The best camping near Colonel Denning State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Colonel Denning Park adventure.

Discover the natural allure of Colonel Denning State Park.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Colonel Denning State Park

Colonel Denning Park Campground

50 sites · RVs, Tents In Colonel Denning State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Colonel Denning State Park

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Free Spirit Campground

5 sites · Lodging, Tents66 acres · Landisburg, PA

We're a family campground in south-central Pennsylvania, just 25 minutes from Carlisle. Our relaxed environment and varied recreation offer something for everyone, & we'd be glad to have you as our guest! We offer fun for those of all ages: * Fishing in our stocked lake * Paddle boats and kayaks * Mini golfing * Axe throwing * Live events * A playground for children * Swimming in the pool * Hiking trails * A fully stocked campground store * Weekend live entertainment * Themed weekends/activities * Concerts in the field * Crafts and fun activities * A bath-house with heated showers * Ice sales & propane exchange * Brand-new horse-shoe pits & more!

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Wilbur's Shed

1 site · RV, Tent60 acres · Blairs Mills, PA

This location is two hours south of PSU, five hours west of NYC, and twenty minutes north of the I-76 Turnpike Willow Hill Exit. There is some cell service, but it is limited. Can you hear me now? Be sure to save site information on your phone before you leave, in case you lose cell-service. This is not Alaska, but it is not a KOA campground, either. There is a gutter when you turn off the road onto the lane. Please turn at a 45 degree angle and enter the lane gently or your vehicle with scrape the road. I have 30"x20' culvert to install, but I haven't yet made the commitment begin such a significant project. Nearby is the Tuscarora Creek which is excellent for trout fishing. The Tuscarora has a small but lovely window for kayaking from mid-March through the end of May. Please contact the host if you would like help to plan some paddle logistics. Twenty minutes south is Big Spring State Park which has an abandoned RR tunnel form the late 1800s. Forty-five minutes away is the 1,000 steps near Mt. Union which is part of the Standing Stone Trail that runs from Cowan’s Gap State Park to PSU. The Steps provides and amazing view of the Juniata River, and is a strenuous heart work-out. If members of your party would like a more pampered camping experience that includes real beds and hot showers, there is an adjoining property for rent on air b and b. Google search for The Crowe's Lounge.

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Fiddlers Green Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents107 acres · Taneytown, MD

This historic piece of preserved farmland has been in our family for 5 generations. The property is just over 100 acres with about half in forest conservation. We have two streams that join one another and create an amazing habitat for all kinds of wildlife. Our farm has always been a fun and healing place for our friends and family to gather. We love sharing the peaceful seclusion here with folks who enjoy and respect nature. We are a certified organic farm and we're in the early stages of transforming it to a fully regenerative, permaculture operation. We grow hemp, medicinal herbs, small grains as well as keep bees and a small tribe of goats. When you come here you are experiencing the rebirth of farming in this country while getting to connect with the natural world. We'd love to have you!

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Private country r on trout stream.

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Liverpool, PA

Come enjoy the quiet country setting of my family's private getaway. Originally a 1900 built Mennonite church nestled on 1 acre with trout stocked stream frontage. Only 1 camper and tent site per stay to ensure the peaceful setting. The church is minutes from the activities of the Susquehanna river.

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Old Soul Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Gettysburg, PA

We are a small, working farm and apiary. Located back a gravel farm lane, Old Soul Farm is the perfect place to getaway from it all and still be within 10 minutes of the Gettysburg Battlefield. Learn more about this land:Site Option 1: A beautiful view of the farm and surrounding farm properties. It is the furthest away from the barn and owner housing for privacy but an easy field walk in and out.Site Option 2: Closer to the barn. It is a level area with a great tree for shade and climbing. This location also has a stone fire circle. Site Option 3: Formerly used as a riding ring for horses, it can now be used to accommodate larger groups.

