Little Pine Creek flows through the Waterville area near Jersey Mills at an elevation of around 700 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with snowy winters, mild summers, and spectacular fall foliage, making camping opportunities varied throughout the year. Campgrounds in the area offer options ranging from rustic tent sites to full hookup RV spots, with most locations providing access to Pine Creek and associated trails.
What to do
Hiking the Mid-State Trail: Little Pine State Park Campground offers direct access to this trail system. "The Mid State hiking trail comes right through the Campground and there are numerous other trails within the park. There is a lake for swimming, kayaking and fishing," notes James P.
Wildlife viewing: Sinnemahoning State Park Campground provides excellent opportunities to observe local fauna. "Elk, eagles deer and many other varieties of wild life can be seen here on a regular basis," explains Paula L., while another visitor reports, "I had a close encounter with a massive bull elk just walking from my campsite to the restrooms at dawn!"
Float trips: Located along Pine Creek, DB Adventures offers river access for water activities. "A fantastic hidden gem next to the picturesque pine creek. Perfect for a river float on your tube or kayak with a nearby shuttle service," states a reviewer named Missy.
Stargazing: The remote location means dark night skies. A camper at Sinnemahoning describes it as "a quiet sleep with dark skies for stargazing."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Pettecote Junction Campground receives praise for its well-maintained grounds. "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," reports Vanessa S.
Spacious sites: Hills Creek State Park Campground offers ample room at campsites. "The site was very spacious!!! Plenty of room!!!! Bathrooms were clean!!! Plenty of shade and trees to hang your hammock for relaxing," comments Amanda H.
Convenient location: Canyon Country Campground is praised for its proximity to attractions. "Great little campground. Very friendly staff. Minutes away from a town and the gorge. Hiking trail from the campground to the gorge!" shares Sarah M.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the area offer a peaceful environment. "Small, quiet campground. My kids love riding their bikes here. There are a few nice scenic trails that go to the lake and through the woods," notes Amber N. about Sinnemahoning State Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: The remote location means connectivity is often poor. One camper at Sinnemahoning State Park Campground reports, "There is zero cell service/WiFi at the park, or for at least 5-10 miles from it."
Tent site conditions: Some campgrounds have rocky or gravel surfaces. "It's a little gravelly for tents, but not bad," notes a reviewer at Sinnemahoning, while another mentions, "Tent pads are of rocky packed earth which makes staking and guying out your tent a bit of a challenge."
Weather preparedness: The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon region can experience sudden weather changes. One camper at Little Pine State Park noted, "This is very rustic with electric options which is nice. The campsite we were at was very large probably better for a trailer but we enjoyed the space with our tent."
Wildlife awareness: Bears and other wildlife are active in the area. A reviewer at Little Pine mentions, "It was the height of rattlesnake season. A site near ours and very close to the playground had a rattler under their camper."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Russell P Letterman Campground at Bald Eagle State Park offers various recreational options. "The kids had fun riding the bikes around the loop and taking the short cuts cut in around the loop. We had fun walking to the foot bridge to go fishing," shares Erik E.
Glamping options near Jersey Mills: Happy Acres Resort provides comfortable accommodations beyond traditional tent camping. "Our son and his family rented a wolf den cabin and it was very clean as well. Playground was huge with multiple playsets suitable for all ages. Bathrooms/showers we're clean and well kept," reports Penny C.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer learning experiences. At Sinnemahoning, "Adults and Children alike will love the park office/Wildlife Center. Learn about this buildings green construction, geo thermal heat, rain water harvesting system, recycled materials and more! Step inside to view elk bear birds and other wildlife!"
Playground facilities: DB Adventures has recreation areas for children. "All the kids seem to love the playgrounds. Staff is awesome and friendly!" mentions a reviewer named Patch.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When glamping close to Jersey Mills, Pennsylvania, choosing the right site matters. At Happy Acres Resort, "Stayed for 5 nights with a partial hook up for our brand new 32 foot travel trailer. Other reviewers had mentioned that sites were small, so we specifically asked for a larger site. We ended up getting a corner site right on the edge of a hill looking down on the main office and playground. It was perfect."
Hookup availability: Little Pine State Park Campground offers various hookup options. "Electric only but water fill up is in convenient locations. Dump station is provided. Well maintained and clean," explains James P.
Level sites: DB Adventures provides well-maintained grounds. "This is very rustic with electric options which is nice. The sites are clean, flat, and spaced nicely on the northwest end," notes a visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Bald Eagle State Park has specific camping conditions throughout the year. "We stayed in site 78 on the Sycamore loop at the end of April in a tent, which isn't the best equipment for this campground. Our site had a blacktop driveway, a very small amount of gravel, and a ton of mud."
