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Best Tent Camping near Middlebury Center, PA

462 Reviews

Tent campers visiting Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania have several established campgrounds within a short drive. Colton Point State Park Campground offers walk-in tent sites along the western rim of Pine Creek Gorge, while Patterson State Park provides a smaller, more rustic tent camping experience. Both parks are located in the scenic Tioga County region, with Colton Point operating seasonally from April to October.

Most tent sites in the area feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Colton Point provides drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables at its walk-in sites, though campers should be prepared for rustic toilet facilities. Patterson State Park offers primitive camping with manual pump water and vault toilets. According to one visitor on The Dyrt, "Patterson has a really nice water well with a manual pump. Restroom is the typical hole with no flush, but is very clean." Fire restrictions vary by location and season, with some areas permitting campfires while others prohibit them entirely.

The tent camping experience near Middlebury Center provides excellent access to hiking trails and natural features. Colton Point sits along the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon with multiple scenic overlooks and trail connections. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Unlike Leonard Harrison, Colton Point on the western rim of the Pine Creek Gorge isn't a tourist hub. The campsites are private and you get to hike in." Patterson State Park connects to the Susquehannock Trail System, making it popular with hikers. Tent sites throughout the region offer varying degrees of privacy, with some providing secluded spots while others feature more open layouts. Campers seeking solitude might prefer weekday visits, as weekend occupancy increases during summer months. Most locations are pet-friendly but require leashes and proper waste disposal.

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Best Tent Sites Near Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania (45)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Middlebury Center, PA

6 Photos of 45 Middlebury Center Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Middlebury Center, PA

462 Reviews of 45 Middlebury Center Campgrounds

  • Sophie D.
    Oct. 5, 2016

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Friendly, beautiful, and well organized

    I ended a two-day backpacking trek through the Finger Lakes National Forest at Watkins Glen. After grunting all the way up the long hill to the campground, I checked in with a wonderful and helpful employee. She gave me all the information about the campground and park that I could ever want, and then we laughed a little about the antics of young husky mixes (I had my dog with me on the hike). The campground is dog-friendly, provided that you have a current rabies certificate and keep him/her on leash.

    I stayed at a tent site, which has no electricity. RV sites, which cost a little more, provide electric hookups. My camp site and all the neighboring ones were clean. Water from spigots is easily accessible, as are showers and toilets.

    The campground is situated walking distance from the main attractions of the park; during the summer, a large swimming pool is a popular place to hang out with family. Hiking trails parallel the creek with beautiful falls. I was disappointed to find that dogs are not allowed on the Gorge Trail, which is closest to all of the falls.

    All in all, I loved this campground. It was a very relaxing place to spend the night.

  • Amy R.
    Jul. 16, 2019

    Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground

    RV/tent campground in a beautiful setting

    This is a gated campground that we stayed at 6/30/19-7/04/19. We are NOT an RV. We own a Napier tent that hooks to our truck so that we can sleep up in the bed. However, due to it being a holiday week, the tent sites were completely booked and they only have 4(which also have water& electric). The tent sites are located in the back of the campground behind the sports field within the trees. I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to see them but they have them pictured on their website. They let us book an RV site and it was rough setting up on a gravel RV site but we understood that we were not within a normal tent element and placed an extra tarp under the tent. The campground is located at the top of some beautiful and scenic driving through farmland in Pennsylvania and you will be 30 minutes from anything like shopping or small town amenities(we drove to Walmart after setting up to get our perishables since we drive up from Virginia). Our site had water and electric, was a drive through spot for a typical RV with a section to the side of the drive through for the fire pit and picnic table. We were located right next to the shower/bathrooms/playground and had some tree coverage and shade. A lot of the RVs in the campground are permanent sites and our neighbors never showed so we had a quiet buffer but it was not a noisy campground. It appeared that they cleaned the bathrooms twice daily and we were impressed with the cleanliness of the bathroom/showers. There were 4 in the building so we never had to wait. The staff were friendly and helpful. They had a store right next to the pool area that offered common items and RV'er might need with a small grocery area as well which included bundles of wood($6 honor system after hours) and Ice($1.78 per bag). We were allowed to run an account which we paid at the end of our stay. Our campsite was required to be paid at check in. The campground is 18 acres with gravel roads, a sports field, fishing, horse shoes, bocce ball, multiple playgrounds, a rec center with some games, claw machines etc. a splash pad and salt water pool. You will be doing a lot of walking or bring your bicycles like we did. They offer scheduled activities for holidays etc and various weekend activities. You can rent non electric boats and they offer catch& release fishing without a PA license in the lake. My son caught 2 sunfish :) They have guidelines for visitors and quiet hours(my cousin came to visit us in the evenings as she lived close by). We enjoyed camping here even if we were on an RV site. We booked site 211 which had the little bit of tree coverage and was located right next to the showers/bathrooms/playground with a quick walk to the lake for fishing. Most of the other available sites in the road ahead of us had no tree coverage but closer to the lake had more trees and shade. OR, just get an actual tent site :) but they are all the way at the back of the campground, furthest from the lake so I actually preferred our site.

