Best Campgrounds near Shrewsbury, PA

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania (147)

    1. Codorus State Park Campground

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

    $20 - $195 / 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. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

    19 Reviews
    Freeland, MD
    5 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!"

    3. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

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

    $20 - $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. "

    4. Otter Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 862-3628

    "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!"

    5. Pequea Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4587

    "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 . "

    6. Tucquan Park Family Campground

    12 Reviews
    Holtwood, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-2156

    "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."

    7. Indian Rock Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Jacobus, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 741-1764

    "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."

    8. Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm

    9 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    20 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."

    9. Thousand Trails Circle M

    19 Reviews
    Millersville, PA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    10. Muddy Run Rec Park - PPL

    11 Reviews
    Holtwood, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4325

    "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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 147 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Shrewsbury, PA

1086 Reviews of 147 Shrewsbury Campgrounds


  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • Gennifer K.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Country Acres Campground

    Nice park

    This was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Stoevers Dam Park

    Park is closed. We were kicked out.

    LThe park is a beautiful city park. There are 7 small, level, back-in sites with electric, a picnic table and fire pit. We arrived in a Sunday and you have to call for a permit, but the office is only open on M-F during working hours. At 8 pm, a police officer told us the park was closed because of a bear, but that they had not gotten around to putting up signs. Wound up in a Walmart instead.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • 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.


Guide to Shrewsbury

Camping near Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: There are numerous trails around the campgrounds. For instance, at French Creek State Park Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Hiking and biking this park is fun." The park has trails suitable for all skill levels.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, offer fishing opportunities. A visitor noted, "The lake is very nice and it's a very family park!"
  • Exploring Nearby Attractions: Campers can visit local attractions such as Gettysburg. One camper at Codorus State Park Campground said, "This campground isn't too far from our home in Maryland, so if they have room and we want to go spur of the moment, this one is a good choice."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Elk Neck State Park Campground remarked, "The bathrooms are immaculate."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One reviewer at Lums Pond State Park Campground mentioned, "Nice smaller campground with large spacious sites."
  • Pet-Friendly Options: Campgrounds like French Creek State Park Campground allow pets, which is a big plus for many families. A camper shared, "We stayed in loop C that allows pets. Very spacious sites."

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. A parent at Elk Neck State Park Campground said, "Our site was directly in front of a small playground with a slide, swings and monkey bars."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise, especially at campgrounds where sites are close together. One camper at Codorus State Park Campground noted, "I think a lot of people that really don't know campground etiquette come here."
  • Pack for Activities: Bring bikes, fishing gear, and hiking shoes to make the most of your stay. A visitor at French Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The paved parking spot was tight but a short walk down to the spacious fire pit picnic table area."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Cherry Hill Park said, "While it was tight, we fit no problem."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with full hookups for convenience. A camper at Lums Pond State Park Campground noted, "Sites are paved and mostly level. Full hookups on all sites."
  • Be Prepared for Road Noise: Some campgrounds near highways may have noise. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "The only con is the road noise. It's close to 95 and the trucks are loud in the night."

Camping around Shrewsbury, PA, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

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 4.2-star rating from 40 reviews.