Tent camping opportunities around York, Pennsylvania provide woodland settings with several primitive options within a 30-mile radius. The region features elevations ranging from 400-1,100 feet with oak and maple forests dominating the landscape. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85Ā°F, while spring and fall camping seasons offer cooler conditions between 40-70Ā°F.
What to do
Fishing access: Hibernia County Park offers fishing at Chambers Lake and a special Children's Pond stocked for young anglers. According to a visitor, "Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too."
Hiking trails: Susquehannock State Park Campground features trails with river views. A camper notes, "There are lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River. There's a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles."
Kayaking: Several campsites provide direct water access for paddlers. At Lower Allen Community Park, "You can put in a few miles up and float down to your site. The sites sit right along the Yellow Breeches creak so you can put in a few miles up and float down to your site."
Wildlife observation: The streams and wetlands attract diverse bird species. One visitor to Susquehannock notes, "There are amazing wildflowers on that trail. One trail has two amazing specimen trees."
What campers like
Natural cooling: Stream-side tent sites provide temperature regulation during hot months. A camper at Mill Creek Camping Area mentions, "Campsite for where we stayed is down by the creek making for a cooler camping experience and love the sound of water flowing at night."
Wooded seclusion: The best tent camping near York, Pennsylvania often features heavily forested sites. At Hibernia County Park, "Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities."
Affordable pricing: Many tent sites offer budget-friendly rates. A camper at Hibernia County Park notes, "Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups."
Historic features: Some campgrounds contain preserved structures. At Hibernia County Park, "There is an old mansion that gives tours on weekends."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area is open "April 1 to October 30," while other sites close by mid-November.
Trail traffic: Some hiking paths run through or near camping areas. At Mill Creek, one visitor cautions: "The site is public access and there are lots of hikes, joggers, and people expecting you not to be camping. I was woke up every morning by people walking through the site."
Reservation systems: While some campgrounds allow self-registration, others require advance booking. At Hibernia County Park, "Sites can be reserved online, by phone, or by 'first come, first served' self-registration."
Site surfaces: Ground conditions vary between campgrounds. At Patapsco Valley, "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. Patapsco Valley offers "a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."
Kid-friendly trails: Some parks have specially designed paths for younger visitors. A camper at Patapsco Valley mentions, "There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Cabin options: For families new to camping, some sites offer simple cabins. At Patapsco Valley State Park, "The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it.'"
Safety considerations: Rain can create challenges at some locations. One camper at Patapsco Valley shared, "One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm."
Tips for RVers
Limited hookup options: Most tent camping sites near York lack RV amenities. At Hibernia County Park, "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."
Site access restrictions: Many campgrounds have narrow access roads unsuitable for larger rigs. One camper noted about Hibernia County Park's Lake loop, "I wouldn't attempt to park an RV up there."
Dump station availability: Plan for waste disposal before arrival. A visitor to Hibernia warns, "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home."
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven parking surfaces. At Hibernia County Park, though sites "don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18... They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
