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Several good camping spots surround the small town of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, each with its own character. Cowans Gap State Park Campground has a lake where campers can fish or take out kayaks during their stay. Many hikers camp at Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground because it sits right along the Appalachian Trail amid woods and hills. Caledonia State Park Campground combines hiking access with some interesting historical sites nearby. Most of these parks have basic restrooms, designated picnic spots, and some campsites with electricity for those who need it. Spring and fall bring the best camping weather to the area, with comfortable temperatures and colorful trees. Summer camping works too, though you'll want to grab a shady site to avoid the heat. Some parks keep sites open through winter, but they often reduce services during the cold months. It's always smart to call ahead about closures, especially in the off-season. The Shippensburg area works well for campers who like to mix outdoor activities with some local history.
"Stayed here two nights while visiting Gettysburg (short 20mi drive between the two). Stayed on Chinquapin Hill, each site has picnic table and fire ring and good space for camp."
"It’s a fantastic state park with great picnic areas next to the creek. You can also drive up the road to the dam where there’s a beautiful lake with fishing, kayaking, etc."
from $20 - $102 / night
Check Availability"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
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."
"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."
"Nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania, this gem of a campground."
"The bathroom is close by,has showers & is very clean. You can walk or ride a bike to the beach. The water is clean with sand on the bottom. Lakeside trail is short and easy."
from $20 - $49 / night
Check Availability"Some reviewers have confused nearby State Parks with the actual State Forest, resulting in inaccurate information."
"Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Park at the lot off Shippensburg road and then hike SOBO a little less than a mile. Lots of nice sites along the creek before you cross the bridge. If you hit the AT shelter you’ve gone too far."
"There's a parking area which fits several cars, and I actually counted 4 campsites there is immediate access to."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"This is a huge campground with mostly very large RVs situated on farmland. The sites varied. Some were in an open field, others by the stream with trees. We had Site C, which was right on the stream."
"Our kids love the creek and playing in and around it. Some activities, playground, mini golf etc. but more of a relaxing campground."
from $38 - $43 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It’s only 15 yards for the play set."
"Nice place to camp me and the wife was there July 4th weekend close to the pool"
ScoutMicheal met us with a welcome packet, delivered campwood at a very reasonable price (and loaned us a hatchet), clean facilities and hot shower were a bonus!
Very responsive to messages and an overall delightful experience. Great bird watching and a huge herd of deer came to visit too.
TravelerThis is a very nice and quiet park owned by the city of Jacksonville, Florida. On the beach with tons of stuff to do.
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.
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.
GuideFabulous campground, off the beaten path. Stayed here 2 nights and enjoyed walking to the beach and hiking some of the extensive trail system. Campsites are well spaced and private. Although most are on on a slight hill, our parking spot was level and it appeared most others were as well.
TravelerHas all sorts of amenities, sites along a creek, was very quiet &peaceful. Kids will never get bored. Pets are allowed. The fireflies at night along the creek were so relaxing
Camping near Shippensburg, Pennsylvania offers access to Pennsylvania's South Mountain region with elevations ranging from 700 to 2,100 feet. The area sits at the northern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains, creating diverse terrain for camping. These campgrounds often experience morning fog in valley areas during spring and fall, lifting by mid-morning to reveal forested landscapes.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground offers direct access to the AT halfway point. "The Appalachian trail runs right through it and is said to be the middle point of the trail. so you know there is great hiking," notes camper Danielle W. Many hikers complete the traditional "half-gallon challenge" at the park store after reaching this milestone.
Swimming in mountain lakes: Cowans Gap State Park Campground features a sandy beach area on its mountain lake. "Nice small lake within walking distance along with a beach. There is also a few hiking trails near the campground," explains camper Amber. The swimming area is roped off and has lifeguards during summer months from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Mountain biking: North Michaux State Forest Campsites provide direct trail access. "The Camps trail starts at this campsite's back door. We hiked part of this gorgeous trail, which enters many different types of forests... We were the only hikers, but mountain bikers love this trail," shares Tommy S. Maps are available at the Michaux State Forest office, showing over 60 miles of designated biking trails.
Historical exploration: Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA puts campers minutes from battlefield monuments. "The campground was just minutes from downtown Gettysburg," confirms Ray L. Ranger-led programs at Gettysburg National Military Park run daily from April through October, providing in-depth battlefield history.
Forest privacy: North Michaux State Forest Campsites offer secluded spots. "There's a parking area which fits several cars, and I actually counted 4 campsites there is immediate access to... We stayed at the second site to the left, where there is a sign that says 'Camps Trail', and I believe this is the main site. It is very roomy," notes Tommy S. These primitive sites require reservations but are free of charge.
Water recreation: Twin Bridge Campground provides creek access directly from campsites. "Our favorite campground. The most relaxing setting. Our kids love the creek and playing in and around it," shares Jwalker. The creek is shallow enough for wading and exploring, with deeper spots for swimming during summer months.
Viewing wildlife: Caledonia State Park Campground has regular firefly displays. "We chose this park for the nice pool (short walk from campsites) but loved the synchronous firefly show we saw in July!" reports Stephanie S. The synchronized fireflies typically appear for a two-week period in late June through early July at dusk.
