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Best Campgrounds near Lancaster, PA

941 Reviews

The area around Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has a mix of camping spots that work well for families. Pinch Pond Family Campground keeps kids busy with playgrounds and regular activities throughout the season. If you want more of a natural setting, French Creek State Park Campground sits within a 7,526-acre park with good hiking options. Many campers also head to Elk Neck State Park Campground, which has larger sites and staff who tend to be helpful with local information. Each place has different facilities depending on what you're looking for in a camping trip. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable camping weather in Lancaster. Summers get pretty hot and humid, so bring extra shade and cooling options if camping between June and August. Some places stay open in winter, but you'll find reduced services at most campgrounds. You can find hiking trails and fishing spots near most Lancaster camping areas. The town itself is close enough that you can easily get supplies or visit local attractions without a long drive. Lancaster camping works for both people who want organized campgrounds and those looking for quieter spots.

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Best Camping Sites Near Lancaster, Pennsylvania (129)

    1. Thousand Trails Circle M

    19 Reviews
    Millersville, PA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."

    "I used to stay here all the time with my grandparents when they were around. It was always some of the best times for me."

    2. Old Mill Stream Campground

    16 Reviews
    Lampeter, PA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 299-2314

    "Clean campground with great access to Dutch Wonderland, outlets and other Lancaster County tourist attractions."

    "In the area you have Lancaster, Amish area and an amusement park (that is a bit outdated). The camping has a bit over 100 spots. They are just oké."

    3. Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort

    14 Reviews
    Concord, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 687-8181

    "Close to the tourist spots in Lancaster. Great views. Clean, friendly, and would definetly recommend!"

    "Our go to campground when visiting Lancaster. Right in the heart of all the shopping and antiques."

    4. Pequea Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4587

    "Very quiet and close enough to Lancaster for shopping. Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground."

    "We brought our 7 year old and we visited the playgrounds, hiked the trails and explored the creek area. Boat ramp near by, we had site 54 which was nice and private."

    5. Country Acres Campground

    11 Reviews
    Concord, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 983-3064

    "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."

    6. Beacon Hill Camping

    11 Reviews
    Concord, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 768-8775

    $57 - $70 / night

    "Close to Lancaster. If you’re a foodie, this area has many buffet style venues. Shady Maple Smorgasbord was excellent. Amish farms and fields everywhere."

    "Located w/in walking distance of small town of Intercourse, PA, with plenty of shopping and Amish crafts. Very friendly people. Inexpensive stay."

    7. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Quarryville

    19 Reviews
    Quarryville, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 610-4505

    "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."

    8. Tucquan Park Family Campground

    12 Reviews
    Holtwood, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-2156

    "We had a great time relaxing as this is in the fields of Lancaster county. Very peaceful!"

    "Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."

    9. Otter Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 862-3628

    "Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."

    "Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal! Sites are spacious and nice! Restrooms clean!"

    10. Spring Gulch Resort Campground

    16 Reviews
    Narvon, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Lancaster, PA

394 Photos of 129 Lancaster Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Lancaster, PA

941 Reviews of 129 Lancaster Campgrounds

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Brandywine Creek Campground

    Brandywine

    We are on the third week of a four week trip. Campground is well maintained, quiet. This was our home while exploring Philadelphia. Uber to Downgrown, Septa or Amtrak to town. Reverse to camp. Very enjoyable. Hickory nut tree beside camper shared at times.

  • Peyton S.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Wonderful, Easy, Quick trip from Philly

    It’s about an hour away from Philadelphia. We tent camped in loop B. The site was wonderful. Just know it is a gravel site, not grass. The fire pit has a grill attachment and wood was easy to find. Water and bathrooms were close. We hiked around the lake and there were plenty of trails and even rentable kayaks and paddle boards! Would definitely recommend if looking for a quick overnight stay outside of the city.

  • Stephen W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Hersheypark Camping Resort

    Very clean campground friendly staff

    We stay here once a year in September. Stone surface. Not to bad for leveling. Our site was spacious.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    Peace and quiet !

    Great spot! We had site 114 . It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    In Amish area, next to an amusement park

    Our kids where happy with the small playground and with a few dollars they could have some fun in the small arcade/gameroom. In the area you have Lancaster, Amish area and an amusement park (that is a bit outdated). The camping has a bit over 100 spots. They are just oké.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Elk Neck State Park Campground

    More than correct stay for a pass through or short period

    Check in at the store (without reservation), went very smooth. Only the north east loop was open because it was calm. All spots are full hook up, all fine. There was a small play area for the kids and the restrooms/ shower where clean. No complaints.

