Camping options near New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania include state forest sites along with established campgrounds that span Perry, Cumberland, and Adams counties. The region sits at elevations between 500-1,200 feet, with the summer camping season typically extending from April through October when temperatures average 75-85°F during daytime hours. Winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Little Buffalo State Park Campground offers multiple hiking options with varying difficulty levels. "There are nice trails to hike. There is a large lake for fishing! You can rent boats there!" according to Amanda H. The park maintains several miles of trails connecting the camping area to other recreational facilities.
Fishing opportunities: Colonel Denning State Park Campground provides creek and lake access for anglers. One camper noted, "Our family of six made the trek up the Flat Rock Trail to the overlook. A six mile round trip with a 1200 ft climb. Spectacular views." The park's accessible fishing areas accommodate both experienced and novice fishers.
Historical exploration: Gettysburg Campground serves as a base camp for visiting the historic battlefields. Brandon W. shared, "Not to mention it's a few minute drive to historic Gettysburg. It's nice and out of the way of the busy parts of town." The proximity allows campers to spend multiple days exploring the battlefield and museums.
Swimming facilities: For summer camping with water activities, Little Buffalo State Park offers structured swimming options. A visitor described, "There is a pool! The pool is very nice! They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad!" The pool facilities require separate entry fees even for campers.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Artillery Ridge Campground maintains well-kept restrooms and common areas. According to Dave B., "The whole campground was clean and well kept. Ths campground is approximately a 3 minute drive from everything in the town of Gettysburg." Regular maintenance ensures comfortable accommodations throughout the camping season.
Riverside camping: Ferryboat Campsites provides sites with views of the Susquehanna River. A camper reported, "We stayed at a Susquehanna river view site with full hookups for 2 nights. Site was level and shaded, but very close to neighbors." The riverside location allows for water activities directly from camp.
Forest solitude: Michaux State Forest offers primitive camping for those seeking seclusion. John S. explained, "Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail. It's you can park at Pine Grove State Park and then hike your way into locations or park at other trail heads." These sites require self-sufficiency but reward campers with quieter surroundings.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds in the region provide opportunities to observe native Pennsylvania wildlife. Dawn N. from Little Buffalo State Park noted, "Wildlife is everywhere and there is even an eagle nest in the park and you can see the pair and often their young." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing conditions.
What you should know
Permit requirements: State forest campgrounds require permits for overnight stays. According to Bridget D., "Michaux State Forest sites fall in to 4 categories: 1. Designated motorized sites, which require a free online permit and are open April 2 until the 3rd Sunday after Thanksgiving." Permits must be obtained before setting up camp.
Site spacing variations: Campground density varies significantly between locations. At Ferryboat Campsites, melissa observed, "We enjoyed our stay here — but mostly because we liked being right on the water. If it weren't for that this would not be the campground for us." Some sites offer minimal privacy between neighbors.
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Colonel Denning State Park operates from April through December, while others like Teaberry Parking Area Campsites remain open year-round but with seasonal considerations. A recent visitor to Teaberry noted specific seasonal challenges: "The first 3.5 days there were lantern flies actively trying to get into our rig, digging themselves behind the window screens, etc."
Bathroom facilities: Availability varies widely between established campgrounds and primitive sites. At Colonel Denning, Nate & Erika L. commented, "The bathrooms were the absolute cleanest bathrooms we've seen in a state park." State forest campgrounds generally lack developed facilities altogether.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access planning: If swimming is important for your family, Little Buffalo State Park provides structured facilities. Paula R. advised, "Nice for a smaller campground. Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up." Consider transportation between camping and swimming areas.
Playground proximity: When choosing sites at family-friendly campgrounds, consider proximity to play areas. At Artillery Ridge, one visitor mentioned, "The only complain we had was people walking through our sites due us being close to the playground and the noise level on the playground." Request sites further from common areas if seeking quiet.
Evening activities: Many campgrounds offer ranger-led programs suitable for children. Nate & Erika noted at Colonel Denning, "The park rangers had an owl program on Friday night and ended up calling in several screech owls. Very cool to hear their eerie cries in the woods." Check activity schedules when making reservations.
Trail difficulty assessment: When planning hikes with children, research difficulty levels first. Casey L. from Colonel Denning observed, "Trail head close to site and was a very difficult hike with amazing views!" Look for family-friendly trails with minimal elevation change for younger children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for hookups: At Gettysburg Campground, Jim G. advised, "The amenities of Gettysburg Campground are quite good: full hookups with cable, all working as expected. Level sites, friendly and efficient staff, decently sized sites long enough for my 32' coach and a toad." Request specific site dimensions when booking.
Road noise considerations: Location within campgrounds affects the camping experience. Jim added, "The two drawbacks are that the sites are quite packed together and the noise of traffic– at least in the frontmost sites– can get rather loud at night." Request interior sites when possible to minimize road noise.
Alternative equestrian camping: For those seeking horse campgrounds near New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, equestrian camping at Teaberry in Michaux State Forest provides basic amenities. Bridget D. explained, "Designated motorized parking lot sites also serve as equestrian sites, and horse camping is allowed here. Teaberry has a few hitching posts and a two step mounting block available." Bring portable containment systems for overnight horse camping.
Dumping station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookup services. Check for dumping stations before arrival, as many smaller campgrounds have limited facilities. Most state park campgrounds provide central dumping stations rather than at individual sites.
Legend
