bring extra shade and cooling options if camping between June and August. Some places stay open in winter, but you'll find reduced services at most campgrounds. You can find hiking trails and fishing spots near most Lancaster camping areas. The town itself is close enough that you can easily get supplies or visit local attractions without a long drive. Lancaster camping works for both people who want organized campgrounds and those looking for quieter spots.

Best Camping Sites Near Lancaster, Pennsylvania (126)

    1. Thousand Trails Circle M

    19 Reviews
    Millersville, PA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    2. Old Mill Stream Campground

    14 Reviews
    Lampeter, PA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 299-2314

    "Clean campground with great access to Dutch Wonderland, outlets and other Lancaster County tourist attractions."

    "Tent sites are lined up along the water which is great for fishing (especially when you need to stay close to the littles sleeping in the tent). Lots of benches lined up along the water."

    3. Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort

    14 Reviews
    Concord, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 687-8181

    "Close to the tourist spots in Lancaster. Great views. Clean, friendly, and would definetly recommend!"

    "Our go to campground when visiting Lancaster. Right in the heart of all the shopping and antiques."

    4. Pequea Creek Campground

    13 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4587

    "Very quiet and close enough to Lancaster for shopping. Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground."

    "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."

    5. Country Acres Campground

    10 Reviews
    Concord, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 983-3064

    "This is a great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County and about a one-hour drive to Hersheypark. 

    Our site(# 837) was a good size for our motor home+ toad."

    "We had the best time in a site next to our son and his gal. We both had pop-ups. The sites were clean and lovely places to stay while we enjoyed the Amish sites in the area."

    6. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Quarryville

    19 Reviews
    Quarryville, PA
    16 miles
    +1 (717) 610-4505

    "We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."

    "The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."

    7. Beacon Hill Camping

    9 Reviews
    Concord, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 768-8775

    $46 - $60 / night

    "Located w/in walking distance of small town of Intercourse, PA, with plenty of shopping and Amish crafts. Very friendly people. Inexpensive stay."

    "Within walking distance are Amish shops, and guided tours into the Amish countryside. Restaurants are nearby. Clean and quiet area."

    8. Tucquan Park Family Campground

    12 Reviews
    Holtwood, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-2156

    "We had a great time relaxing as this is in the fields of Lancaster county. Very peaceful!"

    "Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."

    9. Otter Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 862-3628

    "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!"

    10. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Mount Gretna, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 665-7640

    "campground so inconveniently located (more on this later) right next to highway I76."

    "Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby. Fortunately our dog wasn’t bothered by the sound of gunshots and it’s only during the day."

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Showing results 1-10 of 126 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Lancaster, PA

914 Reviews of 126 Lancaster Campgrounds



Guide to Lancaster

Camping near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a fun-filled adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Many campgrounds, like French Creek State Park Campground, have trails for hiking and biking. One visitor mentioned, "Hiking and biking this park is fun. It's a great place to camp and enjoy downtime!"
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground is a great spot. A reviewer noted, "The lake is very nice and it's a very family park!"
  • Exploring History: The area is rich in history, especially around Gettysburg. The Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA is close to historic sites, making it easy to explore. One camper said, "This is a great campground in a great location and we can’t wait to go back!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean bathrooms and well-maintained sites. A visitor at Elk Neck State Park Campground remarked, "The bathrooms are immaculate."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites. A reviewer at Codorus State Park Campground mentioned, "Spacious, beautiful, clean, quiet, easy, and lots to do and see."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Blue Rocks Family Campground are known for being family-oriented. One camper said, "Beautiful campground! Very family-oriented and a great place for a weekend getaway in the woods!"

What you should know:

  • Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Elk Neck State Park Campground, do not allow alcohol. A camper noted, "Accessible and pet friendly. Great trails and great staff."
  • Site Levels: Be prepared for uneven sites at some campgrounds. A visitor at Locust Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Electric only, no water hookups. Small but very pretty lake with clean water."
  • Crowded Areas: Some campgrounds can get crowded, especially during peak seasons. A reviewer at Hersheypark Camping Resort said, "These RV sites are the tightest I have ever seen."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Blue Rocks Family Campground has a great playground and lots of activities. A visitor said, "The playground was great. Lots of activities."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to plan activities that everyone can enjoy. A camper at Lums Pond State Park Campground mentioned, "We went on a hike to check out the lighthouse."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep the kids happy. A reviewer at Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA noted, "The camp store was well-stocked."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites before booking. A visitor at Hersheypark Camping Resort said, "The spots are a little small, at least in the section where we stayed."
  • Use Leveling Blocks: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. A camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground mentioned, "Some weren’t level front to back so adjustments needed to be made to level camper."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of nearby attractions. A reviewer at French Creek State Park Campground noted, "Lots of neat things nearby such as an apple orchard."

Camping around Lancaster, PA, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled family trip, the campgrounds in the area have you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Lancaster, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lancaster, PA is Thousand Trails Circle M with a 3.9-star rating from 19 reviews.

What parks are near Lancaster, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Lancaster, PA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.