Camping opportunities near Marysville, Pennsylvania range through forested hills at elevations between 400-1200 feet with seasonal temperature variations from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer. The area sits at the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains and features mixed deciduous forests with established campgrounds located primarily within a 30-mile radius. Several state forests provide primitive camping options with permit requirements that vary seasonally.
What to do
Trail riding access points: At Michaux State Forest, riders can access multiple difficulty levels of trails throughout 85,000 acres. "Appalachian mountain range, not bad with 4wheel drive. Stayed first at camp, moved to atv parking. Very remote and atvs in and out. Clean and well maintained," notes Carolyn K.
Fish local waterways: Little Buffalo State Park offers fishing in its lake with equipment rentals available. Brandon C. reports that the campground has "lots of easy hiking trails and tons of fishing," making it an ideal location for anglers of all skill levels.
Swimming options: The pool at Little Buffalo State Park Campground provides family-friendly swimming during summer months with specific amenities for children. "They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun," describes Amanda H.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained facilities at Colonel Denning State Park Campground. "Cleanest facilities of the year so far, amazing large flat sites, dog friendly and great stream right behind the sites," reports Casey L., highlighting the attention to maintenance.
Water proximity: Ferryboat Campsites receives high marks for its location along the Susquehanna River. "Lots to do very close to water and many things to do in and around camp ground. Stayed for a few days would go back," shares Elaine R., noting the appeal of riverside camping.
Dark night skies: Little Buffalo State Park offers minimal light pollution for stargazing opportunities. Amanda H. observes, "It is nice and dark at night!" which provides excellent conditions for astronomy enthusiasts visiting the campground.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: State forest camping in Michaux follows specific date ranges with different rules for motorized sites. "Designated motorized sites require a free online permit and are open April 2 until the 3rd Sunday after Thanksgiving," explains Bridget D., clarifying the reservation process.
Site spacing varies: Colonel Denning State Park Campground offers more generous site dimensions than many private campgrounds. Nate & Erika L. note, "This is a smaller SP campground, just one loop and a few sites along a creek," with room to spread out.
Equestrian facilities: Beyond Ferryboat Campsites, equestrian camping options include Teaberry Parking Area in Michaux State Forest with basic facilities. "Teaberry has a few hitching posts and a two step mounting block available," according to a recent visitor review, providing necessary basics for horse owners.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access considerations: Little Buffalo State Park has an excellent swimming facility but requires separate admission even for campers. Paula R. advises, "Nice for a smaller campground. Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up."
Kid-friendly activities: Gettysburg Campground offers recreational amenities specifically designed for children. Kelly J. shares, "It is a wonderful place to have Kids. tons of things for them to do. we were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river."
Playground accessibility: Consider campsite location relative to playgrounds when booking with children. At Artillery Ridge Campground, one visitor notes, "The only complain we had was people walking through our sites due us being close to the playground and the noise level on the playground," indicating the tradeoffs of convenient playground access.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: RVers should prepare for varying degrees of site levelness across campgrounds. Craig F. reports about Starlite Camping Resort, "Yes, it is quite hilly throughout the campground, but the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed."
Limited big rig access: Some state forest campgrounds have restricted access for larger RVs. The Teaberry Parking Area in Michaux State Forest offers sites in "a very large gravel lot with 5 sites along one side, pretty well spaced," according to a recent visitor, but may not accommodate all RV sizes comfortably.
Full hookup availability: For RVers requiring full amenities, select private campgrounds offer complete service connections. At Artillery Ridge Campground, Zack reports, "The RV sites are gravel and pretty level. Fun filled weekend of activities for the whole family," indicating the combination of convenience and recreation opportunities.
