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Lawrence Recreation Area is a day-use facility on the south side of Cowanesque Lake. It is conveniently located on State Route 49 approximately 4 miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. The area offers a great location for picnicking and shoreline fishing.
Cowanesque Lake offers many outdoor activities including boating and fishing. A variety of native fish inhabits the area's streams and lakes. The North and South Tailrace areas provide access for fishing below the dam. The fields and forests around the lake are popular destinations for hunters looking for large and small game species that inhabit the eastern hardwood forests. Many miles of hiking trails surround the lake, including the Mid State Trail, which links the trails at Cowanesque and nearby Hammond Lake into a long path that extends all the way through Pennsylvania from Maryland to New York.
The Cayuga Shelter is reservable for group picnicking. It is fully accessible and comfortably accommodates groups of up to 100 people in a lovely lakeside setting.
Cowanesque Lake is situated in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. The surrounding land paints a scenic picture of rolling terrain and open fields.
$40 - $100 / night
Lambs Creek Recreation Area is located at the southern end of Tioga Lake, just north of the borough of Mansfield, PA. The recreation area is easily accessible from US Route 15 and offers a great location for picnicking, hiking and biking.
A 3.2-mile paved rail trail travels south from the recreation area into Mansfield. It is open for hiking, biking and roller blading. A boat ramp within the facility provides access to the 498-acre Tioga Lake, which is popular for water skiing, fishing and paddling.
Lambs Creek offers one group shelter. It is fully accessible and comfortably accommodates up to 100 people in a lovely wooded setting.
Lambs Creek is situated in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. The surrounding land paints a scenic picture of rolling terrain and open fields.
$75 / night
South Shore Recreation Area is located on the south side of the Cowanesque Lake along State Route 49, just five miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. The area is easily accessible from Route 15 and offers a great location for boating, picnicking and fishing.
Cowanesque Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities including boating and fishing. A variety of native fish inhabits the area's streams and lakes. The North and South Tailrace areas provide access for fishing below the dam. The fields and forests around the lake are popular destinations for hunters looking for large and small game species that inhabit the eastern hardwood forests. Many miles of hiking trails circle the lake, including the Mid State Trail, which travels through the recreation area. It links the trails at Cowanesque and nearby Hammond Lake into a long path that extends all the way through Pennsylvania from Maryland to New York.
The recreation area offers three group shelters. The Iroquois and Oneida Shelters have electric and water hookups; the Mohawk Shelter has water hookups only. All three sites are fully accessible and comfortably accommodate groups of up to 100 people in a lovely lakeside setting.
Cowanesque Lake is situated in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. The surrounding land paints a scenic picture of rolling terrain and open fields.
$40 - $100 / night
$22 - $35 / night
Guide
My family of 4 tent camped here for the weekend. Everyone at this campground was so friendly and nice. The staff really tried to make our stay comfortable. I noticed there was always a staff member driving around in a golf cart, checking on things. The bathrooms were very clean and maintained the whole weekend. The firewood sold at the camp store was only$5 for a large bundle and burned very well. Some campgrounds seem to sell "wet" wood that is hard to light. My only negative comment would be this is more of an RV park. If you do tent camp you should know you will be out in the open, no trees around your site and NO privacy. I will say the tent sites are huge and you can park 2 cars at each one. We made the best of it. We stayed in site 404
Scout
I have stayed in the tent sites three times now and I really enjoy this campground. Nice clean sites with picnic tables that are in good shape. It is just a short walk to the beautiful lake front. Bathrooms are a little far from the tent sites with only one shower. This can be tough since there are a lot of seasonal sites for campers and RVs across from the tent sites using the same facilities. Very nice little beach for swimming and the perfect spot for going to the wineries. Sites are not very private but I have encountered very nice neighbors every time so it hasn't been an issue.
