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Cross Fork, Pennsylvania anchors a collection of campgrounds in the forested valleys of Potter County, part of Pennsylvania's "Wilds" region. Ole Bull State Park Campground provides electric hookups for RVs and tent sites along Kettle Creek, with hiking trails and fishing access. Kettle Creek State Park offers both Upper and Lower Campgrounds with varied amenities, while Cherry Springs State Park attracts visitors for its exceptional stargazing opportunities. The area primarily supports tent and RV camping, with some parks also offering cabin rentals. Several locations feature sites along waterways, providing options for boaters and anglers seeking direct water access.
Many state parks in the Cross Fork area have seasonal operating schedules, with most campgrounds opening from April through December. Electric hookups are common, though not all sites provide water connections directly at campsites. "This is a remote area with no cell service - a blessing!" noted one camper at Sinnemahoning State Park. Shower facilities are available at larger established campgrounds like Ole Bull and the Lower Campground at Kettle Creek, but more primitive facilities exist at locations like Patterson State Park. Winter camping is limited in the region, with Ole Bull State Park being one of the few year-round options. Reservations are recommended, particularly for summer weekends and during the peak fall foliage season when the area attracts numerous visitors.
The Pennsylvania Wilds region surrounding Cross Fork provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities alongside camping experiences. Campers frequently mention elk sightings, with Sinnemahoning State Park particularly noted for wildlife observation. One visitor described the area as "beautiful with lots of things to do. Hike, Fish, Swim, Ride bicycles. Quiet place under the tall pines!" Water features prominently in camping experiences, with creek-side sites at Ole Bull and Kettle Creek State Parks receiving particularly positive reviews. Site selection can significantly impact experience - some campers recommend more secluded sites like #71 at Kettle Creek's Upper Campground for privacy, while others prefer waterfront locations despite occasional fishing traffic. Dark skies at Cherry Springs make it a destination for stargazers, with many campers using nearby parks as base camps for nighttime astronomy.
"Each campsite had a fire pit and a picnic table and most had trees behind them. We stayed in a drive up site that was close to the restrooms and had a clear field near us to look up and stargaze."
"A little off the beaten path, but definitely a good find away from that light pollution and with other like minded souls!"
from $16 / night
Check Availability"Electric sites are available with water access to fill tanks but no water hookups. "
"Ole Bull State Park and the Surrounding  Susquehannock State Forest are breathtaking and certainly live up Potter County’s nickname of Gods Country."
from $20 - $43 / night
Check Availability"The surrounding area is loaded with things to do as well if you feel like venturing out. Cherry Springs Dark Park is just up the road but the view from our tent was just as good."
"Our trip was for astrophotography purposes, and Lyman Run is only a 10 minute drive away from the Cherry Springs viewing area. Totally worth it!"
from $20 - $29 / night
Check Availability"Step inside to view elk bear birds and other wildlife! Learn about the building of the dam and the early days of the CCC camps."
"There are a few nice scenic trails that go to the lake and through the woods. Some are kid bike friendly. The nature center is great! Kid friendly and fun!"
from $22 - $29 / night
Check Availability"The lower campground is nicely situated right next to the creek, perfect for fishing. I will say some of the sites a very tight if you have a large camper. The bathhouse was very clean and modern."
"No water on sites but bibs near by to fill campers & jugs. Cindy in Admin VERY helpful."
from $27 / night
Check Availability"The upper campground has a rustic feel, beautiful views and is a great location for wildlife encounters."
"It would be nice if the DCNR added some walk/hike-in sites, or even Adirondack shelters along the long-distance Donut Hole Trail that cuts through the park south of the dam.)"
from $18 - $25 / night
Check Availability"There are nice trails all around and it is a worthwhile stop."
"Nice picnic areas and some trails. Worth the drive."
from $20 - $29 / night
Check Availability"Found this location while going to Elk State Forest for the elk bugling. Was very happy to find this location. Had clean bathrooms with running water and showers."
"We camped over Columbus weekend and got to see gorgeous fall leaves, brilliant night skies, and lots of elk right around the campground plus a bear that took a walk through the campground one evening."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"The campsite is located about three miles down from Cherry Springs State Park and Campground, just off the road."
from $10 / night
Check Availability
GuideIts was great, we stayed in new area, sites had ample room, not many trees at our spot so summer there wouldnt be much shade but we were next to a retention pond/drainage. We brought our dig whole loved running through there.
