Dog-Friendly Camping near New Kingstown, PA

Camping opportunities near New Kingstown include sites from basic tent-only parks to full-service RV resorts within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at the northern edge of the Cumberland Valley where seasonal temperatures range from summer highs in the upper 80s to winter lows in the 20s. Fall camping is particularly popular when colorful foliage peaks in mid-October along the nearby ridges of Michaux State Forest.

What to do

Swimming and beach access: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers water recreation including a large swimming area. "The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area," reports one camper.

Hiking to viewpoints: Near Gardners, visitors find challenging terrain with notable rock formations. "Make sure you take a hike on the AT and then up to Pole Steeple for a great view! You may even bump into a through hiker excited to chat!" shares a visitor to Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Farm animal interactions: Some campgrounds incorporate agricultural experiences. "What's better then hanging out camping on a working farm? Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas. Plenty to see and learn," notes a visitor at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.

Kayaking and river access: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for paddling. "Great river front location! Could be a bit muddy depending on the river. Great place to kayak tube or hang out in the river. Close to Appalachian Trail," explains a camper who visited Riverfront Campground.

What campers like

Accessibility to historical sites: The region's central location provides convenient access to significant historical landmarks. "Being between Lancaster and Gettysburg makes both places easy to access," notes a camper from Little Buffalo State Park Campground.

Well-stocked camp stores: Several campgrounds maintain comprehensive stores for forgotten essentials. "The store has everything. Including hand dipped ice cream. Pool. Mini golf. A creek to fish or splash in," describes a visitor to Mountain Creek Camp Ground.

Trail variety: The interconnected trail network provides options for all skill levels. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles," shares a Gifford Pinchot visitor about the extensive trail system.

Appalachian Trail access: Multiple campgrounds serve as gateways to the famous long-distance trail. "The Appalachian trail runs right through it and is said to be the middle point of the trail. So you know there is great hiking," explains a Pine Grove Furnace visitor.

What you should know

Bathhouse locations: Facilities may be inconveniently located at some campgrounds. "Only downside is the walk to the bathrooms if you tent camp. A long walk if you really got to go," warns a Western Village RV Park camper.

Train noise considerations: Railway lines pass near some campgrounds. "The train does run right near all night long, but I find it soothing," explains a Riverfront Campground visitor, providing perspective on potential noise disruption.

Site spacing variations: Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds and specific site numbers. "We picked a tent site (218 or 219) as far away from everyone else as we could get. A bunch of the tent sites border the woods, and I definitely recommend snagging one of those if you're able," advises a visitor to Deer Run Campgrounds.

Seasonal water levels: Creek conditions change throughout the season. "Some areas flood when it rains hard," notes a Mountain Creek Camp Ground visitor, highlighting the importance of site selection during wetter months.

Tips for camping with families

Pool features for children: Aquatic facilities at several parks include child-specific areas. "They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad!" mentions a Little Buffalo visitor regarding the family-friendly swimming options.

Simple camping introduction: Some parks provide an accessible first-time camping experience. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," shares a Gifford Pinchot visitor.

Activity planning: Weekend schedules often include organized recreation. "Fun campground! Only complaint is that the sites are not marked very well so it can be confusing to which spot is yours," reports a Deer Run visitor while noting the positive aspects of the campground's programming.

Educational opportunities: Historical features provide learning experiences. "You can also visit the Furnace and the AT Museum, make sure you hear the store about the first through hikers!!!" suggests a Pine Grove Furnace camper.

Tips from RVers

Hookup specifications: Utility arrangements vary between parks and sites. "If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up," explains a Pine Grove Furnace visitor regarding essential preparation.

Navigation challenges: Narrow campground roads present maneuvering difficulties. "The access roads are so tight/narrow, that there is multiple areas of damaged trees and corners of structures," warns a Western Village visitor, emphasizing caution when positioning larger rigs.

Site leveling requirements: Terrain varies significantly across the region. "Stone surface. Not to bad for leveling. Our site was spacious," reports a Hershey visitor, providing context for RV setup requirements.

Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "We chose a non-sewage site, the loop is quiet and large and they have the honey wagon 3x a week (free sewage dump service)," shares a Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm camper about wastewater management options.