The Loyalsock Creek watershed shapes the camping landscape near Grover, Pennsylvania, with elevations ranging from 700 to 2,000 feet throughout the region. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during the day, dropping to 50-60°F at night, creating comfortable camping conditions. Many campgrounds in the area close seasonally from November through March due to snowfall averaging 45 inches annually.
What to do
Hiking the falls trail system: At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, visitors can access 22 named waterfalls via well-maintained trails. "The hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained! and the hike back up was again steep but maintained! and you got different falls to look at both ways, I believe there are around 17 waterfalls there?" notes a hiker who visited the park.
River recreation: Splash Magic RV Resort offers direct access to water activities along the Susquehanna River. "Our site was right along the river, the view was amazing and the site was huge. The pool was great, the kids loved the water slides," according to one camper who enjoyed both the natural and developed water features.
Stargazing opportunities: Several campgrounds in the region feature minimal light pollution for excellent night sky viewing. As one visitor to Pioneer Campground noted: "Night time is especially beautiful, you can see tons of stars on a clear night. Everyone there, owners, employees, and campers alike are pleasant."
Winter activities: While most campgrounds close for winter, Ricketts Glen maintains year-round access. "This state park is just beautiful with a nice lake and beautiful trails. The campground is a bit crowded during peak season without much privacy. But this is the spot to be if you wanna hit up some trails and see some gorgeous views."
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: Worlds End State Park Campground receives praise for its tranquility and isolation. "It feels like you're in another world, or at least separated from the daily hassles and vexations of society, with a wall of a mountain between you and them. Only got to spend a few days, but without a doubt we will be returning to enjoy the serenity and time together, with nature."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high in visitor satisfaction. A camper at Worlds End noted: "This is the third Pennsylvania state park we have stayed at recently and all get an A+ for the bathhouses. Very clean, heated, and the showers appear to be in good condition."
Wildlife encounters: The wooded settings provide opportunities to observe native animals. "We got to hear bullfrogs" mentioned one camper about their streamside site at Worlds End State Park Campground.
Fall foliage viewing: Autumn brings spectacular color to the region. "I usually come in the fall in October/early November. It's my favorite time to come because it's not extremely packed with campers and the leaves are beautiful," shared a regular visitor to Worlds End.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds in the Grover area have limited or no cell coverage. "No cell service, which is refreshing. The sound of the creek nearby is really soothing," notes one visitor about Pioneer Campground. Bringing printed maps is advisable as navigation apps may not function properly.
Seasonal accessibility: While some rv parks near Grover, Pennsylvania operate year-round, many close from November through April. "We own some property near this campground and have stayed here a few weekends as a home base while we clean up our property. The owners are just amazingly nice people, always very helpful!" one camper mentioned about Pioneer Campground.
Firewood restrictions: State regulations prohibit bringing outside firewood to prevent the spread of invasive pests. Most campgrounds sell approved firewood on-site, though prices vary. "Firewood is available 24/7," noted a Pioneer Campground visitor.
Terrain challenges: Many sites require leveling equipment. "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 and it gets a little hard sometimes to see where the road is vs a site."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds offers numerous structured activities for children. "Kids had a great time at this campground. Two playgrounds, a pool, two jumping pillows, mini train, carousel, and activities. Good for bike riding although hilly," reports one family who visited.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have roadways with vehicle traffic to watch for. "It does get very crowded on the weekends so make sure your kiddos know car safety," advises a Jellystone visitor who stays on the main circle.
Site selection for families: Choosing locations that balance access to amenities with privacy helps with family camping. "We always get a site on the outside of the main circle by the tower slide. There's lots of shade and optimum view of both playgrounds to keep an eye on the kiddos," recommended a parent who frequents Jellystone Park.
Halloween activities: Several rv parks in the Grover, Pennsylvania area host special fall events. "This has become a new tradition for our family and friends. We started with a trip in the summer because of their candy bar hunt and heated swimming pool," explains a visitor to Splash Magic who returns for the Halloween festivities.
Tips from RVers
Access road considerations: RV drivers should research approach routes carefully. One RVer at Indian Head Campground advised: "Off season rates were a little high but good for what we wanted. Rather quiet within easy access to I-80. SUGGESTION: some GPS (like mine) might take you off the beaten track to get here!"
Entrance challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry roads. A Jellystone Park visitor warned: "The entry road to the campground itself is a very steep, narrow road with a small curve at the top. It's well-maintained but keep an eye out for campers coming down. There's space for getting by but it's tight."
Site measurements: Online reservation systems may not always accurately reflect actual site dimensions. "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," shared an RVer at Jellystone Park.
Utility performance: During peak usage, power levels can fluctuate at some campgrounds. "Electric ran below 110 volts the entire weekend and the water had a brownish tint to it. It was a VERY hot weekend so I should mention that everyone had their air running," noted a Splash Magic RV Resort visitor whose rig was 52 feet in total length.
