Camping options near Waynesboro, Pennsylvania span across neighboring counties with varying terrain and accessibility. The region sits at the northern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 640 to 2,126 feet. Most campgrounds in the area maintain seasonal operations from April through October, though a handful remain open year-round with reduced winter amenities.
What to do
Battlefield exploration from camp: Artillery Ridge Campground provides direct trail access to historic sites. "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts," notes one visitor to Artillery Ridge Campground.
Farm animal interactions: Several campgrounds incorporate working farms into their experience. At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, campers can participate in scheduled animal feeding. "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We chose a non-sewage site, the loop is quiet and large and they have the honey wagon 3x a week. We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires."
River access activities: Waterfront campsites provide direct recreational opportunities. "Wonderful tent campground. It is right on the river so you can go swimming right from your campsite! The camp ground is part of river riders which offers lazy tubing, white water tubing, zip lining, and great kayaking down the river," explains a camper at Harpers Ferry Campground.
What campers like
Historical proximity: The convenience of staying within walking distance to significant sites rates highly with visitors. "The hike that leads to the lookout about harpers ferry was fantastic. This hike takes you well above the town settled in West Virginia. While some points are pretty steep don't let this deter you from completing it," describes a visitor to Harpers Ferry Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Many families appreciate dedicated facilities for children. At Drummer Boy Camping Resort, "The pool with the slide was very clean. We would definitely go back to this place again despite the couple of cons. We have possibly considered becoming 'seasonals' ourselves at this place. Everyone here pretty much has golf carts & drives them everywhere."
Off-season tranquility: Camping outside peak season provides a different experience. "Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay," describes a visitor to Round Top Campground during shoulder season.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate limited schedules. Drummer Boy Camping Resort runs "from Apr 1 to Oct 31," while Gettysburg Campground operates "Early Apr to Mid Nov."
Transportation within campgrounds: At larger properties, internal mobility becomes important. "The park is so large (over 95 acres) that if you are camping with friends make sure you get sites nearby them or else you will need to drive to their site," advises one camper about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Site variation within properties: Quality and features can differ significantly within the same campground. "The sites are so small that my truck was either parked over the firering or blocking our door. Our slideout is 3" from the neighbor site's picnic table," reports a visitor to Western Village RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access considerations: Location within a campground impacts convenience. "In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down. In a campground that size I would expect at least 2 playgrounds," advises a camper from Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Educational wildlife opportunities: Farm-based campgrounds offer learning experiences. "The main attraction is the animals, but there is also a cute playground for the kids," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
Bathroom proximity for tent campers: Plan site selection based on facilities access. "Only downside is the walk to the bathrooms if you tent camp. A long walk if you really got to go," warns a tent camper at Western Village RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement challenges: Utilities location affects setup ease. "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," reports an RVer at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Road condition awareness: Interior roads vary widely between rv parks Waynesboro, Pennsylvania area. "Roads through the park are fairly narrow with potholes. Some roads are one-way but people don't pay much attention to that and went whichever way they wanted, especially those in golf carts," notes a visitor to Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Campground navigation: Complex layouts can complicate movement through larger RV resorts. "The roads are very confusing and difficult to navigate. Many of the sites are on annoying slope where the table/fire pit is not level to the camper," reports a visitor at Artillery Ridge Campground.
