199 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Williamsport, Pennsylvania and its surrounding areas feature a variety of camping options ranging from state parks to private campgrounds. The region includes established facilities like Riverside Campground along the Susquehanna River and Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA in New Columbia. Campers can choose between tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals at most locations. Many campgrounds in the area provide amenities such as electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables, while several state parks like Raymond B. Winter, Little Pine, and Ravensburg offer more natural settings with varying levels of development.
Seasonal considerations play a significant role in camping availability near Williamsport. While some campgrounds like Riverside Campground and Yogi At Shangri-La operate year-round, others such as Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA are open only from April to November. State parks typically operate from early spring through late fall, with Raymond B. Winter State Park open from mid-April to mid-December. Weather conditions can affect camping experiences, particularly along waterways where flooding may occur after heavy rainfall. Access to most campgrounds requires no special vehicles, though some state park areas may have more primitive roads. A visitor noted, "Park is easily accessible from I-80, just be aware of your directions and make sure they're taking you to the park via Rocky Road."
Campgrounds near water features are particularly popular in the Williamsport region. Riverside Campground provides direct access to the Susquehanna River, allowing for fishing, swimming, and kayaking opportunities. According to one camper, "The kids loved playing and fishing in the river and swimming in the pool." State parks like Ravensburg offer creek-side camping with several hiking trails. Privacy levels vary significantly between locations, with state parks generally providing more secluded sites separated by natural vegetation. More developed private campgrounds tend to have sites closer together but offer additional amenities and organized activities. Several campgrounds host weekend entertainment, particularly during summer months, with Riverside Campground featuring live music on weekends that draws both campers and locals to their on-site restaurant and bar.
"This was a nice campground to stay at when in the Williamsport area."
"We all took the kayaks out on the Susquehanna River that runs behind the property for a sunny paddle."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"We decided to stay here based on it's close proximity to Bucknell University. The staff is friendly, clientele is calm. Lots of well maintained seasonal sites."
"We were only there as an overnight stop, but walked around the park and found so many fun family activities!"
"Bordering bald eagle state forest, RB winter is in a serene wilderness. Nice campground, I have been here many times. The swimming area is a favorite during the summertime."
"So beautiful and away from everything!"
from $20 - $47 / night
Check Availability"We stayed at site 3 which was across the drive from a bathhouse which also had a shower, nothing fancy just a shower but a shower none the less."
"Electric only but water fill up is in convenient locations. Dump station is provided. Well maintained and clean. So many outdoor activities abound."
from $20 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Near to Knoebels amusement park which is a must visit too."
"The 1000 step trail is fun! Only issue is the campgrounds are close to the road and therefore are loud at night occasionally"
"As other reviewers mention, it’s right near a road so you hear car (and horse & buggy!) noise — would try to get a spot further away from the road if possible."
"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"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 $15 - $92 / night
Check Availability"The camp ground fire wood was kiln dried but cost $15 for a bag that lasted less than a day (and we used it pretty sparingly) so I would suggest buying wood nearby where it can be found much cheaper (please"
"We ended up getting a corner site right on the edge of a hill looking down on the main office and playground. It was perfect. Playground was huge with multiple playsets suitable for all ages."
"We paid $15 and drove around the place."
"We called the campground around 5:30, we were an hour away. She said no big deal just give me a call when you get here. We arrive and she takes care of us and sells us a nice bundle of firewood."
LegendWhat a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
Traveleri mean meh with the most enthusiasm as you can live your entire life & be oki not going here. the trails are small & the overlook is fenced high for falls. it’s about as much scenery as going for a walk deer hunting. it’s beginner friendly if anyone wants to start getting into parks but i feel there’s more focus on pavilions & playgrounds than calling it a state park. for anything boating or canoeing on the river it’s a good place to be but your in town so it take it for what it is
GuideSmall campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
ScoutSecond trip here. Everything you need. Peaceful, large open areas with sites in sun and shade nestled in small valley surrounded by forest,
TravelerWe wasted a couple of hours looking for the site. The directions sent us in circles. Finally just grabbed a random spot for the night.
GuideClean facilities and nice sized lots. Nature all around and extremely quiet. This place is a real price performer. Book it!
