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Best Campgrounds in Pennsylvania

3,795 Reviews

Pennsylvania state parks provide a diverse network of cabin camping options throughout the state. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground offers well-maintained cabins nestled among its famous waterfalls and old-growth forests, with sites that accommodate both rustic and modern preferences. Other notable cabin locations include Cook Forest State Park, French Creek State Park, and Promised Land State Park, which feature varying levels of amenities from primitive to full-service cabins. Most park cabins include basic furniture, electricity, and outdoor fire rings.

Road access to cabin sites varies by season, with many parks maintaining plowed roads during winter months. "Stayed at this campsite, taking our pop-up camper on its maiden voyage to the Grand Canyon of PA. The area we selected was not busy. Campsite appeared to have a lot of seasonal campers," noted one visitor about Stony Fork Creek Campground. Pennsylvania's state park cabin rental system typically requires reservations up to 11 months in advance, with peak summer and fall weekends often booking completely within days of opening. Winter cabin camping remains available at several parks including Caledonia, French Creek, and Ohiopyle, though amenities may be reduced during off-season periods.

Cabin campers frequently highlight the cleanliness and maintenance of Pennsylvania's facilities. The cabins at Gifford Pinchot State Park and Hickory Run State Park receive consistently high ratings for their proximity to water activities and hiking trails. Year-round cabin options typically include heat sources for cold-weather camping, though visitors should verify specific amenities when booking. Several reviews note the family-friendly atmosphere at many Pennsylvania cabin campgrounds, with facilities like Codorus State Park offering organized activities during summer months. Most cabin areas feature central bathhouses with showers and flush toilets, though some more remote cabin sites may only have vault toilets nearby.

Best Camping Sites in Pennsylvania (851)

    1. Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    84 Reviews
    Ohiopyle, PA
    Website
    +1 (724) 329-8591

    $20 - $54 / night

    "Ohiopyle is located in a beautiful area of Pennsylvania we've camped there a couple of times and have been able to get last minute tent sites. Lots of outdoor activities nearby."

    "First, I must say, we did not anticipate camping, hiking or rafting in Pennsylvania."

    2. French Creek State Park Campground

    84 Reviews
    Geigertown, PA
    Website
    +1 (610) 582-9680

    $20 - $75 / night

    "We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"

    "Bathhouse: Pennsylvania state parks get high marks for their modern, clean restrooms and this park (at least the B Loop) was no exception."

    3. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Sweet Valley, PA
    Website
    +1 (570) 477-5675

    $20 - $92 / night

    "The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"

    "Campground is situated very short walk from beach/lake and waterfalls."

    4. Hickory Run State Park Campground

    60 Reviews
    Albrightsville, PA
    Website
    +1 (272) 808-6192

    $20 - $72 / night

    "Great location lots of hiking trails right in the park and many more close by"

    "Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground.   "

    5. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    57 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $20 - $89 / night

    "We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views.  "

    "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. "

    6. Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins

    52 Reviews
    Cooksburg, PA
    Website
    +1 (814) 744-8407

    $20 - $67 / night

    "Look at the campground map before you book your site if being close to a bathroom is important; ours was across the campsite behind us but we had to step in a rock set in the stream to get to it without"

    "There is a pet trail through the woods that was really great to take our dog rather than walking around the campground."

    7. Raccoon Creek State Park Campground

    49 Reviews
    Clinton, PA
    Website
    +1 (724) 899-2200

    $18 - $128 / night

    "One tip: each loop does not have its own entrance from a main road. To get to C you drive through or past A and B. Same with E and F. Each loop has its own set of flush toilets and showers."

    "All and All great place to camp, good things; 1) lots of deer, turkeys, racoons, owls etc. 2) close to a farmer's market Jankowski's great place to get fresh food, 3) once you have level camp, all good"

    8. Codorus State Park Campground

    42 Reviews
    Porters Sideling, PA
    Website
    +1 (717) 637-2816

    $20 - $195 / night

    "The trails from Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail.  The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some.  "

    "Older State Park just outside of Hanover, PA. Used it as a home base to explore Gettysburg and the surrounding area."

    9. Caledonia State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Fayetteville, PA
    Website
    +1 (717) 352-2161

    $20 - $92 / night

    "Stayed here two nights while visiting Gettysburg (short 20mi drive between the two). Stayed on Chinquapin Hill, each site has picnic table and fire ring and good space for camp."

    "It’s a fantastic state park with great picnic areas next to the creek. You can also drive up the road to the dam where there’s a beautiful lake with fishing, kayaking, etc."

