Stephen R.
Guide
GuideRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
Camping near Benton, PA
36 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Campgrounds in the vicinity of Benton, Pennsylvania range from established state parks to private camping estates, with options for cabin lodging, RV hookups, and tent camping. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground offers one of the most popular destinations, featuring waterfall hiking trails, Lake Jean access, and both rustic and modern accommodations. Whispering Pines Camping Estates provides spacious sites with electric, water and sewer hookups, while Red Rock Mountain Campground offers a more intimate setting just minutes from Ricketts Glen. The region includes additional facilities such as Grassmere Park Campground, Worlds End State Park, and various family-owned properties catering to different camping preferences.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with most facilities operating from April through October, though Ricketts Glen State Park remains open year-round. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when waterfall trails and lake activities draw significant crowds. Cell service ranges from limited to nonexistent at many locations, with visitors to Red Rock Mountain and Whispering Pines reporting spotty connectivity. Road conditions generally allow standard vehicle access to developed sites, while some tent-only areas may require short hikes from parking areas. A visitor noted that Whispering Pines was "one of the quietest and most spacious campgrounds we've ever stayed in," with sites separated by 200-300 feet of space.
The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen represents a significant draw for campers, featuring over 20 waterfalls along well-maintained but occasionally challenging terrain. Campsite quality varies across the region, with state park facilities offering more standardized amenities while private campgrounds provide different levels of services and activities. Several visitors mentioned clean bathhouses at Ricketts Glen, though seasonal variations in maintenance occur. Family-friendly amenities like pools, playgrounds, and weekend activities are common at the private camping estates. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, Ricketts Glen offers "lovely shaded sites" with "beautiful hiking trails with little waterfalls," making it a popular basecamp for outdoor recreation. When searching for campgrounds near Benton, PA, visitors will find over 140 options ranging from fully-equipped RV sites to primitive tent camping areas within a short drive of town. Campground density increases during summer weekends and holidays, with quieter experiences available during weekdays or shoulder seasons.
Best Campgrounds near Benton (163)
1. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground
"The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"
"Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty)."
10 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $15 - $92 / night
2. Whispering Pines Camping Estates
"We knew next to nothing about this campground before coming here, it was just a week long stop on our way to Maine."
"Rented one electric site and onenon-electric right next to it for a two tent set up for my family of five adults and two children and one dog. The sites were level, clear, and pristine."
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $110 / night
3. Worlds End State Park Campground
"The park has some good trails with amazing views, a beach area and Loyalsock creek. The campsite was a bit cramped and right next to the main road going in and out of the park."
"This is another Pennsylvania state park with excellent recycling facilities."
23 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $62 / night
4. Pioneer Campground
"We own some property near this campground and have stayed here a few weekends as a home base while we clean up our property. The owners are just amazingly nice people, always very helpful!"
"Our tent site was secluded and quiet, but not too far off the beaten path!"
5. Indian Head Campground
"Not much to do at the campground but it is 20 minutes away from Knoebles. The fees are fairly cheap."
"Good location, right on the river. The campground overall is very pretty. A few old, junk trailers around the property need to be hauled off."
6. Red Rock Mountain Campground
"Close to many family places such as Ricketts Glen and The Red Rock Scoop for ice cream! Love rummaging through the on-site flea market to see what I can find!"
"Quiet hours are not enforced, there were kids running around screaming well after midnight which was annoying because we were waking up for a sunrise hike at Ricketts Glen."
7. Knoebels Campground
"Knoebels campground is situated next to Knoebels amusement park and offers sites for tent campers and RVs, as well as cabins. There is electricity at every site but not water."
"In addition to the campsites you have access to the campsite bathrooms which also have showers. They’re nothing special but they get the job done and are cleaned daily by staff."
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $160 / night
8. Lake Glory Campground
"This campground is only minutes away from Knobels Amusement Park. The campground itself was clean but not a lot of amenities being it’s part of the amusement park."
"It’s a nice spacious campground next to the park."
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $80 / night
10. Deihls Camping Resort
Drive Time
- 47 min from Williamsport, PA
- 54 min from Scranton, PA
- 1 hr 40 min from Allentown, PA
- 1 hr 43 min from Lebanon, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Benton, PA
225 Photos of 163 Benton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Wanna Ruf It CampgroundB
Whispering Pines Camping Estates
Red Rock Mountain Campground
Ricketts Glen State Park CampgroundD
Pioneer Campground
Indian Head Campground
Moon Lake Recreation Area Campground — Pinchot State ForestJ
Lake Glory Campground
Worlds End State Park Campground
Knoebels Campground
Riverside Campground & Riverside Roadhouse
Big Hollow Road Campsites — Loyalsock State Forest
Recent Reviews near Benton, PA
587 Reviews of 163 Benton Campgrounds
- RRussell A.
Scout100 Mile View Camping
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
Nancy W.
LegendHickory Run State Park Campground
Peaceful State Park Camping in the Fall
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
Tony F.Guide100 Mile View Camping
The best views
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Beautiful Falls!
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
- WWill W.Guide
Lackawanna State Park Campground
Car camping
Stayed October 14 without reservations because website showed lots of availability. Office was closed (M-F 8-4) so submitted honor system envelope with cash and stayed at Site 041 on Carpenter loop. Shower building was a short walk and was spacious enough. Water temp didn’t quite reach hot but was warm enough.
Electric kept on tripping breaker.
Roger V.
TravelerBake Oven Knob
solid parking place for vans and RVs. road is dirt gravel but not terrible. nice hike nearby
Troy P.TravelerShikellamy State Park Campground
meh
i mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
- jjeanne A.Guide
Council Cup Campground
Better than nothing
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
Guide to Benton
Campgrounds near Benton, Pennsylvania include a mix of rustic tent sites, full-service RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground provides tent, RV, cabin, and yurt options with facilities that operate year-round. The area features notable private campgrounds like Whispering Pines Camping Estates, which offers spacious campsites with water and electric hookups. Red Rock Mountain Campground is located just minutes from Ricketts Glen State Park, providing easy access to hiking trails and waterfalls. Most established campgrounds in the region maintain developed facilities with picnic tables, fire rings, and bathhouses.
Camping access varies seasonally with several campgrounds operating from April through October. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground remains open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. Reservation requirements apply at most developed sites, particularly during peak summer weekends when campgrounds reach capacity. Cell phone service is notably limited throughout the region, with multiple reviews mentioning poor connectivity. Terrain ranges from level, open camping areas to more wooded settings with occasional rocky patches. Water quality testing occasionally affects campground facilities, with temporary water shutoffs possible. A review noted, "The sites were level, clear, and pristine. A small wooded area separated the tenting area from the RV site with a nice little grove of trees between each campsite."
Waterfall access represents the primary draw for campers visiting the Benton area, particularly at Ricketts Glen State Park with its 22 named waterfalls. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to natural features, with varying difficulty levels from easy walks to more challenging terrain. Reviews consistently mention the Falls Trail System as a highlight, though visitors should be prepared for steep, rocky conditions. Several campgrounds offer lake access, with sites at Ricketts Glen providing direct water access for kayaking and fishing at Lake Jean. Privacy between campsites varies significantly across campgrounds, with some reviews noting proximity concerns. One camper reported, "The biggest draw to this state park is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike." Tent campers have numerous options, from primitive walk-in sites to more developed campgrounds with electric hookups and shower facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Benton, PA?
What camping is available near Benton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Benton, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 163 campgrounds and RV parks near Benton, PA and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Benton, PA?
Which is the most popular campground near Benton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Benton, PA is Ricketts Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 70 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Benton, PA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Benton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Benton, PA.
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