Campgrounds near Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania offer diverse camping experiences in the Ridge and Valley region of central Pennsylvania, where elevations range from 450 to 1,200 feet. The area sits at the confluence of Penn's Creek and the Susquehanna River, creating multiple waterfront camping options. Fall temperatures typically drop to the 30s overnight, requiring proper cold-weather gear even during autumn camping trips.
What to do
Creek activities at Selinsgrove campsites: Penn's Creek provides excellent recreation opportunities at Little Mexico Campground. As one camper notes, "We always get a site by the creek and have a great time. The sites are always clean and the staff is great." The creek offers tubing and splashing options perfect for hot summer days.
Fishing ponds: Several campsites near Selinsgrove feature fishing opportunities. Lake Heron Retreat sits on 240 acres with a 10-acre lake that "provides excellent fishing." Bring your own equipment and check if fishing licenses are required.
Miniature golf: On-site mini golf courses provide entertainment without leaving the campground. At Splash Magic RV Resort, families can enjoy mini golf, though one visitor noted it "was in a little rough shape but it was still fun."
Beach swimming: Natural swimming areas are available at some parks. Raymond B. Winter State Park features what one camper described as "super cold and clean water, as it is fed by two mountains streams. The beach is amazing. Tons and tons of clean sand, no rocks, and lots of space to play and swim."
What campers like
Animal encounters: Petting zoos and farm animals enhance family camping trips. Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA features "animals to see and feed" according to one reviewer, while another mentions the "petting zoo, jump pillow, and regularly scheduled activities."
Amusement park access: Several campers praise the convenience of staying near attractions. At Knoebels Campground, visitors appreciate that "It's an excellent way to spend your time at the park. If you are looking for wilderness camping this is not the place to go." Another notes it's "Connected to the park, a great way to visit!"
Night sky viewing: The rural location provides excellent stargazing opportunities. As one camper at Raymond B. Winter State Park observed, the area offers "starry starry night w/little light pollution" and is "a great place to enjoy the night sky, see the stars and the Milky Way in the summer months."
Water parks: Built-in water features are popular among families. Splash Magic RV Resort includes "a great water park as well as adults only pool for those wanting a break from the little ones."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Many campgrounds pack sites closely together. One reviewer at Knoebels noted "The sites are very close to one another. We lucked out in Bermuda Triangle as there was a little more space." At Fantasy Island Campground, a camper warned of "very tight parking" where they "put me in a site that was impossible to back into."
Temperature fluctuations: Be prepared for significant day-to-night temperature swings, especially in late summer and fall. One camper at Knoebels Campground advised: "We went in late august and although it was pool weather during the day time the temperatures dropped somewhat dramatically into the evening hours so bring clothes for both 70-80 degree weather and 40-50 degree weather overnight."
Reservation requirements: Many popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. As one visitor to Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA advised: "Pay attention to the Theme Weekend Events– they will be crowded and there could be an additional fee. We were charged $20 for the Care Camp Weekend."
Tips for camping with families
Playground quality: Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Milton receives high marks for children's activities. One family noted: "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."
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer structured programming for children. Little Mexico Campground provides "activities are plenty here" though one camper noted "Covid restrictions always change plans."
Jump pillows and ziplines: Modern play equipment features prominently at several sites. Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA includes "a jumping pillow" while another reviewer highlighted their "nice playground with neat zipline for kids."
Kid-friendly swimming: Supervised swimming areas with beach access appeal to families. One camper at Raymond B. Winter State Park praised "The concession stand is so cool. They have great food, lots of treats, and beach supplies and toys too, all reasonably priced."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many campsites require significant leveling for RVs. At Splash Magic RV Resort, one RVer noted "navigating to the site itself definitely tests your skills when you have a total rig length of 52'."
Electric reliability: Power fluctuations occur at some campgrounds. A camper at Splash Magic observed "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."
Golf cart rental options: Several larger campgrounds offer cart rentals to navigate the grounds. According to a visitor at Splash Magic, "Golf cart rental was very reasonable($139 for the entire holiday weekend) but the golf cart definitely needed some repairs but we managed."
