Hillsgrove is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Hillsgrove camping trip.
Boasting 22 named waterfalls amid old-growth forest and deeply-incised canyons, Rickett’s Glen State Park encompasses more than 13,000 acres around a high bluff known as the Allegheny Front. On top of the bluff, several lakes—Lake Jean being the largest—are the source of the many creeks that tumble down the canyons and create the spectacular falls. The area was mostly logged out in the early 1900s by the landowner, R. Bruce Ricketts, before he decided to preserve the woodlands in the falls’ three glens. Following efforts to turn the area into a national park in the 1930s failed, he began selling the land to the state of Pennsylvania, who turned the area into a state park in 1944. The park is now a year-round destination for camping, hiking, fishing, bird-watching, paddling, skiing and ice climbing.
Just an hour’s drive west of Scranton, the campground at Rickett’s Glen offers 120 drive-in campsites in two areas near the shore of Lake Jean. Sites can accommodate trailers and RVs up to 40 feet; some sites are ADA accessible, and a few group camps are available. Hookups are not available, but there is a dump station outside the camping area. Facilities in the campgrounds include restrooms with showers, drinking water, an amphitheater, a trail to the lake’s beach, and a designated dog area. The Big Loop campground also has five deluxe cottages available to rent. In a separate area, there are 10 cabins available, as well as a boat ramp (rentals available) and snack bar. Campsite rates range from $15–$20/night; cabins and cottages range from $60–$115/night.
The most popular activity at Rickett’s Glen is to hike through the three waterfall glens. This can be done via several looping trails ranging from 3.4 miles to 7.2 miles. Two trailheads are located above the falls, from the lakes area, and one is located below the falls, from PA Route 118. Other summer activities in the park include paddling and fishing on Lake Jean, or just soaking up the sun at the beach. An onsite naturalist offers guided walks, nature activities and interpretive programs. There are also limited hunting opportunities. If visiting during the winter season, many of the trails are open for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Ice fishing is popular, as is ice climbing on the waterfalls. Check the park’s website for off-season services, accessibility, and ice climbing requirements.
$15 - $150 / night
Turn your Knoebels visit into a family vacation by staying at the Knoebels Park Campground! After a long day of riding, playing, swimming and eating at Knoebel’s, you’ll be just steps away from the crackling campfire and your pillow. Our family campground is tucked away in a quiet forest setting, so you can get away from it all and awake refreshed and ready for more fun! Pitch your tent, park your RV or camper, or stay in one of our rustic log cabins.
$59 - $160 / night
Lake Glory is Knoebels second campground, set by a beautiful, secluded lake in Catawissa, PA. It’s just a short drive from the park, with free shuttle bus service available to and from Knoebels Amusement Park. Bring your tent, camper, RV or stay in one of our cozy cabins.
There are no extra charges for large families, restrooms, dumping station, play area or guests. There will be a fee of $5 for use of the dumping station by non-overnight guests.
$50 - $80 / night
We have spots for camping! Your tent or ours! 16'X28' wall tent sleeps 5-6 already set up with wall to wall carpet, 2 wood stoves, 8'x16' deck with view of forest. Fully equipped 16 x 20 cook tent for your cooking pleasure? Hot showers! $125/day.
$20 - $125 / night
Nestled along the Susquehanna River in Northumberland, Pennsylvania lies Central Pennsylvania’s premier family campground—Splash Magic RV Resort. From our exciting water park and glow-in-the-dark mini-golf course to the premium cabins and RV camping spots, we’re committed to providing the whole family with a memorable experience that you’ll want to relive again and again. At Splash Magic RV Resort, the fun is endless!
Found on Aspen Lane just off of US-11, you won’t miss our beautiful campsite down the road from Pineknotter and Shikellamy State Park along the Susquehanna River. Splash Magic RV Resort is a short drive away from the towns of Riverside, Winfield, College Park, Sunbury, and Selinsgrove. Continue reading for more information about the available lodging options and fantastic features found at our park, or give us a call to check on campsite availability today!
This is a nice clean quiet campground. It's a great stop if you're doing rails to trails or swimming at the beach up the road. (Note to get to both places you'll need to drive). We went on a weekday and it wasn't crowded but I've heard on the weekends it gets packed. There are two sets of swings and one slide. The bathrooms have showers and were clean. Some of the spots are smaller and right next to each other (down by the creek and up around top). But spots 68,69,70 are prime. We were in spot 75 right next to the bridge and not ideal
This is one of the best camping experiences we've had. This state park has so much to offer and the campground is very nice. The campsites are really good, most of them fairly private and level. There are some pull through sites for big rigs but those don't have trees and are not private. We had a site with power for our small trailer and it was fantastic. The bathrooms were kept very clean and they had 4 showers so we never had to wait. There is absolutely no cell service, however, and we had to go all the way down the mountain to get texts or make calls. The trails are very well maintained. If you want to do the Falls Trail ( 21 beautiful waterfalls), it is quite challenging. We were glad to have trecking poles and hiking boots. It took us over 4 hours to do the entire hike. There is a nice beach for swimming, the lake felt clean and wasn't too cold in July. Lake Jean is nice to kayak and there are quite a few tent sites you can launch your watercraft from, as well as 2 public launch sites. I was worried about the weather because it was 98 degrees in NJ but as the park is up in elevation, we did not get over the mid 80's the whole time we were there and the mornings were quite cool. I definitely recommend this park. It does get very busy on weekends so if you can stay during the week it's much nicer.
