The Hughesville, Pennsylvania region sits at the edge of the Allegheny Plateau with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet, creating diverse camping environments from riverside flats to mountainous terrain. Summer temperatures typically range from 55°F to 85°F with higher humidity, while spring and fall offer cooler camping conditions. Winter yurt camping in the area provides heated shelter when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to Do
Hiking the Falls Trail: At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, visitors access the renowned waterfall system. "The hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained! The hike back up was again steep but maintained," notes Anne P.
Fishing opportunities: Little Pine State Park offers multiple fishing spots. "There is a lake for swimming, kayaking and fishing. Minutes away from Big Pine Creek and additional swimming, boating and fishing opportunity," explains James P.
Swimming and beach access: Several campgrounds maintain lake beaches for summer recreation. "The beach was a little more than a half mile walk from our site," reports James S. about Ricketts Glen, while other visitors mention that Little Pine has "a lake, huge picnic area too."
What Campers Like
Site privacy levels: Pioneer Campground receives praise for spacious sites. "We try to get the same campsite each year because it is wooded and spacious," mentions Gayle B., while at Ricketts Glen, another camper notes, "Site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other."
Nature immersion: Campers appreciate the natural settings. "We stayed in primitive tent sites which you had to hike into. They were very private," says Samantha M. about Red Rock Mountain Campground, located just minutes from Ricketts Glen.
Evening atmosphere: Night skies get special mention at some campgrounds. "Night time is especially beautiful, you can see tons of stars on a clear night," shares Gregory L. about Pioneer Campground, while others mention the quietness of locations like Little Pine.
What You Should Know
Water conditions: Some campgrounds have periodic water issues. "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," reports Lee D. at Ricketts Glen.
Campground policies: Rules vary by location. At Ricketts Glen, "Alcohol is strictly forbidden– we were warned that if a ranger saw any alcohol outside of our vehicle, we would be cited. Quiet hours are 9 pm– 8 am, which is more restrictive than other state parks."
Site leveling needs: Many sites require adjustment for comfortable camping. At Knoebels Campground, "The site was plenty spacious for our pup and TV, but was not level at all. In fact, none of the surrounding sites looked very level," according to Jen V.
Tips for Camping with Families
Holiday event camping: Pioneer Campground offers special seasonal events. "We started with a trip in the summer because of their candy bar hunt and heated swimming pool. We try to get the same campsite each year," says Gayle B., adding, "We love decorating the sites and taking the kids trick or treating."
Amusement park access: Lake Glory Campground provides convenient access to Knoebels Amusement Park. "Very nicely kept, security does rounds to check on campers, there's a shuttle to Knoebels Amusement Resort," explains amber F., while Vince L. adds, "Did I mention that there's no parking or admission fees at Knoebels?"
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated children's facilities. "There is a pool, soccer/baseball field and many family friendly activities. They also have a few trails for hiking," mentions Casey R. about Pioneer Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Splash Magic RV Resort offers full hookups but with cautions. "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," reports Debbie W.
Site access challenges: Navigation can be difficult at some campgrounds. At Pioneer, one camper suggests, "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."
Yurt options for non-RV stays: For those wanting yurt camping near Hughesville, Pennsylvania without an RV, Ricketts Glen offers alternatives. "We reserved 3 of 4 yurts for our annual glamping trip," mentions one visitor, while another notes yurts provide "electricity, heat, fans" making them suitable for all seasons.
