Best Campgrounds near Sinnamahoning, PA

Sinnamahoning, Pennsylvania sits at the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds region, surrounded by several state parks and forest lands offering diverse camping experiences. The area includes Sinnemahoning State Park Campground, a small 35-site developed facility with electric hookups and space for tents, RVs and boat-in camping. Nearby, Kettle Creek State Park features both upper and lower campgrounds with varied amenities, while Hicks Run provides more primitive camping options. Parker Dam and Cherry Springs State Parks offer additional developed camping within driving distance. The Pennsylvania Wilds region supports various accommodation types from basic tent sites to RV hookups, cabins, and limited glamping options in a remote forested setting.

Road access to most campgrounds involves narrow, winding mountain roads with limited cell service throughout the region. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from mid-April through mid-December, with limited winter accessibility. "The campground is very small, and cell service is non-existent, but that's what we were looking for - a quiet getaway," noted one Sinnemahoning visitor. Elevation changes create microclimates that can retain humidity in forested areas. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and fall elk viewing season. The terrain features rocky, gravelly tent pads at many sites, making sturdy tent stakes essential. Visitors should be prepared for limited services, as the nearest towns with supplies can be 20-30 minutes away on mountain roads.

Campers consistently highlight wildlife viewing as a primary attraction in the area. Several visitors reported seeing elk, deer, eagles, and even bears during their stays. The region's waterways provide popular fishing and kayaking opportunities, with some campsites offering direct creek or reservoir access. Quiet, remote camping experiences dominate visitor feedback, with many appreciating the lack of cell service as a feature rather than inconvenience. According to one camper, "It's a fairly flat mile-long walk to the park office and a quaint discovery area with benches, streams, and encourages little wildlings to enjoy the forest." The Sinnemahoning State Park visitor center receives particular praise for its wildlife exhibits and educational opportunities. Campgrounds in the area tend to fill completely on weekends, while remaining relatively quiet midweek, especially in the non-peak seasons.

Best Camping Sites Near Sinnamahoning, Pennsylvania (157)

    1. Sinnemahoning State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Driftwood, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 647-8401

    $22 - $29 / night

    "Step inside to view elk bear birds and other wildlife! Learn about the building of the dam and the early days of the CCC camps."

    "There are a few nice scenic trails that go to the lake and through the woods. Some are kid bike friendly. The nature center is great! Kid friendly and fun!"

    2. Lower Campground — Kettle Creek State Park

    5 Reviews
    Westport, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 923-6004

    $27 / night

    "No water on sites but bibs near by to fill campers & jugs. Cindy in Admin VERY helpful."

    "great lake for kayaking or fishing. Nice campground and picnic area too. some very pretty views. lots of wildlife and trails too."

    3. Upper Campground — Kettle Creek State Park

    4 Reviews
    Westport, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 923-6004

    $18 - $25 / night

    "The upper campground has a rustic feel, beautiful views and is a great location for wildlife encounters."

    "It would be nice if the DCNR added some walk/hike-in sites, or even Adirondack shelters along the long-distance Donut Hole Trail that cuts through the park south of the dam.)"

    4. Hicks Run

    3 Reviews
    Emporium, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 486-3353

    $10 / night

    "Some sites are closer together than others, campers were parked next to us and had quite a large crowd. We started on some of the hike and wished we could stay longer."

    5. Parker Dam State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Mill Run, PA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 765-0630

    $20 - $80 / night

    "There’s a little lake there, and a stream and some trails but in general it’s all pretty uninspiring."

    "These two sites are shaded, surrounded by trees and pretty much private to the rest of the "Modern" campground."

    6. Cherry Springs State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Jamison, PA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 435-5010

    $16 / night

    "Each campsite had a fire pit and a picnic table and most had trees behind them. We stayed in a drive up site that was close to the restrooms and had a clear field near us to look up and stargaze."

    "A little off the beaten path, but definitely a good find away from that light pollution and with other like minded souls!"

    7. Riverview Campsites, Benezette PA

    1 Review
    Driftwood, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 594-6232

    $35 - $55 / night

    "Only one shower house in the mountain view entrance so it would be a short drive if you do not use your camper bathroom."

    8. Austin Campground

    5 Reviews
    Austin, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 647-8777

    "Found this location while going to Elk State Forest for the elk bugling. Was very happy to find this location. Had clean bathrooms with running water and showers."

    "We camped over Columbus weekend and got to see gorgeous fall leaves, brilliant night skies, and lots of elk right around the campground plus a bear that took a walk through the campground one evening."

    9. Medix Run Camping Area — Moshannon State Forest

    4 Reviews
    Weedville, PA
    17 miles
    +1 (814) 765-0821

    $10 / night

    "Nice sit with fire pit, picnic table, and short walk to a beautiful creek so no need to bring water if you can filter it. Only 5-10 minutes away from Benezette and the PA elk herd."

    "Have your own little driveway to park your car right next to the site. Comes with a picnic table and fire pit. Need lots of rope for setting up tarps as trees are far apart."

    10. Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Port Matilda, PA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 342-5960

    $20 - $87 / night

    "Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season."

    "Great hiking and a beautiful lake for kayaking.  Site 22 is a full hookup.  Utilities worked nicely.  However, our picnic table had seen better days. "

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Recent Reviews near Sinnamahoning, PA

372 Reviews of 157 Sinnamahoning Campgrounds


  • christian G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Hartman Center Campground

    Nice, quiet, & clean

    Clean and well taken care of, pretty quiet. Would definitely stay here again but a few things to keep in mind.

    For kids the play grounds are run down. Also no real “dog run”. All in all if your a couple wanting to go relax its great, but if you have pets and or younger kids there isn’t much on the grounds.

  • julian S.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Tiadaghton Campground — Tioga State Forest

    Very crowded with bikers

    Nice campsite and cool view but be prepared to have a lot of bikers walking around the campground or stopping for lunch at near by sites. Also would recommend 4 wheel drive vehicles to drive to site, steep dirt roads to access it. It has a nice water front view but if seclusion is something you would like this spot may not be for you.

  • Dana M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Lyman Run State Park Campground

    Quiet, Quaint and Clean!

    We love the lower loop! We were there on a Monday night and there were 4 sites occupied on our loop. Great stars. Clean bathrooms!

  • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Curwensville Lake Campground

    Amazing

    Having PTSD and serious anxiety. This spot allows you to relax without to much concern,dogs welcome ,boating and swimming was awesome for around this area. Camping is great especially at night with boats on the water.

  • S
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest

    Nice spot to camp in the mountains

    First I'll just say that the Rothrock campsites should probably each be listed separately, rather than as a group; they are very spread out throughout the State Forest and each is a different experience.  This review will be for site 002 Colerain Road.  

    This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain.  It's easy enough during the summer, though the road is narrow and you've got some sharp bends depending on which way you come from.  This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion.  

    The parking is just right off the road, and there's a picnic table and large stone fire ring near the parking.  There's a small path further up the hill into the woods where there is a tent pad, another fire ring and another picnic table.  There are also a lot of flat spots nearby for additional tents to be set up.  

    Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below.  The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road.  Traffic may have been busier than usual the weekend we went because there was the Mid Atlantic Overland festival nearby at the same time.  At one point a family parked in the campsite's parking to start a walk... (there's a better trailhead up closer to Indian Lookout they should have used).

    No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here.  Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon). 

    These sites used to be totally free but they're now $10 a night.  You still need to book a while out if you want to be here on a weekend, especially during the fall when Penn State is playing.

  • B
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Leonard Harrison State Park Campground

    Small campground with clean bathrooms

    We stayed here Wednesday through Saturday of Labor Day weekend.  On Wednesday and Thursday nights there were about 5 sites that were taken. By Friday they were all full

    The campground is a simple loop of 28 sites.  19 are non -electric and 9 are electric. Sites are spacious and easy to back in to. I believe there are two pull throughs. Water spigots are continently located around the campground.  

    The PA Grand Canyon Visitor center and the Turkey Path (main path down into the canyon) are a short 5 minute walk across the parking lot from the campground.  For biking there is the  Pine Creek Rail Trail, that runs the length of the canyon at the bottom. To access from the campground you can drive there in 16 minutes Darling Run trail access area.

  • David A.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Tiadaghton Campground — Tioga State Forest

    Tiadaghaton State Forest, PA

    Roadside site 1/4 mile from the nearest site. You can drive right to the site on Hackett Rd. Very secluded and peaceful. Picnic table and fire ring, but no water or latrine.

  • Dani T.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Clarion River Campground

    Possibly 5 Stars IF...

