1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent camping options around New Freedom, Pennsylvania include several state park campgrounds and primitive tent sites within a 50-mile radius. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area in Catonsville, Maryland offers tent-specific camping areas with non-electric sites, while Hibernia County Park near Coatesville provides rustic tent camping with basic amenities in a wooded setting. Mill Creek Camping Area in Lancaster County maintains walk-in tent sites in a natural setting along the creek.
The tent campsites at these locations typically feature grass or crushed stone surfaces with varying levels of shade. Patapsco Valley's tent camping loop includes fire rings with grill grates and picnic tables, but campers should note that tent pads are on crushed stone surfaces rather than bare ground. At Hibernia County Park, tent camping areas are divided between two loops - Lake Loop and Fiddler's Loop - with primitive conditions including pit toilets and limited water access. A review noted, "Each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with a built-in grill. Plenty of firewood to be found." Most locations require reservations, especially during peak summer months, with fees ranging from $15-25 per night.
Wooded tent sites provide a natural camping experience throughout the region with varying levels of privacy. The Mill Creek Camping Area sites sit along the creek, creating "a cooler camping experience with the sound of water flowing at night," according to one camper review. For backpackers seeking more remote tent camping, Annapolis Rock Campground along the Appalachian Trail offers primitive hike-in tent sites about 2 miles from Route 40 with spectacular views. This location features no fires but does provide spring water access and compost toilets. Lower Allen Community Park provides tent camping directly along Yellow Breeches Creek with sites that accommodate kayak camping, allowing paddlers to float downstream to their reserved tent site.
"Potable water is available in several places on each loop. The bathhouses are rebuilt recently and are very nice. Some walk in tent sites."
"This is Organized Group Tenting Only."
Available this weekend
from $28 - $72 / night
"We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
from $20 - $51 / night
from $40 - $45 / night
"Campgrounds are spaced out large spaces for multiple tents, camping cost $25 a night flat rate, for up to 6 days. Campground will refund you if rain prevents your stay or allow you to rebook."
from $23 / night
from $22 - $100 / night
"The park is in the suburbs so it’s close to lots of things. They do lock the park at dusk though. They have portapotties, fire pits, and picnic tables."
from $10 - $25 / night
"Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground."
"We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There’s running water available, porta potties are very clean and don’t smell and are lit with a street lamp. Very quiet at night."
from $15 - $50 / night
"Annapolis Rock Campground is right off the Appalachian Trail just about 1/5 of a mile before Annapolis Rock overlook."
"great primitive campsite that has undergone major restorations and preventative measures to reverse the damage from huge camping crowds of the past. no fires, but there are two privies and a really nice"
TravelerCountry Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
GuideWe booked two nights mid October not realizing that it's duck hunting season and that hunting is allowed RIGHT by the campground - with kids everywhere. We were jolted out of sleep at 5 am by gun fire right near our site. It kept up for the next hour. In addition, the bathrooms, although clean are in poor condition. Peeling paint everywhere with bare concrete in the showers. For such a pretty site, we had a miserable stay. We left after one night.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
ScoutThe advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
GuideThis pet friendly campground in Caledonia State Park is .8 miles from the larger Chinquapin campground (no pets), ranger station and swimming pool. Our site #171 was level, paved, full hook ups and next to modern clean bathrooms with flush toilets, warm showers and outside dish washing sinks. Many available sites with and without services on a Sunday in October. There were a good number of friendly, tidy, long term campers with large wall tents. (They allow 21 day stays after Labor Day)
GuideWe stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
Tent camping opportunities near New Freedom, Pennsylvania blend wooded landscapes with water access at 800-1,200 feet elevation. The region features creek-side sites within a 30-mile radius of the Pennsylvania-Maryland border, with most campgrounds open seasonally from April through October. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F with higher humidity levels near water sources.
Hiking along scenic trails: Susquehannock State Park Campground offers excellent hiking options with "amazing wildflowers" along bike trails. As camper David G. notes, "There are lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River," with a unique feature being "two amazing specimen trees" along one trail.
Fishing at stocked ponds: Hibernia County Park maintains a dedicated children's fishing area. According to Anna, "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," making it ideal for young anglers learning to fish.
Water activities on multiple waterways: Lower Allen Community Park offers creek-side camping with paddling options. As Joann notes, "You can put in a few miles up and float down to your site," creating a unique kayak-to-camp experience on Yellow Breeches Creek.
Rock climbing for adventurers: Annapolis Rock Campground provides technical climbing opportunities. "The Annapolis Rock cliffs offer beautiful views and all kinds of single pitch rock climbing," explains Cory D., with routes accessible via a moderate 2-mile hike from Route 40.
Waterfront camping spots: Tent sites positioned along creeks create natural cooling and ambient sounds. A camper at Mill Creek Camping Area shared that "camping down by the creek makes for a cooler camping experience and love the sound of water flowing at night."
Well-maintained facilities: Despite being rustic, campers appreciate clean bathrooms and common areas. At Hibernia County Park, a visitor noted "porta potties are very clean and don't smell and are lit with a street lamp," showing attention to basic comfort even at primitive sites.
Scenic overlooks and viewpoints: High-elevation sites offer reward for hikers. Bob S. describes Annapolis Rock Campground as having "great views" with a "moderate difficulty 2+ mile hike from Route 40," making the trek worthwhile for panoramic vistas of the Maryland countryside.
Family-friendly amenities: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area receives praise for its playground facilities. Camper Angel G. describes it as "perfect for keeping the kids entertained" with "a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."
No-alcohol policies: Several parks enforce strict no-alcohol rules. Hibernia County Park has this restriction, with John Z. noting it's "inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups" and reminding that as a "county park so no booze."
Tent pad surfaces: Many campgrounds use crushed stone surfaces rather than natural ground. Sean M. at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area warns: "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent."
Fire restrictions: Some campgrounds prohibit open flames. At Annapolis Rock Campground, Cory D. explains there are "no fires, but there are two privies and a really nice spring near the campsites" plus "two bear poles" for food storage.
Parking and access limitations: Parks may lock gates after hours. At Lower Allen Community Park, "They do lock the park at dusk," according to Joann, requiring campers to arrive before closure or coordinate with park staff.
Playground proximity: Some sites offer direct access to play areas. Angel G. recommends Patapsco Valley's Hilton entrance because "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," though notes these areas "are not stroller friendly."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several parks offer nature encounters for children. At Susquehannock State Park, camper David G. mentions "a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles."
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Dedicated ponds make fishing accessible for beginners. Anna notes that at Hibernia County Park, "The park ranger this weekend was the nicest and very helpful with directions to walk to the playground and indoor restrooms," with the lake "about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails."
Limited hookup options: Most tent-focused sites lack RV amenities. Jennifer S. warns that at Hibernia County Park, "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."
Site leveling challenges: Uneven ground requires preparation. Jennifer S. notes that at Hibernia, sites "aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix," with a few specific sites that can accommodate larger rigs: "there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near New Freedom, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near New Freedom, PA is Susquehannock State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near New Freedom, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near New Freedom, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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