Pennsylvania's wooded foothills surrounding Grampian sit at elevations between 1,400-1,800 feet, creating mild summer temperatures that rarely exceed 85°F. The region experiences seasonal hunting activity from September through January, affecting trail access and camping policies. Most campgrounds remain open from April through mid-December with limited winter accessibility.
What to do
Wildlife viewing near Benezette: Drive approximately 30 minutes from Parker Dam State Park to spot elk in their natural habitat. "Spent time driving to Benezette - about 30 minute trip - to see the Elk. Great experience seeing approximately 100 elk. Several very large bulls," notes Shirley M. from Parker Dam State Park Campground.
Fishing at Curwensville Lake: The recreation area offers stocked fishing ponds suitable for novice anglers. Tim W. reports the campground has a "sizable camp area for activities. Camp store has a decent amount of items if looking for items for camp." Bathrooms remain "clean campground, clean bathrooms, no privacy but not right on top of each other," according to AdventureStang.
Hiking ancient timber: Cook Forest State Park contains old-growth forest with several unique trail systems. Travis S. mentions that "Quehanna wilds with lots of history and hiking boarders the park" and warns that "during the eight months the timber rattler is a common site along the roads and in the trails. Keep your eyes open and respect them."
What campers like
Level campsites with paved access: Many campgrounds feature improved sites with good drainage. At Simon B. Elliott State Park Campground, Danielle S. explains "SB Elliott SP is a tiny campground with quite a few flat places to take a stroll. The sites are decently sized for the size of the campground itself." The park offers pit toilets across from the main camping area.
Quiet weekday camping: Most campgrounds experience significant occupancy differences between weekends and weekdays. At Woodland Campground, Charles K. describes "very clean, could be a bit more level. Great amenities, boat, fish, games, hike." Shona S. adds that it "feels homey, would definitely come back if I have the chance."
Daily wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report regular deer sightings throughout the camping areas. Shirley M. from Crooked Run Campground — Prince Gallitzin State Park enjoyed the "great camp sites and friendly staff" while Jackie W. notes it's a "great place for kids! We love staying at crooked run campground. Has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals. Bmx track for kids."
What you should know
Campground remoteness: Some campgrounds require driving through residential areas to access. At DuBois / Treasure Lake KOA, Ashley L. notes it's "located 5 miles in the back of a gated community. Signage is lacking and it's confusing to locate once past the gate, especially after a long day of driving."
Variable amenities between parks: Facilities differ significantly between state parks and private campgrounds. Casey L. found that at Simon B. Elliott, "the bathrooms were small but clean with flush toilets. No showers," while noting "there is wood for sale at the maintenance barn for $5 a bundle self serve honor system."
Tent pad availability varies: Not all campgrounds provide established tent pads. Casey L. reports at Simon B. Elliott, "we stayed in site 6. It was a very small site and had no established spot to put our tent so we actually had to encroach on site 7... They should put in tent pads."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near recreational areas for convenience with children. Julie K. describes that at Lumber City RV Park, "There is a fishing pond on site for the kids to fish. Not a huge place but it's a nice place for a quick getaway. Curwensville lake is not too far away and a golf course within 5 Miles."
Water activities with varying age requirements: Lakes and streams offer different recreational options. At Prince Gallitzin State Park, Jackie W. mentions it "has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals. Bmx track for kids," making it versatile for different age groups.
Seasonal activity variations: Summer versus fall visits offer completely different experiences. Angela from Parker Dam State Park recalls: "Grew up going here. Day trips or weekend getaways-it was always a nice time. Love hopping the rocks at the spillway, hiking, looking for crayfish, and swimming in the dam."
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection at state parks: Research specific site details before booking. Gary P. at Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins found "235 sites, many with electric. Most seem pretty level and big rig friendly. Good ATT & Verizon cell service."
Cell service variations: Signal strength differs dramatically between campgrounds. Chuck M. at Simon B. Elliott observed "strong AT&T and T-Mobile cell signals" despite the park being "old and worn out. A dingy place."
Full hookup availability: Select campgrounds offer comprehensive RV services. Gary P. at Parker Dam State Park noted, "the campground has added many full hookup sites and there are also cabins available also. Nice clean sites." While Paul Y. appreciated that Woodland Campground offers "sites are well spaced and gravel. Nice fishing pond (catch and release). Military discount given."
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