    10. Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park

    33 Reviews
    Skytop, PA
    Website
    +1 (570) 676-3428

    $20 - $44 / night

    "Pros: beautiful new bathrooms -private lakeside walk-in sites -beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless -the Conservation Walk on the island is short, easy, and beautiful. Well-marked."

    "Some sites are right on the lake, just put the kayak on the shore, and you're ready for an early morning paddle."

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3795 Reviews of 851 Pennsylvania Campgrounds

  • Matt S.
    Jun. 24, 2026

    Gettysburg Campground

    Great Location in Gettysburg

    We spent 4 nights at Gettysburg Campground to attend the AIM Club Rally(Lincoln’s Legacy- Gettysburg 250), and it served as base camp for the event. 

    WHAT I LIKED: 

    • Location, Location, Location: This park is an absolute winner for convenience—just 5 minutes from the Gettysburg battlefields, museums, and the heart of town. 

    • The Atmosphere: The staff gave us a warm reception at check-in, and the site itself was clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to back up to a running creek. Lots of mature trees offer lots of shade and character. 

    • Big-Rig Friendly: Navigating a 45-foot motorhome with a toad can sometimes be stressful, but this park was easy to maneuver. 

    WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH: 

    • Late-Night Power Struggles: On our final night, the campground experienced grid strain. Our Hughes Watchdog Power Center saved the day—but it had to shut off our power 7 different times due to low voltage. Aside from losing a few hours of sleep to the chorus of appliances cycling off and on, no harm was done. I recommend using a surge protector/voltage regulator if you stay here. 

    WOULD WE COME BACK? 

    • Absolutely! Minor power hiccups aside, this is a beautiful, clean park situated right in the middle of everything you'd want to see and do in the area.
  • Matt S.
    Jun. 24, 2026

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Quiet Park with a Tight Fit

    We spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night. 

    WHAT I LIKED: 

    • Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious. 

    • Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground. 

    WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH: 

    • The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level. 

    • Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side. 

    WOULD WE COME BACK? 

    • Probably. While the site geometry required a little extra setup muscle, it’s hard to beat the location if you're visiting the area or catching the balloon festival.
  • Bryan S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2026

    Harts Content Campground

    The showers were… functional.

    Stayed one night while visiting friends. The campground was nice but could use some updating. It was definitely geared more towards families with small children. The showers were interesting. In the men’s they had a pull cord and a button in the women’s. Hot water was more of a mild suggestion rather than an actual thing you got. Luke warm was a generous way of describing it. Not a bad campground if you have a reason to be in the area for a night, but I would recommend it for long stayed unless your camper is very self contained.

  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2026

    Standing Stone Farm

    Very private campsite

    Super nice owner and its a privately owned farm. Went above and beyond clearing out a spot for us with only 4 hours if advance

  • J
    Jun. 21, 2026

    Gettysburg Campground

    Everything clean

    Flat grounds, level campsites, nice pool, kids have tons of fun!

  • Julie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2026

    Forest Ridge Campground

    great spot!

    Very nice and well kept. great campground for families with kids. has a playground, heated pool. they also had rock painting activities. the store is cute- they also have a little shop in there.

    Restrooms/showers are super clean!

  • Chance H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 19, 2026

    Branch Camp

    Great place

    Other campers are nice and welcome. The river is close and just a great location.

  • Patrick Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 19, 2026

    Granite Hill Camping Resort

    Campground is poorly maintained

    The grounds are poorly kept. It is mostly occupied by what appears to be abandoned seasonal sites. There is no WiFi. Service is spotty. Management seems inconsistent on enforcing rules and tends to be less favorable to campers visiting for a weekend.

  • D
    Jun. 19, 2026

    Hemlock Campground & Cottages

    Hemlock Campground

    Exceptional, clean bathrooms. Best I’ve seen. WiFi good, campsite reasonably level. Nestled in the trees, relaxing.

Guide to Pennsylvania

Camping in Pennsylvania offers a mix of beautiful landscapes, family-friendly activities, and unique experiences. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there's something for everyone in the Keystone State.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Many campgrounds, like Cook Forest State Park Campground, have trails that wind through stunning forests. One camper noted, “If you're into hiking, there's lots to see here.”
  • Stargazing: For those who love the night sky, Cherry Springs State Park Campground is a must-visit. A reviewer said, “Great place for stargazing and astronomy!”
  • Water Activities: Campgrounds near lakes, like Seven Points, offer swimming, kayaking, and fishing. One visitor shared, “The lake is a great place to kayak, paddleboard, or just relax and enjoy the view.”

