Watkins Glen State Park Campground
Watkins Glen worth the trip
Campground is quiet, bathrooms are OK. Some sites have power, some don’t, none have water or sewer. Lots of things to do here. Been here 5 days and still haven’t done it all.
193 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several good camping options sit within driving distance of Mansfield, Pennsylvania. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground draws many visitors who come for the waterfalls and hiking trails throughout the park. Keuka Lake State Park Campground works well for fishing trips and has sites with views of the water. Stony Brook State Park Campground keeps its restrooms clean and maintains nice picnic areas for campers. Check the current fire rules and get any needed permits before camping at these state parks. During busy times of year, you'll want to book ahead since these places fill up fast. The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon makes a good day trip from any of these campgrounds and has great lookout points. Hikers can find many trails in the area that range from easy walks to more challenging routes. Mansfield is a small town where campers can grab supplies, eat at local restaurants, or browse shops when they need a break from the outdoors. The campgrounds around Mansfield work for both quiet camping and more active trips. Make sure to take all your trash with you and follow Leave No Trace practices to keep these places nice for future campers.
"Sites and huge and we had one of the lakes right behind our site. If you like nature this is a great place. Wildlife everywhere. Hiking, fishing, kayaking...you name it."
"Our family loved the modern cabins which are available in my of Pennsylvania's state parks. I'd rank any other park that we visit with a five star rating."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Large fields behind most sites for activities.
full hook ups available
numerous hiking trails, large lake for boating, fishing and swimming."
"It was a great spot and happily, I was totally alone as no one had booked any of the sites near me( the closest people were about 400m away)."
from $24 - $100 / night
Check Availability"We always get a site on the outside of the main circle by the tower slide. There’s lots of shade and optimum view of both playgrounds to keep an eye on the kiddos."
"Woods and shade but very close to all the happenings. The big playground is new and very nice. The small one is mainly two very big playsets (pirate ship and castle). My kids enjoyed both."
"It was a lovely 2-night stay and awesome area to explore as we discovered the “Pennsylvania Grand Canyon”!!! Who knew!?"
"Sites 6 and 8, while close to the bathhouse, would likely have people walking through your site to get to the bathhouse. Campers have worn a path between these sites to access it."
from $20 - $29 / night
Check Availability"Just off US 15 at the New York border. All roads and parking pads are paved. The sites are closer together than most other COE parks where we’ve stayed."
"It is run by Army Corp of Engineers because it is on a lake with a dam. Spots are level and paved. It is always clean."
from $24 - $46 / night
Check Availability"I absolutely love coming to Watkins Glen Campground, especially when I went to get away from the busy city. This park has gorgeous waterfalls, and great paths to walk and hike on."
"There was one central bathroom/shower house, so if being close to a restroom is important, choose your site accordingly. Some of the campsites were quite a walk from the facilities. "
from $20 - $58 / night
Check Availability"Had a great few days here camped in RV next to lake. Amazing driftwood to be had. Good kayaking. Peaceful. Trees. Nice sites if close. I'd go back mid week or off season."
from $40 - $100 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Was able to choose a location that worked best for us. The area we selected was not busy. Campsite appeared to have a lot of seasonal campers."
"Stony Fork Creek is beautiful and offers nearby hiking trails, a lake, and activities."
from $40 - $45 / night
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Campground is quiet, bathrooms are OK. Some sites have power, some don’t, none have water or sewer. Lots of things to do here. Been here 5 days and still haven’t done it all.
I've been coming to this campsite my whole life. It's nice and quiet, there's fishing and kayaking.
Site 80 is across from water access. But only 5 minutes to fill your tank. If you book an inside loop close to #80 you will be close to water.
Leonard Harrison State Park sits directly on the ridge of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Great hiking trails 800 feet down into the gorge where there is a flat rail trail of 65 miles for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The campsites are roomy and set far apart. There are only about 30 sites and just 8 of them or so have electric. Bathrooms and showers are conveniently located and very clean. No cell service whatsoever, so bring your board games and cards.
We stayed two nights the week immediately after Memorial Day 2026. Park was almost empty. We had only one other travel trailer in our section. Short distance to Hammondsport NY at the south end of Keuka Lake. Great place to visit and have dinner.
The campground was decent enough, but I would probably skip it next time and stay in the state forest instead. The campsites are not especially private and while they are not directly on top of each other, you are definitely aware of nearby campers. That said, it is a great location for stargazing and the pit toilets are convenient if you prefer at least some amenities.
