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.
What to do
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!"
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