    This camp area could be 5 Stars if you get lucky. We got here very late, and almost all the sites were full... the one nice one that was available had food everywhere. Don't do this! There were chicken carcasses and popcorn, eggs, and a bag of food in a fire ring. Having seen racoons & other wildlife on the road in, obviously we couldn't tent there. We car c(r)amped at another site. M7(?). There was no place for a tent & no fire ring at that spot. The river view in the morning was nice though. Had we arrived earlier or gotten lucky, this area is probably an awesome camp spot! There's an information station along River Rd with a pit toilet house. On the billboard you'll find a map of the designated camp spots along both River Rd and Millstone. Take a picture of it. There's no reception here but that's how you know it's a nice area!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Ravensburg State Park Campground

    Use lat and long to find peaceful woods by stream

    Nice and shaded! No one there but us in site 6, not even a ranger checked on us. Has modern toilets and shower. Most sites are spacious. They have nice raised tent pads. It’s very humid so many picnic tables have green moss.

    First come first serve but still had to pay transaction fee! which was annoying for our one night stay as if rather the state parks get that.

    Use lat and long coordinates for directions or you will be in the wrong spot.


Guide to Sinnamahoning

Camping near Sinnamahoning, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are great trails in the area. One camper mentioned, "There are a few nice scenic trails that go to the lake and through the woods. Some are kid bike friendly." This makes it perfect for families wanting to explore nature.
  • Stargazing: If you're into astronomy, check out Cherry Springs State Park Campground. A visitor raved, "Great place for stargazing and astronomy! The campground was well maintained."
  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Parker Dam State Park Campground, offer access to lakes for fishing and kayaking. One reviewer said, "There is a nice little lake area where you can rent kayaks and paddle boards."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. A visitor at Black Moshannon State Park Campground noted, "The bathhouse was pristine, and the shower was clean with plentiful hot water."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds have roomy sites. One camper at Lyman Run State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are well spaced so you don’t feel like it’s crowded."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers often mention the welcoming vibe. A reviewer at Bellefonte-State College KOA said, "Everyone there was super polite and friendly."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Sinnemahoning State Park Campground, have little to no cell service. One camper noted, "There is zero cell service/WiFi at the park."
  • Seasonal Availability: Some campgrounds are only open during certain months. For example, Parker Dam State Park Campground operates from the 2nd Friday in April to mid-December.
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife sightings. A visitor at Sinnemahoning State Park Campground shared, "I had a close encounter with a massive bull elk just walking from my campsite to the restrooms at dawn!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A camper at Black Moshannon State Park Campground mentioned, "Nice playground at the campground and also one at the beach."
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds have limited food options. A visitor at Lyman Run State Park Campground noted, "The concession stand by the beach only took cash while we were there."
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Campers enjoy having space for games. One reviewer at Parker Dam State Park Campground said, "Grassy area for cornhole or playing."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Bellefonte-State College KOA mentioned, "Some pull-thru sites have a very steep short hill to go up which made for some RVs scraping bottom."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need them. A visitor at DuBois / Treasure Lake KOA noted, "Most sites are huge."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during weekends. A camper at Parker Dam State Park Campground said, "This camp ground feels very crowded."

Camping near Sinnamahoning, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a fun-filled weekend, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Sinnemahoning State Park campground located?

Sinnemahoning State Park Campground is located near Austin in Cameron and Potter Counties, Pennsylvania. It's situated in the heart of the PA Wilds region, providing access to the scenic Sinnemahoning Creek. The park is part of Pennsylvania's extensive state park system in the northern part of the state, nestled among the Allegheny Mountains. The area is known for its wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly elk watching, similar to nearby Austin Campground which serves as a good base for visitors to Elk State Forest.

What is the layout of Sinnemahoning State Park campground?

Sinnemahoning State Park campground features a straightforward layout with multiple access options, including drive-in, boat-in, and walk-in sites. The campground offers reservable spaces with toilet facilities and is big-rig friendly for RV campers. Similar to the setup at Upper Campground — Kettle Creek State Park, the campground has a rustic feel while still providing essential amenities. The layout takes advantage of the natural surroundings, with sites positioned to maximize privacy and scenic views. For those seeking a quieter experience with wildlife viewing opportunities, Hicks Run nearby offers a comparable layout with drive-in and walk-in access.

Are cabins available at Sinnemahoning State Park?

Sinnemahoning State Park does not offer cabin accommodations. However, if you're looking for cabins in the Pennsylvania Wilds region, several nearby state parks do provide cabin options. Ole Bull State Park Campground in Potter County offers cabins with amenities like electricity and is located within reasonable driving distance. Alternatively, Lyman Run State Park Campground provides modern cabins for visitors seeking a more comfortable camping experience while still enjoying the Pennsylvania wilderness.