  • Scott J.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Sun Valley Campground

    My Happy Place

    My wife and I have been seasonal camper for 4 years and love it. We had visited numerous campgrounds and found Sun Valley to be the atmosphere there beyond our expectations. The minute you walk into the office you get that" aha" moment. The office greets you with a smile and " Welcome to Sun Valley, how can I help you ". That alone told us these folks are here to make your stay enjoyable. They go above and beyond any campground we have ever been to. The activities go above and beyond. The Saturday night bands are concert worthy. We have enjoyed our stay more than you ever imagined. For the past 4 years it has been our "Happy Place"

  • Stephen W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Fantastic PA state park for activities and camping.

    Third year staying over the Labor Day weekend. Campground full but still a very peaceful relaxing stay. Our site was very spacious and open. Tree lined and site was almost level. Paved sites on this loop.

Guide to Lancaster

Camping near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a fun-filled adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Many campgrounds, like French Creek State Park Campground, have trails for hiking and biking. One visitor mentioned, "Hiking and biking this park is fun. It's a great place to camp and enjoy downtime!"
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground is a great spot. A reviewer noted, "The lake is very nice and it's a very family park!"
  • Exploring History: The area is rich in history, especially around Gettysburg. The Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA is close to historic sites, making it easy to explore. One camper said, "This is a great campground in a great location and we can’t wait to go back!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean bathrooms and well-maintained sites. A visitor at Elk Neck State Park Campground remarked, "The bathrooms are immaculate."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites. A reviewer at Codorus State Park Campground mentioned, "Spacious, beautiful, clean, quiet, easy, and lots to do and see."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Blue Rocks Family Campground are known for being family-oriented. One camper said, "Beautiful campground! Very family-oriented and a great place for a weekend getaway in the woods!"

What you should know:

  • Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Elk Neck State Park Campground, do not allow alcohol. A camper noted, "Accessible and pet friendly. Great trails and great staff."
  • Site Levels: Be prepared for uneven sites at some campgrounds. A visitor at Locust Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Electric only, no water hookups. Small but very pretty lake with clean water."
  • Crowded Areas: Some campgrounds can get crowded, especially during peak seasons. A reviewer at Hersheypark Camping Resort said, "These RV sites are the tightest I have ever seen."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Blue Rocks Family Campground has a great playground and lots of activities. A visitor said, "The playground was great. Lots of activities."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to plan activities that everyone can enjoy. A camper at Lums Pond State Park Campground mentioned, "We went on a hike to check out the lighthouse."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep the kids happy. A reviewer at Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA noted, "The camp store was well-stocked."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites before booking. A visitor at Hersheypark Camping Resort said, "The spots are a little small, at least in the section where we stayed."
  • Use Leveling Blocks: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. A camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground mentioned, "Some weren’t level front to back so adjustments needed to be made to level camper."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of nearby attractions. A reviewer at French Creek State Park Campground noted, "Lots of neat things nearby such as an apple orchard."

Camping around Lancaster, PA, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled family trip, the campgrounds in the area have you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free camping options near Lancaster, PA?

Free camping options near Lancaster are limited, as most campgrounds in the area are established facilities with fees. French Creek State Park Campground offers some of the most affordable camping in the region, though it does charge modest fees. For true free camping, you'll need to venture further from Lancaster to state forests like Michaux or Tuscarora that offer dispersed camping opportunities. Always check current regulations before attempting free camping, as rules can change and permits may still be required even when no fee is charged.

What are the best campgrounds in Lancaster, PA for families with kids?

Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort offers an adorable setting with clean facilities, great views, and a playground perfect for children. It's conveniently located near Lancaster's tourist spots. Muddy Run Rec Park - PPL is another excellent family option with a lake for boating, wildlife experiences, an ice cream snack bar, and weekly activities specifically designed for kids and families. The friendly staff regularly creates engaging programs to keep children entertained throughout your stay, making it a fantastic destination for family camping trips.

What RV parks and campgrounds with cabins are available in Lancaster County, PA?

Lancaster-New Holland KOA is a well-maintained RV park with level, gravel sites featuring paver patios and tables. It's an excellent base for exploring Amish Country and is about an hour from Hersheypark. Country Acres Campground in Gordonville offers good-sized sites for motorhomes and provides a convenient location for visiting Amish Country. Many Lancaster County campgrounds also offer cabin rentals, including Thousand Trails Circle M which features well-kept grounds and concrete pads. These facilities typically provide full hookups and are designed to accommodate various RV sizes.

Are there campgrounds near Lancaster's popular attractions like Sight and Sound Theatre?

Old Mill Stream Campground provides excellent access to Lancaster County tourist attractions, with a nice creek for fishing. It's strategically positioned near Dutch Wonderland and shopping outlets, making it convenient for visitors attending shows at nearby venues like Sight and Sound Theatre. The Loose Caboose Campground offers spacious, level sites with full hookups in close proximity to numerous Lancaster attractions and activities. While it doesn't have many frills, its strategic location makes it a practical base for exploring the area's popular entertainment venues and Amish experiences.

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