  • Mary H.
    Jun. 13, 2019

    Upper Campground — Kettle Creek State Park

    Upper campground: Rustic, remote, restful

    The upper campground has a rustic feel, beautiful views and is a great location for wildlife encounters. While it has some amenities (electric on a few RV sites; scullery area near the pit toilets; showers available at lower campground), these grounds are away from the bustle of the outside world. We are tent campers, and without the need for hookup and never having been there, we reserved site 45--but do not recommend it for its challenging slope. When a loud, disrespectful family set up nearby that first night for a long weekend, we spoke with the camp host (helpful, amenable Jim), who suggested we ask about site 71, the most removed of all the sites. Went to the camp office and obtained it for the rest of our week-long stay--and it was perfect. (While it had a hookup that we didn't need/use, we did pay extra for it--but well worth the seclusion.) Super quiet back there and totally private. Some of the rustic tent sites looked lovely, too (did not note best site numbers; sorry), but we cannot recommend #71 enough. If you're an RV camper, however, the sites with the vista views overlooking the reservoir are amazing, if not somewhat close together. 

    We wanted to encounter wildlife; went looking for it and found it! Everything seemed to be about an hour or more away on winding roads, but that was okay; love the meandering. We went to:  

    • Hyner View (gorgeous vistas -- and also came across a mama rattlesnake sunning on a back road and took photos from the safety of our car!); 
    • Pine Creek Gorge (Leonard Harrison State Park) more amazing views; 
    • Benezette to find elk (wild herd at dusk on Winslow Hill, complete with mama and baby--then three buck sauntering through town!); and 
    • lovely nearby Kettle Creek Vista. We also saw a few elk and lots of deer as we drove along the river's edge over the Leidy Bridge. 

    Pennsylvania is gorgeous!

    We also enjoyed meeting Julie at the Lock Haven Visitors' Center and had our only meal out at Deb's in Cross Fork. For ice cream treats (a weakness): Ice Shack near Lock Haven; Old Bull Cafe in Benezette; the kiosk at the top of Pine Creek Gorge. 

    A very restful, quiet week in early June was just what we needed, and Kettle Creek State Park Upper Campground was wonderful.

  • David A.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Tiadaghton Campground — Tioga State Forest

    Tiadaghaton State Forest, PA

    Roadside site 1/4 mile from the nearest site. You can drive right to the site on Hackett Rd. Very secluded and peaceful. Picnic table and fire ring, but no water or latrine.

  • Paula L.
    Jun. 29, 2019

    Sinnemahoning State Park Campground

    Come inside to really enjoy all that’s outside!

    Adults and Children alike will love the park office / Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning State Park. Learn about this buildings green construction (LEED)geo thermal heat, rain water harvesting system, recycled materials and more! Step inside to view elk bear birds and other wildlife! Learn about the building of the dam and the early days of the CCC camps. If you can get the children out of the office or bring yourself to leave ... make a souvenir penny on your way out before walking across the parking lot and around the corner to visit the arch tree. This park is a long narrow park with a road running through it that is perfect for a bike ride or stroll. On one end is a wildlife viewing area, the other end offers great fishing and a boat launch. Between is a picnic day use area and a 35 site campground with a dump station, a modern restroom with flush toilets and showers. The restrooms and some campsites are ADA accessible. Electric hookups are available and each pet friendly camp site has its own picnic table, lantern hold and fire ring. Elk, eagles deer and many other varieties of wild life can be seen here on a regular basis! There is much to explore here during any season and even on a rainy day the kids will have the opportunity to learn about the world around them! 5 stars Sinnemahoning! What a treasure in the PA Wilds!

  • Jennifer F.
    May. 10, 2020

    Worlds End State Park Campground

    Great campground

    I've been coming here every year for a while now. Overall, it has everything you'd want in a campground. They have one of the cleanest bathrooms I've seen yet while camping. The campsites are a good size. Certain sites have more privacy than others, I'd recommend the higher loop if you can. However, some of the sites on the lower loop are close to the road but the road noise isn't too bad. They have designated sites for pets. There are also primitive free sites that are first come first serve. In the colder months, they even have cabins you can rent out. Plenty of hiking and swimming nearby. We always hit up the Forksville General Store for breakfast before we leave. The food is sooo good. I recommend getting the sausage links. Also, the stars are incredible here! I usually come in the fall in October/early November. It's my favorite time to come because it's not extremely packed with campers and the leaves are beautiful. If you come in the fall, make sure you bring a cold weather sleeping bag or heater because the temp does drop. Seriously, a great campground you wont be disappointed!

  • Kari M.
    Sep. 21, 2016

    Smith Memorial Park

    Great hiking trails, and beach nearby!

