Camping areas near Towanda, Pennsylvania range from wooded tent sites to full-hookup RV facilities across Bradford County. The region's terrain features elevations between 750-1,200 feet with steep access roads to many campgrounds. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F with evening lows around 55-65°F, while fall camping sees daytime highs of 55-65°F and nighttime temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Pine Valley RV Park & Campground offers catch-and-release fishing with no Pennsylvania license required. "The lakeside spots are gorgeous and the private dock is great when you have kids that love to fish," notes one visitor. The lake supports various fish species and rental boats are available.
Hiking the falls trails: The waterfalls loop at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground features 22 named waterfalls within a 7-mile trail system. "The biggest draw to this state park is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike," reports a camper. Trails are well-marked but can be challenging with steep sections.
Swimming options: Several parks maintain swimming facilities throughout summer months. Pine Cradle Lake features both a heated pool and splash pad. "We enjoyed fishing and kayaking in the lake, the heated pool and splash pad, spacious sites and clean amenities," mentions a visitor. Most swimming areas close after Labor Day weekend.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Worlds End State Park Campground provides a secluded camping experience with limited connectivity. "No cell service, which is refreshing. The sound of the creek nearby is really soothing. Sites are well maintained and well organized," says one camper. The park's location creates a natural sound barrier from nearby highways.
Star viewing: The limited light pollution makes night sky observation exceptional at several area campgrounds. "Night time is especially beautiful, you can see tons of stars on a clear night," writes a visitor to Pioneer Campground. Many sites recommend bringing star charts or astronomy apps for pre-downloaded use since cell service is limited.
Clean facilities: Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground maintains particularly clean bathroom facilities. "The owners do a fantastic job keeping the campground shipshape. Restrooms/showers are immaculate any time of day," states one camper. Most campgrounds clean facilities twice daily during peak season.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds in the hills around Towanda have restricted cellular connectivity. "There is very very little cell reception and only wifi if you pay for it. We had to put our phones and devices down and just relax," reports a camper at Pine Cradle Lake. Some campgrounds offer paid wifi at the main office area only.
Variable site spacing: Site proximity differs significantly between campgrounds and camping loops. "Sites aren't too on top of each other. Easily accessible overflow parking," notes a Worlds End visitor, while another camper observes, "Site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other."
Water testing issues: Water quality testing occasionally impacts facility availability. "[At Ricketts Glen] the water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth," explains a visitor to Hickories Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Several RV campgrounds near Towanda, Pennsylvania schedule weekend events. "They do hayrides in the summer and swimming in the lake," mentions a Pine Valley visitor. Another adds, "We were there in October, and the weekend they went they had a really cool walk through 'haunted woods' that was a lot of fun."
Swimming options for different ages: Pioneer Campground offers swimming facilities suitable for various age groups. "It was super hot so the pool was a nice cool down after a long day, and they had activities and tractor rides for the holiday weekend," notes a visitor. Splash pads at some locations provide safer water play for toddlers.
Bathroom considerations: Campground bathroom facilities vary widely. "The bathhouse was clean but not adequate for 73 sites. The campground was about ¾ full and there was often a wait in the bathroom," reports a Ricketts Glen camper. Another visitor to Pine Cradle Lake notes: "The bathrooms were fantastic, the buildings held two complete rooms with a toilet sink and shower in each. It's the only shower camping this year my 4yr old wasn't afraid of because we had the whole room to ourselves."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Most RV sites in the area require some leveling equipment. "Sites are nice with water, sewer and electric at each site," reports one camper, while another notes: "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling."
Limited shade in full-hookup sections: Many campgrounds position their full-service RV sites in open areas. "Not much shade in the full hookup loop, so was happy to have electricity for A/C," mentions a Ricketts Glen visitor. Partial hookup sites often offer more tree coverage but may lack sewer connections.
Road grade considerations: Access roads to some RV campgrounds near Towanda involve significant elevation changes and tight turns. The approach to camping areas requires careful navigation, particularly for larger rigs. "I would suggest getting there while it is still light out, there is plenty of room on the roads to get your rig around the campground, but there are lots of trees and it gets a little hard sometimes to see where the road is vs a site," advises a Pioneer Campground visitor.
