162 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania sits within reach of several campground options ranging from state parks to private RV resorts. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground provides developed sites with electric hookups, featuring both tent and RV camping along with cabin accommodations approximately 20 miles southeast of town. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground, located about 25 minutes southwest of Mechanicsburg, offers similar accommodations in a forested setting. The region includes a mix of public and private campgrounds, with options for glamping and yurt stays at places like Mountain Creek Camp Ground, catering to various camping preferences from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV pads.
Seasonal operations impact campground availability throughout the area, with most facilities operating from spring through fall. Gifford Pinchot remains open from April through October, while Pine Grove Furnace extends its season from March to mid-December. "The sites are not marked very well so it can be confusing to which spot is yours," noted one camper about Deer Run Campgrounds, highlighting the importance of careful site selection. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and occasional thunderstorms. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially for weekend stays during peak summer months. Cell service is generally reliable near developed areas but may become spotty in more remote camping locations.
Campers frequently mention water access as a significant advantage when staying in the region. Lower Allen Community Park provides primitive tent sites along Yellow Breeches Creek, where "you can put in a few miles up and float down to your site," according to visitor feedback. Family-friendly amenities appear consistently across several campgrounds, with swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities available at larger private facilities like Deer Run Campgrounds. Site privacy varies considerably between locations, with state parks generally offering more spacious arrangements than private campgrounds. Several reviews note that private campgrounds often have tightly packed sites, particularly for RVs, while state park campgrounds typically provide more separation between campsites and better access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and other outdoor recreation opportunities.
"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 $20 - $89 / night
Check Availability"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."
"It’s at the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail so there are lots of great hikes as well as a nice path between the two lakes. Our new favorite in Pennsylvania!"
"We were right at the intersection near the campground entrance and one of the other loops, but it wasn't noisy at all. The drinking water was right next to our site, which was handy."
from $20 - $43 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $26 - $151 / night
Check Availability"This central Pa campground is located a short drive to many attractions. Amish Country, Hershey, Gettysburg, and winerys are within 40 min drive. There are many things to do at the campground, also."
"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"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."
"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."
"Campsites could be further apart and there's only one bathhouse and it's at the entrance."
"Two bath houses, one near the entrance and one in the way back. May not be anything fancy or new, but they are clean. Staff needed to be reminded about activities scheduled during the week."
ScoutThe campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
ScoutThe area is very nice and so are the people. The sites are clean and the livestock are a cool sight to see
RangerWe stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
TravelerThere was no hot water in the showers. There are no dog poo stations. There is a dumpster marked “STAFF ONLY”. It’s nice they have a place to stuff the staff!
ScoutThis campground is nothing as stated in the reviews. And now I know why. The one review on here besides mine is from the owner. The bathrooms are not clean. I was told for Labor Day weekend I could stay for two nights had reserved and all. They then abruptly cancelled my reservation and took three days to respond and say I could have a different cabin and tent sight but would need to stay three nights because of the holiday. They also charged a cleaning for a service pet which is not legal. We then showed up and were the only people staying that weren’t seasonal site people and very not welcomed. The first comment made was here come the weekend warriors. We look at the cabin which was ironically filthy and covered in mouse poop yet we got charged a cleaning fee. The grass was not mowed the porter potty’s so gross bugs are crawling in the bottom. The camp store was closed during the car show they had and when we asked when it will be open they stated it will not. It was 1 pm on a Saturday. The reservation process was unorganized. The playground was not mowed or weed whacked and a slide is ratchet strapped together. I would not recommend this place to anyone.
TravelerOMG! Next to busy interstate, railroad tracks and shooting range. Way to much for me!
ScoutWe absolutely loved it. The camp spaces were a nice and spread out lot not congested actually it was really nobody here which I can’t believe because the place is absolutely beautiful. There is a little bit of noise from route 30 during the day, but you don’t hear really anything at night Plus there is a really great bar/restaurant about 100 yards away. Called Yionnis and their food is actually delicious.
TravelerThis campground is a great place to bring kids. The spots are a little tight but we were able to get our 46’ toy hauler in the spot with very little effort. Because the sites are back-in, we can’t use our rear patio but that is ok. The pool is very nice and the farm atmosphere makes it very fun for kids.
TravelerThe sites ard nice, it's run by Mennonites, I believe. Lots of recreation for kids, quiet time respected and a service on Sunday morning. Full hookups for a very reasonable price.
Camping options near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania extend through Central Pennsylvania's unique limestone valley landscape, with elevations ranging from 400-800 feet above sea level. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer daytime temperatures typically reaching 85-90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. The region's proximity to the Appalachian Trail creates numerous camping possibilities with varying terrain and accessibility requirements.
Hiking opportunities: Pine Grove Furnace State Park offers exceptional trail access as it serves as the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail. "There is a lake where you can swim or fish! You can also visit the Furnace and the AT Museum, make sure you hear the store about the first through hikers!!!" notes one visitor to Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground.