    Smith Memorial Park has a pretty great set up. You can camp and hike, while enjoying the beach and water activities. It is the best of both worlds. I camped here a few summers ago, and enjoyed my stay. I love hiking, and there were some really good trails nearby with some great views. The campground was great, each campsite has its own picnic table and fire ring. They also have restrooms and showers available for use too- I stayed a few nights so the showers worked out great. Our spot was fairly close, so it was within walking distance. What I really like about his campground is it is sort of secluded, and not very crowded. The campsite I stayed at was called "The Point" and it was quite and a great location. My sisters went one evening to a winery that was really close to our campsite called JR Dill, and we went to a great brewing company for dinner one night. The campground does provide firewood-which they offer for a pretty low cost. We did this, and enjoyed making smores over the campfire both nights we stayed. The beach is nice and is pretty close to the campground, within walking distance. Great for swimming, and I saw some people out on the lake with their boats. Enjoyed my stay, and would definitely come back again at some point!

  • Dan N.
    Jul. 18, 2016

    Kanakadea Park - Almond Lake

    Lake right off rt 86

    This is a park with a lake. In the green rolling hills of the Finger Lakes. Grassy open fields are nice but not private. Used the basic tent setup. Clean, grounds kept up nice, simple, no water. Lots of state lands and water nearby. Deer by the tent in the morning. Great stopover or base camp, not much to do right on site.

  • Jonathan F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Canyon Country Campground

    Not bad

    This place was pretty decent. My only complaint was that the trees around our site were dead or at least had a lot of deadfall in them. I was laying in my hammock and the wind picked up so I sat up to observe if anything took off from our site and as soon as I sat up a big dead branch fell out of the tree and struck where my head had been. Needless to say I was very lucky! Other then that it was a great spot you could hike from the campground out to the Turkey trail or go check out the fire tower (It’s $5 per person and credit card only). The whole area is beautiful.

Guide to Middlebury Center

Tent camping near Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania offers varied terrain at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,100 feet in the north-central Pennsylvania highlands. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with summer highs averaging in the upper 70s and winter lows frequently below freezing. The surrounding Tioga State Forest encompasses over 160,000 acres of woodland, creating numerous camping opportunities across both state park and forest service lands.

What to do

Hiking the Pine Creek Rail Trail: Access this 62-mile converted rail corridor from several campgrounds, including Darling Run Campground. The trail follows Pine Creek through the gorge with gentle grades suitable for all fitness levels.

Stargazing opportunities: The area's dark skies create excellent astronomy conditions. At Patterson State Park Campground, one camper noted: "You can still observe the stars, but difficult for telescopes since trees cover Polaris in most of the sites."

Fishing Pine Creek: Cast for trout, smallmouth bass, and other species in the local waterways. The Tioga County waters support numerous fish populations, with several access points near campgrounds. A visitor at Lawrence Recreation Area mentioned: "Had a great few days here camped in RV next to lake. Amazing driftwood to be had. Good kayaking."

What campers like

Solitude during weekdays: Many campers appreciate the quieter atmosphere outside peak periods. At Patterson State Park Campground, one reviewer observed: "At any given time you may have the whole park to yourself. If you are camping with children this can be a plus! They will have plenty of room to play."

Water access: Several campgrounds feature streams, wells, or lakes. According to a camper at Patterson: "It has a really nice water well with a manual pump. Restroom is the typical hole with no flush, but is very clean."

Trail connectivity: The Susquehannock Trail System connects to several campgrounds. At Tiadaghton Campground, a visitor noted: "Roadside site 1/4 mile from the nearest site. You can drive right to the site on Hackett Rd. Very secluded and peaceful."

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most tent sites offer basic amenities only. A camper at Colton Point State Park Campground explained: "I love the walk in sites. They take a small hike so don't over pack! There is so much that this park has to offer."

Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. Be prepared for limited availability during summer weekends and fall foliage season.

Varied pricing: Campsite costs differ significantly. As one camper at Colton Point noted: "For whatever reason it's expensive to stay at this state Park. It doesn't have modern bathrooms, and you can't pre-book your stay."

Weather considerations: The region experiences significant temperature drops after sunset, even in summer. Pack appropriate clothing layers for nighttime temperatures that can drop 20-30 degrees from daytime highs.

Tips for camping with families

Trail difficulty ratings: Assess trails carefully before taking children. Regarding Colton Point, a camper advised: "I highly suggest this parks Turkey trail. Unlike Lenard Harrison's trail it's not so easy for EVERYONE to access, so you won't see near as many tourists."

Educational opportunities: The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon offers geology learning experiences. Look for ranger programs at visitor centers during summer months.

Campsite selection: Choose sites based on distance from facilities when camping with small children. Several campgrounds feature walk-in sites requiring gear transport over distances.

Wildlife awareness: The area has active black bear populations. Store food properly and teach children appropriate behavior if wildlife is encountered.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most campgrounds cannot accommodate large rigs. Narrow access roads and small sites restrict vehicle length.

Limited hookups: Electric connections are available at some sites, but many offer no utilities. A visitor at Lawrence Recreation Area shared: "Had a great few days here camped in RV next to lake... I'd go back mid week or off season."

Road conditions: Access roads to remote campgrounds may be unpaved or poorly maintained. Check current conditions before attempting access with larger vehicles, especially after heavy rainfall.

Generator restrictions: Several campgrounds prohibit generator use. Plan accordingly for power needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Middlebury Center, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Middlebury Center, PA is Colton Point State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Middlebury Center, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 45 tent camping locations near Middlebury Center, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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