166 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Walnut Bottom, Pennsylvania include several established campgrounds within state parks and private facilities. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground, located in Gardners, offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with electric hookups and shower facilities. Nearby, Mountain Creek Camp Ground provides similar amenities with tent, RV, cabin, glamping, and yurt options. The region features a mix of state park campgrounds, KOA facilities, and private campgrounds, most within a 30-minute drive of Walnut Bottom.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from early spring through late fall. Pine Grove Furnace State Park is open from March to mid-December, while Mountain Creek Camp Ground operates from mid-March to late November. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when facilities reach capacity. Many campgrounds provide electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, though amenities vary by location. Cell phone coverage can be limited in some areas, especially in Michaux State Forest. According to one visitor, "This campground helped me finally convince my fiance that not all 'campgrounds' are actually waterpark/family fun/RV parking lots, and that there are a lot of secluded, forest, nature-oriented campgrounds!"
The Pennsylvania state parks near Walnut Bottom receive consistently positive reviews for their natural settings and recreational opportunities. Several campgrounds provide access to lakes, hiking trails, and historical sites. Pine Grove Furnace State Park marks the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail, offering excellent hiking opportunities. Campers particularly appreciate sites with water access, with one reviewer noting that Gifford Pinchot State Park has "a small beach area within the campground loop" and "a LOT to offer, especially in the two main day use areas." Site privacy varies considerably across facilities, with some campgrounds offering more secluded, wooded sites while others feature more open layouts. Weather conditions can change quickly in the Pennsylvania mountains, so campers should pack appropriate gear for temperature fluctuations, especially during spring and fall.
"It’s at the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail so there are lots of great hikes as well as a nice path between the two lakes. Our new favorite in Pennsylvania!"
"We were right at the intersection near the campground entrance and one of the other loops, but it wasn't noisy at all. The drinking water was right next to our site, which was handy."
from $24 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Stayed here two nights while visiting Gettysburg (short 20mi drive between the two). Stayed on Chinquapin Hill, each site has picnic table and fire ring and good space for camp."
"It’s a fantastic state park with great picnic areas next to the creek. You can also drive up the road to the dam where there’s a beautiful lake with fishing, kayaking, etc."
from $24 - $151 / night
Check Availability"Spent 2 nights at Gettysburg KOA in July while touring Pennsylvania with granddaughter. Very convenient to historical stuff. Large sites, separated by rocks and trees. Quiet and private."
"Our site was very spacious, beautifully landscaped and wooded, but right next to the road. There was a buffer of trees, but unfortunately that didn’t make much of a difference with regard to noise."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."
"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"Campsites could be further apart and there's only one bathhouse and it's at the entrance."
"Two bath houses, one near the entrance and one in the way back. May not be anything fancy or new, but they are clean. Staff needed to be reminded about activities scheduled during the week."
"Some reviewers have confused nearby State Parks with the actual State Forest, resulting in inaccurate information."
"Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites."
"We stayed in site 28 which was a walk-in site, this was perfect for us since we wanted to be further away from people and the light from the bathroom/shower facility."
from $24 - $38 / night
Check Availability"This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"
"Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
"It's close enough to 81 that's it's easy to find but tucked back in that you are not bothered by anyone."
"Located a few miles off 81, in the country surrounded by beautiful views. It’s a mix campground of seasonal campers and short term campers. Very family oriented. Very nice off leash fenced dog park."
GuideThis is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
ScoutThe area is very nice and so are the people. The sites are clean and the livestock are a cool sight to see
RangerWe stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
TravelerThere was no hot water in the showers. There are no dog poo stations. There is a dumpster marked “STAFF ONLY”. It’s nice they have a place to stuff the staff!
ScoutTrip -week before labor day , temps 93 degrees, nothing on website when booked said about peak and non peak days on booking page. Said there were only 7 sites left(complete lie) campground was empty. First time we ever been to a place where EVERYTHING was closed. Campstore, jump pillow and the final straw was we went to go to the pool and that was closed. It was 545 pm sun still bright in the sky , nowhere near dusk( when its suppose to close) . So much conflicting info from what the paper we got handed vs what internet site said. Charged a resort fee ? for what a place to park? This is no resort. Grass was high enough to be seeding itself. My wife was so upset she was actually crying. This was supposed to be a fun trip for our da6ughter before going back to school. We decided this place over Buttonwood just because it was alittle closer. Did a full tour of the place. Realized there is nothing here. Went to dinner in town. Decided we didnt want to stay where we knew our Daughter would be bored. She's pretty easy to entertain but this was just ridiculous. 12 HOURS OF MY LIFE AND $400 BUCKS i will never get back. (Loading , driving , realizing we got screwed, driving, unloading) yup was pretty bad.
ScoutWe absolutely loved it. The camp spaces were a nice and spread out lot not congested actually it was really nobody here which I can’t believe because the place is absolutely beautiful. There is a little bit of noise from route 30 during the day, but you don’t hear really anything at night Plus there is a really great bar/restaurant about 100 yards away. Called Yionnis and their food is actually delicious.
