Colonel Denning State Park Campground
Colonel Denning hides in a narrow mountain valley with just 52 sites clustered around Doubling Gap Lake. The campground feels intimate — sites are close together but screened by thick understory, and the spring-fed lake stays cold enough for trout fishing all summer. Most sites are tent-friendly with a few suitable for smaller RVs. The CCC-built bathhouse and stone picnic shelters give it that classic 1930s state park character. Evenings get quiet except for loons on the lake.
Access via a winding mountain road that climbs from the Cumberland Valley — no issues for most vehicles but trailers over 30 feet might find the curves tight. Open April through mid-October. The lake prohibits motorboats, keeping things peaceful for paddlers. Spring and fall offer the best temperatures; summer weekends fill up with families from Carlisle and Harrisburg.
Mountain hollow camping with spring-fed lake
Place Details
| Type | Established Campground |
|---|---|
| Street address | 1599 Doubling Gap Road, Newville, Pennsylvania 17241 Get directions → |
| Nearest town | Newville, Pennsylvania |
| Miles from pavement | 0 mi |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle |
| Access road surface | Paved |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Capacity (# of rigs) | 52 rigs |
| Cost (USD/night, 0 = free) | $25.00 / night |
| Reservation required | Yes |
| Stay limit (nights) | 14 nights |
| Best season | April-October |
| Land manager | State Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Amenities | Drinking water, Fire ring, Picnic table, Showers, Toilets, Trash service |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |