Tioga-Hammond Lakes area in Pennsylvania features a variety of developed campgrounds within a short drive of each other. Hills Creek State Park Campground provides spacious sites with full hookups, electric sites, and primitive options for tent camping. Nearby Ives Run offers additional camping with lake access, while Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park provides family-oriented facilities with amenities like pools and playgrounds. The region includes multiple state parks and Corps of Engineers recreation areas, accommodating RVs, tents, and cabin stays. Most developed campgrounds maintain modern facilities including showers, flush toilets, and electric hookups.
Camping season in the area generally runs from mid-April through October, with many campgrounds closing for winter. The terrain features rolling hills surrounding multiple lakes, creating numerous waterfront camping possibilities. Reservations are strongly recommended for summer weekends and holidays, particularly for lakeside sites which fill quickly. Most campgrounds offer both wooded and open sites, though shade availability varies. According to one visitor, "The sites are huge and the landscape is to die for. Definitely recommend." Roads within campgrounds are typically paved or well-maintained gravel, accessible to most vehicles including larger RVs at designated campgrounds.
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites throughout the region, particularly those overlooking Tioga and Hammond Lakes. Swimming beaches, boat launches, and fishing access points enhance the camping experience at multiple locations. Hills Creek State Park receives consistently positive reviews for its clean facilities and spacious sites, while Ives Run earns praise for its well-maintained grounds. A review noted, "This is the cleanest campground I have seen. Sites are very spacious and clean." Several campgrounds offer educational programs and nature walks during summer months. Proximity to Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon provides additional recreational opportunities, with multiple hiking trails accessible within a short drive from most camping areas.
$20 - $75 / night
"Sites and huge and we had one of the lakes right behind our site. If you like nature this is a great place. Wildlife everywhere. Hiking, fishing, kayaking...you name it."
"Our family loved the modern cabins which are available in my of Pennsylvania's state parks. I'd rank any other park that we visit with a five star rating."
$24 - $100 / night
"It was a great spot and happily, I was totally alone as no one had booked any of the sites near me( the closest people were about 400m away)."
"Lake Hammond is beautiful with great access."
"We always get a site on the outside of the main circle by the tower slide. There’s lots of shade and optimum view of both playgrounds to keep an eye on the kiddos."
"Woods and shade but very close to all the happenings. The big playground is new and very nice. The small one is mainly two very big playsets (pirate ship and castle). My kids enjoyed both."
$20 - $29 / night
"It was a lovely 2-night stay and awesome area to explore as we discovered the “Pennsylvania Grand Canyon”!!! Who knew!?"
"Sites 6 and 8, while close to the bathhouse, would likely have people walking through your site to get to the bathhouse. Campers have worn a path between these sites to access it."
$24 - $46 / night
"Just off US 15 at the New York border. All roads and parking pads are paved. The sites are closer together than most other COE parks where we’ve stayed."
"It is run by Army Corp of Engineers because it is on a lake with a dam. Spots are level and paved. It is always clean."
$20 - $58 / night
"I absolutely love coming to Watkins Glen Campground, especially when I went to get away from the busy city. This park has gorgeous waterfalls, and great paths to walk and hike on."
"There was one central bathroom/shower house, so if being close to a restroom is important, choose your site accordingly. Some of the campsites were quite a walk from the facilities. "
$40 - $100 / night
"Had a great few days here camped in RV next to lake. Amazing driftwood to be had. Good kayaking. Peaceful. Trees. Nice sites if close. I'd go back mid week or off season."
$40 - $100 / night
$40 - $45 / night
"Was able to choose a location that worked best for us. The area we selected was not busy. Campsite appeared to have a lot of seasonal campers."
"Stony Fork Creek is beautiful and offers nearby hiking trails, a lake, and activities."
TravelerThey have 30 amp sites. No water but there is a dump station. Bring your Starlink there is no cell signal. Bathrooms are decent. Good Stargazing(head to nearby Cherry Springs). This is one of the most “out of the way” places in the eastern US. Not quite boon docking but close. There is a guy on the corner that sells firewood. Download maps to get in and out. Listen for the Elk. Watch for Bears.
TravelerCampground is quiet, bathrooms are OK. Some sites have power, some don’t, none have water or sewer. Lots of things to do here. Been here 5 days and still haven’t done it all.
ScoutI've been coming to this campsite my whole life. It's nice and quiet, there's fishing and kayaking.
TravelerSite 80 is across from water access. But only 5 minutes to fill your tank. If you book an inside loop close to #80 you will be close to water.
