168 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State parks and forests surrounding Troy, Pennsylvania feature diverse camping options within the scenic northern tier of the state. Worlds End State Park Campground in Forksville offers year-round camping with electric hookups and cabins along Loyalsock Creek, while Hills Creek State Park near Wellsboro provides lakeside sites with options for tents, RVs, and yurts. Within an hour's drive, campers can access Ricketts Glen State Park with its famous waterfalls, Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground with full amenities, and primitive sites in Loyalsock State Forest. The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, accessible from Leonard Harrison State Park, serves as a centerpiece attraction with campgrounds positioned along its dramatic rim overlooks.
Camping permits and reservations are essential during peak season from late spring through fall, with most state park campgrounds operating from April through October. Cell service becomes limited in the more remote areas, particularly at Worlds End State Park where visitors report "zero cell service" but appreciate the firewood available on the honor system. Winter camping options are limited primarily to Worlds End and Ricketts Glen State Parks, which remain open year-round. As one camper noted, "It really does feel like you drive to the end of the world to get to this beautiful park." The region experiences significant seasonal variation with cold, snowy winters and mild summers, making spring and fall particularly popular for camping.
Pennsylvania state parks in the region receive consistently high marks for clean facilities and well-maintained sites. Visitors frequently mention the exceptional hiking opportunities, particularly trails leading to waterfalls and canyon overlooks. One camper at Hills Creek State Park reported, "Sites are huge and we had one of the lakes right behind our site. Wildlife everywhere. Hiking, fishing, kayaking...you name it." Bathhouses at Pennsylvania state parks are frequently praised, with one reviewer noting they "get an A+ for bathhouse cleanliness." During summer weekends, popular waterfront sites fill quickly, while off-season camping offers more solitude. Free primitive camping in Loyalsock State Forest requires permits from the ranger office but provides a more secluded experience.
"The park has some good trails with amazing views, a beach area and Loyalsock creek. The campsite was a bit cramped and right next to the main road going in and out of the park."
"This is another Pennsylvania state park with excellent recycling facilities."
from $20 - $62 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $20 - $58 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"
"Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty)."
from $20 - $92 / night
Check Availability"The tent sites are located in the back of the campground behind the sports field within the trees. I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to see them but they have them pictured on their website."
"Great family campground, decent sized sites, many lake side sites, very clean bathrooms/ showers. Several playgrounds, heated pool, pet friendly with shots paperwork."
"Pretty self serve, rangers drive through often but never seems to be anyone at the check-in. You can reserve a site or a cabin, or you can show up after three and see what is open."
from $21 - $81 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $22 - $35 / night
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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.
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.
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.
TravelerStayed one night. Spot was great! It had rained so we weren't able to have a fire, but there was a spot where others had one previously. A little road noise from Rt 79, but honestly wasn't terrible.
ScoutEveryone here was helpful and friendly. It is extremely clean and well run while the showers and laundry room could use a little facelift but clean clean clean.
ScoutI stayed at a tent site here and was the only one in the tent area. The tent plots are a bit small especially if you have a large car. The bath house was really well kept and modern. The camp was clean and looks pleasant. Great location for hiking.
LegendThis is a state park centered on the amazing geologic features of Enfield Glen. A waterfall cascades through a gorge here, ending in a beautiful pool for swimming at the base of the falls, with a trout stream flowing out of it towards nearby Cayuga Lake. For the geologically curious, the trails through the gorge are fascinating and educational. And fossils abound, easily visible in the stream flowing out of the falls. This was a main draw for me about this park, as was the proximity to the paleontology institute and Museum of the Earth just to the north in the hamlet of Trumansburg. https://www.museumoftheearth.org/
Within the park itself, there are camping options for both tent and trailer camping. However, even if you usually prefer campground camping, it might be well worth your while to consider the camper cabins. These beautiful rustic cabins are located alongshore and adjacent to the falls in one of the most beautiful parts of the park! Although hikers and swimmers walk the trails nearby to the cabins alot during the day, they are usually done by late afternoon and then your cabin site is peaceful, shady and quiet, with the main sound being wind through the hemlocks and rippling of water over the stones in the brook closeby. Pull up a rocker and ease your way into a peaceful evening! Great location as a basecamp not only to explore the park, but also the nearby Geology museum as mentioned, plus Ithaca, Cayuga Lake, and area vineyards
Northern Pennsylvania's camping areas near Troy typically feature forested terrain at elevations between 1,200-1,800 feet, creating distinct microclimates throughout the region. The area experiences moderate snowfall in winter, while summer temperatures average 70-80°F with cooler evenings. Many campgrounds in the northern tier operate with limited or no cell service, making them ideal for those wanting to disconnect.
Lake activities and fishing: Hills Creek State Park Campground offers excellent lake access with multiple boat launches. "Sites are huge and we had one of the lakes right behind our site. Wildlife everywhere. Hiking, fishing, kayaking...you name it," shares one Hills Creek visitor. Fishing licenses aren't required at Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground, where catch-and-release fishing is available. "You can rent non-electric boats and they offer catch & release fishing without a PA license in the lake. My son caught 2 sunfish," reports a camper.
