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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
