The rolling countryside surrounding Oxford, Pennsylvania provides a mix of camping experiences within an hour's drive, from family-friendly RV resorts to state park campgrounds. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville, located about 15 miles northeast of Oxford, offers full-service camping with amenities geared toward families, including cabin rentals and glamping options. State parks like French Creek State Park (40 miles north) feature more traditional camping with 200 sites across four loops, some with full hookups and others primitive. Muddy Run Recreation Park sits closer to Oxford and provides both tent and RV camping with water and electric hookups. The region's proximity to Amish Country creates a distinctive camping backdrop with opportunities to experience rural Pennsylvania landscapes.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability, with most private campgrounds operating from April through October or early November. As one camper noted, "We enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun." Pennsylvania state parks like French Creek remain open year-round, though amenities such as pools and boat rentals typically operate only during summer months. Weather patterns bring humid summers with occasional thunderstorms and cold winters with potential for snow, particularly at higher elevations. Cell service varies throughout the region, with stronger coverage near towns and spotty reception in more remote camping areas. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends and fall foliage season.
Campers frequently mention the cultural attractions surrounding Oxford-area campgrounds as highlights of their stay. The region's location provides convenient access to both Philadelphia (about 50 miles east) and Lancaster County's Amish communities. Several reviewers noted the picturesque farmland views, with one stating, "Lots of picturesque farmland around. Kids will love to see the cows and some horses near roadside as you drive." Campground quality varies considerably, with state parks generally offering more spacious sites and natural settings, while private campgrounds provide more amenities but sometimes at the cost of privacy. Highway noise affects some campgrounds near major routes, particularly those close to I-95 or the Pennsylvania Turnpike, making site selection important for those seeking quiet natural surroundings.
"We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."
"The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."
$21 - $55 / night
"I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. ""Surrounding area
There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."
$17 - $32 / night
"Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."
"The camp loop is a nice walk but there are also trails. They were pretty muddy when we were there. Site 35 was quite spacious as were many of them."
$21 - $50 / night
"I was a walk-up with no reservation and since it was a weekday the ranger gave me a great rundown of the best spots in the camp and let me drive through to check them out before going back with my decision"
"Has access to Susquehanna River, nice hiking trails. Can picnic on Deer Creek and go tubing. Close to Connowingo Damn for fishing and birdwatching. Havre de Grace sits near Chesapeake Bay."
$59 - $86 / night
"The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy."
"Everything was within close walking distance and the staff were extremely helpful. Pool and bathrooms were very clean."
$20 - $90 / night
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
"Campground Review: French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site."
"The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store."
"The observatory is open to public once a month, we recommend you plan your trip around this."
"This is a great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County and about a one-hour drive to Hersheypark. Our site(# 837) was a good size for our motor home+ toad."
"We stayed at one of the primitive tent sites with no hookups adjacent to the farm field. Watching a horse drawn equipment cutting grass while we cooked dinner was a joy."
"Site next to us had a pipe break, they had a maintenance crew come out immediately and fix it. Amish stores/attractions close by for some entertainment also."
"Fishing pond is a joke and near by Gun Range can be annoying and tough on pets. But, over all, this place is pretty nice."
ScoutSmall family owed for 50 plus years. They care about their guests and treat everyone like they are part of the family. The only thing about this campground is that it doesn't allow tents. Only RVs and pull behind.
ScoutI used to visit this campground when I was younger, and I finally got the chance to camp here as an adult. I love that it offers a little bit of everything; fishing, trails, hiking, nature walks, playgrounds, swimming, and more. I had a great time. The people camping near us were really friendly; they mentioned they had been staying there for about six weeks. If a long stay is worth it, their experience definitely proved it.
GuideLots of seasonal parked campers and only a few campers here. Nice peaceful quiet stay. Our site was very spacious. Level side to side. Gravel site with plenty of room for our truck n trailer.
ScoutThis place was great! We stayed here for 5 weeks while working in the area. It’s a clean, well kept space, completely surrounded by state forest, very close to shore access along the rivers/bay, hiking/biking trails right out of the campground. Half of it is long term residents, half for short term.
TravelerThis was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.
TravelerHarder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept
GuideLThe 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.
RangerThere’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!
