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Best Tent Camping near Shrewsbury, PA

985 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campers visiting the Shrewsbury area of Pennsylvania can find several established campgrounds within a reasonable driving distance, including Susquehannock State Park Campground and Mill Creek Camping Area in Lancaster County. Both locations offer primitive tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and different natural settings, providing alternatives for those seeking overnight outdoor experiences in south-central Pennsylvania.

Most tent campsites near Shrewsbury feature basic amenities, with fire rings and picnic tables standard at established sites. Walk-in tent locations are common, particularly at Mill Creek Camping Area and Lower Allen Community Park, where tent sites are situated away from parking areas. The terrain at these campgrounds typically consists of packed dirt or grass pads, some with minor slopes that require strategic tent placement. According to reviews from The Dyrt, some sites at Patapsco Valley State Park "had a bit of a grade/slope to it and made setting up our tent a bit more challenging."

The tent camping experience varies significantly by location, with each site offering distinct environmental features. Mill Creek Camping Area provides creek-side tent camping with natural cooling effects from the water and tree cover. The Lower Allen Community Park tent sites sit along Yellow Breeches Creek, creating opportunities for kayakers to paddle to their campsites. Many tent-only sites offer greater seclusion than mixed-use campgrounds, though hikers occasionally pass through some areas. Based on visitor feedback, the Mill Creek area stays "fairly cool" even during hot weather periods, with "the stream is refreshing" for tent campers seeking relief from summer heat. Primitive tent camping areas like these typically attract fewer visitors than full-service campgrounds, resulting in quieter overnight experiences for those willing to forgo amenities like showers or electrical hookups.

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Best Tent Sites Near Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania (17)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Shrewsbury, PA

9 Photos of 17 Shrewsbury Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Shrewsbury, PA

985 Reviews of 17 Shrewsbury Campgrounds

  • Nate & Erika L.
    Aug. 31, 2021

    Susquehanna State Park Campground

    Great State Park Camping

    We decided to stay a weekend at Susquehanna based on the reviews on the Dyrt and it’s closer proximity to home. We arrived and were greeted by super friendly rangers who gave us the lay of the land. We found the rangers to be very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife, plants, and trees in the park. They had two display tables full of flora and fauna by the check-in station set up for kids and adults alike to glean some knowledge. On one night while we were there, there was a program run by the rangers where kids could learn about some common native and invasive species.

    We hiked the Green Trail, which had a sign saying it was ‘very difficult’, but we found it to be no problem for our crew of seven kids aged 3-10 and four adults. We only passed one other hiker. We saw some champion trees, lots of deer, and had some run ins with more than a few spotted lantern flies. One ranger told us they have nine champion trees in the park, we’d love to go back and hike to find the others.

    With only two loops, the sites were fairly spaced out with lots of trees between them. We had a spacious electric site for our pop up and camped with friends who had a nice level, secluded tent site. We hardly ever heard any neighbors and all was quiet at night. Each loop shares a bathhouse, and there are some portable toilets spaced around the loop, too. The facilities were cleaned every morning. They even have a large laundry utility sink in the bathhouse should you need it. The only downside we found was that showering at prime time (around 8 or 9 pm) led to very little hot water. A small price to pay for good camping and hiking!

  • Nick C.
    Jun. 19, 2022

    Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    Cozy and Clean - Lots of Firewood

    The sites are very clean but close to each Other. You can hear the kids and families and all that. The sites have a nice mulched tent pad, fire ring / grill grate, lantern pole and picnic table. There is a firewood hut at the entrance and you can take what you need - just leAve a donation. The bathrooms are very clean and there’s some trails around the creek (dry creek/ nothing impressive)

  • Craig F.
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    Fun Camping and Lake Activities

    We had a wonderful stay at Gifford Pinchot State Park! 

    The camping area at GP is separated into A loop and B loops with approximately 300 sites. All sites had a paved pad, varying in size depending on the location, with tent site being smaller. Most sites have electric and there are 22 full hookup sites in the camping area. Both loops are peninsulas into the lake, which is convenient to launching boats directly from many sites. Loop A is closer to the designated swimming area with a sandy beach and playground. B loop is closer to many of the hiking trails and also several boat launch areas. It is nice that the camping area and amenities are separated from the public day use area. At the entrance to the camping area there are three dump stations. 