TravelerThis campground is a great place to bring kids. The spots are a little tight but we were able to get our 46’ toy hauler in the spot with very little effort. Because the sites are back-in, we can’t use our rear patio but that is ok. The pool is very nice and the farm atmosphere makes it very fun for kids.
TravelerVery clean campgrounds with nice trails along the lake and the creek that feeds it! Plenty of space near swimming area and even a geocache to find!
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
Campsites near Walnut Bottom, Pennsylvania sit in the foothills of South Mountain, part of the northern Blue Ridge Mountain range at elevations between 640-1,000 feet. The area's dense deciduous forests create significant shade coverage for most camping areas, with temperatures typically 5-8°F cooler than nearby urban centers. Most campgrounds experience seasonal water level fluctuations in creeks and lakes, affecting swimming and fishing conditions throughout the camping season.
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Access points near Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground let you walk sections of the famous trail. "This is the middle point of the AT, and we got to meet quite a few hikers and hear some cool stories about their travels on the trail," notes Jeffrey H. The park offers additional trails ranging from easy lakeside walks to challenging climbs.
Explore historical sites: The region contains significant Civil War history. "The campground was just minutes from downtown Gettysburg. The battlefields are very close as well," reports Ray L. from Gettysburg Battlefield KOA. Many visitors use their campsites as a base for exploring these historical landmarks.
Creek activities: Several campgrounds feature creeks suitable for recreation. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, "The kids had a blast, tubing in the creek," according to Jim C. Another camper, Emily, adds: "My husband loved finding frogs and fish. Lots of activities going on even during the week."
Winter camping: For those seeking off-season options, Michaux State Forest offers year-round primitive sites. "Every January for the last few years some friends and I have gone and camped along the Appalachian Trail. These trips are what gave me the experience, and confidence, to go from tent camping to tarp camping," shares John S.
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate secluded spots with natural surroundings. At Caledonia State Park Campground, "The fireflies were amazing and there were few mosquitoes even in mid-July," notes Leah C. The natural lighting from fireflies creates memorable camping experiences during summer months.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high in camper priorities. "The bathhouse is very nice and clean," says Casey L. about Colonel Denning State Park Campground. Most campgrounds maintain regular cleaning schedules, though quality varies between state parks and private facilities.
Water access: Sites with lake or creek frontage remain popular. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," reports Toshi about Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground. The lakeside trail at this park offers multiple fishing access points along its 8.5 mile route.
Night sky viewing: The region's limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing opportunities. Many campgrounds have open areas where campers gather after dark to view celestial objects. Clear nights offer visibility of the Milky Way, especially during new moon phases.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "The cell service is 'spotty' as they state on their website, but hey you are camping," notes Adam P. about Pine Grove Furnace. Coverage improves at campgrounds closer to towns like Gettysburg and Carlisle.
Site privacy differences: Campground layouts vary considerably. "Sites look to be semi private in a lot of pictures but that isn't the case," warns Mike G. about Gettysburg Battlefield KOA. Research specific site numbers before booking for maximum privacy.
Spring/fall temperature fluctuations: The mountain setting creates significant day-to-night temperature swings in shoulder seasons. Pack appropriate clothing layers, especially for early morning and evening hours when temperatures can drop rapidly.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when facilities reach capacity," explains a reviewer. Artillery Ridge Campground in Gettysburg remains particularly busy during summer holiday weekends.
Water recreation options: Campgrounds with swimming areas provide built-in entertainment. "The park has two lakes for swimming, with a rail trail that separates them, so they are easily bikeable," explains Carly E. about Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Several campgrounds offer water-based activities from May through September.
Playground accessibility: Consider proximity to play areas when selecting sites. "We were right at the intersection near the campground entrance and one of the other loops, but it wasn't noisy at all," notes Carly E. about her family's experience at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
Nature programs: Many state parks offer ranger-led activities. "The park rangers had an owl program on Friday night and ended up calling in several screech owls. Very cool to hear their eerie cries in the woods," shares Nate & Erika L. about their stay at Colonel Denning State Park.
Site location planning: At Dogwood Acres Campground, "We were hoping to stay here for a night en route from Antietam Battlefield to Gettysburg," explains Sarah C., highlighting the strategic location for history-focused family trips. Consider driving distances between attractions when selecting your campsite near Walnut Bottom.
Hookup variations: Electric access varies between campgrounds. "You will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up," advises Adam P. about Pine Grove Furnace. State parks typically offer electric-only sites, while private campgrounds provide full hookups.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain affects setup difficulty. "Sites are pretty close together, but this place was so fun for our kids! Plus the staff is so helpful and nice," explains Annalie N. about Mountain Creek Camp Ground. Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer onsite sanitary dumps. Those staying at primitive sites should plan ahead for waste disposal needs, as the nearest facilities may require significant driving time from more remote camping areas.
Traffic noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise. "Unfortunately that didn't make much of a difference with regard to noise. I live adjacent to a busy local highway, and the noise was worse here at the CG," reports Jen V. about a roadside site at Gettysburg Campground. Request interior sites when possible to minimize highway sounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Walnut Bottom, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Walnut Bottom, PA is Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 26 reviews.
Keep Exploring
