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Campgrounds near Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania provide a mix of state park and private camping facilities within accessible driving distance. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers a comprehensive camping experience with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts around a scenic lake setting approximately 20 miles northwest of Shrewsbury. Codorus State Park Campground, located about 10 miles west of Shrewsbury near Hanover, provides similar accommodation types with electric hookups and organized camping areas. Both parks maintain established campgrounds with fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails, swimming, and fishing opportunities.
Seasonal camping in the region typically operates from April through October, with most state parks closing for winter. One visitor noted, "We love this park...it's one of our favorites! 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." Road access to most established campgrounds is well-maintained, allowing for standard passenger vehicles and RVs. Reservations are recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays when campgrounds reach capacity. Several campgrounds in the area enforce alcohol restrictions and quiet hours, with varying pet policies depending on the specific camping location. State park campgrounds typically enforce a 14-day maximum stay limit during peak seasons.
The camping experience around Shrewsbury highlights Pennsylvania's diverse landscapes, from lakeside settings to wooded environments. Private campgrounds like Pequea Creek and Otter Creek supplement the state park system, offering more amenities and often year-round availability. According to reviews, campers particularly value spacious sites with natural separation between camping spots. As one camper described, "Beautiful picturesque campground with large spots and a lot of trees. Very quiet and close enough to Lancaster for shopping." Most established campgrounds provide centralized bathhouses with showers, though cleanliness and maintenance receive mixed reviews. The proximity to attractions like Hershey Park (about 30 miles north) and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country makes this region popular for both weekend getaways and longer vacation stays, offering a combination of outdoor recreation and cultural experiences within an hour's drive.
"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"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!"
"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"Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."
"Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal! Sites are spacious and nice! Restrooms clean!"
"Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."
"The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . "
"Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."
"There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."
"We were surprised to find this nice little spot next to the creek right outside of town. There’s a spot right next to it but was unoccupied while we were there so we were all alone."
"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."
"Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."
"I used to stay here all the time with my grandparents when they were around. It was always some of the best times for me."
"The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store."
"The observatory is open to public once a month, we recommend you plan your trip around this."
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.
TravelerNice campground, maintained very well and clean. Laundry room and Propane fill on site so that was nice. RV Site was fairly level and easy to get into. Some sites are a bit close together and not long enough to keep your tow vehicle hooked up. A bit inconvenient if you’re only there for 1 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
ScoutGreat campsite, plenty of space. It rained a lot and our campsite was a little muddy (not bad) but nearby campsites had large puddles
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?
ScoutFlat grounds, level campsites, nice pool, kids have tons of fun!
Camping options near Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania include several established sites within 20-30 miles of town. The area sits along the eastern edge of the Piedmont region with elevations ranging from 400-900 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for camping experiences. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall bring cooler conditions ideal for outdoor activities.
Hiking trails: Access the Mason Dixon Trail directly from Otter Creek Campground, which connects to scenic woodland paths following the Susquehanna. "Great hiking in the area, which was the reason we went out there in the first place!" notes a visitor who stayed in 2023.
Water recreation: At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, rent kayaks or canoes to explore the 340-acre Pinchot Lake. "Nice sized spots, wooded, paved roads, beautiful lake," reports a 2025 camper who enjoyed site 114 with direct water access near a small beach area.
Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot offers two 18-hole disc golf courses with different difficulty levels. One camper warns: "BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge all over the prime walking areas through the course."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked waterways provide good angling near campsites. "There was also a nice pond — it looked pretty full of fish," mentions a visitor to Tucquan Park Family Campground in 2021, though they'd forgotten their fishing gear.
Cycling routes: The Enola Low Grade Trail offers paved surfaces for biking near campgrounds. A 2025 camper at Pequea Creek noted: "The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail."
Spacious, private sites: Pequea Creek Campground receives consistent praise for generously sized sites with natural separation. "I'd definitely stay here again due to the beauty and quietness of the camp sites," wrote a 2024 visitor who enjoyed their extended 4th of July weekend.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. A 2020 reviewer at Codorus State Park Campground appreciated the "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms," giving the park 5 stars.
Waterfront access: Sites with direct water views or access remain highly sought after. One Codorus camper shared: "We camped at Codorus State Park for the first time a few years ago while out east. We really love this Campground! There is a wide variety of sites... we think the site we got was the best one in the park. We were in 132, which was huge."
Family-oriented activities: Most campgrounds program regular events for children. A 2021 Merry Meadows visitor explained: "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol. Wonderful experience for the whole family."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting attracts diverse wildlife. Muddy Run Rec Park campers noted: "My favorite evening activities (besides enjoying a campfire) are dusk deer-watching! There are hundreds of deer in this protected park."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate April through October with limited winter camping options. Gifford Pinchot State Park operates from "2nd Friday April to October 31," while Codorus State Park runs from "2nd Friday April to November 1."
Reservation requirements: Sites fill quickly, especially for summer weekends and holidays. Book 3-6 months in advance for prime locations and dates at popular campgrounds.
Cash-only policies: Some privately-owned campgrounds operate primarily with cash. One 2025 Merry Meadows camper observed: "One of the complaints was they work on cash. Yeah, I knows it's not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us."
Extended hookup hoses needed: Several campgrounds require longer-than-standard equipment. A Muddy Run visitor advised: "Make sure you have a long hose for water hookup. Water pumps were spaced pretty far and we needed at least a 100 ft hose to reach."
Variable cell service: Connectivity differs significantly between locations. A 2018 camper at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm noted little to no cell service in some camping areas, while others reported sufficient coverage for basic needs.
Pool access: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools for children, though policies vary. A Codorus State Park visitor advised: "There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground."
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas for convenience with young children. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," reported a Gifford Pinchot camper in 2025.
Kid-friendly creek exploration: Shallow waterways provide safe play areas. "We welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek," shared a 2025 visitor, noting that "site 24 had steps down the 'levee' affording easier access to the creek."
Farm animal experiences: Animal interaction opportunities engage children at specialized campgrounds. "We loved all the animals. Original reservation was Fri-Sun, but they were calling for 60 mph wind gusts Friday, and no one was in my spot so I went in a day ahead," commented a Merry Meadows camper who appreciated the staff flexibility.
Tent site selection: Families with tents should check site leveling before setting up. A 2020 Gifford Pinchot camper warned: "I came for a hike and quick one night tent escape... noticed just how crowded it was. Lots literally right on top of each other... Went to front gate and got a much more isolated tent spot."
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds feature sloped terrain requiring blocking. "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level," reported a Thousand Trails Circle M visitor in 2025.
Storm drainage issues: Lower elevation sites may flood during heavy rain. A Thousand Trails Circle M camper shared: "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground."
Arrival timing: Early arrival improves site selection at first-come campgrounds. "As with all thousand trails, this campground is first come best site. While the top part of the campground seemed more communal, we chose the lower, Riverside sites and we're glad we did!" advised a Circle M visitor.
Hookup locations: Utilities aren't always conveniently placed at some campgrounds. A Muddy Run camper warned: "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."
Campground navigation: Large facilities can be confusing after dark. One Gettysburg Farm visitor noted: "The only downside to this campground is the pick your own spot. We got there later in the evening and it was really difficult to find something in the dark."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Shrewsbury, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shrewsbury, PA is Codorus State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 42 reviews.
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