    During our stay we were at a full hookup site which was very spacious and often hard to find in PA State Parks. Our site was#299 and for some reason the entire site was paved/blacktop, which was different than all the other sites where the pad was paved and the picnic table area was gravel/grass. While this site made it easy to level our camper, it became quite hot in the afternoon/evening after the sun had baked it all day.

    Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed GP and couldn’t believe we hadn’t visited before because it is a great state park. Wood is available for purchase at the campground hosts’ sites and ice at the park office. As with most PA state parks, quiet hours are at 9:00PM, which is a bit early, and there is no alcohol allowed in the park. We look forward to returning to GP in the future.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2023

    Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    Peaceful w filtered sun

    Owens Creek Campground : (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 4.5 Price: $15/night w senior pass Usage during visit: very low including Fri night Site Privacy: understory trees, filter l e of site in many sites. Site Spacing: most very nicely spaced Site surface: blacktop Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Very quiet Road Noise: Only a bit in first few campsites Through Traffic: no problem Electricity: No Water: Spigots at bathhouses Sewer: No Dump: No Generators: 6 AM to 10 PM Bathroom: Old but very clean.
    Showers: Yes. Double curtains Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (Verizon): Very good Setting: A thick deciduous forest Weather: nice. Cooler because of shade Bugs: A few. Will probably increase as month moves on Solar: Too much shade for fixed solar panels Host: Yes Rig size: Not all sites will accommodate a 22’ trailing. Sites: Pictures are of some of the best sites. My favs: 14 nice woods view , (28 & 29 hear creek,)37. 45, 46

  • Jim N.
    Apr. 29, 2019

    Hibernia County Park

    Hidden gem

    A nice primitive campground - good for a quick trip away. The campground is a county run one that works on a first come first serve basis, which is fine if there are others close by. They are wooded sites and have 2 loops. There is no store, but there a places close to get supplies. The park is dry, no alcohol. No hook ups either. There is an old mansion that gives tours on weekends.

  • A
    Sep. 24, 2020

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Nice Small Campsite Close to DC

    Nice small campsite in MD not too far from DC. One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down. Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby. Where we were hiking. 😬 The positives are as others have pointed out there is a huge park for kids- it’s not within walking distance for little kids but it’s a very short drive by the entrance to the park. There’s also another small park on the loop. The restrooms were central and well maintained. We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park. All sites had a picnic table and fire ring. Firewood available from camp host. Hiking poles would have been good for the trails when we had a kid in a pack on our back. Overall a nice close small campground.

  • D
    May. 22, 2023

    Little Bennett Campground

    Quiet sites with some activities

    We recently stayed the weekend here in loop A. 

    There are several good things that can be said about this campground. 

    Restricted- only people camping and visitors are allowed to use the facilities. Keeps things from being too crowded. 

    Good sized sites- My family of 4 was able to stretch out 2 tents, our 4 camping chairs, the provided picnic table, our car, and have plenty of room left over. 

    Limited activities on weekends- jumping pad/pillow, pedal carts, laser tag ($), ceramics ($), t-shirts ($), hikes, and more. Changes weekly. Details sent out at the beginning of the week. 

    Decent stocked camp store with reasonable prices. $10 for wood, 3.50 for 7 lbs of ice, $5 shakes, and lots more. 

    There are some clear downsides, too. 

    Only 1 bathhouse per loop. Pay attention to where your site is located. You might be in for quite a hike to go to the bathroom, which is inconvenient in the early morning hours. Loop E doesn't have a bathhouse (mostly reserved for RVs). The bathhouses have showers and somewhat warm water. 

    The tent pad is gravel. While this might help with drainage (I don't know), it makes it incredibly difficult to walk on and stake down your tent. 

    The camp store/activities are quite a good distance from some of the loops. It took me about 10 minutes to walk at a decent pace from the start of loop A to the camp store. From our site which was only not even close to the halfway point it would have added another 5 minutes. The spots really deep in would have easily been a 30 minute walk each way. So driving, especially with little kids, is unfortunately necessary in some instances, especially if you want to visit the playground/basketball/volleyball courts which are WAY down past loop E. 

