Leonard Harrison State Park sits on the east rim of Pine Creek Gorge, the 800-foot-deep canyon sometimes called the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, and the campground here occupies a simple loop of roughly 28 sites directly adjacent to the main overlook and visitor center. Managed by the Bureau of State Parks, the campground runs from the second Friday in April through the third Sunday in October, with nightly rates between $24 and $33. Those looking for places to camp around Leonard Harrison State Park will find a handful of nearby alternatives, including Colton Point State Park Campground on the west rim of the gorge, about a mile away.
Sites are open rather than wooded, grassy, and generally spacious, with fire rings and generously sized picnic tables. Water spigots are distributed around the loop, and the bathhouse draws consistent praise for cleanliness. Of the 28 sites, nine have electric hookups and a smaller number have full hookups with water and sewer. Reviewers note that physical separation between sites is limited despite the site sizes, and that sites 6 and 8 sit close enough to the bathhouse that foot traffic cuts through the camping area. Site 1 gets a specific mention as the best non-electric option for privacy. Cell service is essentially nonexistent here, so downloading maps and navigation before arrival is worth doing.
The campground's main draw is direct trail access. The Turkey Path descends steeply into the gorge with switchbacks, steps, and views of several waterfalls along the way, eventually reaching Pine Creek and the 65-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail at the bottom. Lee D. notes that "all of these trails are accessible from the campground," including the shorter Overlook Trail and a multi-use route suited to hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing. The Darling Run Campground in Tioga State Forest provides an alternate trailhead for the rail trail for those who want to stage a longer ride or paddle trip.
Deer move through the campsites regularly, and raccoons are active enough that food storage at night is necessary. The campground fills completely by Friday of holiday weekends, while midweek stays during shoulder season see only a handful of sites occupied. Fall foliage draws visitors in September and October, and Brad W. observes that "sites are spacious and easy to back in to," which matters for the RVs the campground accommodates up to 30 feet with full hookups. Reservations are available and advisable for summer and fall weekends.
If the gorge is the destination, this campground puts campers within a five-minute walk of the canyon rim.
Description
On the east rim of the 585-acre Leonard Harrison State Park, you'll find great pa grand canyon camping that offers modern facilities, a visitor center, and the most famous scenic views of the canyon. On the other side of the canyon is Colton Point State Park. The campground is open from the second Friday in April until the third Sunday in October. Picnic tables, fire rings, showers, flush toilets, and a sanitary dump station are provided.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLeonard Harrison State Park Campground is located in Pennsylvania near Gaines
Directions
To reach the 585-acre Leonard Harrison State Park on the eastern rim, take PA 660 west from Wellsboro for ten miles.
Address
4797 ROUTE 660
Wellsboro, PA 16901
Coordinates
41.69800043 N
77.45000067 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 7 min from Williamsport, PA
- 1 hr 10 min from Elmira, NY
- 1 hr 41 min from Ithaca, NY
- 1 hr 51 min from State College, PA
