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The 5 Best Campgrounds Near Lancaster, PA?

by Libby ThompsonNov 17, 2022
The 5 Best Campgrounds Near Lancaster, PA?

Planning a family adventure to campgrounds near Lancaster, PA? Local history and family attractions like Hershey Park and Amish Country make the area a fun place to visit with kids of all ages. What’s more, the natural beauty of the Pennsylvania countryside transforms it into the perfect spot to relax and unplug.

With activities ranging from hiking and fishing to laser tag and mini golf, these campgrounds near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, set the stage for wholesome family memory-making. Keep the kids entertained and the whole family satisfied with these amenities-packed options for Lancaster, PA campgrounds.

1. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Quarryville

campground near Lancaster, PA, with kids playing in water park

Nearby Attractions: Gnome Countryside, Wolf’s Hollow County Park, Fishing Creek Nature Preserve, Climbers Run Nature Center

Nearby Airports: New Garden Airport, Chester County Airport, Lancaster Airport

Unique Amenities: Laser tag, water park, mini golf

Ideal for quick family getaways, big group events, and every adventure in between, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Quarryville tops the list of campgrounds near Lancaster, PA, when it comes to amenities and activities. Flaunting exciting recreation options like splashing at the water park, playing a round of miniature golf, hiking the scenic trails, and more, it’s no wonder this campground is a 2022 Campspot Award winner in the category Top Campgrounds for Families. The pavilion’s top floor is perfect for large family gatherings or events, and the spacious sites provide all the room you need for roasting marshmallows and swapping campfire stories. 

2. Sun Outdoors Lancaster County

lancaster, PA campground with manicured lawns and lodge

Nearby Attractions: Maple Grove Raceway, Hollywood Casino Morgantown, Stoudts Antique Mall, Struble Lake

Nearby Airports: Reading Regional Airport, Lancaster Airport

Unique Amenities: Arcade, mini golf, water park

For a unique theme, abundant amenities, comfortable lodging, and endless activity options, few campgrounds near Lancaster, PA, can beat Sun Outdoors Lancaster County. Accommodations range from treehouses and yurts to tents and barns, and the gnome-themed grounds are full of delightful decor. Rent a golf cart or a boat to cruise around the grounds or the lake, or spend the day at the pool complex. 

Between fishing, hiking, mini golf, and a variety of other games, there’s never a dull moment at Sun Outdoors Lancaster County. Pack up the whole family—including the dogs—for a fun and wholesome adventure in the Pennsylvania countryside. There’s a good reason this campground is a 2022 Campspot Award winner in the category Top Campgrounds for First-Timers! No matter your camping background, you’ll find all you need for a fun adventure right on the grounds.

3. Ramblewood Living

clouds, sky, and tops of trees

Nearby Attractions: Susquehanna River, Conowingo Fisherman’s Park, Susquehanna State Park, Rock Run Grist Mill

Nearby Airports: Forest Hill Airport, Fallston Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Unique Amenities: Volleyball court, pool, meeting facilities

Groups looking for campgrounds near Lancaster, PA, to host their next retreat or festival need look no further than Ramblewood Living. This campground is ideal for reunions and events, with abundant space for camping and well-kept facilities perfect for accommodating large groups. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and indulge in fun activities right at home with amenities like softball facilities, a diving pool, and beach volleyball. 

Venture off the campground to explore the natural beauty of the surrounding area with a hike in Susquehanna State Park or a fishing outing on the river. 

4. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

family walking down by river

Nearby Attractions: BeeTree Preserve, Prettyboy Reservoir Park, Gunpowder Falls Trailhead, Royal Rabbit Vineyards

Nearby Airports: Carroll County Regional Airport, Marsteller Airport, Harrisburg International Airport

Unique Amenities: Hiking trails, jump pad, mini golf

Unplug and get away from it all with a stay at one of the most beautiful campgrounds near Lancaster, PA, Merry Meadows Recreation Farm. With a long family history, three levels of camping areas, and 275 total acres of natural splendor and fun activities, this campground features everything you need to reconnect with nature. 

Hike along the picturesque Little Falls Stream and keep an eye out for the rare birds that call the area their home. Entertain the whole group with games like horseshoes, golf, and volleyball, or watch the kids play on the jump pad and in the pool. Packed with amenities and featuring plenty of options for camping set-ups, Merry Meadows Recreation Farm easily tops the list as one of the best campgrounds near Lancaster, PA. 

5. Camp Swatara

father and son fishing by lake at lancaster, PA campground

Nearby Attractions: Blue Mountain, Weiser State Forest, William Penn Shelter, Appalachian Trail Lookout, Golden Age Air Museum

Nearby Airports: Grimes Airport, Pine Grove Airport, Harrisburg International Airport

Unique Amenities: Mini golf, disc golf, fishing lake, pool

Spacious, serene, and shrouded in natural splendor, Camp Swatara is among the best campgrounds near Lancaster, PA, for families. The sprawling campground flaunts endless kid-friendly activities, from a splash pad and a mini golf course to a lake for canoeing or fishing. Adventurers flock to Camp Swatara year-round to enjoy hiking and fishing in the summer and spring, beautiful fall foliage during the autumn months, and the nearby Blue Mountain Ski Resort in the winter. 

This Lancaster, PA campground has all you need, whether your ideal camping trip involves quiet reflection by the fire or days full of activities. Choose from RV sites, tent sites, or rustic cabins and enjoy the many amenities at Camp Swatara. 

Whether you come to ski the Blue Mountains, hike in the bountiful nature preserves, peep the autumn leaves, or indulge in the amenities at your campground of choice, these Lancaster, PA campgrounds promise both adventure and comfort. Pack up the kids and the dogs, and get ready to roast some marshmallows. 

Libby Thompson is a freelance writer living in Denver, Colorado. Having grown up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, hiking and camping have been cornerstones of her life since childhood. Rain, snow, or shine, you can usually find her outdoors on a paddle board, a hiking trail, or a pair of skis. Libby can be reached via email at libby@libbywrites.com.

Image credits in order of appearance: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Quarryville, Sun Outdoors Lancaster County, Ramblewood Living, Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, Camp Swatara