Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground offers tent, RV, and cabin camping options from spring through fall in a wooded forest setting. The campground sits on a small lake with marked trails connecting directly to campsites. Winter State Park maintains 17 miles of hiking trails through hemlock forests with the surrounding Bald Eagle State Forest providing additional recreational access.
What to do
Swimming at the beach: Raymond B. Winter State Park features a sandy beach area with a playground and summer concession stand. "The beach area is clean, there's a big playground on it as well as a concession stand and store (open during the summer)," notes one visitor at Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground.
Fishing in stocked waters: Lake Glory Campground offers a stocked fishing pond where catches are common. "The lake is stocked and the fish are always hungry," reports a camper who has been visiting for over 16 years.
Hiking through forests: Multiple trails lead directly from campgrounds into surrounding forests with varying difficulty levels. A visitor to Winter State Park mentioned that "trails galore leading directly from the campground" and that "the night skies were beautiful with little light pollution."
Creek wading and tubing: Little Mexico Campground provides creek access for warm-weather water activities. "We enjoy tubing down the river right to the campground," reports one visitor who has made repeat reservations.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Winter State Park earns high marks for secluded campsites. "Pretty nice campground, camp sites all over and very secluded and private," writes one reviewer at Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground.
Farm animal interactions: The Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA includes a petting zoo that appeals to families. A visitor noted, "Something for everyone...activities, play facilities, animals to feed and pet, pond. Wonderful camp store."
Waterfront locations: Sites along Penn's Creek at Little Mexico Campground allow for direct water access. "We always get a site by the creek and have a great time. The sites are always clean and the staff is great," reports a family who visits multiple times each summer.
Riverside camping: Multiple locations offer sites directly on rivers or creeks. A visitor to Riverside Campground mentioned, "Nice spots right next to river where we set up lawn chairs in river and let the kids play."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Campsites and cabins book quickly, especially at popular locations. "Book early... these sites fill fast," advises a repeat visitor to Lake Glory Campground about their creek-side sites.
Site dimensions: Some campgrounds have tight spacing between sites, which affects privacy. A reviewer at Riverside Campground & Riverside Roadhouse noted, "Sites are a little close in some areas, but are nice. WSE at each site."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from mid-April through October or early November, with some extending later. Williamsport South KOA operates from April 1 to November 1, while Raymond B. Winter stays open until mid-December.
Supply considerations: Camp stores stock necessities but selection varies by location. "The office store is nice (ice cream and pizza made to order!). The laundry room was clean," mentioned a visitor to Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-specific amenities: Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA offers family-oriented activities and facilities. "We spent 1 night passing through. The playground was fantastic and looked to be new, and there was a jumping pillow and a pool," reports a visitor.
Consider themed weekends: Some campgrounds schedule special events that appeal to children. "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," notes one Williamsport KOA camper.
Proximity to attractions: Several campgrounds offer shuttles or easy access to nearby amusement parks. Lake Glory Campground provides "free shuttle to/from the park" according to visitors who appreciate its connection to Knoebels Amusement Resort.
Beach alternatives: Some campgrounds feature sandy beach areas apart from natural waterways. A visitor to Winter State Park noted, "The lake is small, more like a pond, but super cold and clean water, as it is fed by two mountain streams. The beach is amazing. Tons of clean sand, no rocks, and lots of space to play and swim."
Tips from RVers
Electrical considerations: Power supply varies between campgrounds, with some offering both 30-amp and 50-amp service. A visitor to Splash Magic RV Resort mentioned, "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."
Site leveling: Terrain at some campgrounds requires leveling equipment. "Even though they have had a lot of rain in this area, our jacks did not sink into the ground and the site was pretty level," reported an RVer at Riverside Campground.
Site accessibility: Navigation challenges exist at certain locations, especially for larger rigs. A visitor noted about Fantasy Island Campground, "Very tight parking, I told them my trailer was 35 feet long, they put me in a site that was impossible to back into. Four different sites had to move their vehicles and I still couldn't do it."
Cable and connectivity: Connectivity options vary between campgrounds. "The cable TV and WiFi were good as was cell phone reception," reported a Williamsport KOA camper, while another noted "no internet at the sites and only a moderate cell phone signal" at Little Mexico Campground.