Traveler
3 Of The Best Tent Camping Sites, Nice Hiking Trail All Woods And Nice Store, Not Very Clean Bathrooms But Still Very Nice For A Real Camper
Scout
I chose this campground because the photos of the pool/splash pad looked fun. It turns out the tent site we had was the most wooded and cozy site we have camped in all year. So much room for tents/hammocks. Trees galore. The tent sites were right behind the athletic field where they did activities the weekend we were there (bounce house). The restrooms were fantastic too, the buildings held two complete rooms with a toilet sink and shower in each. It’s the only shower camping this year my 4yr old wasn’t afraid of because we had the whole room to ourselves.
Guide
Tent sites along a confluence of creeks; ankle deep clear water. Amazing miles of upstream hiking, water holes, rope swings, etc.
Perfect for little kids and adults.
Short drive from Letchwood State Park
TravelerPioneer Campground in Dushore Pa is a nice, family friendly place to camp. They are located back in the woods off of route 220 just far enough away to eliminate all road noise yet close enough that making a supply run is easy. They have a pool, soccer/ baseball field and many family friendly activities. They also have a few trails for hiking. The staff is friendly and outgoing and enhance the camping experience. They also have a reasonably priced store for general purpose items and Campground apparel. They have camper sites as well as tent sites. The only downside we found is if you’re camping in the tent site and it rains heavily a good portion of these sites flood and fill with water. Be sure to place your tent accordingly. Overall we would definately camp at pioneer campground again.
Guide
We go here every year. Electric hook up, and very nice tent sites along creek. Does get crowded on nice weekends but mostly families. A short drive down to pine creek rails to trails. Beautiful ride through creek canyon. Nice little store at entrance, and several hikes from park.
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt. Let's give a warm welcome to your hosts Sheryl & Matt! This is the perfect place to car or tent camp. Enjoy a private fire-pit and dive into Lake Seneca! Only a 4 min drive from Watkins Glenn. This place has it all. Lots of sites to choose from, some even have hammocks! Dog friendly. Check them out and leave them some love!
Guide
We booked a tent site, and there was only one small patch of grass where we could set up our tent. But the people next to us were in a big group and already had their tents set up very close to our grass, and we didn't feel comfortable camping that close to people. My brother had an RV site, so we went down to his and set up our tent there and it was much nicer. The fire pits are very nice, and the hiking trails in the park are great.
ScoutTwo others and I camped here in May of 2017 and we had a wonderful time. Our tent site was secluded and quiet, but not too far off the beaten path! It was super hot so the pool was a nice cool down after a long day, and they had activities and tractor rides for the holiday weekend. We had lots of fun and great memories - highly recommend!
LegendMy husband and I spent his birthday weekend camping in our truck tent here. Around Halloween all the RVs decorate and the kids dress up for trick or treating. The owners of the park are very friendly and accommodating. The sites are level and spacious among the trees. The tent sites have options along the water as well. Unfortunately it stormed the night we were there and the river flooded over the road, so it was tough getting the truck out to leave the next day, but we made it after a couple hours!
Ranger
Great place to stay, lots to do in the area including other state parks and forests. Hiking, swimming, taking in the views. Small streams mean tons of bugs, but not much worse than the rest of PA. We stayed in the cabin in winter but we've also done a day visit in the summer. Really pretty tall pine trees in a lot of the campgrounds. Didn't stay in tent sites but they seemed rather spread out for a state park campground. Everything clean and well cared for.
GuideThis 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.
ScoutThe setting is gorgeous. Great sites for RVs, but only four sites looked as if they were tent sites- two appeared to be under construction. The two others were at the bottom of a gently slope to the pond and were not very level. The water source was rust laden; I wouldn’t drink it. It came out of a black hose. :(. The bath house was at the other end of the pond (near the RVs) and wasn’t great. Portapots were placed strategically. A good place to camp for RUSTIC camping. Bring your own water!!! But although it was absolutely lovely, I doubt I will ever camp there again!
RangerWe loved sugar creek glen! The owners were super friendly and helpful! There is a beautiful waterfall and creek in the middle of the campground. We were able to hike and climb up to more falls and swimming holes when the creek level came down one day. Other days we couldn’t due to high creek levels. There was outer edges of a tropical storm when we went so lots of rain!