Not much to say besides it was clean, not crowded (in November) and decent spacing between sites
GuideIt was overall good, Nice amenities, pool was clean (3ft-5ft) Splash pad, air pillow, playground, pond, etc
It has nice wooded areas but very compact, if you have a large camper id be concerned with trying to make some turns on the upper area
GuideStayed for 2 nights with my pup. Nice, private, walk up tent sites maybe 50 yards or so from the road. Didn’t find too much to do trails wise at the campground but the pond nearby has some lovely views and the park across the bridge has a nice beach for swimming.
TravelerI love this campground always clean and has a nice pool and splash pad. Another pool coming soon. Everyone is friendly and can get a lot of wood for $25
TravelerThey have 30 amp sites. No water but there is a dump station. Bring your Starlink there is no cell signal. Bathrooms are decent. Good Stargazing(head to nearby Cherry Springs). This is one of the most “out of the way” places in the eastern US. Not quite boon docking but close. There is a guy on the corner that sells firewood. Download maps to get in and out. Listen for the Elk. Watch for Bears.
TravelerLeonard Harrison State Park sits directly on the ridge of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Great hiking trails 800 feet down into the gorge where there is a flat rail trail of 65 miles for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The campsites are roomy and set far apart. There are only about 30 sites and just 8 of them or so have electric. Bathrooms and showers are conveniently located and very clean. No cell service whatsoever, so bring your board games and cards.
RangerWhat a gorgeous area. Camp site has a path down to Medix Run (which seems quite clean) with a perfect spot to set out camp chairs and watch the water. Beautiful sounds of birds and spring wildflowers all over the site. Sites are well spaced. The road is surprisingly busy day and night, which did take away from the experience. Unfortunately that issue was dwarfed by other behavior.
Imagine you're sitting by the water on your campsite at 6pm, and a man is suddenly standing next to you. On your dispersed, state forest camp site. With a path only accessible by walking through the site. He tells you a beaver dam used to be here and goes into the water to fish. Weird things happen, but THREE different fishermen at different times used our campsite as their fishing base. Not the area next to it, the campsite. Even parked down the driveway next to our car.
Maybe you're not bothered by this. Maybe it's because you've read this and now had the chance to consider the possibility. However, I'd be willing to bet you'd rather not be surprised. Especially when there are no amenities and as a woman, you need to get partially undressed just to take a leak in the morning.
This is unacceptable behavior. There were other unoccupied campsites, turn offs and places to stop and fish. In all my life camping, no one has ever done this sort of thing. You stay off campsites when other people are there, unless you need help or want to pass on information.
If one person had done this, I wouldn't be writing such a cranky review but three instances warrants a warning for other campers. Good luck, folks.
GuideThe campground was decent enough, but I would probably skip it next time and stay in the state forest instead. The campsites are not especially private and while they are not directly on top of each other, you are definitely aware of nearby campers. That said, it is a great location for stargazing and the pit toilets are convenient if you prefer at least some amenities.
The biggest downside was the lack of firewood. None was available on site and there was little opportunity to gather any from the surrounding woods. After one night, I felt like I had gotten the experience. For my money, I would rather camp nearby in Susquehannock State Forest where you can find far more private and secluded spots for less cost. You give up amenities like toilets, but if privacy and a quieter camping experience matter more, the state forest feels like the better option while still keeping you close enough to enjoy the dark skies near Cherry Springs State Park.
One nearby spot that is absolutely worth the short drive is the Water Tank Vista overlook. The view alone makes the trip worthwhile, especially around sunset or on a clear day. If you are camping in the area, it is one of those places that feels like a hidden gem and adds a lot to the overall experience.
GuideThe campsite is located about three miles down from Cherry Springs State Park and Campground, just off the road. It is visible from the road, so if complete privacy is important to you, keep that in mind. That said, the setting itself is beautiful, especially the drive in through the tall pine forests which immediately gave the area a peaceful feel.
The site has two good level tent spots and one semi level spot, all within view of where you park, which made unloading and setup easy. It took me roughly an hour to get camp fully set up. One thing to know going in: there is absolutely no cell service at least with T mobile, which can either be a huge positive or a dealbreaker depending on what you’re looking for.
One of the best features of the site is a nice trail leading back to a creek that you can hear flowing from camp. I spent some time walking along it and tossed a fishing line in a few times. The current was moving pretty fast and I did not see signs of fish during my visit, but it was still a relaxing place to explore.
Firewood was a mixed bag. There are plenty of fallen trees around, but much of it was surrounded by poison ivy, so gathering wood took a little caution. Bugs were present enough that I ended up using a head net in the evening, especially after dark.
For stargazing, the location was solid. I stayed up late and managed to catch three shooting stars. I brought a telescope but the angle of the sky from my setup made it harder to use than expected. If astronomy is your main goal, you may still want to head up to Cherry Springs proper for the best viewing experience.
