Camping near Pequea, Pennsylvania sits at the convergence of two water systems—the Susquehanna River and smaller tributaries like Pequea Creek—creating a unique riparian camping environment at approximately 250 feet elevation. The local weather patterns create distinct seasonal camping experiences, with spring offering wildflower blooms along waterways and fall bringing spectacular foliage colors to the wooded campsites. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from April through October, though a few offer year-round accommodations.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Tucquan Park Family Campground features a hiking trail system that connects directly to the campground. As one visitor noted, "There's a wonderful hiking trail, with plenty of close hiking trails within driving distance."
Kayaking and boating: Muddy Run Recreation Park provides affordable boat rentals and lake access for water activities. "The boat launch is in great shape and with the close islands makes it great to put the kayaks in this huge gorgeous river! Then throw in Otter Creek... it's a great adventure paddling up the creek," explains one camper.
Disc golf course: Several parks in the area offer disc golf, with Muddy Run Recreation Park featuring a complete course with varied terrain. A visitor mentioned, "There are plenty of events and the disc golf course is fun to play. They have a nice little pond you can fish."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Pequea Creek Campground receives high marks for site layout and privacy. "We got an amazingly large site with a nice fire pit and picnic table. The site was very level so that was great!" shared one reviewer.
Proximity to local attractions: Old Mill Stream Campground offers convenient access to Lancaster County activities. "Super close to some really great hiking trails. We'll be back!" explains a camper who appreciated the location's balance of natural surroundings and proximity to tourist areas.
Water recreation options: The creeks and river access points receive consistent praise from visitors. "We enjoyed the birds singing in the mornings and welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek," noted one Pequea Creek Campground visitor.
What you should know
Site drainage issues: Several campgrounds experience water management challenges during rain events. At Circle M RV & Camping Resort, "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground."
Seasonal crowds: Weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day see significantly higher occupancy rates. "It gets very full on the weekends here," noted a Circle M visitor who camped during Halloween weekend.
Utilities positioning: Water and electric hookups may require extra equipment. At Muddy Run Recreation Park, a camper advised, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for kids: Otter Creek Campground offers creek access that's particularly appealing for families with children. "There was a small parking lot which would accommodate up to 10 to 15 cars. The parking lot is located on a series of corners so be careful when pulling into the lot," a visitor noted about accessing the water play areas.
Playground facilities: Many area campgrounds feature play areas for various age groups. "The kids enjoyed the park, they offer a small paddle boat to take any time you want on their little lake on site, the area is beautiful, coworkers are friendly," shared a Tucquan Park Family Campground visitor.
Organized activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled family-friendly programming. "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground," explained a Circle M visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When booking, consider tree cover and site positioning for comfort in summer heat. "We chose site 302 which was at the far end of the campground away from the amusement park. Our campsite was perfectly level and had a large gravel patio area and a large shade tree behind us," noted an Old Mill Stream Campground visitor.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring additional equipment. "We were originally supposed to be in the woods — which FYI is far out of the way of the main activities, and also has a pretty steep incline. But the site was too uneven for our taste so we moved down in the main area," explained a Tucquan Park Family Campground visitor.
Seasonal amenities: Facilities and services vary significantly by season. "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level. Excellent cell and gateway service. Cell is AT&T and our gateway is T-Mobile. Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips," shared a Circle M RV & Camping Resort reviewer.