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review from Lyman Run State Park Campground mentions, “This has to be the best campground I’ve ever been to. From the beautiful lake to the stunning views of the vistas, you are always feeling at peace.”
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A camper at Black Moshannon State Park Campground said, “The bathhouse was pristine, and the shower was clean with plentiful hot water.”
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Crooked Run Campground — Prince Gallitzin State Park are great for families. One reviewer stated, “This is a great campground. Private beach on the lake for campground guest use only as well as a playground.”

What you should know

  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Parker Dam State Park Campground mentioned, “The individual camp sites are all right on top of each other.”
  • Limited Cell Service: Many areas have poor cell reception. A camper at Black Moshannon State Park Campground noted, “Verizon and AT&T cell service were basically non-existent.”
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Clear Creek State Park Campground said, “It is often challenging to reserve a site unless done far in advance.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A reviewer at Crooked Run Campground said, “There is a nice little lake area where you can rent kayaks and paddle boards.”
  • Pack Snacks and Meals: Some campgrounds don’t have stores nearby. A camper at Cook Forest State Park Campground mentioned, “There’s no camp store in the campground, which is something they could improve upon.”
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Many campgrounds have quiet hours. A visitor at Parker Dam State Park Campground noted, “Folks were very friendly, but nighttime was silent.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Some sites may not accommodate larger RVs. A camper at Seven Points said, “The sites here are some of the nicest we have ever seen. They are all big and private.”
  • Utilize Dump Stations: Make sure to empty your tanks before heading to your site. A reviewer at Red Bridge Recreation Area mentioned, “Each loop has a pit potty on it. Shower facility in the park, very very hot water.”
  • Bring Extra Water: Some campgrounds may not have water hookups. A camper at Bald Eagle State Park Primitive Campsite noted, “No water on site but available.”

Camping in Pennsylvania offers a unique blend of nature, family fun, and adventure. With so many options, you're bound to find the perfect spot for your next getaway!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the top waterfront camping sites in Pennsylvania?

Seven Points (PA) stands out with over 200 sites along beautiful Lake Raystown, offering prime waterfront locations and activities like swimming, fishing, and kayaking. Linesville Campground — Pymatuning State Park sits on the Pennsylvania-Ohio border beside a large lake, making it a fishing paradise with electric and non-electric sites available. Other excellent waterfront options include Ricketts Glen State Park with lakeside camping and spectacular waterfalls, and Gifford Pinchot State Park featuring shoreline camping on Pinchot Lake. For river enthusiasts, Clear Creek State Park offers sites along the Clarion River with excellent kayaking opportunities.

What are the best Pennsylvania state parks for camping?

Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins is a top choice with spacious sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings with grills, though bathroom facilities could use updating. Leonard Harrison State Park Campground offers an incredible experience adjacent to the stunning "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon" with beautiful views and exploration opportunities. Other excellent options include Worlds End State Park with amazing trail views and beach access along Loyalsock Creek, Lyman Run State Park with nearby Cherry Springs Dark Park for stargazing, and Hickory Run State Park featuring the famous Boulder Field. Most Pennsylvania state parks offer a mix of electric and non-electric sites, clean facilities, and abundant recreational activities.

What are the best campgrounds in Pennsylvania for families?

Pennsylvania offers excellent family-friendly campgrounds with activities for all ages. Pinch Pond Family Campground & RV Park features spacious sites, organized activities like music bingo, and convenient access to nearby attractions. Double Rainbow Farm provides a unique experience with friendly farm animals, swimming in the pond, and hiking opportunities in the adjacent National Forest. Families also enjoy Pequea Creek Campground for its picturesque setting, large sites with plenty of trees, and proximity to Lancaster's attractions, including covered bridges and river tubing. Look for campgrounds with amenities like playgrounds, swimming areas, and scheduled activities to keep children entertained throughout your stay.

What should I know about tent camping in Pennsylvania?

When tent camping in Pennsylvania, site selection is crucial. At Clear Creek State Park Campground, you'll find excellent tent sites, though RVers should avoid non-power sites due to uneven terrain. Lyman Run State Park Campground offers ideal tent camping with convenient amenities and incredible stargazing opportunities at nearby Cherry Springs Dark Park. Pennsylvania's seasonal weather requires preparation—pack for temperature variations even in summer, and be prepared for rain. Most state parks offer tent-specific areas with level pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Always check reservation requirements as popular parks fill quickly during peak season (May-October). Consider elevating your tent with a footprint to manage occasional dampness, and be aware that many parks enforce quiet hours starting at 10 PM.

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