The campground is beautifully kept. Bathrooms and sites were nice. Some sites are alittle closer personally esp in the dog area. It was extremely buggy when we went. Our dogs wouldn't come out of the camper because there was no relief. It was the height of rattle snake season. A site near ours and very close to the playground had a rattler under their camper. Alittle too close for comfort. Otherwise, campers, rangers and hosts were nice to deal!
The campground is mostly rustic with no hookups, but there are some electric and full hookup sites. Best ones don't have hookups. Have to do the Falls Hike. It's a fairly challenging hike and gets very busy on weekends and past noon, but its a must do.
Sad place multiple no functional area basketball court with no balls, floating ride "missing parts" no coffee at the store, no milk either, some staff nasty and rude. No cable no wifi this place has extra fees and charges for everything river front is tiny slippery maybe 8ft wide walk. Pictures are a stretch from reality.
This is one of the best campgrounds we've ever stayed at. Beautifully maintained and landscaped, and the sites are level. Our site was literally on the river, we even saw an eagle. Their bathrooms are so clean I almost swept from joy. Keep in mind you need quarters for a hot shower but I only needed 2 quarters for 6 minutes, plenty of time. What I love most is how accessible the biking trail and river are. The staff will even shuttle you to the kayak drop off site for a fee, and then you just pull in right to the campground. We have been coming to this area for years and this is the first time we were lucky to snag a site for a Holiday weekend. We won't stay anywhere else from now on.
First off, if you are going to visit all the falls, bring shoes that you can walk in and that are smart for wet and moist surfaces. Flip flops will not work for this. We had tennis shoes on and that wasn't our best choice, however we don't own hiking boots....might be something we get in time, especially if we go back here. The many falls are breathtaking! We had a very nice site....no electric, clean bathhouses, very quiet. This one was far for us, but we had a very enjoyable time there with our friends!
The area is beautiful and I would like to stay in the winter when many of the activities are available and it is warmer. I am just learning about using a travel trailer and the staff was of great assistance. They were easy to reach and were genuinely interested in my stay and plans. They have a dog park which my dog loved.
Two things: (1) You're in for quite a climb getting up to the campground; and (2) there is no cell service, at least for AT&T. It was also difficult to find, as Google Maps directed us to a parking lot at a trail head that was a good distance away from the campground.
But we loved the campground. We had a quick overnight touch-and-go, and really wish we could have stayed awhile. Will definitely stop in when passing this way again.
Peaceful little campground five minutes from Ricketts Glen State Park. Accommodating and friendly hosts, clean bath house and firewood for sale on site.
Tent camping in the large loop area.
Escaping the Maryland summer heat, the cooler temperatures in Ricketts Glen State Park was perfect. This park offers a variety of activities. Hiking along the Falls Trail being a highlight. The Large Loop is closer and banks along the lake, where there are two separate beach areas perfect for swimming. Kayak rentals, fishing are some of the great water things you can enjoy.
The campsite was perfectly sized for us - tent campers and close but not too close to the clean restrooms. A water spigot was handy across the road. Behind the restroom building is a dishwashing station. While there are showers there, the hot water was actually...cold.
There is a great small camp store if you need last minute items, and the concession stands at the furthest beach sells firewood and ice cream.
There are cabins available to rent, which looked really comfy. All linens, etc need to be brought along though.
Beautiful waterfalls surrounded by autumn color.
This campground offers full-hookup sites on the small loop section. You may also bring dogs to the small loop section. The Large Loop section is more geared for boondocking smaller trailers and tent campers. No dogs are allowed in that area.
Dogs are allowed on the trail, but are required to be on 6-foot leashes at all times.
The restrooms were clean and convenient. I found the hot water in both the small and large loops to be tepid at best.
Site 135 was perfectly level which made setting up camp easily. The water spigot was hard to operate as it was stiff. So bring along some WD 40 just in case.
The Falls trail is a hard/difficult trail. Although the loop is just 4.1 miles around, there are many stone steps and steep inclines. Bring hiking poles to help with the descent and ascent, along with snacks and water.
Ricketts Glen has beautiful scenery. We were in the big loop. Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty). Had beautiful lake views from multiple directions and short distance to lake. A couple minutes from the bathroom and even closer to nearest water pump. Site 65 looked nice as well- but closer to path to lake so might have more foot traffic going by. 61 and 62 were right next to each other and not so wooded in between. I wouldn't recommend either unless get both (but 63 is larger and more private than either 61 or 62)
The bathrooms were ok. The floors were pretty dirty but other than that were decently clean and were stocked with toilet paper and hand soap (no paper towels, only hand dryers). The showers were really nice: free, hot water- each shower had a door and then an area with bench and hooks and then the shower with a curtain. There wasn't a place to put soap in shower though unless you put it on the floor.
