144 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania offer a broad mix of camping options, from tent sites and RV hookups to cabins and yurts, with facilities spread across the region including Codorus State Park and Gifford Pinchot State Park. These areas accommodate diverse camping preferences with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts. Several campgrounds in the region, like Gettysburg Battlefield KOA and Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, provide family-friendly environments with amenities ranging from basic to full-service facilities. The surrounding landscape offers opportunities to experience the rural Pennsylvania countryside, with many sites positioned near lakes, historic areas, and natural attractions.
Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with most campgrounds operating from April through October or early November. Many established campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods. The terrain throughout the region is relatively gentle with some rolling hills that characterize the Pennsylvania countryside. One camper noted, "Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground has some great sites on the lake side where you can get amazing sunset views." Visitors should consider seasonal factors when planning trips, as campgrounds like Codorus State Park are only open from the second Friday in April until November 1. Weather conditions remain moderate through the camping season, though summer thunderstorms can occur with little warning.
Mixed-use campgrounds in the area receive positive reviews for their variety of accommodations and activities. Sites near water features are particularly popular, with lakes and creeks providing swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. Tent and RV sites often include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to central bathhouses. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, many campgrounds maintain clean facilities and offer spacious sites with good shade coverage. "Beautiful picturesque campground with large spots and a lot of trees. Very quiet and close enough to Lancaster for shopping," wrote one visitor about a local campground. Proximity to historic attractions like Gettysburg and the Pennsylvania Dutch countryside adds cultural interest for campers exploring beyond their sites. Noise levels vary by location, with campgrounds closer to highways experiencing more ambient sound than those tucked deeper into wooded areas.
"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."
from $20 - $249 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $20 - $89 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"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."
"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."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."
"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."
from $60 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Spent 2 nights at Gettysburg KOA in July while touring Pennsylvania with granddaughter. Very convenient to historical stuff. Large sites, separated by rocks and trees. Quiet and private."
"Our site was very spacious, beautifully landscaped and wooded, but right next to the road. There was a buffer of trees, but unfortunately that didn’t make much of a difference with regard to noise."
"They were constantly driving past our site. This is the first time I’ve stayed where there were so many golf carts. It was a bit noisy. The site was pretty level and an okay side."
"Great campground, close to Gettysburg but far enough to escape. 2 pools which is a bonus. Many folks have golf carts, as the campground is huge—and you can get turned around easily."
"It’s at the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail so there are lots of great hikes as well as a nice path between the two lakes. Our new favorite in Pennsylvania!"
"We were right at the intersection near the campground entrance and one of the other loops, but it wasn't noisy at all. The drinking water was right next to our site, which was handy."
from $20 - $43 / night
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LegendPros- Pool is sparkling clear and new. Mini golf is awesome. Nice people, nice store.
Cons- further from Hershey Park than ideal, lots of seasonal campers leaving for work before dawn in loud trucks, not much privacy, some road noise.
GuideBASE ACCESS REQUIRED!
Electric/Water/Sewer hookup sites for $56 a night! (2 night minimum) Which is a great full hookup price, even though it's gone up $6 since last year. Weekly and monthly pricing available as well.
The sites are neat, well maintained, level, and sunny with concrete pads and paved campground roads. Centrally located laundry facilities and airconditioned bath house. Playground, boat launch, beach volleyball court, disk golf, basketball court, and outdoor pool all within walking distance. Other base amenities include: commissary, gas station, bowling, BBQ, Dunkin', and Greek restaurants, and golf. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something.)
Note: in July it is very buggy - the biting flies are the worst. So bring bug spray or a screened in tent to eat in.
The downside: the reservation system is a major PITA. You have to download a PDF packet, fill it out, and EMAIL it in. When you get your confirmation, it doesn't include a specific site number. You get assigned one when they call you the week of your scheduled check-in for payment completion.
Don't miss out on: the water! My advice would be to reserve one of their boats at the same time you reserve your campsite. The water in this area is great - no jellyfish, low waves. You can SUP, kayak, pontoon boat. Whatever your preference. There are large flats of grasses - which you'd want to avoid with a motor but are so much fun to paddle over. Also check out the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge island. You can't go inland, but you can anchor off shore, jump in and wade around the shallows.
Also very driveable to an off-base movie theater, Baltimore, and Havre de Grace.
ScoutWe stayed only one night in primitive tent site which was massive with a turnaround. It was great. There are fire pits and picnic tables and level ground. Very serene. We walked down to the river, breathtaking. Not sure of other amenities as we didn’t use them.
ScoutFrome the moment you drive up the women at the gate is about as welcoming ( as my Pops would say ) "A fart in church.," Great way to start your vacation. Didn't get much better in the office. The one guy that worked there did at least smile at us....
ScoutWhere do I start?
We came to this campground to connect with family who was hiking the AT. We left after one miserable night. Here are some reasons:
A giant confederate flag near the entrance
Highway noise and not one but two train tracks
One Filthy “bathroom”
No shade at our campsite- despite other available sites with some shade
A trail of poison ivy on the narrow path to the river
Cigarette butts everywhere
And a creepy man on a bike who declared he was a local and wouldn’t leave our site while I was alone and insisted on talking to me about the strip club down the street, where to buy condoms and how my tent’s mesh shelf is perfect for drying out my wet panties.
