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Best Tent Camping near Galeton, PA

316 Reviews

Primitive tent campsites are scattered throughout the state parks and forests surrounding Galeton, Pennsylvania, offering a range of rustic camping experiences. Colton Point State Park Campground features walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, operating from the second Friday in April through the third Sunday in October. Patterson State Park Campground, located near Coudersport, provides more secluded tent camping with drive-in and hike-in options. Several campgrounds within Tioga State Forest and Susquehannock State Forest offer additional tent camping opportunities within a short drive of Galeton.

Most tent campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables, but visitors should verify drinking water availability before arrival. Colton Point offers drinking water and vault toilets, while many of the forest sites have no potable water sources. Fires are permitted at most locations, though seasonal restrictions may apply. The terrain at most sites consists of natural forest floor with minimal improvements. Walk-in sites at Colton Point require campers to carry their gear a short distance from parking areas. A visitor commented, "The walk-in sites take a small hike so don't over pack." First-come, first-served camping is common, particularly at Patterson State Park where no reservations are accepted.

Tent campers in the Galeton area can expect varying levels of seclusion depending on the chosen campground. The west rim of Pine Creek Gorge at Colton Point offers a less touristy experience compared to other locations in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon area. A review mentioned that "unlike Leonard Harrison, Colton Point on the western rim of the Pine Creek Gorge isn't a tourist hub." Sites within Tioga State Forest provide more isolation, with some campsites positioned a quarter-mile from the nearest neighbor. Some forest campgrounds offer direct access to hiking trails, including connections to the West Rim Trail system. During peak summer months and fall foliage season, tent sites at the more accessible state parks fill quickly, making midweek visits preferable for those seeking solitude.

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Best Tent Sites Near Galeton, Pennsylvania (44)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Galeton, PA

5 Photos of 44 Galeton Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Galeton, PA

316 Reviews of 44 Galeton Campgrounds

  • Cam N.
    Aug. 16, 2018

    Primitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park

    Watch for trains

    I throughly enjoyed my time at Bald Eagle State Park. We stayed at a tent site, I believe 58 in the rustic camping section. The rustic section was located around a large loop with each site ranging in a few feet from the car-friendly loop to about the 50 foot walk where our site was located. While this is a primitive site, planning ahead you can place yourself near the vault toilets. If there was running water in the bathrooms– we didn’t find it! There are several water pumps located around the loop and we used that for washing dishes. Our site had space for two tents with a nice fire ring and picnic table. The fire ring was actually one of the best I have experienced– featuring a grill grate with adjustable levels for exposure to heat. The site also had a hook for keeping food or garage elevated from critters. Hammock lovers: we had plenty of trees to easily string our hammock near the picnic table/fire ring. Now the trains. An active railroad sits about 75 feet away from several of the rustic sites. We noticed the 7 p.m. train on Saturday evening. What we didn’t expect was being awoken at 5 a.m. to a freight train blowing through full steam– really gets your heart pumping– did not need coffee that morning. The rustic area also has access to a trail that loops about two miles near the lake and rustic campground. It was a fun place!

  • Mary H.
    Jun. 13, 2019

    Upper Campground — Kettle Creek State Park

    Upper campground: Rustic, remote, restful

    The upper campground has a rustic feel, beautiful views and is a great location for wildlife encounters. While it has some amenities (electric on a few RV sites; scullery area near the pit toilets; showers available at lower campground), these grounds are away from the bustle of the outside world. We are tent campers, and without the need for hookup and never having been there, we reserved site 45--but do not recommend it for its challenging slope. When a loud, disrespectful family set up nearby that first night for a long weekend, we spoke with the camp host (helpful, amenable Jim), who suggested we ask about site 71, 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. (While it had a hookup that we didn't need/use, we did pay extra for it--but well worth the seclusion.) Super quiet back there and totally private. Some of the rustic tent sites looked lovely, too (did not note best site numbers; sorry), but we cannot recommend #71 enough. If you're an RV camper, however, the sites with the vista views overlooking the reservoir are amazing, if not somewhat close together. 

    We wanted to encounter wildlife; went looking for it and found it! Everything seemed to be about an hour or more away on winding roads, but that was okay; love the meandering. We went to:  

    • Hyner View (gorgeous vistas -- and also came across a mama rattlesnake sunning on a back road and took photos from the safety of our car!); 
    • Pine Creek Gorge (Leonard Harrison State Park) more amazing views; 
    • Benezette to find elk (wild herd at dusk on Winslow Hill, complete with mama and baby--then three buck sauntering through town!); and 
    • lovely nearby Kettle Creek Vista. We also saw a few elk and lots of deer as we drove along the river's edge over the Leidy Bridge. 

    Pennsylvania is gorgeous!

    We also enjoyed meeting Julie at the Lock Haven Visitors' Center and had our only meal out at Deb's in Cross Fork. For ice cream treats (a weakness): Ice Shack near Lock Haven; Old Bull Cafe in Benezette; the kiosk at the top of Pine Creek Gorge. 

    A very restful, quiet week in early June was just what we needed, and Kettle Creek State Park Upper Campground was wonderful.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 25, 2022

    Russell P Letterman Campground — Bald Eagle State Park

    Park Mowers Trashed Our Campsite

    PROS

    Senior discount $18 

    Able to reserve 334 days prior to arriving

    Campground quiet but can hear PA 150 road noise 

    Great night sky viewing 

    Nice privacy from side neighbor's campsite 

    Asphalt parking pad 

    Large gravel around pad to include firepit and utility hook up 

    Grass around gravel, but was mid-calf high 

    Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon arrival 

    Lantern pole 

    8 miles off of Interstate 80 

    Firewood for sale at the campground; $6 bundle 

    Park is good proximity to Penn State University and Central Pennsylvania 

    Country Pride Restaurant Milesburg (TA truck stop off of Interstate 80) has some terrific food! 