ScoutThis campground is nothing as stated in the reviews. And now I know why. The one review on here besides mine is from the owner. The bathrooms are not clean. I was told for Labor Day weekend I could stay for two nights had reserved and all. They then abruptly cancelled my reservation and took three days to respond and say I could have a different cabin and tent sight but would need to stay three nights because of the holiday. They also charged a cleaning for a service pet which is not legal. We then showed up and were the only people staying that weren’t seasonal site people and very not welcomed. The first comment made was here come the weekend warriors. We look at the cabin which was ironically filthy and covered in mouse poop yet we got charged a cleaning fee. The grass was not mowed the porter potty’s so gross bugs are crawling in the bottom. The camp store was closed during the car show they had and when we asked when it will be open they stated it will not. It was 1 pm on a Saturday. The reservation process was unorganized. The playground was not mowed or weed whacked and a slide is ratchet strapped together. I would not recommend this place to anyone.
ScoutWas my first ever camping trip with a travel trailer. Site was very clean and well maintained and staff was friendly and great to deal with. Pull through sites (section K) was a little tight - maybe that’s the norm, don’t have anything to compare to but some awnings were near the neighboring camper. Overall, awesome experience.
TravelerGreat campsite nestled right against Slate run. Plenty of trout right next to camp that I could catch. No cell service which was also a plus.
Camping near Williamsport, Pennsylvania offers diverse options on both sides of the Susquehanna River, with elevations ranging from 518 feet in the valley to over 2,000 feet in the surrounding mountains. The best places to camp near Williamsport are located primarily within a 40-mile radius and provide water access to either creeks or lakes, while state park campgrounds typically open from April through December with limited winter availability.
Hiking with waterfall views: At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, the Falls Trail features 22 named waterfalls along a moderate 4-mile loop. One camper noted, "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."
Lake swimming: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas in lakes rather than pools. Raymond B. Winter State Park has a natural lake with a sand beach. According to a visitor, "The lake is small, more like a pond, but super cold and clean water, as it is fed by two mountains streams."
Wildlife viewing: Campgrounds with petting zoos like Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA provide controlled wildlife interactions for children. A visitor shared, "A nice feature is the petting zoo. We will definitely return!" The campground includes farm animals that can be fed and petted.
Night sky observation: Several campgrounds in the region offer minimal light pollution for astronomy. One camper at Worlds End State Park reported, "The night skies were beautiful (starry starry night w/little light pollution)." Fall and winter provide longer viewing hours.
Private tent sites: Ravensburg State Park Campground offers more secluded options for tent campers. According to a review, "There are bushes and trees between the sites and it feels very private. Sometimes it can feel too secluded but the park ranger drives through a number of times."
Live music options: Seasonal entertainment at multiple campgrounds adds social elements to camping trips. At Riverside Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "The bands were great both nights. We all took the kayaks out on the Susquehanna River that runs behind the property for a sunny paddle."
Creek-side relaxation: Many campers prefer sites along small waterways rather than lakes. A camper at Ravensburg noted, "There are few hiking trails; short and long that take you to beautiful views along the creek with a couple of places deep enough to swim...And in a few sites, you can set them up right by the creek, which is my favorite part."
Quiet weekday camping: Most campgrounds in the region experience significantly lower occupancy Monday through Thursday, even in summer. At Little Pine State Park, a visitor shared, "We went on a weekday and it wasn't crowded but I've heard on the weekends it gets packed."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the region have minimal or no cellular coverage. At Worlds End State Park Campground, a camper stated, "No cell service, which is refreshing. The sound of the creek nearby is really soothing." Prepare offline maps and information.
Seasonal flooding risks: Spring camping near waterways can involve flooding after heavy rains. At Riverside Campground, one camper reported, "We unfortunately got stuck in infamous Northeast PA weather but we made the best of it. There were thunderstorms and campsite was a little flooded but we were still able to camp."
Road noise variations: Some campgrounds experience road noise despite rural settings. At Ravensburg, a reviewer noted, "The campgrounds are close to the road and therefore are loud at night occasionally." Sites further from entrance roads typically offer more quiet.
Water quality issues: Occasional water testing may affect available amenities. One camper at Ricketts Glen reported, "All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth. However, the water for the dishwashing sink was turned off as well as the water in the restroom at the trailhead."
