Kevin M.
Traveler
TravelerDogwood Acres Campground
Well run
The staff here are amazing. Quiet time is respected, clean campground. Will come again.
Tent Camping near Orrstown, PA
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Public lands surrounding Orrstown, Pennsylvania offer several tent camping options within a 30-mile radius. Star Lee Farm provides secluded tent-only sites with basic amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilets. The property features open fields ideal for stargazing and hiking trails throughout. Warm Springs Camp, located approximately 20 miles east of Orrstown, offers a single tent site with drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities. For primitive tent camping experiences, Antietam Creek Campground in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park provides walk-in tent sites along the Potomac River, operating seasonally from May through October.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require campers to bring their own water or use available pumps. Sites typically feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal grading. At Antietam Creek, campers must park on the road and carry equipment across a bridge to reach their sites, which can be challenging with heavy gear. Fire rings are common at most locations, though fire bans may be implemented during dry periods. Vault toilets or pit latrines are standard at primitive sites, while developed campgrounds like Star Lee Farm offer shower facilities. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with better reception typically available at higher elevations or near roadways.
Tent campers frequently mention the peaceful nature of sites in the area. According to reviews, Star Lee Farm provides "very pretty and secluded" camping with "a huge field for stargazing." The property's lack of electricity creates an environment "perfect for those who want to completely escape." At Reeds Gap State Park Campground (about 40 miles northwest), visitors appreciate the "tent-only sites tucked back in the trees" with "a creek along the outside and a nice easy hiking trail." Backcountry tent camping options on the Appalachian Trail, such as Annapolis Rock Campground, require moderate hikes but reward with scenic views and greater solitude than drive-in locations.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Orrstown (27)
1. STAR LEE FARM
"There's a huge field to start gaze as well as taking pictures, lots of hiking and if you're a bee enthusiast they grow their own honey in the property and you're more than welcome to walk around and look"
"We're so happy to welcome this new property to our platform. Check them out, and come back here to leave them some love."
2. Annapolis Rock Campground — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
"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"
3. Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
"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."
"Small campground with a pit toilet right on the Potomac river picnic table and fire ring with a few nice trees throughout the camp area. Easy to get to and not far from the towns."
15 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 / night
4. Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground (PA)
"They are in an area of the lake that has a lot of boat traffic, the waterfront spots usually book a few weeks in advance and are in a wake zone. There is mooring along both sides of the campground."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 / night
5. Jordan Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
6. Opequon Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
"Gorgeous spot just off the trail and 50 meters from the Potomac"
7. Standing Stone Farm
from $25 - $50 / night
8. Reeds Gap State Park Campground
"Then I go find a deserted section and a picnic table and just sit down. Immediately I can feel every bit is stress or anxiety dissipate."
"Nice and peaceful with a dozen or so tent only sites. We got a nice one tucked back in the trees, but a few of them are pretty close to the road - not like it's terribly busy."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 / night
9. Dahlgren Backpacker Campground in Greenbrier State Park Campground
"This is a stop on the AT open only to multi-day backpackers. I’ve heard it is sometimes enforced."
"Backpacker campground with bathrooms and showers. Close to the South Mountain Inn, a hiker friendly restaurant. Big field."
10. Lower Allen Community Park
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $25 / night
Drive Time
- 18 min from Chambersburg, PA
- 36 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 41 min from Gettysburg, PA
- 46 min from Harrisburg, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Orrstown, PA
28 Photos of 27 Orrstown Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Warm Springs CampJ
Standing Stone FarmK
C&O Camping ClubS
MulehallaJ
Long Acres on Clover Creek
Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Crampton Gap Shelter Parking Lot - on the AT
Gathland State Park Campgroundc
Reeds Gap State Park Campground
Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground
Tent Camping Reviews near Orrstown, PA
860 Reviews of 27 Orrstown Campgrounds
- kken
GuideArtillery Ridge Campground
Great 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.
Matt S.
LegendLake Raystown Resort and Lodge
Enormous property, but...
We spent a long weekend for walks in the woods, seeing the fall colors, and all around a huge lake.
What We Liked:
- Even though the sites are sloped, they’re huge. I like that a lot.
- This property is enormous. They have a marina on the lake, a wedding facility, conference center, lots of cabins which look pretty good, and tent sites in addition to the RV sites. Go say hi to the goats behind the store. The property is amazing!
- If you’re interested, it’s a 90-minute drive to the Flight 93 Memorial— well worth the trip!
Things to Keep in Mind:
- The roads getting there are like a roller coaster. This isn’t the resort’s fault, but something you need to know if you’re going there.
- The sites are sloped. Took several blocks to get even close to level. I may be spoiled, but I really appreciate a level site.
- No sewer connection. There’s a dump station available, but just know the sites are water and electric only.
Would We Return?
- Probably not. It’s not fun driving in that area and there’s nothing much to do in the area.
Pam R.GuideGifford Pinchot State Park Campground
We 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.
- jjohn L.Guide
Artillery Ridge Campground
Got us out of a jam.
Where 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.
- jjohn L.Guide
Codorus State Park Campground
Hurricane camping
You 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.