TravelerLeonard Harrison State Park sits directly on the ridge of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Great hiking trails 800 feet down into the gorge where there is a flat rail trail of 65 miles for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The campsites are roomy and set far apart. There are only about 30 sites and just 8 of them or so have electric. Bathrooms and showers are conveniently located and very clean. No cell service whatsoever, so bring your board games and cards.
ScoutWe stayed two nights the week immediately after Memorial Day 2026. Park was almost empty. We had only one other travel trailer in our section. Short distance to Hammondsport NY at the south end of Keuka Lake. Great place to visit and have dinner.
GuideThe campground was decent enough, but I would probably skip it next time and stay in the state forest instead. The campsites are not especially private and while they are not directly on top of each other, you are definitely aware of nearby campers. That said, it is a great location for stargazing and the pit toilets are convenient if you prefer at least some amenities.
The biggest downside was the lack of firewood. None was available on site and there was little opportunity to gather any from the surrounding woods. After one night, I felt like I had gotten the experience. For my money, I would rather camp nearby in Susquehannock State Forest where you can find far more private and secluded spots for less cost. You give up amenities like toilets, but if privacy and a quieter camping experience matter more, the state forest feels like the better option while still keeping you close enough to enjoy the dark skies near Cherry Springs State Park.
One nearby spot that is absolutely worth the short drive is the Water Tank Vista overlook. The view alone makes the trip worthwhile, especially around sunset or on a clear day. If you are camping in the area, it is one of those places that feels like a hidden gem and adds a lot to the overall experience.
GuideThe campsite is located about three miles down from Cherry Springs State Park and Campground, just off the road. It is visible from the road, so if complete privacy is important to you, keep that in mind. That said, the setting itself is beautiful, especially the drive in through the tall pine forests which immediately gave the area a peaceful feel.
The site has two good level tent spots and one semi level spot, all within view of where you park, which made unloading and setup easy. It took me roughly an hour to get camp fully set up. One thing to know going in: there is absolutely no cell service at least with T mobile, which can either be a huge positive or a dealbreaker depending on what you’re looking for.
One of the best features of the site is a nice trail leading back to a creek that you can hear flowing from camp. I spent some time walking along it and tossed a fishing line in a few times. The current was moving pretty fast and I did not see signs of fish during my visit, but it was still a relaxing place to explore.
Firewood was a mixed bag. There are plenty of fallen trees around, but much of it was surrounded by poison ivy, so gathering wood took a little caution. Bugs were present enough that I ended up using a head net in the evening, especially after dark.
For stargazing, the location was solid. I stayed up late and managed to catch three shooting stars. I brought a telescope but the angle of the sky from my setup made it harder to use than expected. If astronomy is your main goal, you may still want to head up to Cherry Springs proper for the best viewing experience.
Overall, this is a peaceful, simple campsite with good access to nature and a quiet atmosphere. Best suited for people who are okay disconnecting completely, enjoy creekside wandering and do not mind a more rustic experience. I would camp here again, especially for a quick getaway near Cherry Springs.
GuideThis is a full service RV campground with nightly and seasonal stays. I was tent camping and, unlike most RV campgrounds, the dedicated tent area was very nice and right on the river. There’s a camp store, laundromat, showers and many different boats available for rent right in the campground. Very well run place and everything looked well kept.
The sites face a small mountain wall with the river at the base so very scenic. The river is fairly fast running so boating and swimming are for older kids/adults in this area or put in someplace calmer.
For those riding the MABDR, this is only 5 mins off the trail and a good place to relax before the final 70 miles through the PA Grand Canyon.
Tioga-Hammond Lakes campgrounds occupy a region of north-central Pennsylvania characterized by glacially-formed lakes and rolling Appalachian foothills at elevations between 1,100-1,400 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winters often dropping below freezing. Most camping facilities close between late October and mid-April due to snowfall accumulation that averages 40-60 inches annually.
Hiking to scenic vistas: Access the Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park Campground for a challenging but rewarding trek. "There is a hiking trail that will take you down into the canyon. It is a mile or so and pretty steep, but well maintained. Portions are steps. There are a few waterfalls to view on the way down," shares Denice S.
Kayaking on multiple waterways: The Tioga-Hammond Lakes region provides excellent flat-water paddling opportunities. At Hills Creek State Park Campground, one camper noted, "Good walking, hiking, kayaking. Private sites can be found pretty easily."
Fishing access points: Pine Creek and surrounding lakes offer productive fishing spots. "At the bottom you will pass the rails to trail and run into pine creek. If you walk to the left to where it gets deep. You will find some of the best fishing ever," according to a Leonard Harrison visitor.
