Russell P. Letterman Campground offers a range of camping accommodations on relatively flat terrain situated at approximately 660 feet elevation. The surrounding area includes wooded sections and open areas, with several campgrounds featuring pet-friendly options. Weather varies significantly by season with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during the day, while spring and fall camping periods can see overnight lows dropping into the 40s.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Several parks near Howard feature well-maintained hiking paths suitable for various skill levels. At Black Moshannon State Park Campground, visitors can explore numerous trails right from the campground. According to one camper, "The Park itself offers a lot to do with fishing, hiking, the beach, kayak rentals, etc. I've never had a bad time at Black Moshannon and will keep coming back."
Fishing opportunities: Local waters provide productive fishing spots throughout the camping season. At Little Pine State Park Campground, anglers can access both stream and lake fishing. A visitor noted, "Close to Pine Creek bike trail. Nice bar at entrance with live music we enjoyed. Peaceful and quiet."
Winter activities: Some campgrounds remain accessible during colder months. As one camper at Little Pine State Park mentioned, "My family loves going here and relaxing in the fall. We will even take a day during the winter and just drive up for a visit."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing and natural barriers between campsites. At Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground, "The sites are spacious and well taken care of, and if you camp on the upper loop, there is a lot of separation between sites, which is nice."
Water recreation access: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for various activities. At Buttonwood Campground, "Large grassy sites right on the Juniata River. Tubing, canoeing, swimming. Nice pool. GORGEOUS landscaping. Very friendly."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are consistently mentioned in reviews. One visitor to Black Moshannon State Park commented, "Spaces are clean and spacious, bath house is very well kept. Very peaceful and well maintained."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell phone service can be extremely limited or nonexistent at some campgrounds. At Poe Paddy State Park Campground, "There is NO cell service and park rangers do 'rounds' but aren't stationed at the site. There are a couple of water pumps, several well-maintained pit toilets, and an emergency phone."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local wildlife, including potentially dangerous species. One Poe Paddy visitor warned, "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 rattlesnake season. A site near ours and very close to the playground had a rattler under their camper."
Site selection considerations: Reviews suggest researching specific sites before booking. A camper at Greenwood Furnace State Park advised, "Definitely look at pictures of your site before reserving. The distance between spots was good. Roads were a little narrow but manageable."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several parks offer designated areas for children. At Yogi At Shangri-La On the Creek, "This is the best campground for a family with little kids in north-central PA, hands down!" Another visitor reported, "Great activities for kids. Clean. Friendly staff."
Yurt camping options: For families seeking alternatives to traditional camping, yurt camping near Howard, Pennsylvania provides comfortable shelter with some amenities. Many state parks in the region offer yurt accommodations that can be reserved through the Pennsylvania State Parks reservation system.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playground equipment. At Buttonwood Campground, "There is tons to do for the kids. Ours really enjoyed the bounce pillow, laser tag and peddle cars the most."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Available utilities differ between campgrounds and specific sites. One RVer at Russell P. Letterman Campground noted, "I'm not sure about other sites, but we did not have a water hookup, just a spigot we could fill from. The dump station worked fine and was clean."
RV-friendly yurt camping: Some campers combine RV and yurt camping experiences in the Howard, Pennsylvania region by bringing their RV but also reserving a yurt for extended family or a different camping experience during the same trip.
Site leveling: RV campers should be prepared for some site grading challenges. At Greenwood Furnace State Park, one camper observed, "The sites aren't all level, so if it rains, certain sites become ponds."
