Best Tent Camping near Summerdale, PA

Tent campsites near Summerdale, Pennsylvania range from established state parks to primitive walk-in areas along creeks and waterways. Lower Allen Community Park offers tent-only sites along Yellow Breeches Creek, providing a suburban camping experience with fire rings and picnic tables. Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground, located in Rothrock State Forest, features secluded tent sites in a wooded setting approximately 60 miles northwest of Summerdale.

Most tent campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Sites at Lower Allen Community Park require reservations through the township office and feature fire pits and picnic tables, though the park gates lock at dusk. Penn Roosevelt State Park offers primitive tent camping with vault toilets and drinking water available at central locations. A review mentioned, "Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful." Several campgrounds maintain seasonal operations, with Mill Creek Camping Area open from March 15 to November 15, while Penn Roosevelt remains accessible year-round.

The tent camping experience in central Pennsylvania offers natural settings with varying degrees of seclusion. Sites at Reeds Gap State Park Campground provide access to Honey Creek with native and stocked trout for anglers. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, many tent sites feature good tree coverage for shade and privacy, with some positioned directly along streams for natural cooling and ambient sounds. Lancaster County's Mill Creek Camping Area provides stream-side tent sites, though campers note the area receives day hikers who sometimes walk through campsites. Tent campers seeking more remote experiences should consider Penn Roosevelt State Park, where reviews indicate midweek camping often results in having the entire campground to yourself, especially during shoulder seasons.

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Best Tent Sites Near Summerdale, Pennsylvania (15)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Summerdale, PA

851 Reviews of 15 Summerdale Campgrounds


  • Joann&WellsThePup I.
    Jul. 14, 2021

    Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground

    Quiet camping

    Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful. Has restrooms (no shower), picnic table, and fire pit at each site. Short walk to creek and beautiful pond.

  • Rick W.
    Aug. 15, 2022

    Colonel Denning State Park Campground

    Tent camping sites

    Walk in sites have picnic table and fire ring. Tent pads are level and smooth. Showers and restrooms are close to sites. Strongly recommend...

  • 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.

  • V
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Knoebels Campground

    Clean, quiet, inexpensive, fun place to camp!

    Knoebels campground is situated next to Knoebels amusement park and offers sites for tent campers and RVs, as well as cabins.

    There is electricity at every site but not water. There are fill stations throughout the campgrounds. Most sites are level and shaded. There are nice sturdy wooden platforms for tent campers.

    The bath houses are clean and well maintained. There are outside sinks with mirrors, laundry facilities, shower stalls, and toilet stalls. Or if you prefer there are also traditional bathrooms with showers.

    Quiet hours are enforced between 10p and 8a.

    Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Wood is available by the bucket near the check in building. Sites are inexpensive and are all a short walk, or free shuttle ride, to the park!.

  • K
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Codorus State Park Campground

    Nice campground for primitive tenting

    Large campground but only 15 sites dedicated to“roughin’ it” tent camping. However, those sites are isolated from the others. The tent sites were in very good condition, spaced well, and fairly private. Most sites have plenty of shade and grassy, though a few are dirt only. Many sites within walking distance from the lake(no swimming) and set up for you to store and launch your kayak or other boat. Water, bathrooms, and showers a little distant but everything clean and in excellent condition. Ice and firewood available on the grounds. There is also a small store but I didn’t see it because it was open for very limited weekend hours only. Otherwise, major grocery stores are only a few minutes’ drive. Definitely going back…!

  • J
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Poe Paddy State Park Campground

    Great little campground

    I’ve stayed here twice for camping trips. It’s a great small campground that has basic amenities. The experience is likely highly site dependent, as there are a few distinct areas to stay depending on your needs and luck. There is NO cell service and park rangers do “rounds” but aren’t stationed at the site. There are a couple of water pumps, several well-maintained pit toilets, and an emergency phone. It’s about 20-30 min to gas. There’s no camp store here but about 3.5 miles away at Poe Valley there’s a store, real bathrooms and showers, kayaking rentals, etc. There’s a guy that sells firewood just past Poe Valley. The Poe Paddy sites I prefer are well-shaded, fairly large, surrounded by trees, and private (but you’ll be able to hear a couple neighbors). Dogs are only allowed in the RV loop, which is intense gravel, so be sure you have a good sleeping pad if you’re tent camping. The campground is in the middle of the dense Bald Eagle State Forest with lots of hiking opportunities. The creek that runs through Poe Paddy is awesome for wading and people also tube it when conditions are right. Get a Purple Lizard map for best enjoyment of the area.