The biggest downside was the lack of firewood. None was available on site and there was little opportunity to gather any from the surrounding woods. After one night, I felt like I had gotten the experience. For my money, I would rather camp nearby in Susquehannock State Forest where you can find far more private and secluded spots for less cost. You give up amenities like toilets, but if privacy and a quieter camping experience matter more, the state forest feels like the better option while still keeping you close enough to enjoy the dark skies near Cherry Springs State Park.
One nearby spot that is absolutely worth the short drive is the Water Tank Vista overlook. The view alone makes the trip worthwhile, especially around sunset or on a clear day. If you are camping in the area, it is one of those places that feels like a hidden gem and adds a lot to the overall experience.
The campsite is located about three miles down from Cherry Springs State Park and Campground, just off the road. It is visible from the road, so if complete privacy is important to you, keep that in mind. That said, the setting itself is beautiful, especially the drive in through the tall pine forests which immediately gave the area a peaceful feel.
The site has two good level tent spots and one semi level spot, all within view of where you park, which made unloading and setup easy. It took me roughly an hour to get camp fully set up. One thing to know going in: there is absolutely no cell service at least with T mobile, which can either be a huge positive or a dealbreaker depending on what you’re looking for.
One of the best features of the site is a nice trail leading back to a creek that you can hear flowing from camp. I spent some time walking along it and tossed a fishing line in a few times. The current was moving pretty fast and I did not see signs of fish during my visit, but it was still a relaxing place to explore.
Firewood was a mixed bag. There are plenty of fallen trees around, but much of it was surrounded by poison ivy, so gathering wood took a little caution. Bugs were present enough that I ended up using a head net in the evening, especially after dark.
For stargazing, the location was solid. I stayed up late and managed to catch three shooting stars. I brought a telescope but the angle of the sky from my setup made it harder to use than expected. If astronomy is your main goal, you may still want to head up to Cherry Springs proper for the best viewing experience.
Overall, this is a peaceful, simple campsite with good access to nature and a quiet atmosphere. Best suited for people who are okay disconnecting completely, enjoy creekside wandering and do not mind a more rustic experience. I would camp here again, especially for a quick getaway near Cherry Springs.
This is a full service RV campground with nightly and seasonal stays. I was tent camping and, unlike most RV campgrounds, the dedicated tent area was very nice and right on the river. There’s a camp store, laundromat, showers and many different boats available for rent right in the campground. Very well run place and everything looked well kept.
The sites face a small mountain wall with the river at the base so very scenic. The river is fairly fast running so boating and swimming are for older kids/adults in this area or put in someplace calmer.
For those riding the MABDR, this is only 5 mins off the trail and a good place to relax before the final 70 miles through the PA Grand Canyon.
Everyone here was helpful and friendly. It is extremely clean and well run while the showers and laundry room could use a little facelift but clean clean clean.
Nestled in north-central Pennsylvania, Mansfield sits within reach of the Pine Creek Gorge, commonly known as Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon. The area typically sees average summer temperatures around 70°F and winter lows near 18°F, making late spring through early fall ideal for camping near Mansfield, PA. Campsites in this region range from wooded settings to lakefront areas with varying levels of accessibility.
Kayaking on lakes and creeks: Hills Creek State Park Campground provides direct lake access for water activities. "Great walking, hiking, kayaking. Private sites can be found pretty easily," notes Rebecca E. The park maintains a swim area with amenities for visitors after time on the water.
Hiking to canyon viewpoints: At Leonard Harrison State Park Campground, campers can access the Turkey Path Trail directly from the camping area. "Turkey trail takes you down into the gorge onto the Pine Creek Rail Trail and along the creek. It's a very well maintained trail, so don't be deterred by all the doomsday signage, it's very doable, albeit steep on the way back up," explains Emily S.
Biking rail trails: The Pine Creek Rail Trail runs through the gorge bottom and provides miles of scenic riding. At Canyon Country Campground, "Sites are not very level nor private, but the staff is great and the grounds are walking distance to the canyon. Met some great fellow campers here, biked the river trail, and hiked the state park," according to Pamela H.
Wildlife observation: State parks in the region offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. At Hills Creek, "We heard some fighting raccoons at night!" reports Amanda H., who also cautions, "There are black bears and other wild life at Hills Creek, take care to lock up your coolers!"
Spacious sites with privacy: Hills Creek State Park Campground earns praise for its layout. "Generously sized park with something for everyone. Clean, good facilities. Good walking, hiking, kayaking. Private sites can be found pretty easily," says Rebecca E. This allows for more separation than some commercial campgrounds in the area.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Ives Run, John E. reports, "Sites are very spacious and clean. Love it here peaceful and quiet." The campground receives high marks for cleanliness throughout the property.
