Camping near Shickshinny, Pennsylvania occurs primarily in the northern Appalachian foothills, an area characterized by mixed hardwood forests and rolling terrain. This region sits between 500-1,200 feet in elevation with temperatures ranging from winter lows near 15°F to summer highs around 85°F. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with most campgrounds closing for winter due to freezing conditions.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 4.5 miles of trails at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground lead to 22 named waterfalls. "A typical PA State Park campground. Nice enough, but awesome location. Make sure you check out the falls!" notes Rachel B. The Falls Trail offers varying difficulty levels for different hiking abilities.
Boulder Field exploration: 20 miles north of Shickshinny at Hickory Run State Park Campground. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," explains Mike M. The boulder field spans 16 acres and requires careful walking over uneven rocks.
Fishing: Multiple creek access points at Moyers Grove Campground. "We saw deer daily. There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes," reports Becca U. Some campgrounds require fishing licenses, which can be purchased at local bait shops or online.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Whispering Pines Camping Estates, sites are considerably more spacious than typical campgrounds. "We were across the street from the main campground which was nice and quiet. Right up my alley!" reports Jonathan F. Some premium sites offer up to 200-300 feet of separation from neighboring campers.
Swimming options: Frances Slocum State Park Campground offers both lake access and a swimming pool. "Nice lake for kayaking but not for swimming although there is a big pool. Nice trails for hiking," shares Annette M. The pool typically operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with lifeguards on duty.
Game areas for families: Red Rock Mountain Campground has recently added outdoor recreation spaces. "It is so nice to hear families playing games with their new outdoor game area! Cabins, tents, RVs whatever it is it is a great place to stay!" according to Lauren C. These areas are available to all campers at no extra charge.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by carrier and location. At Moyers Grove Campground, "there was no cell service or internet for AT&T users. (Verizon did have some service.)" reports Becca U. Campers should plan for limited connectivity, particularly in valley areas.
Water spigot distances: Some sites require extra-long hoses to reach water sources. "Make sure you have a LONG water hose. We actually had to buy a 50 foot hose in the camp store to accommodate the distance to the spigot," notes a Moyers Grove Campground visitor.
Reservation timing: State park campgrounds fill quickly, particularly for summer weekends. "Park was not mowed, seemed a little rough & unattended. Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling," reports James S. about Ricketts Glen State Park. Booking 6-9 months in advance is recommended for prime summer dates.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming safety: Check water conditions before allowing children to swim. At Frances Slocum State Park Campground, one camper warns, "DO NOT take your pups to the water. There is a weird bacteria or algae currently growing in the lake, it's completely visible. There are advisories around about it too."
Playground options: Moon Lake Recreation Area features open play areas. "My family loves it up here. The reservation staff are over accommodating and very helpful. Great place for hiking, fishing, letting kids have fun and be kids," shares Jessica B. The area includes both constructed playgrounds and natural spaces for exploration.
Noise considerations: Campground quiet hours vary by location. At Knoebels Campground, "If you're an early to bed kinda person it'll be tough, the roller coasters are right there! I loved it though," mentions Joe B. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the Shickshinny area have uneven terrain. "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling. Not much shade in the full hookup loop," notes James S. about Ricketts Glen State Park. Bring leveling blocks for most locations.
RV campsite spacing: Size and proximity vary considerably between campgrounds. "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. The more developed campgrounds tend to have tighter spacing than primitive options.
Hook-up variations: Water and electric connections differ by location. At Bodnarosa Campground, cabins and RV sites include full hookups while tent sites have electric only. "The cabins are clean and affordable, with plenty of room for two people and a doggo," writes Debbie H. Check specific site details when booking to confirm available utilities.
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