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Colonel Denning
Overview
Colonel Denning State Park offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley. Nestled within a gap of the Blue Mountain, this 273-acre woodland preserve provides a serene setting for RVers looking to disconnect. The park is named after a Revolutionary War veteran and serves as a gateway to the vast wilderness of the Tuscarora State Forest. It is characterized by its quiet atmosphere and the scenic Doubling Gap Lake.
Location & Surroundings
Located just north of Newville, PA, the park is situated where the mountains form a unique double gap. The landscape is dominated by lush hardwood forests and steep ridges. Travelers arriving here will find themselves surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Appalachians. The park serves as a scenic midpoint between the valley floor and the higher elevations of the forest, offering cool mountain air and plenty of shade during the summer months.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground features a mix of tent and trailer sites that cater to those seeking a traditional outdoor experience. Key features include:
- Electric hookups available at many designated sites
- Access to a sanitary dump station for RV waste
- Modern restrooms and reliable water spigots
One of the primary draws is the 3.5-acre Doubling Gap Lake, which features a sand beach for swimming and seasonal trout fishing. The park also maintains several miles of hiking trails that connect to larger regional systems.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts often flock to the Flat Rock Trail, a challenging hike that rewards visitors with a stunning vista of the Cumberland Valley. For those interested in local culture, the nearby town of Carlisle offers historic architecture and specialized museums. The surrounding Tuscarora State Forest provides endless miles of additional gravel roads and trails for exploring, making it a prime spot for photography and wildlife viewing throughout the year.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for nature lovers and hikers who prefer a quieter, more primitive camping experience over a commercial resort. It is a fantastic choice for families looking to enjoy a day at the lake or individuals seeking a scenic mountain getaway. Because the sites are tucked into the woods, it is best suited for small to mid-sized RVs rather than massive big rigs, appealing to those who value privacy and direct access to the outdoors.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Katherine Robinette
Beautiful nature and great place to hike and go without any type of Internet. Highly recommend!!
Nan G
This is a nice clean park. Had a nature trail if you don't want to take the Flat Rock Trail. Campground is nice. It is hilly so some sites need leveling your camper. It is really pretty back in there.
Bruce Tice
This is a beautiful state park. Beautiful ride in from south or north. When you arrive at the campground you will see the ranger staion on the right, do not pull in there. Drive past this and turn right ( just 50 feet) Then turn right again down hill ( Yes it is a tight turn, but I fit with a 36 foot trailer and long pickup). There is a dump staion that is on your left, so when you leave, you can dump. At the bottom of the hill, swing wide, turn to left. Go across bridge. Camp host is on left. Water to fill up is there at ice and firewood or there are 3 other places to fill in park. They just redone bathhouse, and have single button showers with timers ( they are ok, but i hate the short timer) It is a smaller campground, and has some tight turns, but you can manage to get around. Take your time and take wide turns. If you are handicapped, I suggest staying in the first loop or closer to the bottom of second loop. Bath house is either a walk up or a walk down, so be ready to walk if you are using it. Plenty of trails and are clear. There is a nice beach and lots of place to sit and get sun.
Souvik Mukherjee
Pretty decent camp site with some sites available with electric hookups. Pet friendly sites are also available. All this information is visible when booking the camp site online. All sites have fire pits and Modern restroom is available on site. However, the sites are not too big. Also the ones that have electric hookups have the ground firmed up with stone chips. So the main area of those sites are more suitable for RVs. Pitching tents can be a problem on those. You have to find a place on the side to pich the tent. Sites being small adds to the problem. Closest walmart is 30 mins away and sheetz 10-15 mins. So be sure to load up on supplies. Overall, nice place to get close to nature and have some grill pary going.
Russ Relkin
Hidden gem with flowing streams at every turn. Campground hosts Mike & Jo made us feel welcome. The bathrooms are clean and recently updated (it’s a bit of a hill from sites along the stream.) Sites are spacious and there is group camping available.