Camping options near Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania include both family-friendly resorts and quieter natural settings positioned along the lower Susquehanna River. The area's lowland elevations range from 200-400 feet above sea level, creating relatively mild camping conditions even during shoulder seasons. Many campgrounds operate from April through October, though some offer limited year-round availability.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: Susquehannock State Park Campground offers hiking trails with river views. "There are lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River. There's a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles," notes one visitor.
Enjoy water recreation: Muddy Run Recreation Park features a 100-acre lake with affordable boat rentals. "The lake area is GREAT for kids and adults. Super clean. Lots to do. Well worth a week," shares a camper who appreciated the water activities.
Visit local attractions: Lancaster County offers numerous cultural experiences within 25-35 minutes of most campgrounds. "The campground is in a good location to Lancaster and other quaint Amish towns like Bird-In-Hand, Paradise, and Intercourse. Just a little bit north of the campground is the beautiful town of Lititz which is definitely worth a visit," explains a visitor to Old Mill Stream Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Pequea Creek Campground provides roomy camping areas, particularly for groups. "This is one of our favorite camp grounds. We always book their group site, it's huge! The sleeping area and cooking/hanging out area are way spread out so if you have kids you don't have to worry about noise at night," remarks one camper.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple locations offer fishing access to both the Susquehanna River and smaller streams. "Having spent most of my childhood here camping at this park I was delighted to bring my family back to where I grew up. The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store," explains a visitor to Muddy Run Rec Park.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. "My favorite evening activities (besides enjoying a campfire) are dusk deer-watching! There are hundreds of deer in this protected park," reports a camper at Muddy Run Recreation Park.
What you should know
Site locations vary widely: Otter Creek Campground offers different site layouts and locations. "The campground itself is up on the hill overlooking the river. The campground is on about 4 acres. It was uphill in parts so it was nice to be able to walk our two dogs around in a large circle without having to leave the campground."
Weather considerations: The Susquehanna River valley can experience rapid flooding after heavy rains. "With all of the rain we have had here in Pennsylvania this summer the river was brown with mud and tree debris. The ground aside of the river was also so saturated from flooding it was difficult to walk though without sinking into the ground."
Hookup challenges: Some campgrounds have unusual utility 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 a Muddy Run visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville offers extensive family programming. "Super clean, beautiful campground. So many activities to entertain kids, we couldn't fit it all in! The water park is super fun for adults and kids. The entire campground is clean and very well maintained."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water play areas beyond the river. "This campground is very family friendly. We saw so many children running around having a great time! They have an amazing indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground," notes a visitor to Circle M.
Budget considerations: Campgrounds with more amenities typically cost more. "At $35/night during peak season for a primitive site it's a little above our usual budget. However we found it to be well worth it. This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basketball court."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Tucquan Park Family Campground offers various site types. "We had a corner site and had plenty of room. The sites were a little close together but still plenty of room. The pool and playground were very clean and well taken care of."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require equipment for uneven terrain. "We lucked out with a lot that was slightly more secluded on the end of a road, but paid for it with a very sloped lot that made sitting at the picnic table or camp chairs a bit of a struggle."
Seasonal considerations: Local farm activities can affect camping experience. "The overwhelming impression of this campground was the smell of cow manure from the nearby dairy farm feedlot. The smell was not present the first day or so we were there and we enjoyed sitting outside in the afternoon, but when the wind shifted the horrid smell drove us inside."
