Best RV Parks & Resorts near Karthaus, PA

Petticoat Junction campground is nestled in the PA Grand Canyon with Pine Creek on one side and the Rails to Trails on the other of the campground. This ideal location provides a nice tranquil environment with opportunities for active adventures. It had been several years since our last stay at PJC, but the new owners have done amazing improvements and upgrades to many areas of the campground which are greatly appreciated. Everyone we interacted with(owners/employees) were friendly and gave us the feeling that they were glad we chose to stay with them. 

There are a variety of camping options from season sites, primitive sites, cabins, glamping tents, and RV hook-ups for water and electric(along the creek). We stated in one of the water/electric hook-up sites along the creek, which was wonderful. Very flat and larger than average in size, which was nice not being on top of your neighbor. Water pressure was very good and the WIFI signal was better than many campgrounds we have stayed. 

The location of PJC is perfect for fishing, floating/kayaking, and biking/hiking the rails to trail. There are many nearby hikes throughout the canyon for the more adventures travelers. The office has biking/tubing/boating rentals for its campers. Additionally the firewood for sale is priced well and is very good quality, not the cheap smoky pine found in most places. If you need a break from civilization to reset and relax, I highly recommend PJC!

This place is not really a campground, it seems to mainly be a seasonal RV resort...in any event, most of the spots were occupied by RVs with things like wooden decks, yard lights, cute little signs, etc. 

The tent sites are large enough, but have zero privacy between them--see photo.

What saved this place from total mediocrity is its location right on the river...while I couldn't see the river from my campsite due to brush, it was clearly audible, which was nice.  In September the river was flowing nicely, and was mainly a bit above my ankles, although there were some pools that looked like they would go up to about mid-thigh (although I didn't go in the find out).  

Firewood sold on-site, and there is a little campstore, although pickings are fairly slim.

Campground was packed 10/16-10/18, we had a 30 amp back-in full hook up site, those sites are very close to one another, well shaded.l though. A lot to do for the kids throughout the weekend, workers did a great job, very polite. We will be returning.

We called the campground around 5:30, we were an hour away. She said no big deal just give me a call when you get here. We arrive and she takes care of us and sells us a nice bundle of firewood. The campground has excellent service, I work online so that was a relief. Full bars on at&t and Verizon. The bath house was being renovated so only the family bathroom/shower was open. You can hear traffic from I-80. Not a big deal to us. Their swimming pool is opening soon, that’s pretty cool. A lot of long term campers on site so it’s quiet as far as other campers.

Though mixed with camper trailers, small RVs and camper residents, it was easy to find a site where we had privacy and great river access. Facilities are “rustic” but individual shower was available. The grounds are nice too, but the riverside site locations is where you need to be.

Our first experience was spectacular- we had a site set back from the road surrounded by mountain laurel and ferns. The second site we tried was a tad too close to the road, hence the 4-stars. If you’re looking to escape the noise and crowds of state parks in PA the state forests are the way to go! Research is required: not all sites are suitable for camper trailers and each state forest in PA is different- be prepared with the appropriate questions when you call to reserve sites. All sites are “rustic”- no pit toilets or hookups. We love it!

This campground has a ton of sites and a lot of permanent camper trailers. The tent sites were open and close together so there wouldn't be much privacy during the busy season. We went in the beginning of May so luckily, we mostly had the vicinity to ourselves. There wasn't an established tent pad but it was pretty level. The bathroom was clean. You can get firewood delivered to your site which is nice. I wouldn't stay there during the summer but it was the only place we could find open with availability. It was also fairly expensive in my opinion but that could just be me. I think it would be nice for a family stay but not if you're looking for peace and quiet.

We stayed here over a weekend and the campground was packed because there was a Penn State football game. Once the weekend was over, the park cleared out and it felt like there was more space and it was much quieter. Our site was the only one available for that weekend and it was a premium with a large paved patio with a nice outdoor patio set with table and chairs, a swing, and a sunken fire pit. We loved this deluxe site but they are a lot pricier than the standard ones. 

