Hills Creek State Park Campground provides tent, RV, and glamping opportunities in the Pennsylvania Wilds region, approximately 10 miles from Wellsboro. Set at an elevation of about 1,600 feet, the park features a 137-acre lake surrounded by mixed hardwood forests. The campground remains open from the second Friday in April through the third weekend in October, with modern cabins and yurts requiring advance reservations.
What to do
Explore waterfalls: At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, visitors can access 22 named waterfalls along well-maintained trails. "The biggest draw to this state park is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike. The trails are very well marked," notes one camper.
Fishing opportunities: Lakes and streams throughout the area offer excellent fishing spots. At Tompkins Campground, the sites are positioned near waterfront access points. "There is a beach for swimming, marina for boating and the sites are huge and grassy," according to a regular visitor.
Educational programs: Several parks provide ranger-led activities about local wildlife and ecology. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground offers structured programs during summer months. As one visitor observed, "The nature talks were really fun for the kids and interesting for the adults."
Cycling routes: The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon region features rail trails and cycling paths for all skill levels. A visitor to Tompkins noted, "About an hour away is the Pine Creek Rail Trail in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon," providing options for day trips from area campgrounds.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing and natural screening at Watkins Glen State Park Campground. "The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between. We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves," explains one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas receive frequent maintenance at most parks. At Pioneer Campground, a visitor noted, "The staff is friendly and outgoing and enhance the camping experience. They also have a reasonably priced store for general purpose items and Campground apparel."
Lakeside camping: Several campgrounds offer direct lake views and access. One camper at Pine Cradle Lake commented, "The lakeside spots are gorgeous and the private dock is great when you have kids that love to fish. If you are looking for a place to disconnect for a few days this is it."
Seasonal activities: Fall camping provides unique experiences in the region. At Pioneer Campground, "We started with a trip in the summer because of their candy bar hunt and heated swimming pool... In talking with the extremely friendly owners we found out about their Halloween activities and have been back several times."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds, especially those with glamping in Granville Summit, Pennsylvania area, book quickly during peak season. Plan 6-12 months ahead for summer weekends and holidays.
Cell service limitations: Digital connectivity varies widely across the region. At Pine Cradle Lake, a reviewer warned, "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."
Weather variability: The Pennsylvania Wilds region experiences significant temperature fluctuations, even in summer. Pack layers for comfort during cool mountain evenings when temperatures can drop 20+ degrees from daytime highs.
Water quality notices: Some parks occasionally issue water advisories. At Ricketts Glen State Park, one camper reported, "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Campgrounds with multiple play areas keep children engaged. At Bucktail Camping Resort (now Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds), "Two playgrounds, a pool, two jumping pillows, mini train, carousel, and activities. Good for bike riding although hilly."
Easy hiking trails: Several parks offer shorter routes suitable for young hikers. According to a visitor at Pine Cradle Lake, "The hike around the lake is not that long and a pretty easy walk. We did it with a 5 year old and he had no complaints."
Swimming facilities: Most parks provide beach or pool access during summer months. At Watkins Glen / Corning KOA, facilities include "indoor/outdoor pool, pirate ship, slide, big pillow, waterslide, golf and rock wall. The campground and showers were clean."
Tent site selection: When tent camping with children, consider site location carefully. At Pioneer Campground, a camper advised, "If you're camping in the tent site and it rains heavily a good portion of these sites flood and fill with water. Be sure to place your tent accordingly."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Many campgrounds list site measurements online, but calling ahead can prevent issues. At Bucktail Camping Resort, one RVer noted, "The site we booked online had bad measurements, so when we got there we found our trailer wouldn't fit. The camp map is close but not very accurate, so calling them to book if you have any questions is the way to go."
Leveling requirements: Bring adequate leveling equipment for all camping locations. At Pioneer Campground, a visitor mentioned, "The sites themselves are well kept and have a big fire pit and picnic table. I would suggest getting there while it is still light out, there is plenty of room on the roads to get your rig around the campground, but there are lots of trees."
Dump station timing: During busy checkout periods, plan accordingly for dumping waste tanks. At Pine Cradle Lake, "There was a wait in line at the dump station during checkout times," but at some campgrounds like Pioneer, owners assist during peak periods.