Meeting through-hikers: Pine Grove Furnace State Park attracts AT hikers year-round. "This park is the half way point on the AT, and we got to meet quite a few hikers and hear some cool stories about their travels on the trail," writes Jeffrey H. The park's Appalachian Trail Museum provides context for these encounters and displays historic hiking equipment.
Permit requirements: Michaux State Forest requires permits for designated sites. "Camping is free in several areas throughout Michaux State Forest (as well as other PA State Forests), BUT you usually need to have a camping permit (also free) and you can only stay in designated campsites," explains Jen S. Permits must be obtained online before arrival.
Site privacy varies: Caledonia State Park sites lack privacy. "We enjoyed our stay here very much. The trails were very enjoyable and we hiked about 15 miles with sections of the Appalachian trail. Restrooms were very clean and park was beautiful, only negative comment would be how close sites are to each other," reports Andres C. Sites in loop A tend to offer more space between neighbors.
Cell service limitations: Cowans Gap has minimal connectivity. "You are totally off the grid as far as cell, WiFi, and TV signal. Be prepared to be out of communication during your stay," warns Judy H. The nearest reliable cell service is typically found in the town of McConnellsburg, about 12 miles away.
Weather preparation: Camping in this region requires layered clothing. Overnight temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months, often falling 15-20 degrees below daytime highs. Mountain locations experience stronger winds than valley campgrounds, especially in fall months.
Kid-friendly water features: Mountain Creek Camp Ground offers tubing and swimming. "The kids had a blast, tubing in the creek, swimming pool and an excellent camp store. Sites in some areas are tight, real tight. Over all, a good camping experience," shares Jim C. Inner tubes can be rented at the camp store for $5 per day.
Playgrounds and activities: Granite Hill Camping Resort provides structured entertainment. "Great family campsite. Staff is super friendly, amenities are perfect and super clean. A lot of activities for the entire family," notes Stephanie G. Weekend programs typically include crafts, games, and occasional outdoor movies during summer months.
Firefly viewing spots: Caledonia State Park offers evening nature experiences. "We chose this park for the nice pool (short walk from campsites) but loved the synchronous firefly show we saw in July! sites didn't have much privacy and bathrooms were small and outdated, although adequate," mentions Stephanie S. Optimal firefly viewing occurs on nights without a full moon.
Safety considerations: Most campgrounds prohibit children from gathering firewood beyond immediate campsite areas. Designated swimming areas are safer than creek exploration, as mountain streams can rise quickly after upstream rainfall even when local conditions remain dry.
Hookup availability: Gettysburg Campground offers various site options. "The amenities of Gettysburg Campground are quite good: full hookups with cable, all working as expected. Level sites, friendly and efficient staff, decently sized sites long enough for my 32' coach and a toad," states Jim G. Reservation confirmations include maximum vehicle length recommendations for specific sites.
Water access planning: Most state park campgrounds require filling freshwater tanks before parking. "Very wooded and clean State Park. If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up," advises Adam P. about Pine Grove Furnace. Potable water fill stations are typically located near campground entrances.
Leveling considerations: Some best places to camp near Shippensburg require extra equipment. "It took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot, thankfully we had enough wood to get the jack up without having to over extend it," warns Priscilla M. about Granite Hill. RVers should bring additional leveling blocks for mountain campgrounds.
Site selection strategy: Look for sites away from busy roads or activity centers for a quieter experience. Sites with afternoon shade help keep RVs cooler during summer stays, particularly important since generator use is restricted at most public campgrounds in the Shippensburg region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available near Shippensburg, PA?
The Shippensburg area offers several excellent camping options. North Michaux State Forest Campsites provides primitive sites along a creek, accessible by hiking less than a mile from Shippensburg Road. For those seeking amenities, Twin Bridge Campground near Chambersburg is a short drive away. Other nearby options include Caledonia State Park Campground, Mountain Creek Camp Ground, and Campground Island - a unique spot completely surrounded by water. Most campgrounds in the region offer a mix of wooded sites, water access, and hiking opportunities, making the Shippensburg area a great base for exploring south-central Pennsylvania's outdoor attractions.
Are there any state parks with camping options near Shippensburg, PA?
Several state parks with camping facilities are located within driving distance of Shippensburg. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground offers numerous electric sites, updated bathrooms, and sits at the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail with great hiking opportunities and two lakes. Cowans Gap State Park Campground features spacious, shaded sites with a beautiful lake that's perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating. Additionally, Caledonia State Park Campground is nearby, offering drive-in sites with toilets and big-rig-friendly options. These state parks typically require reservations, especially during peak summer months.
What are the most affordable camping options around Shippensburg, PA?
For budget-conscious campers near Shippensburg, Michaux State Forest offers free primitive camping options with basic amenities. These sites provide an economical base for exploring the region's natural beauty. For those traveling in RVs, several overnight parking options exist, including Cracker Barrel — Mechanicsburg and The Home Depot in Lower Paxton, though these are intended for brief overnight stops rather than extended stays. If you're willing to drive a bit further, Campground Island offers reasonably priced sites with the unique experience of camping completely surrounded by water. Always check current rates and reservation requirements as fees may change seasonally.
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