Dog-Friendly Camping near Wrightsville, PA

Wrightsville sits along the eastern bank of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, offering campers access to over 100 miles of waterways for recreation. The terrain around Wrightsville consists of rolling hills and river valleys with elevations ranging from 250 to 400 feet above sea level. The camping season typically runs from mid-April through late October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak months.

What to do

Water activities along Susquehanna River: Several campgrounds provide direct river access for kayaking, fishing, and tubing. At Otter Creek Campground, "The boat launch is in great shape and with the close islands makes it great to put the kayaks in this huge gorgeous river! Then throw in Otter Creek... it's a great adventure paddling up the creek," notes Sean M.

Hiking on Mason Dixon Trail: The trail system connects several camping areas with scenic river overlooks. "FANTASTIC Campground!! Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal!" reports Gerald B. Trails range from easy 1-2 mile loops to more challenging 5+ mile sections.

Visit Indian Steps Museum: Located one mile from Otter Creek, this historical site showcases indigenous artifacts. "Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society. Across the river there was a wildflower sanctuary and Wind Cave that could be accessed by ferry," mentions Jen R.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the elbow room at Pequea Creek Campground, where "We always book their group site, it's huge! The sleeping area and cooking/hanging out area are way spread out so if you have kids you don't have to worry about noise at night. It's tucked back in a corner, you don't even see a neighbor!" according to Cait B.

Clean facilities: Bathhouse maintenance receives consistent praise across multiple locations. At Pequea Creek, "Bath house is located at top of steep hill" notes Pamela S., while at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, reviews mention "Spotless bathrooms. Nice pool and playgrounds."

Creekside camping: Many sites offer water access for cooling off during hot summer months. "Our site was very nice! We were in a back in site #4. The patio was concrete stone, very pretty," shares Cat R. about their waterside experience.

What you should know

Seasonal variations in water levels: The Susquehanna River can fluctuate dramatically with rainfall. "Unfortunately, with all of the rain we have had here in Pennsylvania this summer the river was brown with mud and tree debris. There was no way any fish was going to see anything in that water," observed one Otter Creek visitor.

Train noise at some locations: Several campgrounds near railroad tracks experience regular disturbances. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!" warns Kit.

Site terrain challenges: Many campgrounds feature hilly terrain requiring careful leveling. "The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites. We had to go out and get more blocks and we're still not very level front to back," reports one camper.

Tips for camping with families

Look for dedicated tent sites with amenities: At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, "They have upgraded the tent sites since last year, no more primitive sites, all the tent sites are now mulch pad with water and electric. Bathrooms are very clean and modern, but a decent walk from tent sites," explains Melissa C.

Consider proximity to attractions: Old Mill Stream Campground offers direct access to entertainment. "Family cabins available, tent sites are small. Clean parks with a small stream. Next to Dutch Wonderland, showers are nice, laundry facilities available," notes Lois.

Choose campgrounds with engaging activities: Many locations offer planned events for children. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," shares Julie Y.

Tips from RVers

Check site size and clearance: Before booking, confirm your rig will fit comfortably. At Thousand Trails Circle M, "As with all thousand trails, this campground is first come best site. While the top part of the campground seemed more communal, we chose the lower, Riverside sites and we're glad we did!" reports Karla R.

Research utility hookups carefully: Water pressure and hookup quality vary widely between campgrounds. "The entrance in off the main road turns you into the theme park. Fear not. Turn in and follow the road to the right and into the campground. We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig. All gravel sites and we had full hookup with 50 Amp," explains Chuck W.

Prepare for uneven terrain: Many pet-friendly camping areas near Wrightsville require extra leveling equipment. "Depending on your rig size you're only available certain sites. They won't give you a 50 amp site unless your 50 amp or 40', they save them for larger campers," advises one experienced RVer.