Campsites near Laporte, Pennsylvania offer diverse terrain with elevations ranging between 1,400-2,200 feet within the Endless Mountains region. The area receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forest conditions and seasonal streams throughout many campgrounds. Fall temperatures average 45-65°F during peak foliage season, with morning fog common in valley locations.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: Ricketts Glen State Park Campground features 22 named waterfalls along its trail 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," notes one visitor about the falls trail at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground.
Lake activities: Lake Jean at Ricketts Glen provides swimming and boating options during summer months. "Beach and lake activities are available as well," mentions one camper who visited specifically for the waterfalls but found additional recreation opportunities.
Local festivals: Seasonal events occur throughout the region from spring through fall. "We enjoyed our weekend stay at Moyer's Grove. The sites were a nice size and were well shaded," reports a visitor who encountered activities like "fish fry, ceramics painting class, rubber duck race" during their stay at Moyers Grove Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: The region's minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. "The stars are incredible here! I usually come in the fall in October/early November," shares a camper about Worlds End State Park, noting it's "not extremely packed with campers and the leaves are beautiful."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Pioneer Campground offers generously sized sites set in wooded terrain. "Our site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other," contrasts a visitor at Worlds End State Park Campground showing the variety of campsite layouts available near Laporte.
Private bathroom facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. "I do have to say I love the bath houses here. They are each their own individual rooms split into shower/changing room," reports a visitor about Lake Glory Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Natural settings provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "We enjoyed our weekend stay at Moyer's Grove. The sites were a nice size and were well shaded. The campground was quiet and peaceful. We saw deer daily. There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes."
Creek-side camping: Multiple campgrounds offer sites along streams or creeks. "We love the creek side sites! Kids can wade in the water to cool off while parents are chatting and cooking just few feet away," mentions a Lake Glory visitor describing the appeal of waterfront camping.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is minimal or non-existent at many campgrounds in the region. "No cell service, which is refreshing. The sound of the creek nearby is really soothing," notes a camper at Worlds End State Park, while another points out "no service (Verizon)" at the same location.
Weather preparations: Fall camping requires additional cold-weather gear. "If you come in the fall, make sure you bring a cold weather sleeping bag or heater because the temp does drop," advises a regular visitor to Worlds End.
Water access variations: Water hookup configurations differ significantly between campgrounds. "Make sure you have a LONG water hose. We actually had to buy a 50 foot hose in the camp store to accommodate the distance to the spigot," warns a visitor to Moyers Grove.
Seasonal availability: Most rv sites near Laporte, Pennsylvania operate on limited schedules. "We were there in October, and the weekend they went they had a really cool walk through 'haunted woods' that was a lot of fun," shares a visitor to Pioneer Campground, which operates from April through early December.
Tips for camping with families
Halloween weekends: Special events for children occur during autumn months. "This has become a new tradition for our family and friends. We started with a trip in the summer because of their candy bar hunt and heated swimming pool... We love decorating the sites and taking the kids trick or treating," shares a family who visits Pioneer Campground regularly.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain swimming facilities. "The pool was great, the kids loved the water slides," notes a visitor to Splash Magic RV Resort, adding "There is so much to do. We should have looked into a pass to do more because the extras can get expensive."
Trail difficulty considerations: Evaluate hiking trails based on children's abilities. "There are various trails for all skill levels, and pets are welcome!" mentions a Ricketts Glen visitor, while another adds specific details about the falls trail: "the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained!"
Playground amenities: Check for dedicated play areas at campgrounds. "The playground was really nice," notes a Splash Magic visitor, while another mentions that at Lake Glory there is "a play ground for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Bring necessary equipment for uneven terrain. "The sites themselves are well kept and have a big fire pit and picnic table. 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," advises a visitor to Pioneer Campground.
RV service considerations: Some campgrounds offer additional services during busy periods. "The owner John was going around pumping people out Sunday morning when the line to the dump station was long," reports a visitor to Pioneer Campground, highlighting staff flexibility during peak times.
Limited hookup options: Verify utility connections when booking motorhome sites. "There are no hookups at all in the park," notes a camper about Red Rock Mountain Campground, contrasting with the full-service RV sites available at other locations.
Electrical capacity concerns: Power fluctuations can occur during peak usage periods. "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 a Splash Magic visitor, noting how weather affects utility performance.