Camping near Sunbury, PA

Camping sites near Sunbury, Pennsylvania range from riverfront locations to woodland settings across the Central Pennsylvania landscape. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and winter temperatures averaging 20-40°F. Most local campgrounds feature grassy or gravel sites with varying degrees of shade from mature trees.

What to do

Creek access for tubing: Little Mexico Campground offers tubing on Penn's Creek, with many guests enjoying the water activities. "The creek was amazing and the kids loved it," shares Paula R. "We used our own bathroom so I can't say how clean the public bathroom was."

Fishing opportunities: Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA includes a fishing pond that's well-stocked for family angling. "Fishing pond and great store and ice cream shop. Would definitely go back here!" notes Brandon W. The campground also offers a petting zoo that children particularly enjoy.

Amusement park access: Lake Glory Campground provides free shuttle service to Knoebels Amusement Park, making it a convenient base for park visitors. "10 minutes to Knoebels with the mighty Phoenix. The best wooden coaster on the planet. Always a great time at Lake Glory," says Vince L. He adds, "Also, don't miss The Old Mill Ice Cream. The best Ice Cream on the planet!"

What campers like

Clean facilities: Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Milton receives praise for its maintenance standards. "The facilities are immaculate and the customer service is spot on! Everything is well kept and it's centered in a beautiful valley with a creek running through," reports Brittany V.

Large sites: Many campers appreciate the roomier sites at certain campgrounds. At Indian Head Campground, "Pull thru sites are large and have plenty of space. Location is crucial venues to I-80 but no traffic noise. Friendly staff," according to Melissa F.

Waterfront camping: Splash Magic RV Resort offers riverfront sites that campers frequently mention. "Our site was right along the river, the view was amazing and the site was huge," notes Traci F. The campground also features water slides and a swimming pool that families enjoy.

What you should know

Site dimensions vary widely: At many local campgrounds, site size can be a concern. At Fantasy Island Campground, one camper reported, "Very tight parking, I told them my trailer was 35 feet long, they put me in a site that was impossible to back into. 4 different sites had to move their vehicles and I still couldn't do it."

Temperature fluctuations: The area experiences significant temperature changes, even during summer months. At Knoebels Campground, "We went in late august and although it was pool weather during the day time the temperatures dropped somewhat dramatically into the evening hours so bring clothes for both 70-80 degree weather and 40-50 degree weather overnight," advises Derek W.

Off-season limitations: Many campgrounds in the region have limited availability from November through March. Penn Avon Campground operates from April 1 to October 31, while others like Lake Glory Campground run from April 15 to October 15.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA features extensive play facilities. "The playground was fantastic and looked to be new, and there was a jumping pillow and a pool," writes Jessica N.

Scheduled activities: Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Milton provides organized events for children. "This place was awesome! My children had so much fun. They had the entire weekend planned for us. My wife and I don't like to so having a busy weekend for the kiddos was a great thing," explains Brian C.

Cabin options: Several campgrounds offer cabin rentals as alternatives to tent camping. At Knoebels Campground, "We have camped in our pop up but we have also rented the cabins here too. Single cabins have three double beds with two up top in the loft and one down below," notes Jen R., who adds a practical tip: "I would suggest bringing an air mattress to sleep on as the mats are old and used."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: RVers should prepare for uneven sites at several campgrounds. One camper at Knoebels Campground reported, "The site was plenty spacious for our pup and TV, but was not level at all. In fact, none of the surrounding sites looked very level."

Hook-up availability: Full hook-up sites are available at numerous camping areas near Sunbury, but availability varies. At Indian Head Campground, "The sites were all FHU. There seem to be many semi-permanent residents but plenty of room for transients like us passing through," according to Ralph L.

Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. When visiting Indian Head Campground, one reviewer cautions, "Some GPS (like mine) might take you off the beaten track to get here!"