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas at Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA to minimize walking distance. A camper reported, "The playground was fantastic and looked to be new, and there was a jumping pillow and a pool. It was very quiet and not crowded during our stay."
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events at Jellystone Park offer structured entertainment. One visitor noted, "This is the best campground for a family with little kids in north-central PA, hands down!"
Beach access for children: Raymond B. Winter State Park provides sand beaches ideal for young swimmers. A visitor shared, "The beach is amazing. Tons and tons of clean sand, no rocks, and lots of space to play and swim. The concession stand is so cool. They have great food, lots of treats, and beach supplies and toys too, all reasonably priced."
Rainy day options: Camping during Pennsylvania's unpredictable weather requires backup plans. At Happy Acres Resort, a camper mentioned, "There was a basketball court, shuffleboard and carpet pool that you could borrow equipment for," providing alternative activities during rain.
Leveling requirements: Many sites in the region require significant leveling. At Little Pine State Park Campground, a visitor observed, "This is very rustic with electric options which is nice. The campsite we were at was very large probably better for a trailer but we enjoyed the space with our tent."
Pull-through availability: Sites accommodating larger rigs without disconnecting are limited but available at select locations. At Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA, a camper shared, "We spent 1 night passing through. We were given a pull through site with water close to the bath house, which was very clean and had nice warm showers."
Winter RV options: Few campgrounds offer winter hookups, but Holiday Pines remains accessible year-round. A camper reported, "The campground has excellent service, I work online so that was a relief. Full bars on at&t and Verizon," making it suitable for digital nomads and winter camping.
Seasonal road access: Mountain elevations can affect road conditions during shoulder seasons. At Raymond B. Winter, visitors should note the campground sits at a higher elevation with steeper access roads that may become challenging after snow or heavy rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there private camping options with water access near Williamsport?
Riverside Campground & Riverside Roadhouse offers private camping with convenient water access when staying in the Williamsport area. While sites near the parking lot are somewhat close together, the campground provides a good base for exploring the region. Happy Acres Resort near Waterville is another private option with water access, offering full amenities including water hookups and facilities. For those seeking more seclusion with water features, several private campgrounds dot the region surrounding Williamsport, particularly along the Susquehanna River and its tributaries. Many private campgrounds in the area offer reservations, full hookups, and amenities like showers and laundry facilities that might not be available at public sites.
What are the best campgrounds near Williamsport, PA?
Several excellent campgrounds surround the Williamsport area. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground offers impressive hiking trails with spectacular waterfall views and is located between Williamsport and Bloomsburg. Little Pine State Park Campground features spacious sites in a beautiful mountain setting along a stream with convenient access to the Mid-State hiking trail. Other notable options include Worlds End State Park with its scenic creek access, Leonard Harrison State Park overlooking the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, and Riverside Campground for those wanting to stay closest to Williamsport proper. Most state parks in the region provide electric hookups, clean facilities, and access to outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, and water activities.
Is tent camping available at Williamsport campgrounds?
Tent camping is widely available at campgrounds near Williamsport. Worlds End State Park Campground offers tent sites, though they vary in size and some are close to the main road. The park features excellent trails with amazing views and access to Loyalsock Creek. Leonard Harrison State Park Campground also accommodates tent campers with sites near the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, perfect for families exploring the area. Many state parks in the region provide flat tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Tent campers should note that sites at state parks typically offer more rustic experiences with vault toilets or basic bathhouses, though some do provide shower facilities. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months and weekends.
What camping facilities are available in Williamsport for families?
Families camping near Williamsport have several excellent options with kid-friendly facilities. Hills Creek State Park Campground offers super clean bathrooms, huge sites, and lakefront locations perfect for families who enjoy nature and wildlife. Activities include hiking, fishing, and kayaking. Russell P Letterman Campground — Bald Eagle State Park features private sites with green space for play, easy access, and modern camping amenities. Many campgrounds in the region provide family-friendly facilities including swimming areas, playgrounds, and educational programs. The Williamsport area's state parks typically include clean restrooms, some with showers, spacious sites that accommodate family setups, and recreational opportunities like fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing that appeal to campers of all ages.
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