Montoursville sits within the scenic Allegheny Plateau of north-central Pennsylvania at roughly 520 feet of elevation. The region's four distinct seasons create varied camping conditions throughout the year, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping months. Several state parks and private campgrounds in the area offer yurt accommodations as permanent structures that remain available during cooler weather when traditional tent camping becomes less comfortable.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground features 22 named waterfalls, offering some of Pennsylvania's most dramatic natural scenery. "The biggest draw to this state park is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike," notes Lee D.
Creek wading and floating: Cool off in the shallow waters at Little Mexico Campground, located on Penn's Creek about 15 minutes from Lewisburg. "The creek was amazing and the kids loved it," shares Paula R. The campground offers direct water access for tubing during summer months.
Fishing opportunities: Stock up on basic tackle at the camp store and try your luck at one of several stocked fishing ponds or nearby streams. "Lake Glory is stocked and the fish are always hungry," according to Vince L., making it an ideal spot for beginners or families looking for reliable catches without specialized equipment.
What campers like
Proximity to amusement parks: Lake Glory Campground provides a quieter alternative to staying at Knoebels while maintaining easy access. "It's so much quieter than Knoebels campground and so much more room. We love the creek side sites! Kids can wade in the water to cool off while parents are chatting and cooking just few feet away," notes Eiron S.
Yurt accommodations for extended seasons: Little Pine State Park offers sturdy yurt structures that extend camping options into cooler months. "This state park has yurts you can rent to stay in and also some very good campsites too and good facilities. My family loves going here and relaxing in the fall. We will even take a day during the winter and just drive up for a visit," shares Danielle W.
Spacious camping sites: Many campers appreciate the generous site sizing at Little Pine State Park Campground, especially compared to more crowded private options. "The campsite we were at was very large probably better for a trailer but we enjoyed the space with our tent. We stayed at site 3 which was across the drive from a bathhouse which also had a shower," notes Zach P.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Connectivity can be spotty throughout the region, especially in state parks. "Site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other. Also no service (Verizon)," reports T.K. about Ricketts Glen.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience seasonal water issues. "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth," explains a Ricketts Glen camper.
Seasonal operating schedule: Most campgrounds in the area don't operate year-round. Pioneer Campground runs from early April to early December, which is typical for the region, though some yurt facilities remain open through winter months with reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused weekends: Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Milton schedules programmed events throughout the season. "This place was awesome! My children had so much fun. They had the entire weekend planned for us. My wife and I don't like to plan so having a busy weekend for the kiddos was a great thing," explains Brian C.
Budget-friendly amusement options: When visiting Knoebels from nearby campgrounds, families appreciate the flexible pricing. "The amusement park is free admission and parking (you pay for rides with tickets). Was surprisingly inexpensive, too (I'm used to paying an arm and a leg at Six Flags)," notes a visitor from Lake Glory.
Tent camping location tips: For those tent camping with kids, request specific areas. "We tent camped and they had openings on Memorial Day weekend. 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," recommends Christopher E. at Happy Acres Resort.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require equipment for leveling. "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling. Not much shade in the full hookup loop, so was happy to have electricity for A/C," explains James S. about his Ricketts Glen experience.
Electrical considerations: During peak summer heat, some campgrounds experience electrical supply issues. "Electric ran below 110 volts the entire weekend and the water had a brownish tint to it. It was a VERY hot weekend so I should mention that everyone had their air running," notes Debbie W. about electrical capacity during busy periods.
Narrow access roads: The region's mountainous terrain creates challenging approaches to some campgrounds. "The road leading to Little Mexico is narrow and winding, but we didn't experience any trouble," reports Craig F., suggesting larger rigs proceed with caution but confirming accessibility.
