Hills Creek State Park Campground offers abundant facilities for luxury outdoor stays near Sabinsville, Pennsylvania. The park combines natural settings with modern amenities across generously sized camping areas. Located within the Pennsylvania Wilds region at 1,600 feet elevation, campsites feature paved parking pads and convenient hookups suitable for seasonal camping from mid-April through late October.
What to do
Paddle the lake waters: Hills Creek State Park Campground has excellent kayaking opportunities with clear water access. "Good walking, hiking, kayaking. Private sites can be found pretty easily," notes Rebecca E., who appreciated the balanced recreation options.
Explore forest trails: Multiple hiking paths wind through the region's hardwood forests and connect to camping areas. "The hike around the lake is not that long and a pretty easy walk. We did it with a 5 year old and he had no complaints," explains J K., highlighting family-friendly terrain options.
Cycle the Pine Creek Rail Trail: Canyon Country Campground provides direct trail access for cyclists. One visitor mentioned that "Our site was well laid out. The campground was neat, clean and quiet," adding that owners were "extremely helpful concerning the Pa. Grand Canyon, where to go, the trails, etc."
Fish for trout: Streams throughout the region are well-stocked. Bryan Y. at DB Adventures notes, "Very nice campgrounds all new bath house and electric throughout the camp. Great views of pine creek that's stocked with trout. Large sites and quiet place."
What campers like
Camping with water views: Riverside sites at Pettecote Junction Campground receive strong praise. "Our site was literally on the river, we even saw an eagle," shares Vanessa S., who appreciated the direct water access and the ability to pull kayaks right up to the campground.
Educational programs: Park-sponsored nature activities enhance visits for all ages. Dave G. at Hills Creek mentions, "The campground also does nature tours for local flora/fauna," while another reviewer noted, "The nature talks were really fun for the kids and interesting for the adults."
Clean facilities: Watkins Glen State Park Campground maintains well-kept washrooms and camping areas. Lori F. confirmed this, stating, "Friendly staff, good patrols at night to keep people from being too noisy, tent sites are nice and shaded. Some of the shower houses are better than others."
Hiking variety: Short trails to challenging descents provide options for different skill levels. "Unlike Leonard Harrison, Colton Point on the western rim of the Pine Creek Gorge isn't a tourist hub," explains Emily S., who recommends the Turkey trail as "much more manageable" than other gorge paths.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds near Sabinsville operate from April through October. According to Shirley M. at Colton Point State Park Campground, "Great site lakeside. Very dark at night which is great. Quiet campground. Need to do self check-in if after hours."
Wildlife presence: Secure food and supplies from local animals. "Warning, there are black bears and other wild life at Hills Creek, take care to lock up your coolers! We heard some fighting raccoons at night!" advises Amanda H.
Campground differences: Some locations have more amenities than others. Sadie S. notes Colton Point "doesn't have modern bathrooms, and you can't pre-book your stay," but adds, "I love the walk in sites. They take a small hike so don't over pack!"
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies greatly throughout the region. One camper mentioned limited Verizon coverage, stating, "No Verizon phone service and very slow internet with a booster" when describing their experience at a campground near the NY border.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly recreation options: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds offers numerous activities designed for children. "Two playgrounds, a pool, two jumping pillows, mini train, carousel, and activities. Good for bike riding although hilly," reports B C., who visited with children.
Swimming spots: Beaches and pools provide summer cooling options. "The swim area is one of the best around. Playgrounds are fun & the snack stand is a little expensive, but delicious!" shares J K. about their family experience at Hills Creek.
Cabin alternatives: For families new to glamping close to Sabinsville, Pennsylvania, cabins offer extra comfort. "We were impressed with the 2 bedroom cabin. The kitchen had the usual plus a microwave, toaster and coffee pot. The furniture was comfortable for a cabin and the porch was delightful," notes Barbara S.
Site selection tips: Some areas offer more privacy and shade than others. "We decided to camp where the RVs were so we have more space (plus, they have limited camping spots that allow dogs). It was closer to the lake then the tent-only spots," advises Alexandria, who balanced family and pet needs.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Allegheny River Campground provides full-service sites for larger rigs. "Great place! Water and electric hookups. Beautiful swimming pool! Very peaceful!!" notes Ben S., highlighting the essential utilities.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry routes. One camper warns, "The entry road to the campground itself is a very steep, narrow road with a small curve at the top. It's well-maintained but keep an eye out for campers coming down."
Site leveling: Surface conditions vary at different campgrounds. "Sites are not very level nor private, but the staff is great and the grounds are walking distance to the canyon," explains Pamela H., suggesting RVers should be prepared with leveling blocks.
Seasonal site options: Many RVers secure longer-term spots at regional campgrounds. "We stayed in the Bench Loop which is very busy since it is waterfront. Our first week, we were on site 54 (W/E 50A) and waterfront. Our second week, we stayed on site 44 (FHU 50A)," describes one experienced RVer about their extended stay arrangement.