Proximity to attractions: Many sites provide easy access to popular destinations. According to Jennifer W., "Seneca lake is a short drive away for great fishing, kayaking and swimming. Also a short Drive away is a Farm Sanctuary that my son very much enjoyed."
Educational programs: Several parks offer learning opportunities during your stay. Amanda H. notes, "The rangers offer educational programs that are free of charge!" These programs typically focus on local wildlife, plants, and geology of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon region.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds in the region fill quickly during peak season. At Ives Run Main Campground, James P. advises, "The only draw back is that it fills up quickly and you need to reserve many months ahead of time especially for holidays."
Wildlife precautions: Bears are active in the area, requiring proper food storage. "Warning, there are black bears and other wild life at Hills Creek, take care to lock up your coolers!!!" Amanda H. cautions after camping at Hills Creek State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds close by late October. Christopher D. suggests visiting during shoulder seasons: "I booked site 144 at the primitive sites in Oct 2021. It was a great spot and happily, I was totally alone as no one had booked any of the sites near me."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. According to one camper at Jellystone Park PA Wilds (formerly Bucktail), "The entry road to the campground itself is a very steep, narrow road with a small curve at the top. It's well-maintained but keep an eye out for campers coming down."
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park PA Wilds (formerly Bucktail Camping Resort) caters specifically to families with children. "Very clean facilities, lots for kids to do despite Covid. We always get a site on the outside of the main circle by the tower slide. There's lots of shade and optimum view of both playgrounds to keep an eye on the kiddos," recommends Missy.
Water recreation options: Many area campgrounds feature swimming areas ideal for children. J K. shares this about Hills Creek: "The swim area is one of the best around. Playgrounds are fun & the snack stand is a little expensive, but delicious!"
Nature programs for children: Several parks offer kid-focused educational activities. "The nature talks were really fun for the kids and interesting for the adults," notes J K. after visiting Hills Creek State Park Campground with a young child.
Playground availability: When selecting a site, note proximity to play areas. At Ives Run Campground, Jeremy C. observed the "grounds had swimming area and multiple boat launch locations on large man made lake," providing various recreation options for families with children of different ages.
Site selection for larger rigs: Tompkins Campground accommodates larger vehicles but has some limitations. "All roads and parking pads are paved. The sites are closer together than most other COE parks where we've stayed," reports Bran P., noting variations between camping loops.
Hookup considerations: Electric service varies between campgrounds in the region. Kayla N. notes at Tompkins Campground, "I have been camping at this campground for years, but I would say it not as kept up as it us to be. it still a nice campground but it's nothing like it's sister campground Ives run."
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require more setup work than others. At Canyon Country Campground, Pamela H. cautions, "Sites are not very level nor private, but the staff is great and the grounds are walking distance to the canyon."
Cell service limitations: Connection can be spotty throughout the region. Brandon W. reports from Stony Fork Creek Campground, "No cell service and WiFi isn't reliable if that's what you need or are looking for," important information for RVers who need to stay connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available near Mansfield, PA?
The Mansfield area offers several excellent campgrounds. Ives Run is a clean, well-maintained campground with large sites on macadam pads, full hookups, and access to hiking trails and a lake. Another popular option is Hills Creek State Park Campground, which features large sites with lakefront access, clean facilities, and opportunities for hiking, fishing, and kayaking. Other nearby options include Leonard Harrison State Park (part of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon), Lyman Run State Park, Tompkins Campground near the New York border, and Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground which offers tent sites with water and electric hookups.
What amenities do campgrounds in Mansfield offer?
Campgrounds in the Mansfield area offer a variety of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Leonard Harrison State Park Campground provides access to the stunning Pennsylvania Grand Canyon with excellent hiking opportunities. Little Pine State Park Campground features beautiful streamside camping with electric hookups, convenient water fill-up stations, dump station access, and connects to the Mid State hiking trail. Many area campgrounds offer clean bathrooms and showers, picnic areas, and recreational activities. Some provide full hookups for RVs, while others have electric-only sites with water access points. The region's campgrounds typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, and swimming.
Can I rent an RV in Mansfield, Pennsylvania for camping?
While there aren't dedicated RV rental companies directly in Mansfield, several options exist in the surrounding area. Visitors looking to camp in an RV can check with Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground, which is a gated facility that accommodates RVs with hookups. Alternatively, Finger Lakes RV Resort in nearby New York might offer rental information or connections. Your best options include searching online rental marketplaces like RVshare or Outdoorsy where private owners rent their RVs, or contacting RV dealers in larger nearby cities like Williamsport or Elmira (NY). Many renters will deliver and set up RVs at your chosen campground for an additional fee.
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