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Best Tent Camping near Mercersburg, PA

965 Reviews

Tent campsites along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park provide the primary primitive tent camping options near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. Horseshoe Bend Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite offers tent-only accommodations with walk-in access approximately 10 miles from Mercersburg, while Antietam Creek Campground provides riverside tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings within a short drive of the area.

Most primitive tent sites in the region require hikers or cyclists to carry in their own gear, as parking is often located some distance from the actual campsites. The Horseshoe Bend site includes basic amenities like drinking water and toilets but prohibits fires and pets. Antietam Creek Campground features more developed facilities with picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets, though campers must park on the road and carry equipment to their sites. A visitor commented, "You have to park on the road and haul all of your stuff across the field and over the fence so it's not exactly easy to get all of your equipment at the campsite."

Backcountry tent camping in this region offers direct access to the Potomac River and C&O Canal towpath, creating opportunities for multi-day hiking or cycling adventures. Many sites provide shaded areas under mature trees, though privacy between campsites can be limited. The Antietam Creek area features tent sites positioned along the river with easy water access, making it popular with paddlers and those seeking water-based recreation. Sites at Horseshoe Bend provide a more secluded experience with fewer amenities but greater solitude. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Small campsite but no one else was there, so it was perfect. There is a porta potty, water pump, and picnic table. Wonderful spot on the river."

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Best Tent Sites Near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania (29)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Mercersburg, PA

28 Photos of 29 Mercersburg Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Mercersburg, PA

965 Reviews of 29 Mercersburg Campgrounds

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    Nice hiking opportunities!

    Ranger Review: Firebiner and Fiber Light Fire Starter at Greenbrier State Park

    **Campground Review: **

    We were here one week before this campground closed for the season (open April through October) and it was so quiet that it was hard to imagine what it is like in the summer when the beach is open and the campground is likely full. There are four loops; two with no hookups and no pets allowed, one with no hookups that allow pets and one with electric sites that allow pets. Each site is clearly defined, and the sites all appeared level with gravel pads. The bathrooms were reasonable. There are several trails in the campground plus it is close to several AT day hikes.

    There is a large day-use area and beach with lots of picnic tables. While the beach was closed for swimming, we saw a kayaker and two people fishing from a boat. Many hiking trails and this is an excellent place to camp if you’d like to do AT day hikes.

    ------------------------- 

    Product Review: 

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I have the opportunity to test products. At this campground, we tested the Firebiner and Fiber Light Fire Starter by Outdoor Elements. I’m reviewing both products since they can be used together, and we had much more luck with one than the other. 

    Upon unpacking my box from Outdoor Elements, my first experience was that it took a sharp knife to free the Firebiner from its cardboard backing, which was not an auspicious start. Once at our campground, we were able to use the safety blade to easily open the plastic packaging on our firewood. Unfortunately, it took several tries by two men trying the Firebiner to get a spark; they had to really crank on it, and it was not enough to light a fire. I’m guessing that with more patience and practice, it would have worked. Admittedly, we are car campers and not backpackers (and have the luxury of being able to carry/use a butane lighter), but I was looking forward to trying a new method. 

    We did use the Fiber Light Fire Starter and using our tried and true fire-starting methods, we got a roaring fire started very quickly. So, we had a 50% success! Packed in a small tin, you only need a pinch to easily get a fire started so we will use this in the future. 

    We also used the cutting tool on the Firebiner a few days later to remove the wristband from an activity we participated in and also used it to hang our lantern on a hook; this little tool is very strong (did not test but appreciate the 100-pound weight limit). I appreciate that it can also be used as a screwdriver, so the Firebiner is truly a multi-use tool!

  • Michelle N.
    Aug. 13, 2020

    Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

    Great Site Along the Potomac River

    Stayed one night on 8/9.

    This is such a nice little spot right along the Potomac River. All sites are walk-in only, which means you park on the street, cross the bridge over the C&O and towpath, and then down a little hill to your site. When my dog and I arrived, someone was still there, but after letting them know I had this spot reserved, they promptly packed out. There were no camp hosts on-site and nowhere to check in. 

    There isn't much privacy between you and your neighbors (or the C&O towpath so be prepared to see bikers, walkers, and runners). Each site has a grill, fire pit, and picnic table. I stayed at Site 11 which had its own path down to the Potomac River. It was quite steep for my bum knees and ankles, but I saw kids easily run up and down it. The Potomac is mostly flat with some "swirlies" for experienced paddlers. I also saw some people tubing. 

    There's one bathroom area- 2 pit toilets and 2 portapotties. There is nowhere to leave trash, so be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack everything out with you. The sites are fully or mostly shaded. Be prepared to make friends with bugs, but they shouldn't bother you. Also great news- no mosquitoes! 