The bathrooms are clean - quarter showers were nice and hot!
If you are on a tent site you have to drive through the creek which can close at times due to high water levels- one day we were there it was closed.
The store has a lot of items for sale
There is a beautiful playground and Gaga ball pit
Guide
This place is not really a campground, it seems to mainly be a seasonal RV resort...in any event, most of the spots were occupied by RVs with things like wooden decks, yard lights, cute little signs, etc.
The tent sites are large enough, but have zero privacy between them--see photo.
What saved this place from total mediocrity is its location right on the river...while I couldn't see the river from my campsite due to brush, it was clearly audible, which was nice. In September the river was flowing nicely, and was mainly a bit above my ankles, although there were some pools that looked like they would go up to about mid-thigh (although I didn't go in the find out).
Firewood sold on-site, and there is a little campstore, although pickings are fairly slim.
Traveler
We tent camped and they had openings on Memorial Day weekend. The weather turned out to be bad for camping but management was very accommodating with our requests to change dates and spots. Unlike many campgrounds that cater primarily to campers/RVs, they have nice spots in wooded areas for tenters. Some even have water and electric hookups. There was a decent playground area but the bathrooms could use a remodel. Our spot had a nice soft, flat spot for our tent but was a little cramped (they did have larger spots) and it would be nice to have a grill attached to the fire pit. The camp ground fire wood was kiln dried but cost $15 for a bag that lasted less than a day (and we used it pretty sparingly) so I would suggest buying wood nearby where it can be found much cheaper (please don't transport wood from far away as this contributes to the spread of invasive species like the spotted lanternfly). The proximity to Little Pine State Park was nice.
TravelerI don’t understand how anyone can say the owners are rude! I just don’t get it…they have been outstanding since they took over and have made some great improvements! That aside, I love this campground! It is my escape away from technology and my time to be one with nature. We tent camp and love the sites as they are right on the creek, a few have direct access to the creek if you have kayaks which is awesome! The views to be had are amazing and lots of hiking in the area, well known for trout fishing, and kayaking!
The campground is clean, organized, has rules, and is quiet! The rules are enforced, which makes it better for everyone!
We try to make a trip up there annually, weather permitting, sometimes twice a year. Never had a bad experience and am grateful for the time we get to spend up there!
GuideThe owners do a fantastic job keeping the campground shipshape. Restrooms/showers are immaculate any time of day. Heated swimming pool and the splash pad for kiddies is spotless as well. Nice, pull-through on gravel pad withfull-hookups that can take large rigs. Lake is lovely for fishing/kayaks/canoes. Seasonal campers are tidy. Only a few tent sites with water & electricity tucked into woods. Larger pull-through sites don't get a lot of shade, but there are back-in sites for shorter campers in wooded sites and shaded lake front, as well. Campground store sells ice-cream & nachos and supplies. Campground is pretty quiet during the week, but fills up on weekends with guests using own (or renting) golf carts. Activities on weekends. The campground sits atop one of NEPA's "rolling hills" in quiet, rural farming area. Cell service is spotty. Local winery/cafe just down the road for tastings and lunch. Row boat, paddle boat rentals.
Traveler
This campground was so great to stay at! The hosts were lovely and very sweet, and created a wonderful place to stay off-grid. Our tent site was spacious and secluded nestled in a ton of trees. I was able to hang my hammock up and set up my 6 person tent no problem! We rarely heard anyone, and felt like we had the place to ourselves. Their outhouse has a camper toilet- it was super nice, not at all what I was expecting! They installed a gorgeous shower facility, which was so well appointed. They even had hotel shampoo/conditioner/soap sets in baggies for you! I went out and bought a towel just to shower (I usually never shower when camping). They have chickens which were so cute to look at, and a couple of sweet dogs. The place is very dark at night- a treat when there's a lot of light pollution. The only thing is, know that you will be woken up by a rooster! We have a 5 year old that wakes up at the same time, so it was no big deal for us! I can't say enough good things about these hosts and their spot- it was relaxing, low key, and we felt incredibly safe, and welcome.