The campground was pretty full when we were there but it wasn't loud and nights were quiet.
The falls trail was beautiful. We started from route 118 and from there to waters meet wasn't too bad (especially if take moderate upper trail at split) but after that it did get more challenging and the Ganoga Glen section was scary-(we did it going down)- especially Mohawk fall area which was incredibly steep!
The visitors center is quite nice and the rangers were very nice and helpful there.
We had a wonderful time at Ricketts Glen - it is really a beautiful place.
Looks cute from the outside but once you get in you are immediately disappointed. The cabin had a smell, a wrinkly floor, and was very dark. There is a lack of any shelf or cabinets and only minimal hooks to put your things. Even the TV was on the dining table and you can't use the remote from the bed either. We used the table benches and top of fireplace to place our stuff. We also had no AC. The signs on the wall said make sure you turn off the AC, but no AC. Our friends stayed in cabin 6 and it was so cute, bright, and had AC. Our other friend stayed in 2 and it was much better than ours as well. 3 was better too.
In addition they would not honor a AAA discount due to already paying, what?!
Very clean,family friendly ,relaxing
I picked a horrible day to stay here: it was at the peak of the wind pollution from the Canadian wild fires. The sky was filled with eye-burning smoke, it was totally overcast, cold and very windy.
I STILL HAD A WONDERFUL TIME!
Even though it hadn't rained for awhile, the hiking along the waterfalls trail was wonderful. I also saw several people kayaking at the campsite next to mine (our campsites were directly at the shore)and others were biking.
The park is well maintained and very clean and pretty.
Would like to stay at this campground, but these folks do not respond to reservation requests or vmail requests per their website instruction. Have lost all interest - horrible
Took my family for the weekend so we could go to Knoebels. Between the shuttle and the people there, I had a very easy time getting to and from the park. I have a huge camper and was able to get around easily.
This place was awesome! My children had so much fun. They had the entire weekend planned for us. My wife and I don’t like to so having a busy weekend for the kiddos was a great thing. There were so many activities to choose from.
This is a nice little campground. It looks like there is plenty of things for kids to do in the summer. We stayed at site 310, which was a fairly nice sized site. It was a pull through. Lots of seasonal campers.
Quiet campground right on the river. Grass and gravel so easy to keep things clean. Great biking and hiking.
We would love to see this place during peak season! We got here yesterday during the start of off season and it was still functioning at a high standard! The facilities are immaculate and the customer service is spot on! Everything is well kept and it’s centered in a beautiful valley with a creek running through. They have a ton of activities for kids, fishing ponds, and plenty of spark to keep this place around for years to come! Site is level with good water pressure… only complaint would be that the power went out during our stay but they had it back up in 2 hours versus the 6 they had originally estimated!
If you love hiking and waterfalls then this is the place for you!! Absolutely beautiful displays of nature with over 20 waterfalls some as high as 90 feet! Hiking can be difficult so please be prepared and ensure you are cable of climbing several flights of wet, rocky, muddy steps. The campground itself was very clean with spacious sites. We stayed in the Small loop site 18 and it was in the back of the loop so it was quiet. We had a wonderful time at this park and would visit again in a few years when our kids are older. Our 5 year old did this hike (about 3 miles) and didn't complain she was tired until we got to the parking lot!
Sites have great shade and are kept far enough apart in most places that even if your neighboring sites are making some noise, the noise doesn't really carry. Beautiful place. Easy access to lake, beach, falls trail, and surrounding areas. Only problem is knucklehead RVs running generators since there are no electric hookups here.
The only knock on it is how tight the sites are, but the communal spirit is great. Love being next to the park and everything. This place is perfect
This trip was a bit impromptu so we assume most of the good sites were picked over. The site we stayed at was the perfect size for two people, not the biggest site in the campground but we had a bit of a buffer between our neighbors so we weren’t on top of other people. We were located at a bit heavily trafficked area because we were near the entrance of the campground and the restrooms. The state park was beautiful and had a lot of things to do. I recommend doing the Falls trail and to get onto Lake Jean. They have a concessions by Lake Jean that doesn’t only sell food and drinks but some ice and bundle of wood. Definitely bring a hammer because it’s near impossible to stake down your tent by hand because the turf is hard. Would definitely come again and do the primitive group camp option if I can. No cell service (Verizon) but if you drive 10 miles north up towards Lopez we were able to get a signal. This was a nice way to end summer!
This campground is only minutes away from Knobels Amusement Park. The campground itself was clean but not a lot of amenities being it’s part of the amusement park. Very nice camp store and they also had a takeout restaurant that also serves ice cream.
Camping near Hillsgrove, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Hillsgrove, Pennsylvania, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, swimming, or just relaxing, there's something for every camper to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Hillsgrove, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Hillsgrove, PA is Ricketts Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 65 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Hillsgrove, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 glamping camping locations near Hillsgrove, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