Water recreation: While swimming pools are common at many campgrounds, natural water features provide alternative recreation. At Lower Allen Community Park, campers appreciate the creek access: "Cute site in a local township park that not many people know about. The sites sit right along the Yellow Breeches creak so you can put in a few miles up and float down to your site."
Historical exploration: The region offers rich historical context beyond just camping. The Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm provides a unique farm experience while being situated near historical sites. A camper noted, "It's not too far from historic Gettysburg yet. We haven't traveled into historic Gettysburg yet, but it's not too far from here."
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds feature farm animals that appeal to visitors. At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, campers report: "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires."
Lake activities: Fishing opportunities exist at multiple locations around Mechanicsburg. Cedar Lake Family Campground maintains a stocked lake: "The lake is nice and they stock it with trout. The animal area could stand a good cleaning, but my little one enjoyed them."
Trail connectivity: The network of trails connecting campgrounds to natural areas provides extended recreation options. One visitor to Mountain Creek Camp Ground mentioned: "Besides the above there is access to hiking trails that connect to the AT, plenty of organized activities for kids, fishing and mini golf."
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby railroad tracks. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, multiple campers mention train noise as a concern: "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!"
Site privacy varies: Campground density differs significantly between locations. A visitor at Little Buffalo State Park Campground observed: "Campground was small, clean and quiet. The showers kinda sucked since you it had water limits on them that only last 20 seconds before you had to hit the button again. But they were extremely clean."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate within specific seasons. Little Buffalo State Park Campground operates year-round, while others like Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground run from March to mid-December, allowing late-season camping compared to other facilities.
Water-based activities: Families frequently mention water access as a priority. At Cedar Lake Family Campground, reviews highlight the family atmosphere: "This campground has it all, friendly staff, activities galore, cleanliness, & fun, fun, fun."
Bathroom facilities: When camping with children, clean bathroom facilities become especially important. One camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort noted: "It had really nice bathrooms and showers. The washers and dryers work awesome, grateful for that!"
Organized activities: Structured programs keep children engaged during camping trips. A visitor to Mountain Creek Camp Ground shared: "Family friendly campground, lots of weekend activities, great pool, well stocked campstore, playground. Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters."
Hookup options: RV sites offer various hookup configurations across campgrounds. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, campers appreciate the services: "Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too!"
Site spacing concerns: RV campers frequently comment on site proximity. One RVer at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA observed: "This is a large KOA with lots of sites, set on a hilly/'tiered' landscape with winding roads. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of trees and separation between many sites."
Campground navigation: Layout and road design affect RV maneuvering. A camper at Deer Run Campgrounds mentioned: "The signs/directions posted are...not very helpful, and you can easily find yourself face-to-face with someone driving a golf cart from the opposite direction or kids running around through the road, so be very careful."
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Mechanicsburg, PA?
Mechanicsburg offers convenient access to several campgrounds. Cracker Barrel — Mechanicsburg provides overnight parking for RVs with a spacious lot that's larger than most chain restaurant locations. For those seeking traditional camping experiences, Shady Oak Campground is nearby with full hookups and extremely friendly staff. The area also features Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park, conveniently located near major highways, and Cedar Lake Family Campground in Dover. If you're looking for more overnight parking options, The Home Depot in Lower Paxton is another possibility for self-contained RVs passing through the area.
Is tent camping available near Mechanicsburg?
Tent camping is readily available near Mechanicsburg. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground offers excellent tent camping with electric sites and updated bathrooms. Located at the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail, it provides numerous hiking opportunities and access to two lakes. Campground Island is another peaceful option where you can tent camp on an island surrounded by creek waters, perfect for fishing and enjoying wildlife. Additional tent camping can be found at Mountain Creek Camp Ground near Gardners and Little Buffalo State Park Campground, both offering water access and reservable sites within a reasonable drive from Mechanicsburg.
Are there full hook-up RV camping options near Mechanicsburg?
Hersheypark Camping Resort offers full hook-up sites with convenient access to Hershey attractions. The campground features various site options, including neatly arranged full hook-up areas and quieter spots by the river. Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country provides another excellent full hook-up option in nearby Amish country. Other full hook-up options in the region include Pequea Creek Campground with its large, tree-filled sites and quiet atmosphere, and Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA with big-rig-friendly sites. Most of these campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer months and weekends.
What state parks can I visit near Mechanicsburg, PA?
Gifford Pinchot State Park is a favorite state park near Mechanicsburg, featuring lakeside camping with stunning sunset views. The park offers clean facilities, a beautiful lake for recreation, and accommodations for small campers. Little Buffalo State Park is another excellent option with boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access. Slightly further but worth the drive is Cunningham Falls State Park, known for its proximity to Camp David and featuring great campsites with access to hiking trails. These state parks offer a range of outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating during the peak season, typically April through October.
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