Hills Creek State Park Campground near Arnot offers camping in the heart of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon region. The park sits at approximately 1,700 feet elevation with sites situated around a 137-acre lake. Fall temperatures in the area regularly drop below freezing at night, requiring proper insulation for tents and RVs. The surrounding Tioga State Forest includes over 160,000 acres of public land with mixed hardwood forests and diverse wildlife.
What to do
Hiking around the lake: Hills Creek State Park features family-friendly trails that encircle the water. One camper notes, "The hike around the lake is not that long and a pretty easy walk. We did it with a 5 year old and he had no complaints" (J K., Hills Creek State Park Campground).
Educational programs: Rangers at several parks organize free nature activities. "The rangers offer educational programs that are free of charge! Near by attractions: PA Grand Canyon!" (Amanda H., Hills Creek State Park Campground).
Trail access at all levels: The state parks provide trails for various skill levels. At Canyon Country Campground, "Very friendly staff. Minutes away from a town and the gorge. Hiking trail from the campground to the gorge!" (Sarah M., Canyon Country Campground).
Water recreation: The lakes and streams support multiple activities. "Great campground that we use for a layover en-route to NY to see family... Everywhere you look there is green space" (Dave G., Hills Creek State Park Campground).
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer room to spread out. At Ives Run, a reviewer praised the "large sites on macadam pads. Large fields behind most sites for activities" (James P., Ives Run).
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain good standards for bathrooms and showers. "The shower and bathroom facilities looks brand new. Everywhere you look there is green space" (Dave G., Hills Creek State Park Campground).
Creek-side camping: Several locations offer direct water access. At Pettecote Junction Campground, "We tent camp and love the sites as they are right on the creek, a few have direct access to the creek if you have kayaks which is awesome!" (Anna L., Pettecote Junction Campground).
Less-crowded options: Some parks provide more solitude than others. "Unlike Leonard Harrison, Colton Point on the western rim of the Pine Creek Gorge isn't a tourist hub. The campsites are private and you get to hike in" (Emily S., Colton Point State Park Campground).
What you should know
Limited cellular service: Many campgrounds have poor connectivity. At Pettecote Junction, one camper appreciated "This is my escape away from technology and my time to be one with nature" (Anna L., Pettecote Junction Campground).
Weather preparation: Night temperatures fluctuate significantly. At Little Pine State Park, a visitor shared: "I think we picked the week with the most rain of the year to camp but it was still a lot of fun" (J K., Little Pine State Park Campground).
Wildlife awareness: The region has diverse wildlife including snakes. "It was the height of rattle snake season. A site near ours and very close to the playground had a rattler under their camper" (Amber C., Little Pine State Park Campground).
Reservation requirements: Popular parks fill quickly. At Ives Run, "the only draw back is that it fills up quickly and you need to reserve many months ahead of time especially for holidays" (James P., Ives Run).
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly entertainment: Some campgrounds offer dedicated child activities. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds, "Kids had a great time at this campground. Two playgrounds, a pool, two jumping pillows, mini train, carousel, and activities" (B C., Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds).
Swimming options: Lakes with designated beach areas provide safe water play. One camper at Little Pine State Park noted, "The swim area is one of the best around. Playgrounds are fun & the snack stand is a little expensive, but delicious!" (J K., Little Pine State Park Campground).
Car safety awareness: In busy campgrounds, vehicle traffic requires attention. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone, "It does get very crowded on the weekends so make sure your kiddos know car safety" (Missy, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds).
Dog-friendly sites: Several campgrounds accommodate pets with reasonable restrictions. At Stony Fork Creek Campground, a visitor mentioned they "decided to camp where the RVs were so we have more space (plus, they have limited camping spots that allow dogs)" (Alexandria, Hills Creek State Park Campground).
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Some campgrounds have better RV spots than others. At Stony Fork Creek Campground, "We arrived on Saturday and departed the following Friday. The campground was exceptionally maintained... All of the roads were paved and sites were very large" (Greg W., Stony Fork Creek Campground).
Hook-up variations: Available utilities differ between parks and sites. At Ives Run, "Some site you will need 2 hoses for your water because the hook ups are far from the sites and some of them will have the hook up facing the front of your camper" (Kayla N., Ives Run).
Satellite dishes: Tree coverage affects reception in many campgrounds. At Little Pine State Park, "It's one of my favorite places to go! It's so beautiful and most relaxing place!" (Kelsey B., Little Pine State Park Campground).
Accessibility considerations: Terrain varies significantly between parks. In Leonard Harrison State Park Campground, "The campground is a simple loop of 28 sites. 19 are non-electric and 9 are electric. Sites are spacious and easy to back in to" (Brad W., Leonard Harrison State Park Campground).
Traveler