LegendI’m following up on my review from over a year ago with updated insights, additional photos and a quick breakdown of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS:
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Convenient suburban location near Philadelphia yet surprisingly quiet; (2) Full-hookup RV sites with 30 / 50 amp, water, and sewer; (3) Affordable rates compared to other campgrounds in the region; (4) Smaller, tight-knit atmosphere with friendly long-term residents; (5) Pet-friendly, with walking areas and green space; and (6) Nearby restaurants include Franconi’s Pizzeria for classic pies and cheesesteaks and Appalachian Brewing Company with pub fare and house-brewed beers.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Sites are narrow and can feel cramped, so don’t expect big pull-throughs; (2) Limited amenities with no pool, clubhouse, or playground; (3) Grounds feel more like a residential mobile home park than a campground; (4) Some infrastructure is dated and could use upgrades; and (5) Not much in the way of natural scenery because, um, this is urban camping.
Happy Camping!
Camping spots near Oxford, Pennsylvania range from riverside settings to locations nestled among historic Amish farmlands. The area sits at elevations between 400-550 feet above sea level with summer temperatures averaging 82-87°F during peak camping months from May through September. Most campgrounds in the region operate on water drawn from local wells, with varying mineral content that can affect taste.
Disc golf courses: Muddy Run Recreation Park has a well-designed 18-hole disc golf course winding through wooded areas. "The disc golf course is very well laid out and up kept," according to a visitor who noted that the varying terrain adds challenge for experienced players.
Kayaking and canoeing: At Lums Pond State Park Campground, you can rent kayaks for exploring the 200-acre pond. "Great state park with lots to do (kayaking, biking, and more)," reports one camper. Water temperatures remain suitable for paddling from mid-April through October.
Equestrian activities: Some camping areas provide horse-friendly trails. "There are separate, individual shower rooms," noted one visitor to Lums Pond, making it convenient for cleaning up after trail riding. The park also maintains designated equestrian parking areas with space for trailers.
Spacious sites with privacy: French Creek State Park Campground offers well-separated campsites. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," explains one reviewer. The campground's Loop A features particularly large, flat sites suitable for tents or RVs.
Swimming options: Multiple campers appreciate the water features at different campgrounds. "The water park is super fun for adults and kids. The entire campground is clean and very well maintained," reports a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville. Their water park includes slides and splash features operating from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Local culture: The surrounding Amish community creates unique experiences for campers. At Country Acres Campground, visitors can observe local agricultural practices. One camper described "watching a horse drawn equipment cutting grass while we cooked dinner was a joy."
Varying site quality: Campgrounds in the Oxford area range significantly in size and quality. "Sites in the 20's are tiny and hanging off a cliff," notes one reviewer of Muddy Run Recreation Park, while others caution that water hookups are sometimes located far from sites requiring "50 ft of hose."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds limit full services to peak season. At Elk Neck State Park Campground, late season camping offers a different experience: "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up and the water was still on in November. Bathhouses were open with hot water."
Wildlife encounters: The region hosts diverse wildlife that campers may encounter. "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron," reports one visitor to Elk Neck State Park. Black bears occasionally appear in more remote areas, particularly during early morning hours.
Choose campgrounds with dedicated kids' activities: Several reviewers highlight family-oriented programming. "Super clean, beautiful campground. So many activities to entertain kids, we couldn't fit it all in!" notes one visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, which offers organized events like character breakfasts and themed weekends.
Look for accessible playgrounds: Many campgrounds feature playground equipment. "There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line," reports a French Creek State Park camper.
Consider water features: Pools and splash pads are popular with families. "The pool is new and has a sloped entrance so my two year old could play by himself and loved it," explained a visitor at Country Acres Campground, noting the family-friendly design.
Check site dimensions carefully: RV campers often mention the importance of accurate site information. "The sites were large and well spaced. Many are in full sun," notes a reviewer of Lums Pond State Park, emphasizing the importance of shade considerations during summer months.
Plan for water and electric access: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup configurations. "Bring 50 ft of hose for water hook up and an extension cord with a converter. The water hook ups are randomly placed, ours was 2 sites away," advises one RVer about Muddy Run Recreation Park.
Off-season availability: Year-round camping options exist but with limited amenities. "In February, about 1/4 of the sites were occupied. It was very quiet," reports a winter visitor to Lums Pond State Park, where heated bathrooms remain operational throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Oxford, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Oxford, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 110 campgrounds and RV parks near Oxford, PA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Oxford, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Oxford, PA is Jellystone Park™ Quarryville with a 4.4-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Oxford, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Oxford, PA.
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