ScoutWe called ahead of time to reserve two sites for two nights for a bunch of people from out of state and some hikers from the AT. They said it was $35 per site per night. When we arrived we were told that we had to pay for three nights because it was a holiday weekend AND that the price was per tent. The porta potties were gross and hadn’t been serviced in a while. It was difficult to use them. During a heat wave we were given a site with little shade when several sites further along with plenty of trees were empty. The plumbed bathroom was dirty and had no soap. The shop did not in fact sell love bait, which cramped our fishing style. There is a loud rail road with constant trains on one side and a very busy highway with loud trucks on the other. The river front was lovely, but with detritus from previous campers on the rocks. We left after one night.
ScoutWell maintained campgrounds with thoughtful touches. Staff very friendly and responsive.
ScoutIts such a beautiful campground and very quite and clean showers and bathrooms
LegendWe spent 4 nights at Gettysburg Campground to attend the AIM Club Rally(Lincoln’s Legacy- Gettysburg 250), and it served as base camp for the event.
WHAT I LIKED:
Location, Location, Location: This park is an absolute winner for convenience—just 5 minutes from the Gettysburg battlefields, museums, and the heart of town.
The Atmosphere: The staff gave us a warm reception at check-in, and the site itself was clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to back up to a running creek. Lots of mature trees offer lots of shade and character.
Big-Rig Friendly: Navigating a 45-foot motorhome with a toad can sometimes be stressful, but this park was easy to maneuver.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
Late-Night Power Struggles: On our final night, the campground experienced grid strain. Our Hughes Watchdog Power Center saved the day—but it had to shut off our power 7 different times due to low voltage. Aside from losing a few hours of sleep to the chorus of appliances cycling off and on, no harm was done. I recommend using a surge protector/voltage regulator if you stay here.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Camping near Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania offers access to campgrounds primarily in the south-central Pennsylvania region, with most sites experiencing moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. The terrain around Porters Sideling features gentle rolling hills with elevations ranging from 500-700 feet above sea level, creating natural drainage that helps campsites dry quickly after rain.
Horseback battlefield tours: At Artillery Ridge Campground, visitors can experience Gettysburg from a unique perspective. "The camp store has everything that any camper could need, and the game room is really nice. The whole campground is approximately a 3 minute drive from everything in the town of Gettysburg. The battefields are very close as well," notes Dave B.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds feature stocked fishing areas for guests. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," writes SkywaystoHighways.com Y. about their experience at Gifford Pinchot State Park. Another camper mentioned, "Cedar Creek was amazing and clean. Staff was friendly and courteous. The lake is nice and they stock it with trout."
Mini golf and recreation: Family-friendly activities are readily available at most campgrounds. "The resort had great amenities for all ages. We stayed in October so there was plenty of activities for kids from crafts, games, dancing, to trick or treating," shares Michael R. about their stay at Gettysburg.
Wooded privacy: Many campers appreciate the natural setting of campgrounds in the Porters Sideling region. At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, one reviewer noted, "Sites were of ample size and well spaced. Sites were separated from our neighbors site with nice foliage."
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned in reviews is the cleanliness of campground facilities. "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms," reports Mike C. about Codorus State Park. Another camper at Gettysburg Campground stated, "Whenever we go to Gettysburg which is usually once a year we always stay here. Really nice place. Recommend a site by the creek. Cool laid back staff and clean bathrooms."
Historical proximity: The location near historical sites is a major draw. "We camped at Artillery Ridge Campground, which served as an artillery storage/staging area for the Union during the battle. Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded," explains MJ B.
Seasonal considerations: The camping season in this region is limited at many state parks. Codorus State Park operates "2nd Friday April to November 1" while Gifford Pinchot State Park runs from "2nd Fri April to October 31," making advance planning essential for spring and fall visits.
Site variations: Campgrounds near Porters Sideling offer different site configurations and privacy levels. "We were in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake. It can get a little busy on the weekends since there is a boat lauch at the end of the primitive lane, but some of the sites are secluded/set back enough to be private," explains Catherine H.
Reservation needs: During peak season, securing spots can be challenging. "Crowded Tent area and chiggers. When I arrived, someone was in my spot. After working it out and came back I noticed just how crowded it was," warns Scott B. about his experience, highlighting the importance of confirming reservations.
Animal encounters: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm offers unique farm experiences. "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. Prefect campground for the family," shares Robert M. Another visitor mentioned, "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires."
Playground access: Consider site proximity to play areas. "We were in site 86,85,89 for a month long stay... The only complain we had was people walking through our sites due us being close to the playground and the noise level on the playground," notes Lakota M. from Artillery Ridge Campground.
Bathroom proximity: With children, location relative to facilities matters. At Gettysburg Battlefield KOA, "The bathroom/showers were very clean as well, and individual units for privacy." The campground earned praise as "a very clean and wooded campground. They have plenty of activities for the kids from swimming, mini golf, and a scavenger hunt!"
Site leveling needs: Many campgrounds require preparation for uneven terrain. "Make sure to bring your leveling blocks, some sites do have a slope to them of 3-4"," advises Gregory L. about Gettysburg Battlefield Resort. Another RVer mentioned, "Our site was pretty level and an okay side. Our site was separated from our neighbors site with nice foliage."
Utility placement: Sewer connections at some campgrounds present challenges. "The sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," notes one camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Navigation difficulties: Larger RVs might face challenges at some locations. "We stayed in site 55. Big site but hard to get into. There are a couple of pull thru sites that are much easier," shares Bill B. about their experience at Gettysburg Battlefield KOA, adding "We will stay again" despite the access challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Porters Sideling, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Porters Sideling, PA is Codorus State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 42 reviews.
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