Nestled in north-central Pennsylvania at elevations between 700 and 1,200 feet, the Renovo area experiences temperature swings from warm 80°F summer days to cold 20°F winter nights. Primitive camping options range from lakeside tent sites at Bald Eagle State Park to wooded RV spots at Kettle Creek, many open April through December. Most campgrounds aren't plowed during winter months, making accessibility limited from mid-December through early April.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Visit Hicks Run where elk sightings are common near the campground. "Saw 2 elk 100 ft from campground," reports one camper. The elk viewing plot is just across from the kayak launch site/parking lot, and the area is a short drive from Benezette, known for its wild elk herds.
Water recreation: Paddle the reservoirs and creeks throughout the region. Little Pine State Park Campground offers access to both a lake and creek. "Great kayaking, hiking & fishing and just miles from Pine Creek proper," notes one visitor. The swimming beach at Little Pine is a short drive from the campground, providing relief during hot summer days.
Hiking trails: Explore the Mid-State Trail which runs directly through several campgrounds. Many sites connect to trail networks ranging from easy lake loops to challenging mountain paths. "Nice day hike: you can make a 7.5 loop out of the Nature Trail that starts at the upper campground, linking with the Butler Trail to the Kettle Creek Vista and returning on the Donut Hole," shares a camper about trails accessible from Upper Campground.
What campers like
Secluded campsites: Primitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park offers more privacy than many developed areas. "Stayed in Primitive Area with RV which is MUCH QUIETER & MUCH MORE PRIVATE with many trees than the full hookups down in the main park area," explains one reviewer. Site 71 is noted as "the most removed of all the sites" and "perfect" for those seeking seclusion.
Clean facilities: Despite their rustic nature, many campgrounds maintain well-serviced amenities. "The shower houses have always been the cleanest and best maintained of any state park we have been too!" remarks one camper about Upper Campground. The tiled (not concrete block) bathrooms at Hyner Run State Park Campground are specifically mentioned as a welcome upgrade from typical state park facilities.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy areas for camping setups. "Sites are spacious, lots to do in the park, clean bathrooms and friendly staff," notes a camper about Bald Eagle. The primitive sites tend to be more generously sized than the electric hookup areas, giving tent and hammock campers plenty of room to spread out.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Hyner Run State Park Campground and other area sites have reported timber rattlesnake sightings. "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," cautions a visitor to Hyner Run.
Limited services: Many sites have restricted amenities during off-peak seasons. Cell reception is spotty in mountainous areas, particularly at remote locations. Campgrounds may not have on-site stores; the nearest supplies at Little Pine require walking to Happy Acres Restaurant & Bar, which has "a well stocked camp store and a game room."
Terrain challenges: Many sites require careful selection based on equipment needs. "Some sites are not level at all," especially at hillside locations. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, "some pull-thru sites have a very steep short hill to go up which made for some RV's scraping bottom."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Russell P Letterman Campground — Bald Eagle State Park provides lake access for cooling off during summer months. "We love this park and usually rent a boat and swim and watch the eagles all day. One of the best experiences ever," shares a family camper. The beach areas have dedicated swimming zones with sandy bottoms.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playground facilities and open space. "The kids had fun riding the bikes around the loop and taking the short cuts cut in around the loop. We had fun walking to the foot bridge to go fishing," notes a visitor to Russell P Letterman Campground. Bald Eagle also features wildlife programs where rangers set up binoculars for eagle nest viewing.
Wildlife education: Many park rangers conduct evening programs about local wildlife. "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," reports one camper. These programs typically run on summer weekends and are free with camping registration.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: The Bellefonte Campground offers 87 full-hookup sites suitable for larger RVs. "Sites are sloped a bit as most are in the mountains. We were able to decently level our motorhome with blocks," mentions one RVer. Bring leveling blocks as many sites throughout the region require adjustments due to mountain terrain.
Electrical options: Most state parks offer 30-amp service with limited 50-amp availability. Primitive Camping Area at Bald Eagle State Park provides more spacious sites but fewer hookups, while the main campgrounds offer more electrical connections but closer spacing. Water connections may be shared between multiple sites at certain campgrounds.
Road navigation: Access roads to many campgrounds involve steep grades and tight turns. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, reviewers caution about "traffic either side does not stop or slow, and they are going extremely fast" at the entrance. The roads to Little Pine State Park and Hyner Run involve mountain driving with potential for seasonal closures.