  • Danielle
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Bald Eagle State Forest

    Dispersed Site #13; Pretty, loud, not accessible for pop up campers

    Husband and I set off for a weekend of boon docking at Bald Eagle State Forest in our little pop up camper. We stayed at site #13, which is a dispersed site- not in the campground. 

    Picture a lovely large, round grassy meadow surrounded by trees at the end of a long gravel road. Picnic table, fire ring, one pretty tree in the center, and a babbling brook down below the site. It looks so perfect! Now picture large boulders preventing any wheeled vehicle (including a light little pop up) from rolling into said field. Add in that the I-80 interstate is so close that you can see trucks through the trees in some places- not to mention hear them all.night.long. Would we camp here again? Nope. We would not. Would this be right for some? Probably yes- especially tent campers, loud groups, and those who feel safer with road noise in the background. 

    This site was not listed as"tent only", and I suppose being able to set up on the gravel road did work. But I was majorly bummed we couldn't set up at the back of the actual site itself. The road set up was not nearly as nice. You can see in my photos the size of the site, and the boulders, and where we ended up setting up. 

    I will also mention that the road getting here involved a hairpin turn (from Long Run Rd. onto Ransaires Rd.) that large set ups would not be able to make. We made it work and we had a great trip.

    Not what we expected, but we still had a good time. We will try again at Bald Eagle State Forest, but would not choose this site again.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2023

    Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground

    Camping at the AT Halfway Point

    Great small campground in South-central PA.  Sites are nicely spaced except for a few that are tucked into a few odd-shaped places.  I stayed in site 21, which was on an outside loop with a lot of space.  Campground seems very well maintained and the hosts were very friendly and active.  I wasn't there on a busy night, but nice to know it is a place where the hosts are trying to keep a relaxing atmosphere.  Nearly everything is in the woods so there's lots of shade during the warm seasons.  There's a fire ring, picnic table, lantern hanger and generous tent pad.  There's also room in many outside loop sites to set up in the woods.  Very quiet and relaxing evening.

    Bathrooms feel very modern and there is a combination of a traditional shower/bathroom center and a separate bathroom only area with 4 private bathrooms (though now showers).  Showers were clean and had hot water, though when you press the button for water, it only runs for about 10 seconds.  So you really have to just hold the water on while you shower one-handed.  I think there was a 1-car per site rule while I was there.

    Firewood is on-site for $5 for a six-piece bundle, with kindling available.  Wood lit right up for me.  The park has a general store, swimming lake, Appalachian Trail Museum, Park office and a few other historic buildings so there's a lot to do.  Just take note that everything closes at 4 PM.  The park is just north of the halfway point of the AT and is a popular place for hikers to stop and take a slow or zero day.  The museum is interesting if you have any interest in the AT and very knowledgeable host.

  • Travis S.
    Aug. 28, 2017

    Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground

    Small quiet scenic park with fascinating history

    Beautiful campgrounds with spacious camp sites. Well maintained bathroom and firewood plus ice available at the entrance (this is a great plus for those car/tent camping.

    extremely close to the rothrock forest mountain biking trails. Less than a mile to trails that take you to the IMBA epic coopers gap loop.

    Campgrounds and surround park area were well maintained with a few picnic shelters, a beach and sand volleyball courts. Camp was full and all day use areas were occupied during our stay.


Guide to Summerdale

Discover the charm of tent camping near Summerdale, Pennsylvania, where nature meets convenience and adventure awaits.

Tent campers should check out Lower Allen Community Park

  • This hidden gem offers a picturesque site along the Yellow Breeches Creek, perfect for kayak camping and enjoying the serene surroundings.
  • With picnic tables and fire pits available, it's an ideal spot for a cozy evening under the stars.
  • The park is conveniently located in the suburbs, providing easy access to local amenities while still offering a peaceful retreat.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities at Reeds Gap State Park Campground

  • Enjoy clean and well-maintained sites that are perfect for a relaxing camping experience, complete with drinking water and picnic tables.
  • The campground is dog-friendly, making it a great choice for families looking to bring their furry friends along.
  • With a beautiful creek running through the area and hiking trails nearby, outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to explore.

Local attractions near Susquehannock State Park Campground

  • This campground features scenic hiking trails that lead to breathtaking views of the Susquehanna River, ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
  • With both tent and RV accommodations available, it caters to a variety of camping preferences while providing essential amenities like showers and trash disposal.
  • The area is known for its wildflowers and wildlife, making it a fantastic spot for birdwatching and enjoying the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Summerdale, PA is Lower Allen Community Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Summerdale, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.