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Camping near Tioga-Hammond Lakes

531 Reviews

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.

Map showing campgrounds near Tioga-Hammond Lakes, PennsylvaniaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Tioga-Hammond Lakes (184)

    1. Hills Creek State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Middlebury Center, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 724-4246

    $20 - $90 / 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."

    2. Ives Run

    15 Reviews
    Middlebury Center, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 835-5281

    $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."

    3. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds

    3 Reviews
    Mansfield, PA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (570) 662-2923

    "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."

    4. Leonard Harrison State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Gaines, PA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 724-3061

    $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."

    5. Tompkins

    4 Reviews
    Lawrenceville, PA
    12 miles
    Website

    $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."

    6. Lawrence Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Lawrenceville, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 835-5281

    $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."

    7. Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    90 Reviews
    Watkins Glen, NY
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-4511

    $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.  "

    8. Scenic View Campground LLC

    1 Review
    Cowanesque Lake, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 835-5700

    9. Stony Fork Creek Campground

    5 Reviews
    Wellsboro, PA
    19 miles
    Website

    $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."

    10. Canyon Country Campground

    6 Reviews
    Gaines, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 724-3818

    $40 - $60 / night

    "Sites are not very level nor private, but the staff is great and the grounds are walking distance to the canyon. Met some great fellow campers here, biked the river trail, and hiked the state park."

    "Minutes away from a town and the gorge. Hiking trail from the campground to the gorge! Highly recommended!!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Tioga-Hammond Lakes

227 Photos of 184 Tioga-Hammond Lakes Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Tioga-Hammond Lakes

531 Reviews of 184 Tioga-Hammond Lakes Campgrounds

  • Rachel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2025

    Hickories Park Campground

    Great location

    Beautiful park - some road noise from 17c. Sites are spacious

  • 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.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Would Stay again

    We stayed here for 2 nights car camping. quiet and clean. spots had fire rings and picnic tables. Bathrooms were clean and had potable water. There were lots of horses. There are hiking trails right out of the site! would absolutely stay here again!

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Free camping with amenities!

    26 camp sites with bathrooms! That flush! Very quiet and the sites aren’t on top of each other. People bring their horses. You can drive to to your site and tent camp or camper camp. I would come back!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Nice campground in a gorgeous state park.

    Nice pretty campground, only electric hookup for the RV sites, tho. The showers were cool, no hot water. Close to some gorgeous hiking tho! And town is about a mile away with shops, restaurants and on the edge of one of the Finger Lakes to make it beautiful!

  • 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!

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    Good location

    Location: This park is close to Ithaca which was the best part. Trails and Natural Features: We loved the waterfall, swimming area (seasonal so closed when we stayed), and the fall colors. Sites: They have very few electric sites so we decided to boondock. It surprised me that all the full hookup sites were reserved but very people actually showed up for their reservations while we stayed. Lame. And heads up that if you don’t stay in the big clearing for big rigs, there are tight turns between trees to get in and out of the non-electric sites. We ended up making a back-in site into a pull-through site… whoops. Starlink: I work remotely so internet is important. We weren’t camping in the clearing because those sites were booked, but even the Starlink struggled where we were and I ended up working from the library in town. So heads up if you need internet. Bathrooms: They were spacious but older. Temperature in the showers was tricky. Hot is cold and cold it hot. Cool stuff: They had compost bins and provide bags for all campers. That’s cool!

  • Bare Soul W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp

    Relaxing

    There is one campsite near trail. There was more traffic than I expected. Also there is no cell service. No real tires

Guide to Tioga-Hammond Lakes

Camping near Tioga-Hammond Lakes, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Hills Creek State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Beautiful and surrounded by gorgeous PA, and close to the town of Wellsboro. It's a short 10-20 minute drive to the nearby towns with the amenities you may need."
  • Fishing: Head to Ives Run for some great fishing opportunities. A reviewer said, "Lake Hammond is beautiful with great access. You can easily walk, bike, skate on miles of paved roads."
  • Kayaking and Biking: At Pettecote Junction Campground, you can rent bikes and kayaks. One visitor noted, "The location of PJC is perfect for fishing, floating/kayaking, and biking/hiking the rails to trail."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Lyman Run State Park Campground. A happy camper shared, "The site and facilities were very well kept and clean."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Worlds End State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "The sites are spaced a decent amount apart and are generous in size."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers rave about the stunning views at Leonard Harrison State Park. A visitor remarked, "The bathrooms were very clean! Walking to them was another ordeal."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for no cell service at Worlds End State Park Campground. A camper mentioned, "Absolutely no cell signal so navigating by car can be tricky."
  • Seasonal Availability: Many campgrounds, like Hills Creek State Park Campground, are only open from mid-April to late October. A reviewer noted, "Very well kept state park. Bathrooms are super clean."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Expect to see wildlife, especially at Ives Run. One camper said, "Plenty of wildlife to see from eagles to squirrels, chipmunks and more."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like Watkins Glen / Corning KOA. A parent shared, "The campground and showers were clean. There were some things that didn't work like the army truck ride, zipline, and playground."
  • Quiet Campgrounds: Choose quieter spots like Lyman Run State Park Campground for a more relaxing experience. A camper said, "Nice and quiet overall."
  • Plan for Bugs: Be ready for bugs, especially in warmer months. One camper at Little Pine State Park Campground mentioned, "It was extremely buggy when we went."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure to check the size of RV sites at Pettecote Junction Campground. A reviewer noted, "The sites are large enough, but have zero privacy between them."
  • Water and Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups, like Ives Run. A camper said, "Well established campground with many campsites, both with and without hookups."
  • Navigating the Campground: Be aware of the layout at Colton Point State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The campsites are private and you get to hike in (varying amounts of distance)."

Camping near Tioga-Hammond Lakes, Pennsylvania, is a fantastic way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories.

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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