Camping spots near Wellsboro, Pennsylvania range from primitive walk-in sites to full-hookup RV accommodations, with elevations between 1,200-1,900 feet throughout the region. The area receives approximately 42 inches of precipitation annually with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping season. Cellular connectivity varies dramatically across campgrounds in the region, with stronger signals in developed areas and limited to no service in more remote locations.
What to do
Hike the Turkey Path: Leonard Harrison State Park Campground offers direct access to challenging canyon trails. "There is a hiking trail that will take you down into the canyon. It is a mile or so and pretty steep, but well maintained. Portions are steps. There are a few waterfalls to view on the way down," explains Denice S., who noted the excellent fishing opportunities at the trail's end.
Bike the Pine Creek Rail Trail: Pettecote Junction Campground sits directly adjacent to this popular trail. "The location of PJC is perfect for fishing, floating/kayaking, and biking/hiking the rails to trail. There are many nearby hikes throughout the canyon for the more adventures travelers," shares Craig F., who appreciated the campground's creek-side location.
Visit the fire tower: Canyon Country Campground connects to local viewpoints. "The whole area is beautiful. I was laying in my hammock and the wind picked up so I sat up to observe if anything took off from our site," reports Jonathan F., who noted you can "hike from the campground out to the Turkey trail or go check out the fire tower (It's $5 per person and credit card only)."
Dark sky stargazing: Lyman Run State Park Campground provides access to Pennsylvania's prime astronomical viewing. "It's nestled within the gold level dark sky area. This means on a clear night and with a waning or new moon, one could see the arm of the Milky Way with millions of stars," explains Bill G., who used the park as a base for visiting multiple attractions.
What campers like
Waterfront access: DB Adventures (formerly Crooked Creek) offers direct creek frontage. "Sites right on the creek! Great for trout fisherman, and those with dogs who love water like ours," notes Patch, who also mentioned the "super clean" bathrooms and excellent playgrounds.
Spacious campsites: Hills Creek State Park provides generous sites with natural features. "Generously sized park with something for everyone. Clean, good facilities. Good walking, hiking, kayaking. Private sites can be found pretty easily," reports Rebecca E., while Dave G. noted "the campsites are fairly spacious with little signs of use."
Clean facilities: Stony Fork Creek Campground maintains high standards throughout. "The campground was exceptionally maintained, bathrooms and showers virtually spotless and the pool was clearly and consistently maintained at all times," writes Greg W., who appreciated the "plenty of space to spread out" and paved roads.
Quiet atmosphere: Leonard Harrison provides a peaceful environment despite its popularity. "We were there during the week and there were only 3 other campers in the campground," describes Denice S., who enjoyed wildlife viewing as "deer come right through the campsites."
What you should know
Off-season closures: Most campgrounds follow a mid-April to late October schedule. "Modern campground is open. Prices listed on this website are wrong. The Turkey Path Trail at Leonard Harrison State Park is CLOSED due to extensive damage with no set reopen date," reported Audrey P. in 2020, highlighting the importance of checking current trail conditions.
Campground terrain variation: Colton Point State Park Campground offers more rustic accommodations than its eastern counterpart. "Unlike Leonard Harrison, Colton Point on the western rim of the Pine Creek Gorge isn't a tourist hub. The campsites are private and you get to hike in (varying amounts of distance)," explains Emily S., who found the trails "much more manageable" despite being less developed.
Limited connectivity: Cell service and internet access vary widely. "No cell service and WiFi isn't reliable if that's what you need or are looking for," notes Brandon W. about Stony Fork Creek, though some campgrounds like Pettecote Junction offer "WIFI signal better than many campgrounds."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking. "It fills up quickly and you need to reserve many months ahead of time especially for holidays," warns James P. about Ives Run, noting it's "not group camping friendly because of the reservation system."
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreation amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park PA Wilds (formerly Bucktail) offers extensive children's activities. "Two playgrounds, a pool, two jumping pillows, mini train, carousel, and activities. Good for bike riding although hilly," shares B.C., who recommends sites "on the outer part of the loop that circles the common areas."
Consider campground layout: Stony Fork Creek has both concentrated and spaced-out areas. "Can get a bit crowded in some spots where the campers seem to be on top of one another. Luckily we didn't have one of those sites," explains Brandon W., while MJ B. found her site had "shade and woods behind us, and the ground was grassy and level."
Educational opportunities: Hills Creek State Park offers learning activities. "The nature talks were really fun for the kids and interesting for the adults," shares J.K., who found the "modern cabins" comfortable for family stays despite experiencing rainy weather during their visit.
Choose swimming options carefully: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation. "The swim area is one of the best around. Playgrounds are fun & the snack stand is a little expensive, but delicious!" notes J.K. about Hills Creek, while Lyman Run features "a beach with concessions stand and paddle boats on the lake."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Ives Run offers quality RV accommodations. "Large sites on macadam pads. Large fields behind most sites for activities," notes James P., who highlights the "full hook ups available" and central location "between Mansfield, Wellsboro and Corning."
Access challenges: Certain campgrounds have difficult approaches. "The entry road to the campground itself is a very steep, narrow road with a small curve at the top," warns B.C. about Jellystone Park, adding that "it's well-maintained but keep an eye out for campers coming down."
Hookup variations: Water and electrical connections differ between campgrounds. "Some site 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," explains Kayla N. about Ives Run.
Level site availability: Barbara S. from Hills Creek notes that "there was very little shade in most campsites so we were glad we had a cabin," while Pettecote Junction receives praise as "the sites are level" from Vanessa S., who appreciated being "literally on the river."