- nnancy H.Guide
Hosack Run
Quiet & Dog friendly - 20minutes from Gettysburg Battfields
This 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)
- TTyler D.Guide
Gambrill State Park Campground
Great Camp Spot
This is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
Tyler K.
ScoutJellystone Park™ Williamsport
First time I ever left a campsite early , complete waste of money
Trip -week before labor day , temps 93 degrees, nothing on website when booked said about peak and non peak days on booking page. Said there were only 7 sites left(complete lie) campground was empty. First time we ever been to a place where EVERYTHING was closed. Campstore, jump pillow and the final straw was we went to go to the pool and that was closed. It was 545 pm sun still bright in the sky , nowhere near dusk( when its suppose to close) . So much conflicting info from what the paper we got handed vs what internet site said. Charged a resort fee ? for what a place to park? This is no resort. Grass was high enough to be seeding itself. My wife was so upset she was actually crying. This was supposed to be a fun trip for our da6ughter before going back to school. We decided this place over Buttonwood just because it was alittle closer. Did a full tour of the place. Realized there is nothing here. Went to dinner in town. Decided we didnt want to stay where we knew our Daughter would be bored. She's pretty easy to entertain but this was just ridiculous. 12 HOURS OF MY LIFE AND $400 BUCKS i will never get back. (Loading , driving , realizing we got screwed, driving, unloading) yup was pretty bad.
Guide to Orrstown
Tent campsites near Orrstown, Pennsylvania offer options for primitive camping in wooded areas within Michaux State Forest at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures commonly dropping below freezing. Most tent sites in this area sit on forested ridgelines that provide natural wind protection but remain susceptible to sudden weather changes typical of the Appalachian foothills.
What to do
Creek exploration: Reeds Gap State Park features Honey Creek, a small stream that runs through the camping area with native and stocked trout. One camper noted this water feature as something special: "There's a creek along the outside and a nice easy hiking trail that follows it."
Rock climbing: Annapolis Rock offers single pitch climbing opportunities on the natural cliff formations. According to one visitor, "The best part is the Annapolis Rock cliffs. They offer beautiful views and all kinds of single pitch rock climbing!" This backcountry location requires a moderate 2+ mile hike from Route 40.
Boating and water activities: Raystown Lake provides boat-in camping at Nancy's Boat to Shore Campground where sites are "accessible by boat ONLY!" One review notes the "area of the lake that has a lot of boat traffic," making it popular for water-based recreation. The waterfront sites typically book several weeks in advance during summer months.
What campers like
Disconnected camping experience: Many tent sites in the region offer limited or no cell service, creating a true escape. At Reeds Gap State Park, campers advise to "Put your phone away cuz there's no cell service here!" This isolation appeals to those seeking a break from technology in a "nice and peaceful" setting with "a dozen or so tent only sites."
Primitive riverside locations: Sites along the Potomac River at Antietam Creek Campground provide direct water access. A camper described it as a "Small campground with a pit toilet right on the Potomac river picnic table and fire ring with a few nice trees throughout the camp area." Another mentioned how "It is nice being on the water."
Stargazing opportunities: Open fields at some campgrounds provide excellent night sky viewing. As one camper at Star Lee Farm observed, "There's no electricity there but the owner is working on that but there is power in the shower house. Service is a little sketch but it's perfect for those who want to completely escape the business of modern world."
What you should know
Site access limitations: Many camping areas require equipment to be carried from parking areas. At Antietam Creek, "you have to park on the road and carry all your stuff across a bridge and down the path to your site. Could be a very far walk." Another camper noted the setup is "weird with respect to parking—as you have to park on the opposite side of the canal and walk to your campsite."
Bathroom conditions vary significantly: Facilities range from well-maintained shower houses to basic pit toilets. One camper at Opequon Junction noted the lack of facilities at this primitive site, while another at Antietam Creek reported: "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."
Seasonal operations: Several camping areas close during winter months. Reeds Gap State Park operates from "2nd Friday in April to 2nd Sunday in October," while Antietam Creek Campground runs from May through October. Winter camping options are limited to year-round backcountry sites on public lands.
Tips for camping with families
Choose locations with playground access: Some campgrounds offer play equipment for children. Reeds Gap State Park provides "picnic pavilions and a playground for the kids!" as one visitor mentioned, though they noted "They used to have a swimming pool but they removed it a few years ago."
Consider site privacy levels: Many campgrounds have varying degrees of separation between sites. At Dahlgren Backpacker Campground, sites are arranged as "a large grassy area to pitch tents" without designated boundaries. Another camper noted these open-field arrangements can leave sites "very open" where "people are constantly walking, running, and biking by."
Check water source reliability: Not all campgrounds have convenient drinking water. Some like Antietam Creek require campers to bring their own water or use pumps that may be some distance from campsites. At Dahlgren, a visitor appreciated the "year-round water source" as a notable amenity.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options in immediate area: Most tent campsites near Orrstown are designed for tent camping only. Lower Allen Community Park offers sites for small recreational vehicles but lacks hookups. One visitor noted: "Cute site in a local township park that not many people know about. There actually three total. You just need to call the township to reserve."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Orrstown, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Orrstown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Orrstown, PA is STAR LEE FARM with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Orrstown, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Orrstown, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Orrstown, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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