    Activities are limited to certain times. When we arrived Friday the jumping pad was only open for an hour from 4 30 to 5 30. We arrived just before 4 30, so we unpacked a few things and took the kids to the jumping pad area (right next to loop A). It wasn't open and inflated until almost 4 50. You'd think because it was opened late they would keep it open later. Nope! Right at 5 30 a worker pulled up and shut things down much to the chagrin of the kids. Why they can't have it running more often is beyond me. 1 hour on Friday was clearly not enough, especially when opened late. Maybe 2-3 hours on Friday and 5-6 on Saturday. 

    They should consider having time for younger kids on the jumping pad, who are bounced off by the older kids. On Saturday there were at least 40 kids, some pre-teens/teenagers from girl scouts. My 4 year old was having trouble staying on the pad because "it is too bouncy". Kids come and go as it stays open longer, but little kids have trouble keeping up. 

    The pedal carts were a good idea in practice, but have 2 faults. 1. They are EXTREMELY hard to pedal. I tried two carts, one was totally stuck on an incline and the second barely made it around the track. I have no idea why they are so difficult to use. 2. There are no tandem carts. The only ones using the carts while I was there were little kids who couldn't use the jumping pad. I had my daughter on my lap while on the cart, but it was awkward to use this way. Either having a two seater or side car would have worked out better. Based on the condition of the other carts in the shed, only a few appeared usable. 

    Clear signs are needed. Lots of cars were going the wrong way down loop A. The road is barely big enough for 1 car, so having to accommodate 2 is even more problematic, especially with kids walking around. There were at least 10 cars going the wrong way in the loop. 

    The limit of 2 cars per site isn't enforced. A few sites had 3 cars, which fit ok. A pack of cub scouts were hiking a few of the trials, so a few sites had 4 or 5 cars. The sites were not big enough to fit that many cars plus camping equipment, so they started taking up the road. This made it hard to maneuver, especially with little kids running about in the road unsupervised. 

    All in all it was a great campground and I truly do appreciate the staff trying to provide a few things for families to do. With a few considerations and improvements, this campground could easily be a 5-star location.

  • C
    Aug. 26, 2019

    Little Bennett Campground

    Lovely campground, nice hiking with kids

    We spent several nights here with kids aged 5-12 and will definitely come back. We live in Montgomery County and this is a nice camping get away close to home. We stayed in Loop E, where the majority of the campsites were set back a bit off the road, well spaced, and nicely shaded. We took a couple of walks through Loop A, and this seemed to be the case for those sites as well. We were a group of 5 and used 2 4-person tents. The tent sites all have a tent pad (great drainage during a downpour!) but the tent pad isn’t big enough for two tents. So beware if you intend to use two tents that most, but not all, of the tent sites seem to have a patch of level ground where a 2nd tent can be pitched. On Saturday there were fun activities for the kids all day (pedal cars, crafts, water balloon baseball, laser tag, to name a few from memory), with some activities also on Friday evening and Sunday morning. A fee is charged for some of these (laser tag and craft supplies) but most are free. There is a small arcade-style game room (with free wifi in the building) where we passed a rainy morning. Air hockey, table soccer, and a small basketball game could be played for free, but pool and the video games required $.25-1.00 per game. We used perhaps 5 miles in total of the hiking trails, doing loops down to the creek and back. They were all manageable for a 5-year old and the kids enjoyed playing in the stream in warm weather. We did see poison ivy at the edges of some trails. There is some distant ambient noise from 270 and overhead air traffic, but nothing too bad. If coming with kids, I would recommend bringing a playground ball and/or basketball so you can use the gaga pit or basketball courts even when no games are organized by camp staff. Also note that there was no ice in the camp store for the duration of our stay, but ice can be bought at the Liberty gas station and the small Clarksburg Grocery, both about a mile from the campground.

    Update after also staying in Loop A several times: I might just be imagining it, but the tent pads seem bigger in Loop A. We we able to jigsaw our two 4-person tents and a single on the pad in site 6. Poison ivy noticed in the site, camp staff brought us gloves to take care of it and a free bundle of firewood by way of apology.

  • Sean M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2020

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Great Small Campground - Cool Cabinso

    This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two is the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It’s a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great. It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes.

    The campground is on the smaller side. You get a fire pit and cooking crate, and a picnic table. The crushed stone at the sites isn’t comfortable for tents, and they won’t let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground. There are helpful and friendly camp hosts always on duty. The bathhouse is nothing special, but it’s well maintained and clean. The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely “rough it.” We found everything reasonably priced.

