199 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania include several state parks and established facilities within the Pennsylvania Wilds region. Hills Creek State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts, while Leonard Harrison State Park Campground provides camping opportunities along the rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. The area features a mix of public and private camping options, with Colton Point State Park on the west rim of the canyon providing more rustic accommodations. Most campgrounds in this region maintain facilities for both tent and RV camping, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking additional comfort.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability, with most campgrounds operating from mid-April through October. Hills Creek State Park operates from the second Friday in April to the third weekend in October, while Leonard Harrison maintains similar seasonal dates. Winter camping options are limited, though Scenic View Campground remains open year-round. Reservations are recommended, particularly for summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities reach capacity. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, especially in canyon areas and more remote campgrounds. A visitor noted, "We were the only two campsites occupied but by the next day, several more campers arrived. There are two campgrounds—one with hookups and one without; both campgrounds are fairly small."
The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon serves as a central attraction for campers in the area, with multiple visitors mentioning its impressive views and hiking opportunities. Campers frequently highlight the clean facilities and well-maintained trails connecting campgrounds to scenic overlooks. The Pine Creek Rail Trail receives positive mentions for cycling opportunities, with one reviewer noting their spouse "rode a century on his own on Fathers Day while here. The trail goes through small towns and has spots to grab a bite to eat." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with several campgrounds offering access to fishing in local waterways. Families appreciate the playgrounds available at several state parks, while those seeking solitude can find more secluded sites, particularly in the primitive camping areas of Colton Point State Park.
"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"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)."
"Lake Hammond is beautiful with great access."
from $24 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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"Incredible views, nicknamed the Grand Canyons of Pennsylvania"
"I loved that you can pick your own tucked away spot within the camp area but yet still close enough to other people. ~$20 a night which isn't to bad."
"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"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."
"Minutes away from a town and the gorge. Hiking trail from the campground to the gorge! Highly recommended!!"
from $40 - $60 / 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."
"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
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
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TravelerCampground 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.
ScoutI've been coming to this campsite my whole life. It's nice and quiet, there's fishing and kayaking.
TravelerSite 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.
TravelerLeonard 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.
ScoutWe 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.
GuideThe 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.
GuideThe 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.
GuideThis 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.
TravelerWill absolutely be back here. Easy to find with multiple spots around the pond. Stayed in the furthest spot, just past the parking lot. Fire pit and pond access. Cleaned up a bunch of diapers and some socks though (shame!). Please leave it better than you found it.
Dispersed camping areas near Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania provide access to the Pennsylvania Wilds region, which encompasses over 2.1 million acres of public lands. The area sits at elevations between 1,200-2,000 feet with a climate that includes cold winters and mild, humid summers. Camping options range from basic tent sites to full hookup RV locations within a 20-mile radius of Middlebury Center.
Hiking trails accessible from campsites: Hills Creek State Park Campground features trails that circle the lake. According to Dave G., "The campsites are fairly spacious with little signs of use. The shower and bathroom facilities looks brand new. Everywhere you look there is green space. The campground also does nature tours for local flora/fauna."
Water recreation options: Ives Run offers multiple water activities on Tioga Lake. Jeremy C. notes, "Grounds had swimming area and multiple boat launch locations on large man made lake." Kayaking and fishing are popular activities throughout summer months.
Rail trail cycling: The Pine Creek Rail Trail provides a paved route through the region. For mountain biking enthusiasts, Damon O. at Tompkins reports, "Well established campground with many campsites, both with and without hookups. Bathrooms, showers, boat launch, beach, playground, and a camp store. Lots of great trails nearby as well."
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the room between sites at Hills Creek. Rebecca E. notes, "Generously sized park with something for everyone. Clean, good facilities. Good walking, hiking, kayaking. Private sites can be found pretty easily."
Educational programs: Stony Fork Creek Campground offers structured activities for visitors. Greg W. shares, "The campground was exceptionally maintained, bathrooms and showers virtually spotless and the pool was clearly and consistently maintained at all times. Plenty of space to spread out and walk."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area supports diverse wildlife. John S. at Hills Creek describes, "You could get on the trail easily and hike the lake the tempted you from the cabin as the sun glistened off the water. During the hike you would pass a red pine plantation, a reminder of the Civilian Conservation Corps."
Seasonal availability constraints: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. At Canyon Country Campground, Sarah M. reports, "Stayed there the August 2-4. Great little campground. Very friendly staff. Minutes away from a town and the gorge. Hiking trail from the campground to the gorge!"
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. James P. notes of Ives Run, "The only draw back is that it fills up quickly and you need to reserve many months ahead of time especially for holidays. Not group camping friendly because of the reservation system."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies throughout the region. Brandon W. at Stony Fork Creek Campground cautions, "No cell service and WiFi isn't reliable if that's what you need or are looking for."
Playground access: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds focuses on family amenities. B C. shares, "Kids had a great time at this campground. Two playgrounds, a pool, two jumping pillows, mini train, carousel, and activities. Good for bike riding although hilly."
Educational opportunities: Nature programs enhance family camping experiences. J K. from Hills Creek reports, "The nature talks were really fun for the kids and interesting for the adults."
Swimming areas: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming facilities. Missy at Yogi Bear's mentions, "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."
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds feature varied terrain. MJ B. at Scenic View Campground notes, "Area is open, not offering a lot of privacy, but we had shade and woods behind us, and the ground was grassy and level."
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites remain limited at some locations. Carl M. from Scenic View Campground cautions, "The campground is under new ownership and is being renovated. The pool and cabins are being replaced. The camper lots hook ups could use an upgrade."
Access road challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. B C. warns about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, "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. There's space for getting by but it's tight."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Middlebury Center, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Middlebury Center, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 199 campgrounds and RV parks near Middlebury Center, PA and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Middlebury Center, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Middlebury Center, PA is Hills Creek State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Middlebury Center, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Middlebury Center, PA.
What parks are near Middlebury Center, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Middlebury Center, PA that allow camping, notably Tioga-Hammond Lakes and Cowanesque Lake.
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