The park is fairly small but has some really nice sites. There are 91 RV sites to choose from as well as tent sites, cabins, and “lodges.” Some are pull-thru and back-in sites ranging from full hookup deluxe, full hookup 50A, full hookup 30A, and water/30A only. The campground is built on a hill and sites are terraced. Some pull-thru sites have a very steep short hill to go up which made for some RV’s scraping bottom. The section in the front of the park is open with spotty trees; whereas, sites in the back of the park are tucked in the woods and are a lot more private. Roads in the back section are narrow and the sites are not very long and suitable for small campers. Some sites are not level at all and others are sloped such that you have to pull all the way forward into your site to get level. 

Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. There are about 45 cable channels. Satellite reception at some sites would be difficult as trees would interfere. There is free Wi-Fi at each site which worked well at our site (#32). Amenities include a covered pavilion, off-leash dog park, camp store, swimming pool, playground, basketball/volleyball courts, and fishing pond. We were there during the off-season but apparently there is lots going on in the summer with hayrides, treasure hunts, Sunday morning pancakes, and a splash pad. 

This KOA is close to historic sites, Amish markets, Penn State and a couple of state parks. For outdoor adventure, visit and hike Bald Eagle and Black Moshannon State Parks. Black Moshannon has great trails and a wonderful lake to kayak. The creamery on Penn States campus is delicious. Visit Mt Nittany or other wineries which have pretty good wine. Overall, it was a good place to stop and generally we liked the park. The price listed above was for a deluxe full hookup site (which included a paved patio, sunken fire pit, patio furniture, and a swing) and not a standard site.

Large campground right off route 80. The campground was well-taken care of and service was good. Pool looked nice but didn’t open until 11 so we didn’t get a swim. RV spots had zero trees/shade. Verizon service horrible and WIFI did not work where we were - we walked up pool and it worked great there.

This campground is right off the river - perfect for river tubing and fishing. We float into camp from Corbin's Island when the river is the right height for tubing. The campsite is 100 yards upstream from a state-managed boat launch. 

The owners just put in RV power and water lines for RV spots. The last time we went, the only restroom facility was a porta-potty, but I hear that has been upgraded to a running water bathroom now.

There is an active train line in hearing distance if you're using a tent, so bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.

The owners are super nice and visit for a minute to make sure you're situated well. They sell firewood on site if you ask. Well behaved dogs are welcome.

This was my 1st time camping at a KOA as the nearby state park was full. This KOA impressed me. The grounds were well laid out and included RVs, campers, tents and us in Hammocks. We were in an area for tent camping though. The individual bathroom/showers were great & clean. Office facilities & firewood access were also nice. I usually camp in state parks, but I’ll give KOA consideration again after this stay.

Great place! Water and electric hookups. Beautiful swimming pool! Very peaceful!!

New owners are super friendly. It's an older park they look to be putting some love and work into. Sites are sloped a bit as most are in the mountains. We were able to decently level our motorhome with blocks. Minimal noise from the highway, which was pleasantly unexpected being so close. They have some animals, like goats, as well in a little farm area. Nice new cabins too.

Lots Of Events always Happening. . Ice Cream Shop, Swimming Pool, Bathrooms With Nice Showers! All You Could Ever Need ! Water & Electric Hookups .

We tent camped and they had openings on Memorial Day weekend. The weather turned out to be bad for camping but management was very accommodating with our requests to change dates and spots. Unlike many campgrounds that cater primarily to campers/RVs, they have nice spots in wooded areas for tenters. Some even have water and electric hookups. There was a decent playground area but the bathrooms could use a remodel. Our spot had a nice soft, flat spot for our tent but was a little cramped (they did have larger spots) and it would be nice to have a grill attached to the fire pit. The camp ground fire wood was kiln dried but cost $15 for a bag that lasted less than a day (and we used it pretty sparingly) so I would suggest buying wood nearby where it can be found much cheaper (please don't transport wood from far away as this contributes to the spread of invasive species like the spotted lanternfly). The proximity to Little Pine State Park was nice.

Camped here since I was a little kid. Great place for groups and kids. There is a park, water to swim in, fishing, biking and hiking trails. Electric hookups and firewood for sale. Always friendly folks here.