    Remember: no alcohol or firewood can be brought into the park. Firewood can only be purchased on site due to harmful insects. But the money goes toward the parks volunteer program.

    This is a very nice small campground that is great for kids!

Guide to Shrewsbury

Tent camping near Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania offers several primitive options amid the rolling hills of south-central Pennsylvania, where elevations range from 400-1,100 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most primitive sites maintain a natural setting with minimal development, allowing campers to experience the area's native oak and hickory forests.

What to do

Hiking trail exploration: At Susquehannock State Park Campground, visitors can access multiple scenic trails. "There are lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River. There's a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles," notes David G.

Bird watching opportunities: The waterways and forests around Shrewsbury attract diverse bird species year-round. At Susquehannock State Park, the lookout points provide excellent viewing positions. "It's look out over the Susquehanna River is fantastic and puts you up with the birds," explains Nick S.

Fishing access: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for fishing. At Hibernia County Park, younger anglers have dedicated areas. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," mentions Anna, while John Z. notes "Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too."

Kayaking to campsites: For paddlers seeking a unique camping experience, Lower Allen Community Park allows water access to camping. "You can put in a few miles up and float down to your site. There is parking right there," explains Joann&WellsThePup I.

What campers like

Creek-side cooling effects: Beyond just scenery, water proximity has practical benefits in summer. At Lancaster County Mill Creek Camping Area, Philip B. found that "the stream is refreshing and the site stays fairly cool. When it's hits the high temperatures a quick dip in the water is amazing."

Wooded privacy: Tree cover enhances the camping experience at several sites. At Hibernia County Park, the sites offer natural shade and hammock options. Jennifer S. describes it as "tiny (19 sites in Fiddlers loop), it's quiet, it's heavily wooded. Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities."

Accessible natural settings: Many campgrounds balance natural immersion with convenience. Meagan J. explains that at Mill Creek Camping Area, "Campgrounds are spaced out large spaces for multiple tents, camping cost $25 a night flat rate, for up to 6 days."

Urban-adjacent wilderness: Many Shrewsbury-area tent camping sites offer surprising natural settings despite proximity to population centers. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, Sean M. notes, "This is a small gem of a state park campground. It's a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great."

What you should know

Site reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others offer first-come options. At Mill Creek Camping Area, "Campground will refund you if rain prevents your stay or allow you to rebook," according to Meagan J.

Water access can be limited: RV campers particularly should note water availability constraints. At Hibernia County Park, Jennifer S. warns: "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."

Trail traffic through camp areas: Some tent camping sites experience hiker traffic. At Mill Creek, Sakina P. notes: "Hikers take any trail instead of marked trails regardless of families camping in a private areas. When I made the reservation it was noted that hikers were not allowed on campsites."

Seasonal restrictions: Check opening dates before planning trips. Hibernia County Park has limited seasonal operation, with Jennifer S. explaining: "This campground is only open on the weekends, in season."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Patapsco Valley State Park, Angel G. reports: "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."

Site selection for families: Choose locations with appropriate amenities for children. At Hibernia County Park, Anna found "The lake campground great for families" and notes "My kids are age 3-12. There's running water available, porta potties are very clean and don't smell and are lit with a street lamp."

Weather preparation: Summer storms can impact tent camping experiences significantly. Alexandra T. shares from Patapsco Valley State Park: "One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm."

Kid-friendly trail options: Look for appropriate hiking difficulty levels. At Patapsco Valley, Angel G. explains: "For camping or just spending a day out on the trail with the kids we prefer the Hilton entrance. The trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven surfaces. At Hibernia County Park, Jennifer S. advises: "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."

Campground access limitations: Many tent camping sites near Shrewsbury have restricted vehicle access. Jennifer S. warns at Hibernia, "Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the 'sites' are smaller and it's more open. I wouldn't attempt to park an RV up there."

Dump station availability: Plan for waste disposal needs. Jennifer S. notes at Hibernia County Park: "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home."

Site size considerations: Research RV compatibility before booking. According to Jennifer S. at Hibernia County Park, "though at first glance the sites don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Shrewsbury, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shrewsbury, PA is Susquehannock State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Shrewsbury, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Shrewsbury, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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