Best Campgrounds near Athens, PA
The Athens area in northeastern Pennsylvania offers a mix of established campgrounds for various camping preferences. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground, located in nearby Rome, Pennsylvania, features lakeside sites with private docks, tent spaces, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Other options within driving distance include Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, about 40 miles southwest, and Riverside Acres Campground near Towanda. These campgrounds collectively accommodate tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals across rural Pennsylvania landscapes along rivers and lakes.
Access to campgrounds around Athens varies with the seasons, with many facilities operating from spring through fall. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground offers heated pools and splash pads during summer months, while some state park campgrounds like Ricketts Glen remain open year-round. Most established campgrounds in the region provide water and electric hookups, with many offering full-service amenities including showers, toilets, and sanitary dump stations. Cell service can be limited at some locations, creating opportunities for disconnection. A review noted, "There is very very little cell reception and only wifi if you pay for it. We had to put our phones and devices down and just relax."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the region, with lakeside and riverside sites typically booking quickly. Pine Cradle Lake campers highlight fishing opportunities from private docks, with one camper mentioning "The lakeside spots are gorgeous and the private dock is great when you have kids that love to fish." Along the Susquehanna River, campgrounds like Riverside Acres offer scenic water views where, according to a visitor, "Eagles fish here. You can too." The region's campgrounds balance natural settings with amenities, though tent sites are more limited than RV accommodations at some locations. Families appreciate the recreational activities at developed campgrounds, including heated pools, playgrounds, and organized weekend events, while others value the quiet riverside locations for relaxation and wildlife viewing.
