Camping near Cambra, Pennsylvania offers outdoor enthusiasts access to diverse state parks throughout the Endless Mountains region. The area sits at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,400 feet in the Appalachian Plateau, creating varied camping experiences between valleys and ridges. Fall temperatures can drop rapidly in this region, often dipping below 40°F at night even when daytime temperatures reach the 70s.
What to do
Hiking challenging trails: Ricketts Glen State Park offers varying difficulty levels for hikers, with some requiring careful navigation. "The hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained! and the hike back up was again steep but maintained!" notes Anne P. about the falls trail at Ricketts Glen State Park.
Boulder field exploration: The unique geological formation at Hickory Run draws visitors year-round. "The Boulder Fields are one of the coolest places I've ever visited, partially because they were so unexpected. Don't twist an ankle, but you can play hide and seek to an extent as there are small depressions in the fields," advises Amber A. from Hickory Run State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide direct water access for fishing. At Indian Head Campground, "You can choose to fish, kayak, or go tubbing," according to Luis B., who appreciated these options during his stay.
Winter camping: Some parks offer year-round accessibility including cabin options. Christine D. found Worlds End State Park cabins perfect for cold weather: "We had the pleasure of renting a cabin at World's End State Park for the first time in February 2016... The cabins stay very warm with a wood burning stove- sometimes even too warm and windows need to stay cracked open."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Tent campers appreciate secluded options away from main roads. At Red Rock Mountain Campground, "We camped at Red Rock as couples. We stayed in primitive tent sites which you had to hike into. They were very private," reports Samantha M.
Walk-in site options: Some parks offer more secluded spots requiring short hikes. Katy R. notes about Worlds End State Park: "The walk in sites (58-61) look nice too, but only if you are going with a group and book them all, as you have to walk through one of the sites to get to some of the other ones."
Spacious camping areas: Larger groups appreciate sites with room to spread out. At Whispering Pines Camping Estates, Sharon B. reports, "Rented one electric site and one non-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."
Fall foliage viewing: The mountainous terrain creates spectacular autumn displays. One camper at Hickory Run noted, "Hooting owls and fall foliage. This was a very peaceful night in the woods," highlighting the seasonal appeal of camping in this region.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the region have minimal connectivity. At Worlds End State Park, a camper observed, "No cell service, which is refreshing. The sound of the creek nearby is really soothing." Another visitor noted, "Definitely a good spot if you're searching for peace and quiet. Also there's pretty much zero cell service, which is a good thing in my opinion."
Bear precautions: The high bear population requires food storage discipline. Shirley M. mentions that at Hickory Run, "all campers are required to keep food items in their vehicles or trailers when not at the site."
Alcohol restrictions: State parks enforce strict alcohol policies. Lee D. reports from Worlds End: "There are numerous trails in both the state park and neighboring Loyalsock State Forest, some of which are accessible from the campgrounds. The trails are very well marked and most of them prohibited hunting."
Seasonal campground closures: Most private campgrounds operate April through October. Lake Glory Campground specifically runs "April 15 to October 15" according to its listing information.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature playground equipment for younger children. At Pioneer Campground, "We have a pool, soccer/baseball field and many family friendly activities," according to a review by Casey R.
Halloween events: Several campgrounds host special seasonal activities. Gregory L. shares, "We were there in October, and the weekend they went they had a really cool walk through 'haunted woods' that was a lot of fun."
Lake activities: Swimming areas provide cooling options during summer months. "The park has some good trails with amazing views, a beach area and Loyalsock creek," according to visitors to Worlds End State Park, making it suitable for families seeking water recreation.
Theme park proximity: Knoebels Amusement Park serves as a major regional attraction near several campgrounds. Vince L. from Lake Glory Campground notes, "10 minutes to Knoebels with the mighty Phoenix. The best wooden coaster on the planet. Always a great time at Lake Glory. We've been camping here for 16 years or so... Also, don't miss The Old Mill Ice Cream."
Tips from RVers
Limited full hookup options: Many state parks offer only partial connections. James S. from Ricketts Glen mentions, "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling. Not much shade in the full hookup loop, so was happy to have electricity for A/C."
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. At Knoebels Campground, Derek W. observed, "The sites are very close to one another. We lucked out in Bermuda Triangle as there was a little more space and we were further away from some of the noise."
Off-season advantages: Lower occupancy provides quieter experiences. Charlie & Danielle B. report from Whispering Pines: "Throughout the week you could basically hear a pin drop outside, it was only on the weekend that it got 'noisier' but that was because families had come in like you would expect."
Grocery distance considerations: Remote locations mean limited access to supplies. "There's also not much in the way of grocery stores or restaurants nearby... The nearest Walmart is about 25-30 minutes away so just have everything you need before you come," advises a full-time traveler about the Cambra region.