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Christmas Tree Farm with Views

7 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Elizabethtown, PA

In 1990, Scott and Sue Miller purchased a 16-acre farm in Elizabethtown, Pa with the intentions of starting a select cut Christmas tree farm. 15,000 trees were purchased and planted on the farm. Six years later, the first tree was sold and since then, the farm has expanded its operations to Bernville, Pa. Camp on our 16 acre Christmas tree farm in an Amish neighbors with horses. Within 30 minute drive to Hershey park, Mt Gretna , Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, York. Enjoy hiking and biking trails nearby and the many attractions. Great view for star gazing and sunsets. Firewood available for purchase. We have a stone parking lot for RV campers Tent campers can set up in the trees and lanes. An outdoor portable toilet is available and water is available at an outside spigot. We are open January through Mid November. We have 6 sites available with fire pits. You are able to drive and park next to the site. Sites are available first come first served. Four persons per site additional $5 per night fee for extra guests. We sell Miller’s Christmas tree farms stickers.

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Beespoke Farms

1 site · Lodging25 acres · Sabillasville, MD

We are a 25 acre, regenerative farm creating natural products through organic processes. We care for chickens, geese, ducks, cows, alpacas, goats, sheep, dogs, and cats! We have a small pond for great fishing, and lots of nature to explore! Sat in the middle of the Catoctin Mountains, our farm has beautiful mountain top views. The accommodations include 1-2 A frames, beds and bedding for rent as needed, access to electricity and Wi-Fi, an outhouse, and access to fresh water. No heating.

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Willet Family Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Westminster, MD

Named “Favorite Hipcamp Site in the State of Maryland" by OUTSIDE MAGAZINE in 2020! The tallest structure on our farm is the windmill, constructed in 1874, and it quickly became the logo for our farm because a windmill is something that harnesses power for a specific purpose. For many generations, the windmill harnessed the power of the wind to grind grain or pump water, but now in the 21st century, Willet Family Farm hopes to harness the power of the outdoors to benefit every guest that comes to visit. The Willet Farm survived many hardships including The Great Depression, the 1999 tornado that destroyed the barn, and cancer that claimed the life of family members too early. In 2006, The farm had to be sold outside of the family, but in an effort to honor past generations and preserve the heritage of what the farm stood for (faith, family and hard work), Jeremy and Kathleen Willet purchased the farm back in 2017. The 13 acre farm is perfectly located in the middle of over 200 acres of farmland owned by parents and cousins. Since that time, we have welcomed over 200 guests from 10 different states and 2 different countries! We raise free-range chickens, board horses and are a Renewable Energy Farm completely powered by the sun through a comprehensive solar design on our barn.

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Esidarap Mountain

2 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Abbottstown, PA

Campsite: We were inspired to make a campsite from having friends camp here with us on a whim. They suggested we have more people come up here to camp. They told us about Hipcamp and we looked into. Since then we have mowed, removed dead standing trees, built a privy, cleared brush, graded the site, cut firewood, and many more projects to enhance the site. We named the camp Esidarap. Can you tell what Esidarap backwoods is. Note: for the winter months we are closed, will reopen in march. The furthest we are open at any given moment is about six months Description of camp: At this camp we only allow one group at a time for privacy. The campsite is a big level hilltop clearing surrounded by acres woods. We have a stone driveway that leads to the site that gets you back into the woods. The driveway is wide enough for trucks, trailers, vans, etc. Since the site is up high it gets a great breeze which helps on warm days and gets good cell service. The campsite gets great sun and has shaded areas along the sides that make for good tent pitching. We have had people set up hammocks, tents, tarps, or camp in their vehicle. We provide a privy (outhouse), an outdoor showerroom/changing room, a charcoal cooking pit, picnic tables, and a metal fire pit with grill rack that you can put in the fire pit if you wish to cook/grill over it. The woods are hilly so biking is not recomended. On the property we have 2+ miles of hiking trails that are marked with fluorescent ribbon. PLEASE feel free to contact us for any questions. Also please look at our pictures for a better idea of what we offer. Nearby Activities: A short drive from here will take you to Gettysburg, York, or Hanover. There are many excellent restaurants and brewpubs nearby, including the award winning Warehouse Gourmet Bistro and Brewpub. For more information read our activities section to find out what other things we provide or have nearby that you can do. Pricing/Offers: *If people do not book the site within a few days of availability we may lower the price. So if you are unsure please click on the days you wish to camp and check the price. Also holidays are priced a little more like 4th of July, Memorial Day, and labor day We have a weeknight discount for the site which is 29 dollars (Sunday-Thurdsay nights). Friday night and Saturday night we charge 35 dollars. Any additional guests after five we charge 9.50 dollars per person. We allow up to 10 guests total. We have some available offers listed on our site that you may purchase when you book the site. These include ice water. For more information on these items please go to our Extras section. Things we ask: Extinguish camp fires that are unattended and to only make them in the designated fire pit/ BBQ pit, no noise past 9 o'clock, discharging of firearms and fireworks are prohibited, do not bring firewood (in order to prevent invasive bug spread), please keep your pets attended/on a leash, clean up after your pets, be respectful of wildlife (take memories leave only footprints), and have fun.