    I have Verizon and had better service by my car on the road than at the actual campsite. At the site I could make calls but couldn't check the internet. Other than a few check-in calls to family, I was looking to unplug for the night. 

    I ended up not sleeping overnight due to a personal health issue, but I am looking forward to coming back when it's a little cooler.

  • Rick W.
    Aug. 15, 2022

    Colonel Denning State Park Campground

    Tent camping sites

    Walk in sites have picnic table and fire ring. Tent pads are level and smooth. Showers and restrooms are close to sites. Strongly recommend...

  • Nick C.
    Jun. 19, 2022

    Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    Cozy and Clean - Lots of Firewood

    The sites are very clean but close to each Other. You can hear the kids and families and all that. The sites have a nice mulched tent pad, fire ring / grill grate, lantern pole and picnic table. There is a firewood hut at the entrance and you can take what you need - just leAve a donation. The bathrooms are very clean and there’s some trails around the creek (dry creek/ nothing impressive)

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2023

    Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    Peaceful w filtered sun

    Owens Creek Campground : (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 4.5 Price: $15/night w senior pass Usage during visit: very low including Fri night Site Privacy: understory trees, filter l e of site in many sites. Site Spacing: most very nicely spaced Site surface: blacktop Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Very quiet Road Noise: Only a bit in first few campsites Through Traffic: no problem Electricity: No Water: Spigots at bathhouses Sewer: No Dump: No Generators: 6 AM to 10 PM Bathroom: Old but very clean.
    Showers: Yes. Double curtains Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (Verizon): Very good Setting: A thick deciduous forest Weather: nice. Cooler because of shade Bugs: A few. Will probably increase as month moves on Solar: Too much shade for fixed solar panels Host: Yes Rig size: Not all sites will accommodate a 22’ trailing. Sites: Pictures are of some of the best sites. My favs: 14 nice woods view , (28 & 29 hear creek,)37. 45, 46

  • Simon S.
    Dec. 30, 2021

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD

    Great place for kids

    Camp site (Tent camping)

    Camp site was pretty spacious. We set up our tent on gravel. No hookups to electricity or water. Rangers deliver firewood for your convenience.

    Facilities / Amenities

    Huge pool divided into two sections, one for mainly kids and the other for swimming and water slides. There is a food court in the swimming pool and a camp store right next to it.

    They play movies every night at the outdoor theater near the pool.

    There is a basketball court, playgrounds, and jumping pads.

    During the day, we did tie dying t-shirts at the pavilion.

    There is a 18-hole mini golf course as well.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2023

    Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground

    Camping at the AT Halfway Point

    Great small campground in South-central PA.  Sites are nicely spaced except for a few that are tucked into a few odd-shaped places.  I stayed in site 21, which was on an outside loop with a lot of space.  Campground seems very well maintained and the hosts were very friendly and active.  I wasn't there on a busy night, but nice to know it is a place where the hosts are trying to keep a relaxing atmosphere.  Nearly everything is in the woods so there's lots of shade during the warm seasons.  There's a fire ring, picnic table, lantern hanger and generous tent pad.  There's also room in many outside loop sites to set up in the woods.  Very quiet and relaxing evening.

    Bathrooms feel very modern and there is a combination of a traditional shower/bathroom center and a separate bathroom only area with 4 private bathrooms (though now showers).  Showers were clean and had hot water, though when you press the button for water, it only runs for about 10 seconds.  So you really have to just hold the water on while you shower one-handed.  I think there was a 1-car per site rule while I was there.

    Firewood is on-site for $5 for a six-piece bundle, with kindling available.  Wood lit right up for me.  The park has a general store, swimming lake, Appalachian Trail Museum, Park office and a few other historic buildings so there's a lot to do.  Just take note that everything closes at 4 PM.  The park is just north of the halfway point of the AT and is a popular place for hikers to stop and take a slow or zero day.  The museum is interesting if you have any interest in the AT and very knowledgeable host.

  • E
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    Great campground

    We were very pleased with the facilities at this campground. Arrived a little early and found the site ready and spotless. Decent sized sites included picnic table, fire ring, and 2 poles for hanging lanterns, garbage, whatever. Decent space between sites, with trees, though could easily see the neighbors. Very friendly camp host who came through every evening to make sure everything was ok. Bathroom facilities were close enough and had hot and cold water, showers, flush toilets, and showers. All were spotless. Close to good hiking and could walk right out of the tent and meet up with the AT. Was excited about the lake until we got there ... was very crowded and noisy with happy screaming children. But for that, nice lawn and sand areas for sitting and enjoying the lake view.

