North Bend sits among Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains at approximately 650 feet elevation, where the Susquehanna River provides a scenic backdrop for outdoor recreation. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F while winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing. Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures ideal for camping, though campers should prepare for temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night.
What to do
Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems connect through Hyner Run State Park Campground with varying difficulty levels. "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."
Fishing spots: Access the Susquehanna River directly from Hyner Run State Park Campground or fish at Kettle Creek State Park. "We stayed at site 8 which is creekside. It was a large, beautiful site and the sound of the burbling water lulled us to sleep every night."
Wildlife viewing: Visit Hicks Run for opportunities to spot local wildlife including elk. "Saw 2 elk 100 ft from campground. It was nice. The ranger stated that they will, probably, start charging next year."
Kayaking: Launch directly from Little Pine State Park Campground with easy access to calm waters. "Beautiful setting for camping along a stream and the mountains. We try to get here a couple times a year. Electric only but water fill up is in convenient locations."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options. "The rustic campground has some parking sites, but we are most fond of the sites with a short walk in. Usually they're very private. Some clusters allow dogs."
Clean facilities: Bald Eagle State Park Primitive Camping Area maintains high standards. "The bathrooms were clean and the shower was hot and much needed. The fireflies were in rare form and the wildflowers that outline the camping were beautiful."
Campfire restrictions: Rules vary by season and location across North Bend rv campgrounds. "Been here quite a few times. Its cool to see the hang gliders jumo off and ride the wind. Nice picnic areas and some trails. Worth the drive."
Swimming options: Multiple locations offer swimming opportunities. "The lake is huge with a beautiful beach to spread out on and play in the sand! We kayaked and biked all over the park. We also fished a lot."
What you should know
Wildlife awareness: Prepare for potential encounters with local wildlife. "The only downside to the area is the quantity of timber rattle snakes that we encountered, one at our site and one in the woods nearby. Something to keep in mind if you have pets or small children."
Limited supplies: Minimal services exist near some campgrounds. "There is not much in the area in terms of supplies or stores. there was an old Unimart Gas station on Howard PA that is now closed. There is a pizza place that sells bags of ice as well as a small outdoors store we didn't visit."
Campsite selection: Research sites thoroughly before booking at Upper Campground — Kettle Creek State Park. "This is a really pretty state park. We stayed 2 nights in the upper campground which looks down on the lake. We got there on a Thursday, stayed in a site with electric and it was really pleasant."
Seasonal closures: Beyond the mid-December to early April shutdown mentioned in the existing description, individual facilities within open campgrounds may have limited services. "The camp office was undergoing rennovations and expanding their camp store. We discovered one of the evening talks about the eagles nesting in the park."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple playgrounds and recreational areas exist throughout North Bend rv facilities. "Our kids loved the freedom of riding their bike and exploring the park with other kids who were camping. We are glad we camped here!!"
Swimming holes: Hicks Run offers natural swimming spots. "There is a swimming hole in the small creek that's great! Kids loved it! Also the river is just down on 555 with a kayak launch."
Safety considerations: Monitor children closely at all times. "The campground is built on a hill and sites are terraced. Some pull-thru sites have a very steep short hill to go up which made for some RV's scraping bottom."
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs provide learning experiences. "We discovered one of the evening talks about the eagles nesting in the park and the ranger set up binoculars for us to try and see the nest."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many rv campgrounds in North Bend, Pennsylvania require leveling equipment. "Make sure you have leveling tools as the sites are not very level side-to-side. The sites are also small and tightly packed."
Water pressure variations: Bellefonte-State College KOA has reported pressure issues. "Saying it trickled out would be generous. Though there was a lot about the campground that I liked, I won't go back again just based on the water pressure alone."
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating challenging terrain. "Sites reserved and it was booked solid for early trout season. I imagine same in the fall for elk viewing. When we were there last year there was a road closed sign on the left turn. If still there ignore it! The campground is before where the bridge is out!"
Site configuration: Some campgrounds offer specialized RV sites with added amenities. "Our site was the only one available for that weekend and it was a premium with a large paved patio with a nice outdoor patio set with table and chairs, a swing, and a sunken fire pit."