    4 bars Verizon 

    CONS

    $6.50 reservation fee for self made online reservation 

    One day while away from our campsite, park personnel mowed  mid-cafe high grass at and around our site and the mowers threw grass all over our table with a table cloth, chairs, trailer, driveway...you name it...it was covered with grass. Why the mowers didn’t direct the mowed grass AWAY from our items is beyond me. What a mess!!! 

    Check-in clerk at park office was disturbed we checked in with her. Told us just to go to site. Could not tell us if site was vacated. We had to ask for a park map and directions to campground/campsite since this was first time visiting 

    Site MO45 unlevel from side to side 

    Site MO45 NO shade as was the case with most of the FHU campsites

    Metal frame wood top table in bad condition 

    Need pathway from upper campsite to toilet/shower building…have to wade thru mid-calf high grass if you don’t walk on the roadway 

    Toilet/shower facility lit up like a Christmas tree 

    Toilet/shower facility cleaned on Wednesdays only, according to sign on door 

    No WiFi

  • David A.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Tiadaghton Campground — Tioga State Forest

    Tiadaghaton State Forest, PA

    Roadside site 1/4 mile from the nearest site. You can drive right to the site on Hackett Rd. Very secluded and peaceful. Picnic table and fire ring, but no water or latrine.

  • Paula L.
    Jun. 29, 2019

    Sinnemahoning State Park Campground

    Come inside to really enjoy all that’s outside!

    Adults and Children alike will love the park office / Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning State Park. Learn about this buildings green construction (LEED)geo thermal heat, rain water harvesting system, recycled materials and more! 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. If you can get the children out of the office or bring yourself to leave ... make a souvenir penny on your way out before walking across the parking lot and around the corner to visit the arch tree. This park is a long narrow park with a road running through it that is perfect for a bike ride or stroll. On one end is a wildlife viewing area, the other end offers great fishing and a boat launch. Between is a picnic day use area and a 35 site campground with a dump station, a modern restroom with flush toilets and showers. The restrooms and some campsites are ADA accessible. Electric hookups are available and each pet friendly camp site has its own picnic table, lantern hold and fire ring. Elk, eagles deer and many other varieties of wild life can be seen here on a regular basis! There is much to explore here during any season and even on a rainy day the kids will have the opportunity to learn about the world around them! 5 stars Sinnemahoning! What a treasure in the PA Wilds!

  • Jonathan F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Canyon Country Campground

    Not bad

    This place was pretty decent. My only complaint was that the trees around our site were dead or at least had a lot of deadfall in them. I was laying in my hammock and the wind picked up so I sat up to observe if anything took off from our site and as soon as I sat up a big dead branch fell out of the tree and struck where my head had been. Needless to say I was very lucky! Other then that it was a great spot you could hike from the campground out to the Turkey trail or go check out the fire tower (It’s $5 per person and credit card only). The whole area is beautiful.

  • Dan N.
    Jul. 18, 2016

    Kanakadea Park - Almond Lake

    Lake right off rt 86

    This is a park with a lake. In the green rolling hills of the Finger Lakes. Grassy open fields are nice but not private. Used the basic tent setup. Clean, grounds kept up nice, simple, no water. Lots of state lands and water nearby. Deer by the tent in the morning. Great stopover or base camp, not much to do right on site.

  • Christine J.
    Sep. 19, 2020

    Lyman Run State Park Campground

    Nice

    Nice alternative to Cherry Springs. Campgrounds are well maintained. Clean bathrooms with toilets, sinks and shower.
    We camped at site #26. Maybe had to walk in about 50ft. to campsite. Has fire rings and picnic table.

    https://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/lyman-run-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=PA&parkId=880115

  • Cheryl W.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Russell P Letterman Campground — Bald Eagle State Park

    Great place to relax, get away and enjoy the outdoors!

    We have stayed at Bald Eagle several times and have enjoyed our stay. The park has basic, water & electric as well as a few full hookup up sites. The sites are very spacious with a picnic table and fire rings and are easy to back into even with a rig as big as ours. We stayed recently and the park office was undergoing rennovations and expanding their camp store. We discovered one of the evening talks about the eagles nesting in the park and the ranger set up binoculars for us to try and see the nest. Very peaceful place to stay with lots to explore. The views are spectacular in the fall with beautiful foliage! If you are not the camping type you can stay at the Nature Inn and enjoy the beautiful lodge in an amazing location! Definitely tops on our list of state parks in Pennsylvania!

Guide to Galeton

Galeton, Pennsylvania, offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. With stunning landscapes and well-reviewed campgrounds, it's a perfect destination for a camping getaway.

Tent campers should check out Colton Point State Park Campground

  • Experience breathtaking views at Colton Point State Park Campground, known for its picturesque hiking trails and the stunning Pine Creek Gorge.
  • This campground allows pets and features picnic tables, making it a great spot for families.
  • Enjoy the rustic charm with fire pits and the option to gather firewood for a cozy evening under the stars.

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $25

  • At Patterson State Park Campground, you can find affordable rates while enjoying a tranquil atmosphere.
  • The Lawrence Recreation Area offers a peaceful setting next to Cowanesque Lake, perfect for a relaxing camping experience.
  • For a unique experience, consider Firefly Acres, where you can enjoy a range of activities nearby while camping in a private setting.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Galeton, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Galeton, PA is Colton Point State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Galeton, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 44 tent camping locations near Galeton, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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