  • Jonathan B.
    Jun. 29, 2016

    Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    Great easy car camp close to DC

    About an hour northwest of Washington, DC, Greenbrier State Park is a great choice for car camping. The campground features four camp loops (1 with electric hookups for RVs, and one that accepts dogs). Each loop winds its way up a hillside, in a woodsy setting, so even though the sites are close to one another, you get a feeling of separation. In the center of each loop is a bathroom & shower building. Each site is a well groomed crushed gravel pad with a picnic table and fire ring, and ample room to set up a tent or two.

    In addition to camping, Greenbrier offers a swimming beach, kayak/canoe rentals, and some tough, rocky east-coast mountain biking, all without leaving the park.

Guide to Mercersburg

Primitive tent camping near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania centers around the Potomac River corridor and Appalachian Trail, with most sites situated at elevations between 400-500 feet. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures averaging 85°F and mild winters, making late spring and early fall optimal for camping. Several hiker-biker campsites along the C&O Canal require carrying gear on foot, with most primitive sites located within a 15-mile radius of Mercersburg.

What to do

Potomac River swimming: Jordan Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite offers direct river access for cooling off during summer months. A camper notes, "Good site, has the necessities. Water, Porta p, fire pit. What else do you really need? Want to rinse off? Jump into the Potomac for a swim."

Rock climbing: The Annapolis Rock area provides single-pitch climbing routes approximately 25 miles from Mercersburg. According to a visitor, "The best part is the Annapolis Rock cliffs. they offer beautiful views and all kinds of single pitch rock climbing!"

Tubing on Antietam Creek: The gentle current makes this waterway ideal for tubing during summer months. As one camper observed, "Antietam creek is very close by and is perfect for tubing or just enjoy the river & nature from your campsite!"

What campers like

Direct trail access: Opequon Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite provides immediate access to both the C&O Canal towpath and Potomac River. A camper described it as a "Gorgeous spot just off the trail and 50 meters from the Potomac."

Mountain views: Hikers appreciate the elevated perspectives from Annapolis Rock Campground. "The overlook at Annapolis Rock is glorious. The elevation is 1700 feet so its quite a trek up to the site," notes one visitor.

Natural spring water: Several primitive sites feature access to natural springs. A camper at Annapolis Rock Campground mentions, "Short walk to cold natural spring for water. Short walk to Annapolis Rock. Rock climbing available."

What you should know

Limited parking options: At many C&O Canal sites, vehicles must remain some distance from actual campsites. A camper at Antietam Creek Campground explains, "You have to park on the road and walk about 75 feet to your site. Not much traffic on that road and a trail with many cyclists and runners."

Wildlife precautions: Venomous snakes inhabit rocky areas along trails. "Be careful for the copperheads that come warm up on the rocky overlook," warns a visitor to Annapolis Rock.

Bear safety measures: Some sites provide bear poles for food storage. "There are also two bear poles. one near the beginning of the campsite trail and one closer to the spring," reports a camper at Annapolis Rock Campground.

Bathroom conditions vary: Maintenance of toilet facilities fluctuates throughout the season. "The one thing we had to complain about were the bathrooms. When we got there, they were okay, but by the 3rd night they were really gross," notes a camper at Antietam Creek Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Accessible river spots: Mulehalla offers family-friendly tent sites with adequate spacing between campers. "Tons of open spaces for tents, and sites are spaced far apart. This property also offers glamping experiences and sometimes live music. Bring the family (and the dog) to enjoy this gorgeous property."

Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or railroad tracks. At Cacapon Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite, a camper simply noted, "Train close by."

Check fire regulations: Fire policies vary significantly between sites. While Antietam Creek Campground permits fires, many hiker-biker sites along the C&O Canal prohibit them entirely. At Annapolis Rock, a camper mentions, "no fires, but there are two privies and a really nice spring near the campsites."

Pack for rugged terrain: Some sites require navigating steep slopes to reach water sources. "It was quite steep for my bum knees and ankles, but I saw kids easily run up and down it," explains a camper describing the path to the Potomac at Antietam Creek.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Dahlgren Backpacker Campground and other primitive sites near Mercersburg don't accommodate RVs. A visitor notes, "This is a stop on the AT open only to multi-day backpackers. I've heard it is sometimes enforced."

Consider boondocking alternatives: RVers seeking primitive camping must look beyond the immediate Mercersburg area, as most nearby sites are tent-only. Portable gear that can be carried from parking areas proves essential for accessing these primitive sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mercersburg, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mercersburg, PA is Jordan Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Mercersburg, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Mercersburg, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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