Ricketts Glen State Park Campground
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
45 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several RV parks surround Columbia Cross Roads, Pennsylvania, offering diverse options for motorhome travelers. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground in Rome features full hookup sites with 50 amp service, gravel pads, and big rig accessibility. Tanglewood Camping in Covington operates from May through mid-November with both 30 and 50 amp electric options, sewer hookups, and water connections at each site. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds in Mansfield accommodates large RVs from April through October with spacious pull-through sites on level ground. Scenic View Campground in Tioga remains open year-round with 50 amp service and full hookups. "The owners do a fantastic job keeping the campground shipshape. Nice, pull-through on gravel pad with full-hookups that can take large rigs," notes one RV camper about Pine Cradle Lake.
Cell service varies significantly throughout the region's RV parks, with some locations reporting spotty coverage in the mountainous terrain. Most campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations, though Pine Cradle Lake offers honey wagon service for convenience. Propane fill service is available at Tanglewood Camping for RVers needing refills. Pet-friendly policies are standard across all parks, though specific restrictions may apply. Fall foliage season fills these RV campgrounds quickly, making advance reservations essential, particularly for weekend stays. Navigation to some parks requires careful planning as rural roads can be narrow with occasional sharp turns. One traveler mentioned needing water filters when staying at regional campgrounds: "Make sure you use a water filter, there was a lot of sediment in the water when we were there."
"It's still nice to be on the outskirts. We also chose this section per a review we read to be away from the main road noise, but there really isn't much road noise to worry about, anyway."
"We stayed at Finger Lakes RV Resort in Hector, a short drive from Watkins Glen and Ithaca, in search of waterfalls and wine in the Finger Lakes region of NY state. "
from $80 - $89 / night
"They have hayrides in the summer and swimming in the lake. Lakeside sites are spacious and reasonably priced. The owners are always accessible."
"The staff, the grounds, the amenities made me wish we were closer. So many things for kids to do. From boating, to giant swimming inflatables, putt putt even a giant slide."
"Very clean facilities, lots for kids to do despite Covid. We always get a site on the outside of the main circle by the tower slide."
"Two playgrounds, a pool, two jumping pillows, mini train, carousel, and activities. Good for bike riding although hilly."
from $40 / night
"Very clean,family friendly ,relaxing"
"Clean, good facilities. Good walking, hiking, kayaking. Private sites can be found pretty easily."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $90 / night
from $10 / night
from $129 / night
Camping here for many years and still love it here got it all camping trails water fall trail and lake.
This is a really great state park which has a nice campground, beautiful scenery, interesting attractions nearby, and great hiking trails. The biggest attraction are the 12 waterfalls in the park. Some are easy, short walks, and others are moderate and longer. The Rim and Gorge Trails make a loop which makes for a really good workout with lots of stairs and elevation change. Personally, I think the views from the Gorge Trail are better. Or, you can park in the upper lot and walk down (approximately 1/3 mile) to see Lucifer Falls and walk back. Fall is a great time to visit and enhances the views.
All campsites are back-in and have fire pits and picnic tables. Some are in the open(#49-72)with a scattering of trees, while others are tucked in the woods with lots of shade. The open sites are much easier for big rigs to navigate and back into. There is no water or sewer at sites but water spigots are located throughout the campground and the dump station is easy to access on your way out and has a dedicated water fill station away from the dump site. Our site (#52) was open which we appreciated in because the fall weather was cool and we had a clear sky for Dish satelitte. The pad was gravel and level. The patio is grass and there is nice distance between you and your neighbors Some sites are dry camping and other have electric that varies from 30 or 50-amp and the price reflects which you choose. Our site was electric only (50-amp which worked well) and we were close enough to a shared water spigot so we could add water. There are signs that say you can only hookup to the spigots for five minutes and “Y” connectors are not allowed. Swimming is allowed in the pools and river but has certain daily hours and is only open from late-June to Labor Day. Your receipt and park pass allow you access to other NY state parks in the area. Definitely check out Buttermilk Falls State Park which is just a couple of miles away and has nice hiking trails and more beautiful waterfalls. We visited the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (which is free) and has interesting exhibits, short films, and hiking trails.
Another fantastic stay at Finger Lakes RV Resort! This continues to be one of our absolute favorite campgrounds, and visiting during the fall made it even more special. The changing leaves and beautiful fall colors throughout the Finger Lakes were incredible.
As always, the campground was beautifully maintained, exceptionally clean, and peaceful, with spacious sites and gorgeous views. The family that owns and operates the resort is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. You can really tell how much pride they take in the property and in making sure their guests have a great experience.
We had a wonderful time exploring the area this trip. We hiked Watkins Glen Gorge and Buttermilk Falls Gorge, both absolutely stunning with the fall foliage. We also visited Watkins Glen International Raceway, enjoyed some great food and drinks at Grist Iron Brewing, and spent time at Hector Wine Company and Red Newt Cellars. The wineries were fantastic, and we especially appreciated how welcoming and dog-friendly the area was.
The location really is hard to beat, with so many great hikes, wineries, breweries, restaurants, and attractions just a short drive away. It’s a wonderful destination for families traveling with young children and dogs.
We always look forward to coming back to Finger Lakes RV Resort, and this visit was no exception. Between the beautiful campground, wonderful owners, and everything the Finger Lakes has to offer, it’s a place we never get tired of visiting. Already looking forward to our next stay!
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!
