Best Campgrounds near Porters Sideling, PA

Campgrounds near Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania feature a mix of established camping facilities within an hour's drive, 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.

Best Camping Sites Near Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania (139)

    1. Codorus State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Porters Sideling, PA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 637-2816

    $24 - $247 / night

    "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."

    2. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $24 - $89 / night

    "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. "

    3. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

    19 Reviews
    Freeland, MD
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 329-6636

    "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!"

    4. Artillery Ridge Campground

    24 Reviews
    Gettysburg, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 334-1288

    "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."

    5. Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm

    9 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    6. Gettysburg Campground

    26 Reviews
    Gettysburg, PA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 642-5713

    "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."

    7. Cedar Lake Family Campground

    6 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-2918

    $60 - $100 / night

    "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."

    8. Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA

    26 Reviews
    Fairfield, PA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 642-5713

    "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."

    9. Drummer Boy Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Gettysburg, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    10. Gettysburg

    11 Reviews
    Gettysburg, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 337-3363

    $66 - $127 / night

    "This campground worked out perfectly..so close to the battlefields. It was only for the weekend but we really enjoyed our stay."

    "It also has a lake and cabins available."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 139 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Porters Sideling, PA

1032 Reviews of 139 Porters Sideling Campgrounds


  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    Better than OK

    Stayed for 2 days while passing through from FL to NH. Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay. Office staff did ok. Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills , not just a big open field. It’s a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through. Tried to book 2 nights but system only set us up for 1. Phone call to help line easily resolved the issue. Quiet and no spotlights on all night.

  • Stephen W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Hersheypark Camping Resort

    Very clean campground friendly staff

    We stay here once a year in September. Stone surface. Not to bad for leveling. Our site was spacious.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    Peace and quiet !

    Great spot! We had site 114 . It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    In Amish area, next to an amusement park

    Our kids where happy with the small playground and with a few dollars they could have some fun in the small arcade/gameroom. In the area you have Lancaster, Amish area and an amusement park (that is a bit outdated). The camping has a bit over 100 spots. They are just oké.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    I camped and worked here.

    I’m a shamanic energy healer and health enthusiast exploring a new life and hunting for healthy. While this campground has some nice features. This certainly is not a health conscious facility. Lots of smoking, drinking and unhealthy food. There was also evidence of mice in the main store and definitely issues with the water.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Good stay

    The entrance in off the main road turns you into the theme park. Fear not. Turn in and follow the road to the right and into the campground. We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig. All gravel sites and we had full hookup with 50 Amp.


Guide to Porters Sideling

Camping near Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Caledonia State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The Appalachian trail runs right by it," making it a great spot for hiking enthusiasts.
  • Fishing and Swimming: At Codorus State Park Campground, you can enjoy the lake. A reviewer said, "The lake is great! Lovely areas to relax and explore."
  • Historical Sites: Visit Gettysburg, just a short drive from Gettysburg Campground. One camper noted, "Was very easy to access from the campground. Was not a lot in the way of restaurants and take out nearby."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground. A reviewer shared, "The restrooms at this park, while they are older, they are clean and pretty much in good order."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful environment at Owens Creek Campground. One visitor said, "This is a great quiet little camping ground."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA offers fun games and a mini-golf course. A camper mentioned, "We had a great time... they have big chess boards like in Harry Potter."

What you should know

  • Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have tight spots. A camper at Hersheypark Camping Resort noted, "The ONLY good thing this RV park has going is the Hershey park bus that runs all day back and forth."
  • Crowded Areas: Expect some campgrounds to be busy, especially during holidays. A visitor at Cunningham Falls State Park said, "The only downsides for us were that the campsites were relatively small, and close together."
  • Limited Cell Service: If you plan to use your phone, be prepared for spotty service at Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "If you are planning to use your cellphone at this one, probably not going to happen."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A parent at Cunningham Falls State Park said, "My kids also LOVED the swimming lake -- especially great for small kids."
  • Plan for Crowds: If you’re camping during peak times, arrive early to secure a good spot. A camper at Gettysburg Campground noted, "The campground was packed out."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy during hikes and activities. A visitor at Codorus State Park Campground mentioned, "There are some neat places around and markets are close by."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: Some sites may not be level, making it tricky for RVs. A reviewer at Caledonia State Park Campground advised, "Wouldn't book that site again for our unit. It was on a slope."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Not all campgrounds have stores nearby. A camper at Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground said, "The store is really just a small carry out with a few things, so bring everything you are planning to have in with you."
  • Use the Dump Station: Make sure to utilize dump stations if available. A visitor at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground mentioned, "The bathhouse was fairly close and clean."

Camping near Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

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 4.2-star rating from 40 reviews.