Hiking the gorges: Multiple state parks feature extensive trail systems with varied difficulty levels. At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, the Falls Trail showcases 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. The trails are very well marked," notes one visitor. The High Rock Trail at Worlds End is recommended for more adventurous hikers. "There is a lot of rock scrambling, but it is a beautiful trail," explains a reviewer.
River exploration: Several campgrounds provide access to local waterways like Loyalsock Creek. "We had the pleasure of renting a cabin at World's End State Park... We were immediately in love with the babbling river that ran right beside our cabin," shares a camper. The Susquehanna River offers broader water experiences at Riverside Acres where "the river in front of first row sites is 200 m broad. Eagles fish here. You can too."
Quiet, disconnected atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the isolation these campgrounds provide. "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," explains a visitor at Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground. Similarly, Worlds End gets praise for its remoteness: "It feels like you're in another world, or at least separated from the daily hassles and vexations of society, with a wall of a mountain between you and them."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness is consistently mentioned as a positive. "The bathhouse was clean but not adequate for 73 sites," notes a Ricketts Glen camper. At Ives Run, reviews indicate "this campground is very clean and very up kept. I try to camp here ones a year." Pine Cradle Lake receives similar praise: "Bathhouse is clean. They had a nice playground, heated pool, pet friendly with shots paperwork."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer well-sized sites with good spacing. "The sites are spaced a decent amount apart and are generous in size," notes a Worlds End visitor. At Hills Creek, "sites are nice size," and Ives Run features "sites are very spacious and clean."
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winter availability. "The Park is open year-round," notes a Worlds End reviewer, making it one of the few with winter access. At Hills Creek State Park Campground, the season runs "2nd Fri April to 3rd weekend October."
Limited amenities: Many campgrounds have restricted services. "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered," reports a Ricketts Glen visitor. At Sunfish Pond, "The water source was rust laden; I wouldn't drink it. It came out of a black hose."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. "It fills up quickly and you need to reserve many months ahead of time especially for holidays," warns an Ives Run camper. For tent sites at Pine Cradle Lake, availability is extremely limited: "they only have 4 (which also have water & electric)."
Educational programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities. "The rangers offer educational programs that are free of charge!" shares a Hills Creek visitor. These programs typically focus on local wildlife and history, providing learning opportunities for children of all ages.
Playground access: Newtown Battlefield State Park Campground and other sites feature play areas. "Camp sites are tidy and well mowed, a trash can at each site, nice combo grill/fire ring," notes a visitor. Pine Cradle Lake has "multiple playgrounds, a sports field, fishing, horse shoes, bocce ball," making it ideal for active families.
Swimming options: Several parks offer dedicated swimming areas. "The swim area is one of the best around. Playgrounds are fun & the snack stand is a little expensive, but delicious!" reports a Hills Creek camper. Watkins Glen features "a nice playground, but it is a mile away from the campground."
Hookup availability: Campgrounds offer varied electric service. At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, "The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between. We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves." For Ives Run, one camper advises, "some sites 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."
Site selection: Many campgrounds have significant variation between sites. "I'd recommend the higher loop if you can. However, some of the sites on the lower loop are close to the road but the road noise isn't too bad," shares a visitor at Pine Cradle Lake. At Worlds End, "Sites 65 and 66 look like the best ones available, as they are up off the road a bit so they have a bit more privacy."
Terrain considerations: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. "The entry road to the campground itself is a very steep, narrow road with a small curve at the top," warns a visitor to Jellystone Park PA Wilds. At Riverside Acres, "second row has water/electric, shade trees and lawn frontage," which some RVers prefer over riverside sites that may lack hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Troy camping areas?
Camping areas near Troy provide various amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Hills Creek State Park Campground offers clean bathrooms, lakefront sites, and activities like hiking, fishing, and kayaking. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground features a gated entrance with water and electric hookups even at their tent sites. Other campgrounds in the region typically provide toilets and water access, while some like Little Pine State Park Campground offer electric hookups with convenient water fill stations and dump facilities for RVs.
Where can I find camping sites in Troy?
The Troy area offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Worlds End State Park Campground provides sites nestled in the mountains along Loyalsock Creek, though sites vary in size and some can feel cramped. For water views, Tompkins sits just off US 15 at the New York border with paved roads and waterfront sites in the Bench Loop. Additional options include Sunfish Pond County Park near Canton and Riverside Acres Campground near Towanda, both offering drive-in sites with basic amenities.
When is the best time of year to camp in Troy?
Late spring through early fall (May-October) offers the most pleasant camping conditions near Troy. Leonard Harrison State Park Campground is particularly beautiful during this period, offering access to the stunning "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon." Fall provides spectacular foliage viewing at Colton Point State Park Campground, known for its incredible canyon views. While some hardy campers visit in November as noted at Worlds End State Park, most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally and may close or offer limited services during winter months due to snow and colder temperatures.
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