Overall, this is a peaceful, simple campsite with good access to nature and a quiet atmosphere. Best suited for people who are okay disconnecting completely, enjoy creekside wandering and do not mind a more rustic experience. I would camp here again, especially for a quick getaway near Cherry Springs.
Cross Fork, Pennsylvania sits at 1,100 feet elevation in the remote Pennsylvania Wilds region, surrounded by extensive state forests and waterways. The area experiences four distinct seasons with snowfall common from November through March. Most camping locations have limited or no cellular service, requiring advanced planning for navigation and communications.
Mountain biking opportunities: The trails near Ole Bull State Park Campground attract dedicated riders. "The Park Manager held a 12 hour mountain bike race from the park," notes Travis S., who witnessed a "couple hundred pound bear climb the tree outside of the cabin" during their stay.
Stargazing at dark skies: Pennsylvania's only certified Dark Sky Park at Cherry Springs State Park Campground provides exceptional astronomy conditions. "If you have flexibility with your dates, try to go on a new moon or a meteor shower!" recommends Emily S., who notes that sleeping on the public viewing field isn't allowed all night.
Waterfront activities: Many campsites provide direct creek access for fishing and paddling. "We set up camp at a site along Kettle Creek, and we saw half a dozen campers walking back to their sites with trout caught within walking distance," reports Andrew C. from Ole Bull State Park.
Remote wilderness atmosphere: The Pennsylvania Wilds region offers seclusion from urban environments. At Sinnemahoning State Park Campground, Matt M. appreciated that there was "no cell service at all - a blessing!!!" The park serves as a gateway to surrounding state forests with "amazing vistas off Ridge road; great hiking all over."
Family-friendly accommodations: Many parks offer play areas and accessible facilities. "Small, quiet campground. My kids love riding their bikes here. There are a few nice scenic trails that go to the lake and through the woods. Some are kid bike friendly," writes Amber N. about Sinnemahoning State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area hosts diverse wildlife including elk and eagles. David B. notes Sinnemahoning's "visitor's center has many participatory A/V camping and wildlife exhibits. The law enforcement/ranger was exceptionally helpful and friendly and he provided me with the locations of current elk sightings."
Campsite selection impacts experience: Sites vary significantly in privacy and amenities across the region. At Upper Campground — Kettle Creek State Park, Mary H. recommends site 71 as "the most removed of all the sites. Went to the camp office and obtained it for the rest of our week-long stay--and it was perfect...Super quiet back there and totally private."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules with varying conditions. "Arrived on a rainy afternoon noon that cleared up shortly afterward. That night it was overcast and muggy so there was nothing to see. The following two nights however were crystal clear and the temperature dropped drastically," reports Matthew L. from Cherry Springs State Park.
Camping surfaces vary: Many tent sites have gravel or hard surfaces. Shayna found at Sinnemahoning that "there is not an actual tent pad, so you're going to need sturdy tent pegs for guy lines. It's rocky and covered with gravel."
Accessibility options for various abilities: Some parks accommodate visitors with mobility concerns. At Cherry Springs, TheKajrak appreciates that "there are easy areas to walk if you have difficulty and can't go uphill, or struggle with balance and stability. But worst case, sitting around the fire and just enjoying gorgeous views, skies and time with family... Makes any trip worth it."
Educational opportunities: Several parks feature interpretive centers for learning. Leonard Harrison State Park Campground offers a "new nature center that my kids enjoyed," according to Whitney W., who found the area "completely unexpected" when discovering the "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon."
Playground proximity: Consider campsite location relative to play areas. At Lower Campground — Kettle Creek State Park, Cassia M. notes, "The playground was right next to our site which is great if you have kids. It is right next to the water and the site has electric."
Size restrictions and maneuvering: Some campgrounds have tight access roads or limited turning radius. Cheryl W. warns that Lower Campground at Kettle Creek has "40 ft max campers due to space/turning constraints. Not for class A rigs. Long campers up to that size should use south loop of lower campground."
Electric and water connections: Hookup availability varies between campgrounds and loops. At Lyman Run State Park Campground, Seth P. observed that "the electric sites were pretty tightly packed. We could see that the sites in the trees without electric were more widely spaced."
Shower facilities: Clean, modern facilities exist at many locations. Kristen D. found Ole Bull's "bath houses are well maintained with newer renovations, tiled floors, shelves over the sinks, large stainless steel utility sinks for dish washing."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Cross Fork, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cross Fork, PA is Cherry Springs State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 30 reviews.
What parks are near Cross Fork, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Cross Fork, PA that allow camping, notably Tioga-Hammond Lakes and Cowanesque Lake.
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