Tomas R.
Scout
ScoutThousand Trails Hershey
Thousand trails campground
Its such a beautiful campground and very quite and clean showers and bathrooms
Camping near Lincoln University, PA
116 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The rolling countryside surrounding Lincoln University, Pennsylvania features a mix of family-oriented campgrounds and state parks within an hour's drive. French Creek State Park, located 30 miles northwest, offers 200 campsites across four loops with varying levels of hookups and accommodations including yurts and cabins. Closer to Lincoln University, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville provides family-friendly camping with full amenities, while Philadelphia-West Chester KOA sits along the Brandywine River offering both primitive and developed sites. The region straddles Pennsylvania Dutch Country, with several campgrounds positioned to provide access to both Lancaster County's Amish attractions and Philadelphia's historical sites.
Reservations are essential during peak season from late spring through early fall, particularly for weekend stays. As one camper noted, "The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy." Many campgrounds in the area feature varying terrain, with some sites positioned on slopes requiring leveling equipment for RVs. State parks like French Creek enforce strict regulations about vehicle placement and alcohol consumption, with rangers actively patrolling. Weather conditions can change rapidly in spring, with several reviewers mentioning flooded sites after heavy rains. Cell service varies significantly between providers, with AT&T generally offering better coverage than other carriers.
Proximity to Amish country creates unique camping experiences, including occasional farm odors that some campers find challenging. A reviewer of Old Mill Stream Campground mentioned, "The overwhelming impression was the smell of cow manure from the nearby dairy farm feedlot." Campgrounds near Lincoln University frequently offer water recreation opportunities, with Pequea Creek Campground providing "shaded spacious sites by a kid-friendly creek" according to recent visitors. Sites along waterways tend to book quickly, especially those at Brandywine Creek Campground where "tent sites are spacious and they all border the creek which is a nice sound at night." Many campgrounds in the region balance natural settings with accessibility to attractions, positioning visitors within easy driving distance of both rural landscapes and urban amenities.
Best Campgrounds near Lincoln University (116)
1. Jellystone Park™ Quarryville
"We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."
"The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."
2. Lums Pond State Park Campground
"Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."
"The camp loop is a nice walk but there are also trails. They were pretty muddy when we were there. Site 35 was quite spacious as were many of them."
from $24 - $46 / night
Check Availability3. Elk Neck State Park Campground
"I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. ""Surrounding area
There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."from $21 - $55 / night
Check Availability4. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA
"The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy."
"Everything was within close walking distance and the staff were extremely helpful. Pool and bathrooms were very clean."
from $59 - $86 / night
Check Availability5. French Creek State Park Campground
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
"Campground Review: French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site."
from $20 - $84 / night
Check Availability6. Susquehanna State Park Campground
"I was a walk-up with no reservation and since it was a weekday the ranger gave me a great rundown of the best spots in the camp and let me drive through to check them out before going back with my decision"
"Has access to Susquehanna River, nice hiking trails. Can picnic on Deer Creek and go tubing. Close to Connowingo Damn for fishing and birdwatching. Havre de Grace sits near Chesapeake Bay."
from $21 - $50 / night
Check Availability7. Spring Gulch Resort Campground
"Site next to us had a pipe break, they had a maintenance crew come out immediately and fix it. Amish stores/attractions close by for some entertainment also."
"Fishing pond is a joke and near by Gun Range can be annoying and tough on pets. But, over all, this place is pretty nice."
8. Lancaster-New Holland KOA
"This is a great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County and about a one-hour drive to Hersheypark. "
"Not too close to each other. Has a great view of the valley and Amish farms. Everyone has been very friendly. No pool but the kids seem to enjoy the playground."
9. Country Acres Campground
"This is a great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County and about a one-hour drive to Hersheypark. Our site(# 837) was a good size for our motor home+ toad."
"We stayed at one of the primitive tent sites with no hookups adjacent to the farm field. Watching a horse drawn equipment cutting grass while we cooked dinner was a joy."
10. Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort
"Great, convenient location. Cost friendly considering the location. Clean grounds & maintained sites. Mix of open & shaded sites, all appear to be pretty level, our site was next to stream."
"The site was right next to the creek. Shade is perfect for our dogs. Office personnel were so very helpful. Office does close at 4 but that is due to staff shortages."
Drive Time
- 41 min from Lancaster, PA
- 52 min from Reading, PA
- 1 hr 4 min from York, PA
- 1 hr 15 min from Lebanon, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Lincoln University, PA
262 Photos of 116 Lincoln University Campgrounds
An V.
Cecil County Permaculture
Stephen S.
Philadelphia-West Chester KOA
Gene T.
The Loose Caboose Campground
Dave G.
Brandywine Creek Campground
Christopher
White Oak Campground
Michael W.
Woodlands Camping Resort
Jennifer S.
Hibernia County Park
scott M.
Lancaster-New Holland KOA
Megan T.
Country Acres Campground
Jen V.
Susquehanna State Park Campground
Phinon W.
Spring Gulch Resort Campground
Stephen W.
Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort
Recent Reviews near Lincoln University, PA
806 Reviews of 116 Lincoln University Campgrounds
Brian M.ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Good experience
Great campsite, plenty of space. It rained a lot and our campsite was a little muddy (not bad) but nearby campsites had large puddles
Matt S.
LegendFrench Creek State Park Campground
Quiet Park with a Tight Fit
We spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
-
Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
-
Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
-
The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
-
Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
- Probably. While the site geometry required a little extra setup muscle, it’s hard to beat the location if you're visiting the area or catching the balloon festival.
-
Dan S.ScoutLazy-K Campground
No idea. Was not allowed in since we couldn't arrive before 4pm.
Choose another campground unless you are certain you can arrive before 4pm. Otherwise, you'll not be allowed in. Owner is belligerent on this point, and from other comments, belligerent on other issues also.
We strongly recommend the nearby French Creek State Park campground.
- M
Mark M.
GuideElizabethtown-Hershey KOA
It's rustic, well maintained and quiet
We've stayed here annually for 7 years and it's one of our favorite campgrounds. There are enough trees and green spaces that it feels like a park despite the number of RVs it accommodates.
The sites are level, large, and well maintained. If you need to contend with a tree blocking your satellite dish the sites are large enough that you can usually just move up or back a bit so that you are not blocked.
The pool is nice and clean. Has water fountains, etc. for kids to play in in addition to a kiddie pool. I do wish it was open a bit later into the evening. The camp store is a bit small but is well stocked with camping items in addition to souvenirs and impulse purchase items.
Since the pandemic what they offer has varied. Sometimes hot food like taco Tuesday, ice cream sundaes, burgers and dogs in their activity center at certain times and days. Sometimes ceramic, arts and crafts, etc.. Sometimes their activity center remains closed during our entire stay.
- FFrank F.Scout
Thousand Trails Hershey
Nice park but the site not so much
The park is very nice however the site H2 was the site assigned to us. The distance between our Coach and the fence was 7 feet and the bathhouse was blocking the view. I do not recommend this site.
Nancy W.LegendLums Pond State Park Campground
Clean, big-rig friendly, large sites.
Overall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
- SShannon D.Scout
Lums Pond State Park Campground
Lums Pond
Bathrooms are clean and staff is nice
BD Funny W.
TravelerFrench Creek State Park Campground
It was beautiful
The camp site was amazing. Everything is neat and clean and really beautiful place so quiet.
Guide to Lincoln University
Camping sites near Lincoln University, Pennsylvania offer diverse terrain from riverside locations to hillside settings. The region sits at elevations ranging from 300-500 feet above sea level with average summer temperatures between 75-85°F. Many campgrounds remain open from March through November, with limited winter availability at select locations where water systems are winterized.
What to do
Creek exploration: At Brandywine Creek Campground, campers can enjoy fishing and canoeing on the calm waters. "The river sites are great but can get muddy and there is a big hill to get up and out," notes one visitor who found the creek perfect for a relaxing float.
Disc golf adventures: French Creek State Park offers a challenging frisbee golf course winding through wooded terrain. A reviewer mentioned "the trees definitely make it harder" as they navigate the course, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the sport.
Lighthouse hiking: Several campgrounds provide access to scenic lighthouse trails. At Elk Neck State Park, "the lighthouse trail is a must. It is about a five minute drive to get to the trail though, but is worth it," according to one reviewer who enjoyed the Chesapeake Bay views.
Equestrian activities: Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area maintains bridle paths for those bringing their own horses. While primarily offering group camping, its extensive trail system attracts day visitors who appreciate the well-maintained riding routes.
What campers like
Natural buffers: French Creek State Park Campground receives praise for its site layout. "The campsites are not right on top of one another. There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well," writes one camper who enjoyed the privacy between sites.
Water recreation: Multiple bodies of water provide swimming and fishing opportunities. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by," shares a reviewer who appreciated these options at French Creek.
Cultural experiences: Lancaster-New Holland KOA offers unique cultural interactions. "Great site with well-maintained utility hook-ups. Close to Longwood Gardens; Wilmington, Delaware; and a handful of local museums and gardens," notes a visitor who enjoyed watching Amish farmers work nearby fields.
Modern facilities: Many campgrounds feature recently updated amenities. At Lums Pond State Park, "the bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms," according to a February visitor who appreciated these comforts during off-season camping.
What you should know
Limited water access: Not all sites offer direct water hookups. At French Creek State Park, "all sites do not have a water hook up but there is water available," meaning campers may need to fill containers at shared spigots.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain varies significantly across campgrounds. "The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites," warns a visitor to Elk Neck State Park.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises a Lums Pond State Park visitor, with reservations often needed 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends.
Cell service variability: Digital connectivity fluctuates throughout the region. One camper at Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort noted WiFi is "available and free for the first seven days of your stay," though service strength varies by carrier and location.
Tips for camping with families
Water parks for children: Jellystone Park Quarryville offers extensive water recreation facilities. "The water park is super fun for adults and kids. The entire campground is clean and very well maintained," shares a visitor who spent five nights with family.
Age-appropriate activities: Different campgrounds cater to specific age groups. One Jellystone visitor advised, "We returned this year with my 12 and 14 year olds and a 12 year old friend. The kids were bored," suggesting the facilities better suit younger children.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds provide learning experiences through nature programs. At Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site near French Creek State Park, children can explore historic ironmaking demonstrations and connect camping with historical context.
Playground proximity: When selecting sites, consider distance to play areas. At Country Acres Campground, a visitor with four young children appreciated that the "playground was close and the store was even open until 9:00," making it convenient to supervise kids while managing campsite duties.
Tips from RVers
Backing challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approaches for larger rigs. At Philadelphia West Chester KOA, one RVer warned, "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle," suggesting fifth-wheels might maneuver better.
Premium site selection: For better views and amenities, consider upgraded sites. At Country Acres Campground, "Pull-Thru site with all hookups in good working order. Site felt spacious with a nice grass strip," noted a first-time travel trailer owner.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds winterize certain facilities. A visitor to Lums Pond State Park in February mentioned, "In February, about 1/4 of the sites were occupied. It was very quiet," indicating less crowded conditions but potentially limited services.
Levelness factors: Site preparation varies widely between campgrounds. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, visitors noted that "lots were a bit uneven, but pull through which was nice," suggesting RVers should bring leveling blocks even at otherwise well-maintained facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lincoln University, PA?
What camping is available near Lincoln University, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lincoln University, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 116 campgrounds and RV parks near Lincoln University, PA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Lincoln University, PA?
Which is the most popular campground near Lincoln University, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lincoln University, PA is Jellystone Park™ Quarryville with a 4.4-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lincoln University, PA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lincoln University, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Lincoln University, PA.
Keep Exploring