Educational nature programs: Several campgrounds host ranger-led activities during summer months. As one camper at Hills Creek mentioned, "The rangers offer educational programs that are free of charge! Near by attractions: PA Grand Canyon!"
Well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds in the area receive high marks for cleanliness. At Ives Run, John E. wrote, "Sites are very spacious and clean. Love it here peaceful and quiet."
Spacious campsites: Campers consistently mention the generous site sizes throughout the region. At Hills Creek, Dave G. commented, "The campsites are fairly spacious with little signs of use. The shower and bathroom facilities looks brand new. Everywhere you look there is green space."
Family amenities: Campgrounds offer various features for families with children. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds, Missy noted, "Very clean facilities, lots for kids to do despite Covid. We always get a site on the outside of the main circle by the tower slide. There's lots of shade and optimum view of both playgrounds to keep an eye on the kiddos."
Lake views: Waterfront sites are particularly popular. Christopher D. from Ives Run shared, "The sites I was located on all had a small piece of water access which allowed you to sit by the water and the sites were relatively flat (although not perfect)."
Reservation timing matters: The more popular Tioga-Hammond Lakes campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. James P. advised about Ives Run: "The only draw back is that it fills up quickly and you need to reserve many months ahead of time especially for holidays."
Weather considerations: The region experiences distinct seasons that affect camping conditions. One Hills Creek visitor mentioned, "I think we picked the week with the most rain of the year to camp but it was still a lot of fun."
Wildlife awareness: Several campgrounds have active wildlife populations. A visitor to Hills Creek warned, "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!"
Varying levels of privacy: Site privacy differs significantly between campgrounds and specific loops. At Stony Fork Creek Campground, MJ B. observed, "Area is open, not offering a lot of privacy, but we had shade and woods behind us, and the ground was grassy and level."
Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas with amenities. At Hills Creek, a camper mentioned, "Lake available for swimming complete with snack bar, including ice cream!!!"
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Canyon Country Campground, Sarah M. commented, "Great little campground. Very friendly staff. Minutes away from a town and the gorge. Hiking trail from the campground to the gorge!"
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds program special events for younger visitors. A reviewer at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park noted, "Kids had a great time at this campground. Two playgrounds, a pool, two jumping pillows, mini train, carousel, and activities. Good for bike riding although hilly."
Cabin options: For families not wanting to tent camp, several locations offer cabin rentals. Barbara S. reported about Hills Creek: "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 to sit on during a rainy morning."
Hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement at some campgrounds. Kayla N. advised about Ives Run: "Some site you will need 2 hoses for your water because the hook ups are far from the sites and some of them will have the hook up facing the front of your camper."
Access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging entrance roads. B C. noted about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park: "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. There's space for getting by but it's tight."
RV site selection: Research specific loops for better RV accommodations. Brad W. commented about Leonard Harrison State Park Campground: "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."
Shade availability: Consider sun exposure when booking. One camper at Hills Creek observed, "We weren't impressed with the camping area. There was very little shade in most campsites so we were glad we had a cabin."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there boat-accessible camping spots on Hammond Lake?
Yes, Hammond Lake offers boat-accessible camping spots similar to those found at Tompkins, which features waterfront sites with direct lake access. Some primitive camping areas around the lake include small pieces of water access that allow you to dock your boat near your campsite. These sites are particularly popular during summer months but often provide more privacy as they're typically spaced further apart than road-accessible sites. For those seeking alternative boat-in camping experiences in the region, Stony Fork Creek Campground also offers boat-in access options for campers exploring the Tioga area waterways.
What amenities are available at Tioga-Hammond Lakes Recreation Area camping sites?
The Tioga-Hammond Lakes Recreation Area offers a range of amenities similar to Ives Run, which features both developed and primitive campsites. The developed areas typically include electric hookups, water fill stations at convenient locations, and well-maintained dump stations. Camping areas feature clean restrooms and shower facilities. Many sites have water access, particularly in the Bench Loop which offers waterfront camping. Most parking pads are paved, making them suitable for both tents and RVs. The recreation area also provides opportunities for hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing in the surrounding natural areas.
What are the reservation requirements and fees for camping at Tioga-Hammond Lakes?
Camping at Tioga-Hammond Lakes requires reservations for most sites, especially during peak seasons (late spring through early fall). Similar to Little Pine State Park Campground, reservations can be made online through Recreation.gov or by phone. Fees typically range from $20-35 per night depending on the type of site (primitive vs. electric hookups) and the season. Holiday weekends and summer months command higher rates and require booking well in advance. The reservation window opens 6 months before your planned stay. Some primitive sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis during off-peak seasons, but it's always recommended to secure reservations, especially for weekend camping.
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