Campsites throughout the Pennsylvania Wilds region surrounding Westport occupy various ecosystems including dense forest, riverside areas, and lakefront settings. The region typically experiences warm, humid summers with daytime temperatures reaching 75-85°F and cooler autumn nights dropping into the 40s. Many campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 700-1,500 feet, contributing to distinct microclimates compared to nearby valleys.
What to do
Elk viewing: September-October is prime time for spotting elk at Hicks Run in Driftwood. "Saw 2 elk 100 ft from campground. It was nice," reports camper Danielle. The campground provides easy access to designated viewing areas in the Pennsylvania Elk Range.
Swimming in natural water: June-August at several locations including creeks and lakes. "There is a swimming hole in the small creek that's great! Kids loved it! Also the river is just down on 555 with a kayak launch," notes Amber W. about Hicks Run.
Hang gliding observation: Year-round at Hyner Run State Park Campground. "Its cool to see the hang gliders jump off and ride the wind," shares Shee N. The nearby Hyner View overlook serves as a launch point for hang gliders.
Fishing: April-October at many campgrounds with creek or lake access. "Fish right from your site and in most cases it's easy to launch your kayak also," explains Amber W. about Upper Campground — Kettle Creek State Park.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for cooling off. "We stayed at site 8 which is creekside. It was a large, beautiful site and the sound of the burbling water lulled us to sleep every night," shares Danielle S. about Hyner Run State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Modern amenities receive consistent praise. "The shower houses have always been the cleanest and best maintained of any state park we have been too!" notes Amber W. about Upper Campground at Kettle Creek State Park.
Wildlife encounters: The region supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. "The upper campground has a rustic feel, beautiful views and is a great location for wildlife encounters," says Mary H. about Primitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park. "We wanted to encounter wildlife; went looking for it and found it!"
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer ample room between sites. "Campsites were very large. Pulled our 23 ft and 32 ft campers sideways across the sites," notes Tyler R. about Riverview Campsites in Benezette.
What you should know
Rattlesnakes: Venomous snakes inhabit some areas, particularly during summer months. "The only downside to the area is the quantity of timber rattle snakes that we encountered, one at our site and one in the woods nearby. Something to keep in mind if you have pets or small children," warns Danielle S. at Hyner Run.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature sloped terrain. "We are tent campers, and without the need for hookup and never having been there, we reserved site 45--but do not recommend it for its challenging slope," advises Mary H. about Bald Eagle State Park.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "You're down in a hollow, so not the best reception," notes Danielle about Hicks Run campground.
Water sources: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. "No water. We filled up at Parker dam state park," reports Amber W. about camping at Riverview Campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "Playgrounds in both loops," notes Amber W. about Upper Campground at Kettle Creek State Park, providing options for children of different ages.
Swimming options: Natural water features offer swimming opportunities. "The kids go below the overflow and swim, just watch for snakes!" advises Amber W. about Kettle Creek. Beach areas provide more controlled swimming environments.
Family-friendly hiking: Shorter trails accommodate younger hikers. "We started on some of the hike and wished we could stay longer. The area is peaceful and serene in the fall months," shares Matthew F. about Hicks Run.
Wildlife viewing with kids: Scheduled wildlife observation can entertain children. "An elk viewing plot is just across from the kayak launch site/parking lot. Not far from Benezette," notes Amber W., highlighting accessible wildlife viewing opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites strategically for more space. "We lucked out and got a fantastic site on the hill. #75 it was secluded and had a big lawn," shares Ryan P. about Bellefonte-State College KOA.
Leveling considerations: Bring adequate leveling equipment. "Make sure you have leveling tools as the sites are not very level side-to-side," advises Joel A. about the Bellefonte-State College KOA.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. "The section in the front of the park is open with spotty trees; whereas, sites in the back of the park are tucked in the woods and are a lot more private. Roads in the back section are narrow and the sites are not very long and suitable for small campers," notes Nancy W. about the Bellefonte KOA.
Site selection for large rigs: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs. "If you have a large rig it's a tight fit," warns Amber W. about the Upper Campground at Kettle Creek State Park, suggesting campers with larger vehicles check site dimensions before booking.