Keystone Cozy Camper!

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Mechanicsburg, PA

Brand new Keystone 8 x 18 ft Hideout Camper is waiting for you. Close to shopping, dining, and work. Enjoy your own private shower and bathroom inside the camper along with a kitchen and fold down Murphy bed. I also have a shed for storage with a 5 x 5 x 5 space for your items. On site parking for no cost is within a few feet of your camper. The camper is plugged into shore power and has a microwave, A/C, and charging outlets for phone and other items. It also has Solar and a large battery if power is lost. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood you will not hear traffic noise but you will hear train noise coming from three blocks away 3 or 4 times a day. The lot is spacious but is about a 1/4 acre not 1 acre. The website won't let me put less than a acre.

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Tuckaway Tree Farm

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents36 acres · Belleville, PA

Come camp on a beautiful 36 acre Christmas tree farm. Located 15 miles from Huntingdon and State College, Tuckaway Tree Farm has easy access to hiking and exploring in Rothrock State Forest, Greenwood Furnace. Property is located along Backroads Discovery Route. Two ponds on the property and a trout stream down the road are perfect for fishing.

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Rustic Escape in the Woods

5 sites · Lodging12 acres · Richfield, PA

The Green Tree Grove is a cabin retreat located in the beautiful hills of Juniata County. This tranquil oasis is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature, offering a variety of activities such as hiking, yoga, and mountain boarding. Experience the beauty and serenity of The Green Tree Grove and leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

The best camping near Colonel Denning State Park guide

Overview

About

Dotted with picnic tables, perfumed by the familiar clouds of burning charcoal, Colonel Denning State Park is a niche-like paradise for the backpacker―who fancys midnight reruns on the Food Network. While not geared toward the motor boating enthusiast, the park’s expansive lake is a favorite among canoers and kayakers, offering a safe, scenic experience for the paddling-minded ilk. Even the seasoned angler will be well catered to with Doubling Gap Lake’s healthy populated trout schools. And, if you’re not one to partake in water-going activities, Colonel Denning State Park is snaked with eighteen-miles of hiking trails that carve the Cumberland Valley. However, make sure your smartphone’s fully-charge; Colonel Denning State Park’s campsites offer little amenities (aside from the one electrically-fed campsite), allowing all it’s campers to experience Mother Nature in all her well-groomed beauty.

When to go

The ideal time to visit Colonel Denning State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its peak. Summer brings warmth perfect for water activities, though it can be crowded. Winters are quiet but can be quite cold, so ensure you're prepared if you venture during this season.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the season to ensure a comfortable visit.
Be aware of park hours, typically from 8:30am to 5pm, and plan your trip accordingly.
Stay informed about any trail closures or area restrictions before you arrive.
Remember to pack essentials like water, snacks, and a first-aid kit for a safe and enjoyable day.
Take advantage of the available facilities, but always leave the park as you found it, respecting the Leave No Trace principles.