Spent a peaceful night car camping in site 151. Beautiful trees, nice shower houses, quiet neighbors. Just a beautiful and very affordable - $32 - stay. We’ll be back whenever we pass this way.
Second trip here. Everything you need. Peaceful, large open areas with sites in sun and shade nestled in small valley surrounded by forest,
Stopped for one night while traveling upstate and usually dispersed camping but it was getting late so we stopped in.
This was a great camping trip! We had site 29, nice spot with the North Rim trail right behind our site. Trails are beautiful. Restroom and shower close. You do need to be careful, lots of oaks trees and falling acorns! Easily dings you car hood, watch where you park. Close to down town for a visit to the awesome farmers market in Ithaca.
Nice small campground with only 9 sites. FF self pay station allows QR Code to recreation.gov to reserve online. Once you choose a site, just pay online and keep your cash tipping at the close by wineries!😉 The park is a bit neglected compared to the many other National Forrest we stay in. The potholes in the driving loop and gravel need repair. The Fire pits and pit toilets need attention. Overall, it has been quiet and convenient to the region around. We stayed 4 days so even the negatives were not a deterrent.
The Endless Mountains region surrounding Columbia Cross Roads, Pennsylvania sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with rolling terrain and forested valleys. The area experiences seasonal temperature swings with summer highs averaging 80°F and winter lows often below freezing. Camping options span from lakeside sites to mountain ridge locations, with most facilities operating from April through October due to the region's cold winters.
Lakeside activities at Pine Cradle Lake: Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating and swimming at this family campground with a central lake. "The fishing is good, and the turtles are eager to help themselves to your bait. It truly is a great place to stay," notes a camper at Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground. The campground offers catch-and-release fishing without requiring a PA license.
Hiking forest trails: Worlds End State Park features extensive hiking opportunities with well-marked trails. "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," writes one visitor to Worlds End State Park Campground. The High Rock Trail is recommended for hikers looking for a challenge.
Vineyard visits: Several campgrounds offer easy access to regional wineries, some even with walking paths directly from the camping areas. A visitor to Finger Lakes RV Resort mentions, "They are bookended by two wineries with walking paths from the campground." The Finger Lakes region has dozens of wineries within short driving distance.
Quiet camping atmospheres: Many campers appreciate the peaceful settings found at campgrounds in the area. At Worlds End State Park, a camper notes, "It feels like you're in another world, or at least separated from the daily hassles and vexations of society, with a wall of a mountain between you and them."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds near Columbia Cross Roads maintain high cleanliness standards. At Aspen Family Campground, a visitor shares, "The bathroom and shower house are very rustic which I loved. The owners were super nice and accommodating."
Water features: Lakes, swimming pools and splash pads are popular amenities. "We enjoyed fishing and kayaking in the lake, the heated pool and splash pad, spacious sites and clean amenities," reports a visitor at Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground. Several campgrounds feature dedicated swimming areas to help families beat the summer heat.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in this rural area have minimal connectivity. A camper at Pine Cradle Lake notes, "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."
Reservation requirements: The most desirable sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "Get your reservations in early though weekends for lakeside sites are booked super fast!" advises a Pine Cradle Lake camper. Fall foliage season is particularly busy at rv campgrounds in Columbia Cross Roads, Pennsylvania.
Varied terrain and site types: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds has sites with different characteristics. "The entry road to the campground itself is a very steep, narrow road with a small curve at the top. It's well-maintained but keep an eye out for campers coming down. There's space for getting by but it's tight," shares one visitor.
Kid-focused amenities: Jellystone Park offers extensive children's activities. "Kids had a great time at this campground. Two playgrounds, a pool, two jumping pillows, mini train, carousel, and activities. Good for bike riding although hilly," notes a visitor.
Tent site selection: For families with tents, some sites offer better experiences than others. A camper at Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground shares, "The tent sites were right behind the athletic field where they did activities the weekend we were there (bounce house). The restrooms were fantastic too, the buildings held two complete rooms with a toilet sink and shower in each."
Off-season cabin options: Worlds End State Park provides cabins during colder months. "We had the pleasure of renting a cabin at World's End State Park for the first time in February 2016... We were immediately in love with the babbling river that ran right beside our cabin," shares a visitor. The cabins sleep 6-8 with four double bunk beds, electricity, stove and refrigerator.
Navigation challenges: RV campers should plan their routes carefully around Columbia Cross Roads rv campgrounds. "Standard GPS directions for this campground are wrong, (coming from 15N they have you turn right at the end of the ramp, you need to turn left) So plot your route before you go. Otherwise it guides you to a gravel road with a no campers sign," advises a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds.
Site selection for shade: At Pine Cradle Lake, different RV sites offer varying levels of shade. "We booked site 211 which had the little bit of tree coverage and was located right next to the showers/bathrooms/playground with a quick walk to the lake for fishing. Most of the other available sites in the road ahead of us had no tree coverage but closer to the lake had more trees and shade," notes a camper.
Seasonal campground considerations: Scenic View Campground LLC operates year-round but has been undergoing improvements. "The campground is under new ownership and is being renovated. The pool and cabins are being replaced. The camper lots hook ups could use an upgrade," reports a recent visitor, information worth noting for RVers planning extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Columbia Cross Roads, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Columbia Cross Roads, PA is Finger Lakes RV Resort with a 5-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find RV camping near Columbia Cross Roads, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 139 RV camping locations near Columbia Cross Roads, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring