Cabin camping near Watsontown, Pennsylvania offers accommodations within Pennsylvania's Ridge and Valley region at elevations ranging from 450-900 feet. The area features several creeks and rivers including the Susquehanna River and Penn's Creek, creating opportunities for waterside camping. Weather varies significantly with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping season while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures and occasionally muddy conditions at riverside sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground features both lake and stream fishing opportunities. "Amazing Hiking, Lots Of Fun, Nice Fishing, Friendly, And Nice Beach And Store," notes one visitor who appreciates the variety of activities available.
Visit theme parks: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to Knoebels Amusement Park. "Connected to the park, a great way to visit! If you're an early to bed kinda person it'll be tough, the roller coasters are right there! I loved it though," shares a Knoebels Campground guest.
Explore waterways: Riverside Campground offers direct access to the Susquehanna River for boating, fishing, and paddling. A camper reports, "We all took the kayaks out on the Susquehanna River that runs behind the property for a sunny paddle. Came back and went to a wine fest, in the park that is right next to the campground."
Swimming access: Multiple swimming options exist from natural water features to pools. "The lake is small, more like a pond, but super cold and clean water, as it is fed by two mountains streams. The beach is amazing. Tons and tons of clean sand, no rocks, and lots of space to play and swim," describes a visitor to Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground.
What campers like
Family-friendly activities: Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Milton schedules regular events for families. "This place was awesome! My children had so much fun. They had the entire weekend planned for us. My wife and I don't like to so having a busy weekend for the kiddos was a great thing. There were so many activities to choose from," notes a Jellystone Park visitor.
Waterfront sites: Several campgrounds offer riverside or lakeside accommodations. "Our site was right along the river, the view was amazing and the site was huge," explains a camper at Splash Magic RV Resort.
Convenient food options: On-site dining options mean less meal planning for shorter stays. "After setting up, we went to the lounge. Missy was the bartender. Superb service - very friendly. We ordered dinner. Both were good," shares a Riverside Campground guest.
Natural surroundings: The forested settings provide peaceful environments. "A typical PA State Park campground. Nice enough, but awesome location. Make sure you check out the falls!" advises a Ricketts Glen visitor.
What you should know
Cabin varieties and limitations: Cabin styles vary significantly between locations. "Single cabins have three double beds with two up top in the loft and one down below. I would suggest bringing an air mattress to sleep on as the mats are old and used," explains a camper from Knoebels Campground.
Site privacy concerns: Many campgrounds have closely spaced sites. "Site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other. Also no service (Verizon)," notes a visitor to Ricketts Glen State Park Campground.
Water issues: Some locations experience seasonal water quality problems. "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."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites book quickly, especially during summer months. "Book early as they sell out fast!" advises a Knoebels visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playground facilities. "The playground was fantastic and looked to be new, and there was a jumping pillow and a pool (we didn't get to use these because of the rain but they looked like fun!)," shares a visitor to Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA.
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained. "Peaceful place to camp. Pool, nice playground with neat zipline for kids. Animals to see and feed. Hayride or firetruck ride in evening. Movie at night. Crafts to do with kids too."
Swimming options: Many campgrounds maintain pools for safe swimming. "We spent four nights here (May 13-17, 2022). This is a nice, well run, family oriented CG (a lot of kids on the weekend) with reasonably level pull through and back-in gravel sites."
On-site dining: Camp stores often provide food options. "The office store is nice (ice cream and pizza made to order!). The laundry room was clean. We did not make use of the bathrooms or showers."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites at some locations. "The site was plenty spacious for our pup and TV, but was not level at all. In fact, none of the surrounding sites looked very level."
Utility service quality: Electrical service can be inconsistent during peak usage. "Electric ran below 110 volts the entire weekend and the water had a brownish tint to it. It was a VERY hot weekend so I should mention that everyone had their air running."
Site selection advice: Choose sites based on specific needs. "We had a site right on the river which was absolutely beautiful. Navigating to the site itself definitely tests your skills when you have a total rig length of 52'."
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects site conditions at Little Mexico Campground. "We spent a weekend there. Our site was big. The pool is nice. That's about it. It had rained but there were so many mud puddles everywhere. They really need to fill in pot holes with some stones."