GuideLyman Run holds a special place for me. It’s nestled within the gold level dark sky area. This means on a clear night and with a waning or new moon, one could see the arm of the Milky Way with millions of stars- more than most people see in a lifetime. The camp sites are a bit rough- there are two loops, with one loop catering to the mostly RV crowds and the remaining one for tents. There are a few really good and shaded tent sites in the RV loop. The location of the park is near Cherry Springs SP, which gets all the attention for the night sky viewing. We were able to use Lyman Run as a way station as we visited Kinzua, the PA Grand Canyon, and other sites in the PA Woods area. There’s even a chance to watch elk nearby. Each site has a fire ring, with wood available nearby. Amenities include a beach at a nearby lake, warm showers, and good hiking trails. There is a general store nearby, but the nearest town is almost 45+ minutes away. But hey, there’s a Fox’s Pizza there, so ... win? Since Cherry Springs (at the time of this writing) does not take reservations, we opted for the sure thing. Tent pads are well taken care of and the bathrooms are clean. This park is worth the time and view- you will not be disappointed.
Guide
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:
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.
Guide
We had the pleasure of renting a cabin at World's End State Park for the first time in February 2016 after being convinced by friends to check it out. We were immediately in love with the babbling river that ran right beside our cabin. On cold days and nights we could stay warm under our roof covered front porch fireplace and still enjoy being outside. There is no better place to curl up with a book and some coffee on a cold, winter morning. The cabins stay very warm with a wood burning stove- sometimes even too warm and windows need to stay cracked open. We purchased wood from a local gentleman who delivered. A list of these services are available inside the check-in area, which also serves as a cool local mini-museum of sorts. There are several amazing lookout spots in the area that you can access via car. The cabins generally sleep 6-8 very comfortably with 4 double bunk beds in most. The cabins also have electricity and include a stove and refrigerator. There is no plumbing, so no sink or toilet but there are several very well maintained and equipped bathroom houses throughout the cabins area. The bathrooms are private and have showers and dishwashing stations. If you are looking for comfort, bring your own good camp chair. The cabins are only equipped with wooden chairs and a wooden bench seat. As soon as we left the park and were able to access cell phones again, I booked another cabin for myself and kids for their Spring Break in April 2016. This may become a tradition as we had a fantastic time hiking the area in the Spring. Butternut trail is right in the campground and is a perfect two-hour hike for kids who don't mind a good hike. There are some tricky spots, but it's manageable and well worth it when you reach the lookout at the top. The folks at the welcome center are knowledgeable and can point you in the direction of some great local trails. Forksville General Store is also nearby and there you can get cell service and a nice meal. The owners were regionally from Philadelphia and according to my son, make a fantastic cheesesteak. We are excited to visit World's End again this spring and winter. We have not visited in the summer but hear that it gets more crowded. We have friends that recently stayed there in a tent campsite and had a great visit.
TravelerStayed with my husband last fall for our first camping trip and have zero complaints. This place was perfect has everything you need. The surrounding area is loaded with things to do as well if you feel like venturing out. Cherry Springs Dark Park is just up the road but the view from our tent was just as good. We also stopped at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Hiking trails were within walking distance from the tent. Looking forward to our next stay and some more camp food!
Guide
Incredible views, nicknamed the Grand Canyons of Pennsylvania
TravelerWe tent glamp with a Q air mattress and lots of room. Happy Acres had tent spots with electric and water. We were put in a hollow that had space for 6 tents, but with the exception of one (rainy) night when there was one other tent, we had the hollow to ourselves.
The showers and bathrooms were older but in good working order and clean—but a hike from the tent so if you’re like me, a portable loo is a must.
We visited over Labor Day weekend 2021 — intended to stay 4 nights and ended up staying a whole week!
Guide
Very well kept state park. Bathrooms are super clean.. 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. Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is amazing.
Tent camping near Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania offers a blend of scenic beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
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.
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TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Middlebury Center, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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