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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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)."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
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