Best Campgrounds near New Freedom, PA

Campgrounds near New Freedom, Pennsylvania provide diverse overnight options across several state parks and private facilities. Codorus State Park Campground, located about 14 miles northwest of New Freedom, features tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations along a scenic lake setting. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm in nearby Freeland, Maryland offers family-oriented camping with tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options. Most facilities in the area support mixed-use camping with designated areas for different camping styles.

Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with most open from April through October or November. Codorus State Park's camping season runs from the second Friday in April until November 1, while some private campgrounds like Indian Rock Campgrounds remain open year-round. "The camp hosts are very friendly and will answer any questions. There are plenty of activities all around the area for all ages," noted one visitor about Codorus State Park. Reservation requirements vary by location, with state parks typically requiring advance bookings during peak summer months. Facilities generally include restrooms with showers, electric hookups, and water access, though amenities differ between public and private campgrounds.

Campers consistently rate lakefront and wooded sites as preferred options in the area. At Codorus State Park, visitors appreciate the balance of recreational opportunities and natural settings. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The park is located on a beautiful lake. We picked loop A to stay in the woods. Campgrounds are nicely spaced and clean." Private campgrounds like Merry Meadows Recreation Farm receive positive reviews for family activities and amenities, though several reviews mention varying experiences with staff interactions. Tent camping areas tend to offer more privacy and natural settings, while RV sections typically provide more developed infrastructure with electric, water, and sewer hookups. For those seeking quieter experiences, primitive tent sites at Codorus provide more seclusion than the busier RV camping loops.

Best Camping Sites Near New Freedom, Pennsylvania (144)

    1. Codorus State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Porters Sideling, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 637-2816

    $20 - $195 / night

    "The trails from Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail.  The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some.  "

    "Older State Park just outside of Hanover, PA. Used it as a home base to explore Gettysburg and the surrounding area."

    2. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

    19 Reviews
    Freeland, MD
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 329-6636

    "It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."

    "Large campground with some good trails.  Will definitely return!"

    3. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $20 - $89 / night

    "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. "

    4. Otter Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    19 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!"

    5. Pequea Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4587

    "Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."

    "The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . "

    6. Tucquan Park Family Campground

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

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

    "There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."

    7. Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm

    9 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    8. Indian Rock Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Jacobus, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 741-1764

    "We were surprised to find this nice little spot next to the creek right outside of town. There’s a spot right next to it but was unoccupied while we were there so we were all alone."

    9. Artillery Ridge Campground

    25 Reviews
    Gettysburg, PA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 334-1288

    "This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"

    "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."

    10. Cedar Lake Family Campground

    6 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-2918

    $60 - $100 / night

    "Nice lake for fishing. Easy check in. Nice little store. About an hour away from Hershey where we went to the RV show. We will come back if we are in the area again"

    "Just takes away from the rural feel. Cabin was clean and perfect. Grounds were very clean. Toilet and showers clean. Golf carts a little dated but overall good. Night time was serene and quite."

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Recent Reviews near New Freedom, PA

1070 Reviews of 144 New Freedom Campgrounds


  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Hot showers! But no dump station

    Campsite We stayed at M17 after staying at M26 for a night. 17 wasn’t as level and so we had to scrunch to one side of the site to get level. It was closer to the bath house. Overall cozy. Bath house It’s in need of some repairs but don’t let that scare you- these showers are hot and the shower wands are a really nice convenience after using cold push button showers. Lantern flies! Invasive Spotted Lantern Flies are everywhere. I squished as many as I could but keep an eye out and check your gear before leaving! Dump station This campsite doesn’t have a dump station so we went to the Cunningham falls site to dump after leaving and they let us dump no problem. Road noise Since you’re near the highway, there is constant road noise and it’s even worse on the trails but it’s quiet otherwise. Deducted one star for no dump station.

  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • Gennifer K.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Country Acres Campground

    Nice park

    This was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Stoevers Dam Park

    Park is closed. We were kicked out.

    LThe park is a beautiful city park. There are 7 small, level, back-in sites with electric, a picnic table and fire pit. We arrived in a Sunday and you have to call for a permit, but the office is only open on M-F during working hours. At 8 pm, a police officer told us the park was closed because of a bear, but that they had not gotten around to putting up signs. Wound up in a Walmart instead.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.


Guide to New Freedom

Camping near New Freedom, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something to offer.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at French Creek State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The state park has numerous hiking and biking opportunities," making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Fishing: Head to Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground for some fishing. A reviewer shared, "The lake is very nice and it's a very family park!" Perfect for a relaxing day by the water.
  • Visiting Historical Sites: If you're up for a short drive, Gettysburg is nearby. One camper at Codorus State Park Campground noted, "There’s a lot to do in the area. Tons of hiking, exploring along the lake, and Gettysburg within a 30-minute drive."

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers at Elk Neck State Park Campground appreciate the spaciousness, with one reviewer stating, "Accessible and pet friendly. Great trails and great staff."
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors rave about the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A camper at Greenbrier State Park Campground said, "The bath houses & sites are always clean, camp hosts are friendly and park rangers are present and helpful."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peacefulness of places like Owens Creek Campground, where one visitor remarked, "This is a great quiet little camping ground."

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Many campgrounds, including French Creek State Park Campground, have a strict no-alcohol policy. A reviewer mentioned, "NO alcohol allowed," so plan accordingly.
  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground noted, "Sites were close together, some more level than others."
  • Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like Greenbelt Park Campground may not have all the amenities you expect. One visitor said, "There’s only one large shower per bath house, and you only have a curtain."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or nearby attractions. A family at Elk Neck State Park Campground enjoyed the "quietest campground we have ever stayed at," perfect for kids to play.
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. One camper at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "Nicely stocked store, great cafe onsite," which can be a lifesaver for families.
  • Check for Activities: Before you go, check if the campground has organized activities. A visitor at Lums Pond State Park Campground shared, "Not much going on for activities in March," so plan ahead.

Tips from RVers:

  • Site Selection: Choose your site wisely. A reviewer at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground noted, "Some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views."
  • Leveling Your RV: Be prepared to adjust your RV for leveling. A camper at Codorus State Park Campground mentioned, "Some weren’t level front to back so adjustments needed to be made."
  • Check Hookups: Make sure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park said, "Big rig friendly, sites excellent," which is a plus for RVers.

Camping near New Freedom, Pennsylvania, has a lot to offer, from beautiful parks to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near New Freedom, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New Freedom, PA is Codorus State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 40 reviews.